Rams Looking To Speed Up Offense To Protect Sam Bradford
By Mike Dyce
Some have said Sam Bradford has been skittish in the pocket, but who could blame him. He has taken 70 sacks in 26 games in his career. ESPN’s analyst Ron Jaworski termed this “cabin fever” playing tentatively and fearing the pass rush even if it isn’t coming.
But Sam Bradford says he doesn’t hear the media’s criticism and that him and new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer are working towards speeding up the offense to protect Sam Bradford who says he took too many hits last season.
“That’s a lot of what I’ve talked about with Schotty so far,” Bradford told NFL.com. “Two days ago in camp, I thought I had a really good practice. I’m not sure the ball hit the ground once. And we got in the film room, and he was all over me about getting the ball out of my hands even quicker, to eliminate hits. He’s made it a big point. It’s part of my job to help the protection and get the ball out of my hands and make sure that, even if it’s not a sack, I’m eliminating the unnecessary hits.”
Sam Bradford was sacked 36 times but only played in 10 games. If he had played in all 16 games he would’ve been sacked an estimated 58 times which is 14 more sacks than last season’s sack leader Alex Smith. This is Bradford’s third offensive coordinator in 3 years.
“I like the fact that, from what we’re doing right now, Schotty’s main deal with me is ‘get completions,’” Bradford explained. “Keep us ahead of the chains, keep us in good situations, find us a completion and move on down the road. There are a lot of quick completions, getting the ball out of my hand. I don’t think there’s gonna be a lot of dropping back, sitting there in the pocket, patting it and waiting for guys to come open 20 yards down the field.”
“It’s gonna be about being efficient.”
Schottenheimer says that this doesn’t mean Bradford isn’t tough.
“I don’t worry about Sam getting hit,” Schottenheimer said. “He’s tough. That’s the one thing that shows up; I mean, he stands in there and he’s taken some punishment. It’s our job to keep him from getting hit like that. And I’d be saying that to you if I was talking about Mark Sanchez, Drew Brees or any of the other guys I’ve coached. You don’t want to get those guys hit, because when they do get hit, unfortunately, human nature, it makes you … not afraid, or scared, but you’re aware of it.”
“And you’re forced to move or slide,” he continued. “I mentioned the word earlier: rhythm. The best way to be an accurate, excellent passer is to be in rhythm. And when you have to move off your spot, that takes the rhythm from your body.”
Sam Bradford might be able to thrive in this new system. He played quarterback at the University of Oklahoma and they’re known for their hurry up offense.