RealGM Football: The Twelfth Writer - Sam: I Am Not Working Out

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Sam: I Am Not Working Out

Authored by Randolph Charlotin - 23rd February, 2010 - 11:46 am

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During Super Bowl week, Sam Bradford fired several 40-yard bullets before being interviewed by Sports Illustrated?s Dan Patrick. According to Bradford, he throws three times a week and the recovery from two shoulder separations and a surgery is ahead of schedule.

Bradford will be at the NFL Combine, but he will not work out until his Pro Day on March 25th, more than two weeks after the University of Oklahoma hosts a pro day for their draft-eligible players.

Skipping the Combine workouts is nothing new for top picks. But for Bradford, who?s recovering from two injuries and a surgery all to his throwing shoulder, he?s taking a big gamble.

Bradford will meet with teams and do interviews to prove his competency to be a franchise quarterback and worthy of a top-10 pick. And he will let the doctors examine him from head to toe, particularly his right shoulder.

His throwing shoulder will be scrutinized, and rightfully so. A passer can be a genius under center. But if he lacks arm strength and accuracy, that quarterback won?t get drafted high.

Bradford?s shoulder is well enough to throw three times a week and ?fire several 40-yard bullets? before the Super Bowl. Yet it?s not well enough to perform during the combine?

Teams can review Bradford?s 2007 and 2008 seasons leading the Sooners offense, but it doesn?t mean anything if he can?t throw the ball like he used to. Even if team doctors say the shoulder is recovering fine, that doesn?t prove that Bradford is still the same player on film.

It would be a heck of a statement if Bradford worked out at the combine. If he can throw effectively ahead of schedule, it would quiet any doubts about the shoulder?s health and Sam?s ability. If there are still limitations to what Bradford is allowed to do, having an indiscreet informal throwing session for all to see would open eyes and restore any confidence lost on Bradford. It would be an excellent tease for his upcoming pro day.

Bradford is currently rated the top quarterback in this year?s draft class, though many make an argument for Jimmy Claussen. His arm strength didn?t impress scouts even when healthy. He had a thin build at Oklahoma. He needs to bulk up to erase concerns that he can hold up for a full season. And the wide open spread offense he played in makes some wonder if Bradford is a system quarterback.

The best way to hold that top ranking is by proving the recovery is going as well as projected. Certainly Bradford doesn?t want to re-aggravate the injury. But if he?s well enough throw tri-weekly and show off before the Super Bowl, he can do something at the combine.

Otherwise, Bradford is putting all of his eggs in one basket by waiting until March 25th. And he must ace this final exam. He will have no excuses for a bad performance and little room for error. Bradford will have more than enough time to get healthy. If the velocity isn?t good enough or if the accuracy isn?t on the money as he throws to familiar targets, Bradford?s shot at a top-10 selection could be gone.

Bradford would still have a chance at a good impression if March 25th is a disaster. He will still have time to workout individually for teams before the draft. Sam just has to give them enough reason to take a second look during his only workout.

Read more by Randolph Charlotin at his New England Patriots blog at . He can be reached at talktome@randolphc.com.

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