Bernie: It's time to refocus expectations about Bradford

Bernie: It’s time to refocus expectations about Bradford
By Bernie Miklasz

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/bernie-it-s-time-to-refocus-expectations-about-bradford/article_93e4ee0d-31fe-5857-8a58-316b8b3dd73e.html

We’ve been stewing over quarterbacks in our town since the Bidwill family moved the Chicago Cardinals here in 1960. Cardinal or Ram — you name him, and we’ve probably argued over him. Sam Etcheverry, Charley Johnson, Gary Cuozzo, Jim Hart, Steve Pisarkiewicz, Neil Lomax, Kurt Warner, Marc Bulger.

I can’t imagine that any St. Louis quarterback has been debated more than Sam Bradford, who is preparing for his fifth season as the Rams’ starter.

Bradford is only 26, but already is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in St. Louis NFL history. If you combine the Cardinals’ and Rams’ seasons here, only four quarterbacks have attempted more regular-season passes for the St. Louis franchise than Bradford: Hart, Bulger, Lomax and Johnson.

I’m sorry to go against the grain, but I don’t see 2014 as a “make or break” season for Bradford.

Instead, I see Bradford as entering a new phase in his career.

You see, I’ve adjusted my expectations.

The days of demanding that Bradford become Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees are over. Bradford isn’t the kind of quarterback that can elevate a franchise in a dramatic way.

But this doesn’t mean Sam can’t become Phil Simms or Jim Plunkett.

And there’s nothing wrong with that. Both quarterbacks played admirably and won Super Bowls later in their careers after getting curb-stomped and nearly broken in the service of rebuilding, overmatched teams.

Bradford has run the gamut in St. Louis. He was the franchise savior when he arrived as the first player picked in the 2010 NFL draft. Then he became the under-duress quarterback trapped behind a mediocre offensive line and a revolving door of owners, head coaches, general managers and offensive coordinators.

Bradford never has had a Mel Gray, Jackie Smith, Pat Tilley, Roy Green, Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt or Ricky Proehl to catch his passes.

He never ran a passing game designed by Don Coryell or Mike Martz.

He never had Dan Dierdorf or Orlando Pace protecting him.

He never handed the ball off to Terry Metcalf or Marshall Faulk. (Steven Jackson already was entering the downside of his career during Bradford’s early years.)

This isn’t an excuse; it’s reality. For Bradford, it’s been a career of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. A truly special quarterback might have been able to overcome all of that, but Bradford isn’t that guy.

But I’m convinced that Bradford can be effective — and a winner — with an enhanced mix of talent and coaching. That seems like faint praise, but honestly that’s not my intention.

I’ve spent four seasons hoping that Bradford could develop into the next Manning or Brady or the Warner that triggered the “Greatest Show” Rams. But at some point you just have to accept he truth. After all, how many of those guys come along?

So rather than throw a tantrum over what Bradford can’t become, I’d rather focus on what he can become.

That’s why I keep thinking about Simms and Plunkett.

My friend Randy Karraker of WXOS (101.1 FM) made the Simms-Bradford analogy, and I definitely see it. I’ll also add Plunkett to the list.

Simms was drafted in the first round by a bad Giants team in 1979 and got kicked around over his first several NFL seasons. He suffered injuries. He was called a bust, and shredded by New York media and fans. Simms was 14-23 in his first four seasons and at one point lost his starting gig to the immortal Scott Brunner.

Coach Bill Parcells changed all of that. He built a great defense. He constructed a tough offensive line. He installed a physical running game. The Giants became winners, and Simms no longer was a bum. Between 1984 and 1990, Simms had a record of 68-33 and was the Super Bowl MVP for the ’86 Giants.

Plunkett, the No. 1 pick in the 1971 draft, was chosen by a horrendous New England team that threw him to the jackals. Plunkett broke down after absorbing brutal punishment during his formative seasons.

By the time the Patriots became winners in 1976, Plunkett was damaged goods, and long gone. Plunkett was picked up by another awful team at the time (San Francisco), and the experience was just as miserable during his two seasons (1976-77) as the 49ers’ starter.

This is the same guy that went on to win two Super Bowls in five seasons for the Raiders. The difference? The Raiders knew what they were doing. They had talent, including two Hall of Fame offensive linemen (Gene Upshaw, Art Shell). They had capable receivers including wideout Cliff Branch and super tight ends such as Dave Casper and Todd Christensen. They had a Hall of Fame running back in Marcus Allen.

When Simms and Plunkett were given a legitimate chance to succeed, they came through.

Plunkett never was a stiff. He just needed smarter coaching and a stronger team to support him. Simms’ Giants never had scary-good wide receivers; his best target was tight end Mark Bavaro.

The Raiders and Giants each had a stout running game and an intimidating defense. And with few exceptions, that’s how you succeed in the NFL. It’s hard, but I constantly have to remind myself of that. Even now — in the modern-day NFL tricked up with slick passing games — the team with the superior defense usually wins the Super Bowl.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher has gone back to his roots to build a robust rushing attack. He’s beefed up the offensive line. The Rams defense – already dangerous – has a chance to be ruthlessly good in 2014. Bradford – finally – is in position to benefit from the roster improvements.

For Bradford, Manning and Brady are out of reach. But he still has a chance to follow the hard — but ultimately successful – career paths of Plunkett and Simms.

And I’d take that. Wouldn’t you?