Arizona Cardinals’ success contingent on passer’s health
By Jim Koch
Much has been said about Sam Bradford’s inability to stay healthy, but the Arizona Cardinals may do good things if he can
The Arizona Cardinals have been familiar with Sam Bradford for quite awhile. The quarterback played for a division rival of their’s, the St. Louis Rams, for five seasons. The Cards then faced Bradford when he became a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, and then again when the passer joined the Minnesota Vikings.
So when the opportunity to acquire the 30-year old presented itself this offseason, Arizona jumped. It’s no secret that their front office’s number-one preference was Kirk Cousins, who ended up signing with the Vikes. But with quite a few other signal-callers available on the market, general manager Steve Keim believed unequivocally that Bradford was the next-best option.
The Cardinals’ executive may very well be correct. After all, Bradford’s 62.5 career completion percentage and 101-57 touchdown to interception ratio are extremely impressive statistics. Furthermore, the Oklahoma University product has an exceptional football intellect, to go along with great size (6’4″, 228) and a cannon for an arm.
That’s the good news. The bad news is that Bradford has a history of missing games due to injury. In fact, in his eight years as a professional, the first-overall pick of the 2010 draft has played just two full campaigns (2010, 2012).
Just last year, Bradford appeared in just two games for Minnesota thanks to a knee ailment. But in 15 starts for the Vikings the season before, the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner was outstanding. Bradford’s 71.6 completion percentage in ’16 ranks second in NFL history, and he tossed 20 touchdown passes against just five picks back then, as well.
When Bradford is healthy, he can be very good. Pass-protection, which is something that the Cards’ offensive line has quite often struggled to provide, will be a key. Management did sign talented guard Justin Pugh last week, with the hope that the former New York Giant will help in that area.
Next: Grading Arizona Cardinals free agency so far
Despite the criticism surrounding the acquisition of Bradford, all hope is not lost. Keep the quarterback upright, and good things can happen in 2018. With a little help from the rest of the Arizona offense, Bradford could very well be the one who provides those good things.