In a news conference this past Friday, St. Louis Rams’ offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti indicated that the team supports Sam Bradford as the franchise quarterback.
Head coach Jeff Fisher even shared his support regarding the Rams’ 2010 first-round draft pick according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
When asked directly whether there was any doubt if Bradford would suit up as the team’s starting in 2015, Fisher stated this.
That’s correct, yes. He’s been in the building since the season ended. He’s doing well.
These comments differ from what Fisher had indicated last December when he stated that Bradford would face “competition” in 2015.
It sounds like the Rams are perfectly fine with Bradford right now and they would just like to have other “options” in play in the case Bradford goes down with another injury.
It’s not as much from the standpoint of challenging Sam. It’s to have options. We don’t know what that looks like right now. We don’t know if that’s draft, if that’s free agency, or what that looks like. But when we line up in September, we’ll have somebody there.
It’s also important to note that the Rams gave Bradford some input in the hiring process of a new offensive coordinator—a process that ended in Cignetti being promoted from quarterbacks coach.
It would certainly suit the Rams well to consider alternatives other than quarterbacks Shaun Hill (a free agent) and Austin Davis to backup their franchise quarterback who has missed 25 of his last 32 games due to season-ending injuries.
Bradford’s health has not allowed him to complete a full 16-game season since 2012. Prior to that, his rookie season in 2010 was Bradford’s only other complete NFL season in his five-year career. Additionally, Bradford’s lofty $12.985 million salary, which the Rams had previously indicated that they wish to restructure is a concern for the team. That’s only magnified by a ridiculous $16.6 million cap hit next season.
In 49 career starts since being selected first overall in 2010, Bradford has put up a 18-30-1 record with 59 touchdowns compared to 38 interceptions. Those numbers shouldn’t exactly inspire the confidence of the team moving forward.
Photo: USA Today