Mr. WEO Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 Thanks for clearing things up for people. He has a high ceiling and is an obvious injury risk. You'd have to keep Orton as a backup. Houston, Buffalo and Miami are the most likely to land a veteran QB IMO and those 3 being (a Washington guy, a Cleveland guy and Bradford). I think RG goes to Houston, Bradford Buffalo and Hoyer to Miami. I think that Tenn, TB and Jets draft guys. Bradford is the appropriate age to mesh with the current talent and they will not lose 2 seasons on a stop gap or young QB. They will try to catch lightning in a bottle. He is capable of playing at a Dalton/Flacco level which should be good enough for this team to compete. If Bradford is healthy it really isn't much of a competition. Really? What if Orton throws for another 2000 yards and 20 TDs? That would be similar to the best the Rams ever got out of Bradford, a guy who, even when he was upright for a whole season, never threw more than 4000 yards, more than 21 TDs or more than 7 YPA, never better than 60% completion rate or a rating over 83. He's fumbled 27 times and thrown 38 ints in 59 games. But hey, he had sort of a decent season fragment in 2014. By today's standards, when healthy, Bradford is a mediocre #1 QB. This is the best way for the owner to spend "idle money" just sitting there?
reddogblitz Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 For those of you who don't like the idea of signing Bradford, let me ask you, what if we had the salary room to do it and you had the choice to either bring him in or just have the money sitting in the bank doing nothing. What is your answer then? Neither. I don't want to sign Bradford because he's a season ending injury waiting to happen. If we do need to get someone (which remains to be seen) then I'd rather get someone else. I have no idea who now because I'm not in QB shopping mode at the moment. We still have 10 games left with a legit shot at playoffs. I'm going with the idea that Kyle will continue to play well and we'll get in the playoffs. Have not abandoned ship yet.
Kirby Jackson Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 Really? What if Orton throws for another 2000 yards and 20 TDs? That would be similar to the best the Rams ever got out of Bradford, a guy who, even when he was upright for a whole season, never threw more than 4000 yards, more than 21 TDs or more than 7 YPA, never better than 60% completion rate or a rating over 83. He's fumbled 27 times and thrown 38 ints in 59 games. But hey, he had sort of a decent season fragment in 2014. By today's standards, when healthy, Bradford is a mediocre #1 QB. This is the best way for the owner to spend "idle money" just sitting there? If we are going to use your "what if" scenario what if the light went off and Bradford finished last year at the pace that he was on 60.7% completion, 3,856 yards, 32 TDs and 9 INTs? I believe that would be the 2nd greatest yardage season in Bills history & 1 TD shy of the team record. He was on pace to do that with bad weapons and a sub par line. Again, there is a good deal of risk involved but more from a health standpoint.
jumbalaya Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 Bradford would be a big time upgrade, just have to find a couple of bionic knees for him.
RyanC883 Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 Bradford finished the 2013 season ranked 11th in passer rating playing on a bad team. age 27 next year and in his prime. he would be a huge upgrade. if we get him, we still have Orton on the team next year. Would we trade/cut Orton? Have Orton be a backup? At any rate, I want the best OL in the 2nd round. And not a slow, plodding injury OL like Konjo
Mr. WEO Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 If we are going to use your "what if" scenario what if the light went off and Bradford finished last year at the pace that he was on 60.7% completion, 3,856 yards, 32 TDs and 9 INTs? I believe that would be the 2nd greatest yardage season in Bills history & 1 TD shy of the team record. He was on pace to do that with bad weapons and a sub par line. Again, there is a good deal of risk involved but more from a health standpoint. Maybe some sort of light would have gone off, but there is no reason to believe it would have. I think it's more likely Orton can have the decent stats that I mentioned. It certainly is strange that fans here have only mentioned an interest in Bradford after his 3 season ending injury in 5 years. It should be more like "yikes!".
