Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams passes the ball during the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings at Edward Jones Dome on August 14, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri.
The Rams are gauging the readiness of first overall draft pick Sam Bradford this preseason.
The quality that most impresses St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo about quarterback Sam Bradford, beyond the strong arm and uncanny accuracy that helped make him the top pick in the NFL draft, is his willingness to listen.
"We had three or four meetings before the draft and I grew a deep respect for his ability to sit and listen and actually let things sink in," the second-year head coach says. "Some guys will sit there and they are thinking about what they are going to say. Sam lets it sink in and then he will come back with an intelligent answer."
Bradford's ability to process information will greatly influence whether Spagnuolo believes he is ready to start the regular-season opener against the visiting Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 12. His grasp of offensive and defensive concepts will then determine how quickly he can make an impact on a club that finished 1-15 last year. The Rams averaged a league-low 10.9 points per game.
"Especially at the quarterback position, you are really starting over in terms of understanding an offense," Bradford says. "You are going back to square one."
St. Louis, desperate for a turnaround after compiling a 6-42 record the last three years, guaranteed the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma University a record $50 million in signing him to a six-year contract worth $78 million.
Bradford understands, though, that in many respects he is simply another rookie trying to find his way.
"I feel I've definitely made a lot of progress during this camp," he says. "If I continue making progress like I've been making, week by week I'll be a better football player. Hopefully, by the end of this year I will be in position to help this team win football games."
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SOURCE: USA Today
