RG3--Rams Biggest Regret?

Rams Will Regret Not Drafting RG3 and Trading Bradford for Pieces
-by Jason T. Davis


   There is no denying what Sam Bradford is capable of as a starting NFL quarterback. I don't think it's in question. He won the Rookie of the Year award and has appeared like the spark for the resurgence of the Rams franchise. Fast forward a few years later and it seems like there might be some dust on that beautiful glass case. I believe he'll make a pro bowl or two...I truly do. I also feel that he'll win some playoff games along the way, especially with some protection and actual weapons. Bradford has 14 tds, 9 ints, 2447 yds, 84 passer rtg thus far this season. Nothing to go nuts about. Again, I do really like the kid. I completely understood the number one draft choice given the year's options and the Rams' situation at that given time. I would've been hesitant though given his Season Ending shoulder injury/surgery during the beginning of his Senior Season. He looked a bit fragile then. He went on to only play 10 games last season and seems to have a knack for the injury bug. I firmly believe that after a few seasons, Coaches and front office personnel can see what kind of quarterback they have and what kind of quarterback he could become. Sam can become a really nice quarterback that will win you some games when he's healthy. However, he is not transcendent. He does not transform an average roster to a playoff contender simply by putting on his pads. Let's all face it people, the hype surrounding RG3 is the real deal and a bit more. I'm not sure the NFL has seen a quarterback of this magnitude and mixture. He is unprecedented in his ability. I am not jumping to conclusions. His skills are uncanny. His incompletions are minimal almost every game as well. He's done this with no Garcon pretty much and a lesser version of Santana Moss. The hype has turned into concrete evidence based on statistics and wins. His draft counter-part is showing he's an amazing product as well. Luck looks like an absolute stud, and there is still some real thought that the Colts were a bit hasty to count out RG3 so fast as a No. 1 draft choice. Many feel they had their minds made up on Luck halfway through the college season. Either way, the Colts know they have a TOP TIER NFL QUARTERBACK. Luck is no Bradford. RG3 is no Bradford. But let's just forget about Luck for a minute. This doesn't concern him. The Colts didn't make an incorrect choice. Both choices were the "creme de la creme." In 11 games this season, his ROOKIE season, Robert Griffin III has recorded 16 throwing TDs, 4 Ints, 2500 passing yds, 104.6 passer rtg, 58 rush yds/game ave, 6 rush tds and 9 TDs of 20+ yds(NFL Leader). He has mobility, vision, leadership, sells way more tickets and advertising than almost every QB(Something a smaller market like STL could've considered), a much bigger arm than Sam, and is  just a better overall quarterback than Bradford. RG3 is going to cement himself in the Top Tier QBs in this league. In my opinion, he should already be more coveted by GMs than guys like Rivers, Stafford, Romo and Newton. He is, to put it bluntly, a different kind of cat.
   Here's what I'll never understand about the Rams and the RG3 opportunity they had in front of them. Why, with Fisher coming into his first season, were they so quick to dismiss the idea of building around RG3 and trading Bradford for some picks and maybe a piece. It's like the Rams front office simply said, "Listen guys, we just haven't given Sam the time it takes to fully develop. We have to let him ride it out for a few years and see." That's all fine and well, when a Top 7 NFL QB ALREADY is sitting in your lap. They talked to him, they knew his character and ethics. They saw his workouts. He could make every throw and do it with WR agility and grace. He's an olympic runner. He was an amazing QB for Baylor. He did win the Heisman, right? Just like Bradford. The difference is that the Rams could've seen that RG3 was the better QB ALREADY than what they had. This isn't the NBA, folks. This isn't sticking with your pretty darn good young Center, trading the lottery pick, and then getting a ton in return. This is the NFL! This is the Quarterback position! The most important position in the most popular American Sport! It's almost always the end-all-be-all. RARELY do you see a Great team win rings without a Great QB. Sure it happens, but it's a rarity and NEVER A DYNASTY. I'm not saying the QB is equivalent to the whole 53 man roster. Hell, there's 3 phases of game, I get it. What I am saying however, is that Bradford is a really good QB, but RG3 is already an elite(Talent-wise) QB. If you don't believe me, fine. Simply give it a few years.
   The Future reads as follows in my mind: Bradford will continue to get injured for the next couple of season and not really take the Rams anywhere legitimate. He'll modestly struggle until eventually he either won't be resigned or simply get traded for low value. Another great point about this--Rams could've gotten quite a bit for young Bradford. Give it a few more years and maybe a few more injuries and the offers will be less. Either way, RG3 will become a multiple pro-bowler and have the Redskins in the playoff discussions every single year. I believe he will definitely win a Super Bowl. He will also  continue to sell a lot more merchandise, receive more endorsements(which makes your team look good), sell more tickets and gain more overall attention to your franchise. He is everything the Rams needed. They needed him in Every way and that's why it hurts them. This wasn't the Giants getting a ton of draft picks for RG3 and keeping Eli. This wasn't a big market like Chicago trading RG3 for tons of picks and keeping Cutler. They have the market size, the ticket sellouts, the franchise QBs and the popularity to do that trade and have it be a good move. I think the Rams will do well with their picks and have a really nice team in 3 years. The problem however, will be they don't have the QB situation locked down either because of inconsistency of injury.
The Rams had months to explore trading their young quarterback and acquiring multiple picks and players for him. It was evident RG3 was going No. 2 for months. All this leads me to the conclusions that the Rams were excited about the future with Bradford and weren't interested in a Rookie QB. They could've had some patience and explored how this Baylor kid might be the game-changer for their muddling franchise in numerous ways. Hell, it is a business as well. He wins and makes you a lot of money. Everything about Bradford's boring. His game, his look, his personality. Blah. Had they said, "Hmm..I'm not sure Sam's the true answer guys. Young bucks like Cam and Dalton look like they have more franchise QB potential. Maybe it'd be wise to give the Heisman from Baylor a good look. This new crop seems better than the old crop...And we got a beaten up piece of the old crop."I know hind-sight's 20/20. But dam St. Louis, just take a damn look! This could've risen them out of the depths they've been in since the Warner years; which only lasted a few short seasons. Bradford's no Grossman. He's no J.P Losman. Let's be real though. He's also no Matt Ryan, Eli Manning, Phillip Rivers, Drew Brees, or even the young RG3. He's not even Jay Cutler. St. Louis. Sorry, he may not be at the bottom of the Starting QBs list, but he's for sure not what you though he was...or think he is.

Jason T. Davis @WisdomOfSports