Sam Bradford

[adlai]

the rams are just awful. i sure hope they are right that they've found the franchise qb.

[slacker00]

The problem with QBs is 50% of them are busts.

Doc

Not even close.

#1 overall pick in the NFL draft as a QB.

2010 Bradford ???
2009 Stafford (looking alright so far)
2007 Russell -- Bust
2005 Alex Smith (Has a solid chance at redemption this year)
2004 Eli Manning -- Solid NFL Starter
2003 Carson Palmer -- Solid NFL Starter
2002 David Carr -- So far, a disappointment, but he's still in the league.
2001 Michael Vick -- Solid NFL Starter until his off the field issues.
1999 Tim Couch -- Disappointment considering a #1 overall's expectations.
1998 Peyton Manning -- Future HOFer
1993 Drew Bledsoe -- Solid Career, probably lived up to his expectations.
1990 Jeff George -- Some people hate on him, but I think he had a solid career.
1989 Troy Aikman -- NFL HOF
1987 Vinny Testeverde -- Solid NFL starter during his career.
1983 John Elway -- NFL HOF
1975 Steve Bartkowski -- Solid NFL starter during his career.
1971 Jim Plunkett -- Solid NFL starter during his career.
1970 Terry Bradshaw -- NFL HOF


So, on this list, I'd say that Russell is the only true bust. Tim Couch would be the second worst on this list, but at least he gave the Browns a few solid seasons, even leading them to the playoffs one year before eventually fading out of the league. Next worst on this list would be David Carr, but like Couch he gave the Texans several solid years of service before fading into a backup role, maybe he's got a shot if Alex Smith can't do it in SF. Then we've got Alex Smith who hasn't quite lived up to expectations like Carr & Couch, but he'll have his chance this year. We'll see, I kinda like his chances. But for the most part, #1 overall drafted QBs become solid NFL players.

[jjgold]

I would not even waste my time with number 1 pick in nfl because you have to pay his so much

Something needs to change\

This guy is not changing a nfl franchise

[DwightShrute]

100% agreed Slacker. Good info also

[DrAwInGdEaD]

wow...nice contract

[Doc JS]

Not even close.

#1 overall pick in the NFL draft as a QB.

2010 Bradford ???
2009 Stafford (looking alright so far)
2007 Russell -- Bust
2005 Alex Smith (Has a solid chance at redemption this year)
2004 Eli Manning -- Solid NFL Starter
2003 Carson Palmer -- Solid NFL Starter
2002 David Carr -- So far, a disappointment, but he's still in the league.
2001 Michael Vick -- Solid NFL Starter until his off the field issues.
1999 Tim Couch -- Disappointment considering a #1 overall's expectations.
1998 Peyton Manning -- Future HOFer
1993 Drew Bledsoe -- Solid Career, probably lived up to his expectations.
1990 Jeff George -- Some people hate on him, but I think he had a solid career.
1989 Troy Aikman -- NFL HOF
1987 Vinny Testeverde -- Solid NFL starter during his career.
1983 John Elway -- NFL HOF
1975 Steve Bartkowski -- Solid NFL starter during his career.
1971 Jim Plunkett -- Solid NFL starter during his career.
1970 Terry Bradshaw -- NFL HOF


So, on this list, I'd say that Russell is the only true bust. Tim Couch would be the second worst on this list, but at least he gave the Browns a few solid seasons, even leading them to the playoffs one year before eventually fading out of the league. Next worst on this list would be David Carr, but like Couch he gave the Texans several solid years of service before fading into a backup role, maybe he's got a shot if Alex Smith can't do it in SF. Then we've got Alex Smith who hasn't quite lived up to expectations like Carr & Couch, but he'll have his chance this year. We'll see, I kinda like his chances. But for the most part, #1 overall drafted QBs become solid NFL players.

I wasnt just talking about #1 picks in the draft. But speaking of QB's taken in the first round, in general. Look, this isn't just my opinion. NFL people will tell you that taking a QB in the first round, (not just the first pick in the draft), is pretty much a crap shoot.

And I think you graded more than kindly to some of the above. We agree on Russell. Alex Smith may have a break-out season this year, but to this point he has been a bust as a #1 pick in the draft. David Carr, while still in the league, has been a bust as a #1 pick. If you don't think so, go ask the people in Houston. Tim Couch was a bust.

The point is for every Peyton Manning there is a Ryan Leaf. For every Troy Aikman there is an Akili Smith. You get the idea...

The larger point is giving unproven rookies $50M guarenteed is just not a great business model. And this point will be adressed in some fashion in the next CBA.

Doc

[Skidcom]

I can't wait for the rookie salary cap. Tired of unproven players becoming the highest paid at their positions year after year. Particularly painful if you are a Lions fan.

