Thomas: Bradford starts Camp No. 5 sound of knee and mind

Bradford starts Camp No. 5 sound of knee and mind

• By Jim Thomas

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/bradford-starts-camp-no-sound-of-knee-and-mind/article_f581ee3c-f584-57da-a3e2-7e2a3b12ab23.html

Training camp No. 5 for Sam Bradford began Friday with …

• A parking spot closer to the players’ entrance at Rams Park. (The longer you’ve been in the league, the closer you park to the door — a real bonus when the cold weather hits.)

• No issues with his knee during the opening practice of training camp.

• And the usual questions concerning his future and the make-or-break nature of the season.

First the knee.

“My knee feels really good,” said Bradford, who wore a brace Friday. “It feels better than when we finished OTAs. And I finished those last two OTAs pretty strong.

“Talking to Coach (Jeff Fisher) and Reg (head athletic trainer Reggie Scott), they feel good about having no limits. If it starts to get a little sore and we feel like we need to pull back, we can always do that. But out of the gate I’m gonna try to do everything.”

Bradford added that “there hasn’t been a point when we’ve had to pull back” throughout the rehab process.

The Rams’ defense sent pass-rushers at Bradford routinely on Friday, although of course contact with the quarterback is forbidden in practice. But he said he never consciously thought about the knee on the field Friday.

“It might be a little different the first time we step on the field for a preseason game or a regular-season game — the bullets are live,” he continued. “But at this point, I haven’t noticed anything.”

As for the old make-it-or-break-it question, Bradford seemed almost amused when the topic came up.

“I don’t really pay attention to that,” Bradford said. “But I think that question’s probably been asked every year since I’ve been here. So I mean, every year is a make-it-or-break-it year according to someone.

“I think everyone in our locker room feels good about where we’re at right now — and where this football team’s going. I think we have a great chance to be really good, and we’re just worried about coming out here right now in camp and getting better every day.”

Last week, before the Rams reported to camp, former Seattle fullback Michael Robinson provided more fodder than usual for the Bradford-bashers when he said on ESPN’s “First Take” that Bradford was “a little soft.”

“I haven’t heard about that,” Bradford said. “But whatever he said, everyone’s entitled to their opinion. Whether it was good or bad, it’s really not gonna change what’s going on around here for us.”

For those who question Bradford’s toughness, Robinson included, a couple of things come to mind.

• In 2011, when he had continuing problems with a severe high ankle sprain, Bradford was told if he continued to play on the ankle, it might deteriorate to the point where he needed surgery. Bradford’s response was as long as he didn’t need surgery right then and there he wanted to keep playing.

• Last season, just moments after he went down with his knee injury in Game 7 at Carolina, Bradford told team medical officials that he wanted to put on a knee brace and continue playing. That “request” obviously was denied.

“Sam is a tough player because you see what he can do (after) the injury that he had,” teammate Rodger Saffold said. “He’s come out here earlier than he needs to, and he’s come out here healthier, stronger, and faster. And everybody can see it, through everything that you (media) guys can’t see. But at the end of the day, he doesn’t need to be tough because we’re gonna do what we need to do.”

In other words, protect him.

Earlier this week, Bradford had what probably should be termed a surprising performance in the mandatory conditioning tests that each player must take before training camp.

“We all ran with him a few days ago, and he came out and he blew that conditioning test open,” linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar said. “So to see him do that, and to see him out here (Friday) throwing the ball and throwing some accurate balls — some good balls — it’s just a relief to know that you’ve got the General on offense back.”

Dunbar said Bradford’s performance in the conditioning drills was good to the point where he embarrassed a few teammates.

“He did,” Dunbar said. “Guys that you would think would do a lot better (than Bradford). I can’t tell you specifics, but Sam ran well.”

Before arriving at Rams Park for camp, Bradford held a scaled-down version of his usual pre-camp get-together with Rams receivers in his hometown of Norman, Okla. This year’s attendees were wide receivers Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey and Brian Quick; tight end Lance Kendricks; and fullback/tight end Cory Harkey. As usual, Bradford footed the bill for the group in terms of transportation, lodging and meals.

“I mean, we only have four, four-and-a-half weeks (off), so for them to take a couple days and come down there — it means a lot to me and I’m happy to pick the tab up,” Bradford said. “I think any time you spend together helps. … Just talking plays, talking ball, making sure that it’s still fresh in everyone’s mind.”

Bradford normally brings players to Norman in conjunction with a youth camp he puts on. But he didn’t have a youth camp this summer, and he didn’t have another quarterback to help throw to the receivers.

“So I kept it a little smaller this year,” he said. “Some of the younger guys and guys that I felt like I needed to work with. But they came to Norman for a few days and we had a great session and spent some time together off the field, just hanging out.”