Arizona Cardinals hoping for 2016 version of quarterback
By Jim Koch
Sam Bradford’s fantastic showing from two seasons ago may have convinced the Arizona Cardinals to bring the passer aboard
It’s quite possible that Sam Bradford may have been the Arizona Cardinals last resort. Any hopes that they may have had of acquiring Alex Smith, Kirk Cousins or Case Keenum to be their starting quarterback were dashed by other clubs. But those who witnessed Bradford’s outstanding performance in 2016 may feel that the Cardinals made a good move in signing the 30-year old.
Bradford, a member of the Minnesota Vikings at the time, was traded to that organization just prior to the start of the regular-season. The Vikings were in desperation mode, having lost Teddy Bridgewater just days before the acquisition. Bradford was brought in from the Philadelphia Eagles to help keep the franchise’s Super Bowl hopes alive.
After sitting out the Vikes’ opener, Bradford was handed the starting reigns for week two. The 6’4″, 224 pounder got off to a great start, engineering a 17-14 victory over the Green Bay Packers. The veteran was brilliant, completing 22 of 31 passes for 286 yards and a pair of touchdowns in defeating the squad’s division-rival.
Three triumphs later, Minnesota’s record stood at five and zero with Bradford now at the helm. In four appearances, the Vikings’ new leader had stepped in flawlessly. The Vikings had given up a couple of draft picks for the former St. Louis Ram (a first-rounder and a fourth), and were getting payback on their investment.
Bradford’s stellar play continued throughout ’16, but his teammates failed to keep pace. Despite the hot start, the “Purple People Eaters” failed to make the playoffs. The team went three and eight in it’s final 11 matchups in spite of Bradford’s best efforts.
The former first-overall pick of the 2010 draft put up incredible numbers in ’16. Bradford threw for 3,877 yards, tossing 20 touchdowns against just five interceptions. The 71.6 completion percentage he registered during that year ranks second all-time in NFL history.
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The Cardinals would be thrilled if the historically fragile Bradford was able to accomplish more of the same for them. His 2016 campaign is a perfect example of what he’s capable of when healthy. If the Bradford of two years ago resurfaces, then Arizona quite possibly has made one of the shrewdest signings of the current offseason.