[slacker00]

I wasnt just talking about #1 picks in the draft. But speaking of QB's taken in the first round, in general. Look, this isn't just my opinion. NFL people will tell you that taking a QB in the first round, (not just the first pick in the draft), is pretty much a crap shoot.

And I think you graded more than kindly to some of the above. We agree on Russell. Alex Smith may have a break-out season this year, but to this point he has been a bust as a #1 pick in the draft. David Carr, while still in the league, has been a bust as a #1 pick. If you don't think so, go ask the people in Houston. Tim Couch was a bust.

The point is for every Peyton Manning there is a Ryan Leaf. For every Troy Aikman there is an Akili Smith. You get the idea...

The larger point is giving unproven rookies $50M guarenteed is just not a great business model. And this point will be adressed in some fashion in the next CBA.

Doc

1. It wouldn't matter if I went through the entire first round for the last 40 years, the numbers would be similar. True busts are not that common, it's just that people still like to dwell on them forever.

2. It's not fair to call Carr and Couch busts because they played out their rookie contracts as starters, there's not much more that anyone can ask. I'd say "disappointment" because they were never top tier QBs nor did they get an extended life as a franchise QB. There's a big difference here, a bust means that they barely even play and are out of the league in a few years. Carr and Couch were franchise QBs and starters on their respective teams for several years only fading away after fighting for a job somewhere the whole way. They never quit, that's the difference between a bust and a disappointment.

3. I don't think the NFL needs any advice on their business model. But I'm sure they appreciate your input.

[icancount2one]

Its's not a matter of "business model" the NFL will continue raking it in even if rookies are overpaid. It's not right for the Darius Heyward Bey's of the world to be making more than the DeSean Jackson's. Loads of 3rd and 5th rounders surpass their 1st and 2nd round counterparts in performance, and never see the same money because of how short careers are. The point is until you've shown you can perform on the next level, why are teams paying players for what they did in college?

[slacker00]

Its's not a matter of "business model" the NFL will continue raking it in even if rookies are overpaid. It's not right for the Darius Heyward Bey's of the world to be making more than the DeSean Jackson's. Loads of 3rd and 5th rounders surpass their 1st and 2nd round counterparts in performance, and never see the same money because of how short careers are. The point is until you've shown you can perform on the next level, why are teams paying players for what they did in college?

This kind of argument baffles me. It isn't your money, is it? The NFL teams are voluntarily paying what they are paying, there's no coersion involved. Also, it makes less sense for the NFL to go to a rookie wage scale ala the NBA because, like you said, NFL careers are so short.

If anything, the player's union is the one that should step up and try to find a way to most equitably distribute compensation between it's members if it's purely a question of "fairness". The contract for compensation is negotated between the union and owners more than it is between the owners and players. Blame the union, because that's the system that they've negotated. The next CBA is already on the table, so point your criticism at the union, the owners only care about the bottom line, the NFL only cares that a deal gets done.

[Doc JS]

Slacker,
Reasonable people can agree to disagree. And some of what we are disagreeing on is semantics. You say "disappointment" for david Carr. I think Bob McNair, owner of the Texans would say "bust".
When you draft a QB in the first round, and certinly with the first pick in the draft, you aren't looking for a guy who just plays out his rookie contract and is still in the league. You are looking for a guy to be your QB, team leader, face of your franchise for the next decade. And by that measure, Russell, Couch, Carr, Alex Smith, Akili Smith, David Klingler, Andre Ware, etc are/were all busts..
Doc

[Socrates]

This kid is too fragile. He'll be like a Pennington. He's an ok QB, but injuries are always going to plague him. If he was seriously getting roughed up in College, imagine the pros.

[DwightShrute]

This kid is too fragile. He'll be like a Pennington. He's an ok QB, but injuries are always going to plague him. If he was seriously getting roughed up in College, imagine the pros.

wild speculation.

You don't know whether he is fragile or not. I haven't seen any evidence of that so far. I am sure the Rams checked him out before they gave him the money.

[k13]

1. It wouldn't matter if I went through the entire first round for the last 40 years, the numbers would be similar. True busts are not that common, it's just that people still like to dwell on them forever.

2. It's not fair to call Carr and Couch busts because they played out their rookie contracts as starters, there's not much more that anyone can ask. I'd say "disappointment" because they were never top tier QBs nor did they get an extended life as a franchise QB. There's a big difference here, a bust means that they barely even play and are out of the league in a few years. Carr and Couch were franchise QBs and starters on their respective teams for several years only fading away after fighting for a job somewhere the whole way. They never quit, that's the difference between a bust and a disappointment.

3. I don't think the NFL needs any advice on their business model. But I'm sure they appreciate your input.

There's more busts than superstars.

alex smith, david carr, vick, george, all busts.

semi-solid is not good enough for a #1 pick let alone a 1st rounder.