audio + article — Bradford on Rehab, DeflateGate, & Super Bowl XLIX

Sam Bradford Speaks About His Rehab, Return, DeflateGate, & Super Bowl XLIX

By Brandon Bate Jan 30 2015, 11:48p

http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2015/1/30/7955545/sam-bradford-rehab-return-deflategate-super-bowl-xlix

St. Louis Rams QB Sam Bradford recently joined the “Middle of the Day Show” on WWLS 98.1 FM in Oklahoma. Here’s what he had to say about his rehab, his return to the Rams, DeflateGate, and SB XLIX…

St. Louis Rams’ quarterback Sam Bradford recently joined Mark Rodgers and Dusty Dvoracek on the Middle of the Day Show on 98.1 FM in Oklahoma. The call was, most likely, intended to discuss the recent firing of Oklahoma’s head coach Josh Heupel.

Mark and Dusty did ask a few pertinent questions of the Rams’ QB regarding his rehab and timetable for return, potentially testing the free agent market, and some other less pressing matters, like his thoughts on DeflateGate and the winner of Super Bowl XLIX.

Below is the portion relevant to NFL/Rams’ football. You can listen to the entire [12+ minute interview] here.

Rehab and Return

On how the rehab process is going

It’s going well, feeling good. Just kinda in the strength-building phase right now; just trying to build up my legs, get some muscle mass back on them. Everything’s gone well, haven’t had any setbacks — knock on wood — so, hopefully I’ll be back on the field in no time.

On his timetable for return

We really haven’t gotten that far. I just kinda like to take it day-by-day, week-by-week. I’m sure as we continue to progress and continue to get closer to OTA’s (Organized Team Activities) we’ll probably sit down and come up with a plan for whether or not I’ll be ready for that or training camp. I would say right now, things the way they are, I hope to be back out there as soon as possible.

On if this particular injury has been tougher to deal with; both physically and mentally.

I would say, mentally, this has probably been one of the tougher injuries. Obviously, last year was difficult, but there was always that light at the end of the tunnel. I knew that if I could just get myself healthy again, I would be back on the field and playing. I was really excited for the season, and then to not even have the opportunity to play in a regular season game this year — to have to sit there and watch and continue to rehab — it was definitely one of the tougher five or six months I’ve ever gone through in my life.

On remaining involved with the team, helping the other QB’s, and trying to help the team win.

Absolutely. If I wasn’t around the facility, still wasn’t around ball, I’m really not sure what I would have done. I think I would have lost my mind. As tough as it was to not be on the field with my guys, at least being able to hang out, be in the locker room, be at the facility every day, I think that kinda helped me keep my sanity.

On if he feels the organization, and Jeff Fisher, intend on bringing him back for the 2015 season

From all of the conversations we’ve had, yeah. I think me and coach Fisher have a great relationship. From all the times we’ve spent together, that’s the feeling I get, but obviously in this league, things can change in a blink of an eye. But that’s the way that I’m preparing right now, and that’s the way that I hope things play out.

DeflateGate & Super Bowl XLIX

His opinion on DeflateGate and whether he deflated balls before games

I think this whole thing is getting blow out of proportion. I will say I prefer my footballs with as little air in them as possible. We’ve got Smacks, our guy who takes care of all our balls here in St. Louis, and he does a great job with it. He always makes sure they’re on the lower end of the legal limit of air pressure.

On whether he, and everyone, is aware of the rules surrounding deflating footballs

Yeah. The only reason I know is that when I first got into the league I thought the balls had way too much air in them. I went to them and I was like “hey man, we’ve gotta take some of this air out,” and he was like “nah, they’ve gotta be between whatever it is,” and I was like “alright, I guess I’ll have to learn.” I think every quarterback is different, but I would say most guys I’ve been around prefer them to have a little less air in them.

On what makes Seattle’s defense so good

They’re extremely talented, but they also play extremely disciplined in their coverage schemes. They don’t run very many defenses. It’s gonna be single high (safety) 99 percent of the time and you know it’s coming. They’re just that good at executing that it makes it tough on offenses. When you combine their scheme with their talent, that’s really what makes them the defense what they are.

On attacking, and finding success, against the Seahawks’ defense

I think you’ve got to try to establish the run game. I think if it turns into a dropback game where you’re throwing it 50, 55 times, they’re gonna win most of those games, because their pass rush is eventually gonna take over. I think if you can establish the run … you know, in all that Cover 3 they play there’s holes in those zones. You’ve just got to try to attack those, get the ball out quick, take checkdowns. If I remember, there always seems to be a good amount of yards available over the football, whether it’s a checkdown or a hank route by the tight end. You just have to take advantage of that. I think New England is going to have to make sure that Tom (Brady) is getting the ball out of his hands and not allowing the pass rush to get to him, because when that pass rush gets going, they’re tough to beat.

On who’s winning Super Bowl XLIX

I don’t know, it’s tough. I think everyone’s obviously going with New England right now. I haven’t seen them in a couple of years; I’ve obviously seen Seattle more. I would go with Seattle just knowing how good they are and the times that we’ve played them.

On struggling with roman numerals

That’s a great question. I have no idea. Because if you asked me what number the Super Bowl was, I’d have no idea if you just showed me the Roman numeral.