For quarterback Sam Bradford, his shoulder has provided the biggest unknown in the weeks preceding the draft. The St. Louis Rams apparently believe that those concerns have been answered.
According to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Rams have scrapped plans to have a “neutral” doctor take a look at the ball-and-socket in Bradford’s torso.
“At that point, [the shoulder) was such a big question mark,” Devaney said Wednesday, per Thomas. “Since then, we’ve talked to so many people that have looked at him from other teams. And our doctors -- they’ve gone over him with a fine-tooth comb -- we’re completely satisfied. We don’t need a follow-up.”
The development marks an impressive recovery from Bradford, who experienced a Grade 3 shoulder separation, which required reconstruction of the AC joint.
Lost in the fact that Bradford’s shoulder has healed are broader questions regarding Bradford’s readiness for the NFL. He has operated largely out of the spread offense, like Tim Tebow. And the injury came on a hit from a 234-pound BYU linebacker. What will happen if/when he takes a square hit from a guy 50 pounds heavier, or more?
Bradford’s own weight gain may address some of those concerns, but his rise to the top of the draft board doesn’t mean that he’ll automatically be the next Peyton Manning or Tom Brady.
Indeed, Packers coach Mike McCarthy seems to have been more impressed by Wednesday’s workout from Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, who also has had to overcome questions regarding his health and durability. “I like this workout better from the fact I thought Colt was challenged more in his workouts as far as the type of throws,” McCarthy said, per the Dallas Morning News. “I thought in Sam’s workout, he was very accurate. But Sam’s workout was very controlled. He didn’t do as much movement and as many driving throws, in my opinion.
“I thought Colt’s workout was more challenging. He had more down-the-field, driving type throws, which personally, I always look for because I think you get more information out of those.”
Once again, it’s hard to trust anyone, especially as the draft approaches. But since McCarthy doesn’t need a quarterback, his words have a bit more credibility than others. Still, at this time of the year, no one has much.