Rams quarterback Sam Bradford has just started working with his third offense in three years as an NFL quarterback, but he’s sounding upbeat about life under the new regime.
Bradford told Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he feels the offense being installed by offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has things in common with the system he played in as a rookie. There’s similar language to what Pat Shurmur used before leaving to become the Browns head coach and Bradford is particularly happy to have quarterbacks coach Frank Cignetti devoted to helping him master things.
“I’m glad that we have a quarterbacks coach now,” Bradford said. “Obviously, with Josh (McDaniels) trying to do both last year I think it was just a lot for him to handle. Sometimes some of the little things such as drops, footwork, throwing mechanics kind of got put aside as opposed to putting reads and everything in front. ... I think it’s going to be great for my development.”
It should also help that Bradford has a full offseason to work with Schottenheimer and Cignetti. He had to learn McDaniels’ offense in a condensed period of time because of the lockout. Bradford’s play slipped in his second season, with injuries and a poor team around him playing a big role in the downturn in performance. The supporting cast is better, although there’s still room to improve, and Bradford says he’s totally healthy.
That doesn’t leave many excuses not to have a bounceback 2012 season.