Sam Bradford named the Rams’ starter
Sam Bradford has officially earned the starting job for the St. Louis Rams. After being selected first overall in this year’s draft, Bradford had a great training camp and an impressive pre-season to earn the no.1 job as was expected from him. Bradford will start in Week 1 when the Rams take on the Arizona Cardinals.
AJ Feeley signed with the Rams to give them some experience at quarterback but the writing on the wall was for Bradford to take over. With all the money the Rams have invested in him, it’s only normal that they’d want him to start as early as possible. He is signed to a six-year deal worth $78 million with $50 million guaranteed, the most in NFL history. Coach Steve Spagnuolo made him earn it, and he did.
"We're confident. The staff's confident. The team's confident," Spagnuolo said. "It's well deserved."
Feeley was also injured in a pre-season game, giving Bradford the opportunity to start in the Rams’ final two pre-season games. The 2008 Heisman Trophy winner looked sharp in both starts against the likes of the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens. Bradford was 21 of 28 for 257 yards and three touchdowns in his two starts (in reality three quarters of work).
"I feel like coach has given me a great opportunity to start next week against Arizona," Bradford said. "I realize there is a lot of responsibility that comes with that opportunity."
Bradford sat out most of his senior season at Oklahoma on the bench with a shoulder injury, but the impression he made beforehand was enough to make him the top pick. He has all the tools to succeed as a quarterback in the NFL and he has already started to show it.
He made the most of the opportunity when Feeley was hurt, leading the Rams to a 3-1 pre-season finish. Feeley will be the back-up and will provide Bradford with some veteran guidance as he tries to develop into a star quarterback.
“I'm a competitor," Bradford said. "I sat on the bench last year with an injury and it's something that I did not enjoy at all. Just to have the opportunity to play football again, it's really something that I look forward to."
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