RyanC883 Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 If we are going to use your "what if" scenario what if the light went off and Bradford finished last year at the pace that he was on 60.7% completion, 3,856 yards, 32 TDs and 9 INTs? I believe that would be the 2nd greatest yardage season in Bills history & 1 TD shy of the team record. He was on pace to do that with bad weapons and a sub par line. Again, there is a good deal of risk involved but more from a health standpoint. I agree, the risk is all from the health standpoint. Didn't Brees have injury issues at one point? I'd take Bradford. He has some serious weapons on this team.
Rob's House Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 Really? What if Orton throws for another 2000 yards and 20 TDs? That would be similar to the best the Rams ever got out of Bradford, a guy who, even when he was upright for a whole season, never threw more than 4000 yards, more than 21 TDs or more than 7 YPA, never better than 60% completion rate or a rating over 83. He's fumbled 27 times and thrown 38 ints in 59 games. But hey, he had sort of a decent season fragment in 2014. By today's standards, when healthy, Bradford is a mediocre #1 QB. This is the best way for the owner to spend "idle money" just sitting there? This is kind of what I was thinking. Obviously we'll have to see how the season plays out first, but if Orton keeps playing the way he's been playing I'm not sure I'd see Bradford as an upgrade. He's not bad, but to this point he's a guy that's never quite lived up to his billing. Whether that's due to his shortcomings or the team around him I can't say for sure, but if he and Orton are more or less equal I'd rather go with the guy who's already in our system, doesn't get hurt every other game, and has a cool pornstache.
Mr. WEO Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 I agree, the risk is all from the health standpoint. Didn't Brees have injury issues at one point? I'd take Bradford. He has some serious weapons on this team. Brees was a zlready a Probowler for 2 years up to his injury. No one saw anything like that from Bradford in between injuries, unless you are hanging it all on that half season last year.
Captain Hindsight Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 Bradford would be a great signing. He was a number one overall pick for a reason and if not for a fluke injury in the preseason he would limey be lighting up St. Louis right now. People forget how little help he had in the early years of his career. Think Alex Smith and how horrible he looked until he finally got a decent team around him. I would be ecstatic if they got Bradford and had someone like Orton (Who I bet will opt out of his contract btw) here just in case
BarleyNY Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 I don't think the Bills can trade for a QB who was starting last season nor do I think they can sign one for big money without moving on from Orton. It is HIS option for the year. I don't do that for an oft-injured QB like Bradford. Now, if he is cut or if they want to pick up someone similar like Jake Locker for less than what Orton is going to make (plus maybe some incentives) then that's a different story. Fine. Great, in fact. I'm open to competition. Bring a guy in as a back up to Orton and let the chips fall. As for Manuel, I don't expect him to be on the team next season. Look for him to be traded. It is never going to be a healthy situation for him or the Bills with him on the team.
RyanC883 Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 Bradford, but we need to ensure that we have an established veteran backup. Also, I'd make the contract incentive laden based on the team's performance in games he starts.
thebandit27 Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 Maybe some sort of light would have gone off, but there is no reason to believe it would have. I think it's more likely Orton can have the decent stats that I mentioned. It certainly is strange that fans here have only mentioned an interest in Bradford after his 3 season ending injury in 5 years. It should be more like "yikes!". I don't find it strange--he was never on the verge of becoming an UFA prior to this season. I don't think the Bills can trade for a QB who was starting last season nor do I think they can sign one for big money without moving on from Orton. It is HIS option for the year. I don't do that for an oft-injured QB like Bradford. Now, if he is cut or if they want to pick up someone similar like Jake Locker for less than what Orton is going to make (plus maybe some incentives) then that's a different story. Fine. Great, in fact. I'm open to competition. Bring a guy in as a back up to Orton and let the chips fall. As for Manuel, I don't expect him to be on the team next season. Look for him to be traded. It is never going to be a healthy situation for him or the Bills with him on the team. They wouldn't be trading for Bradford; he'll likely be released. Also, I wouldn't at all be surprised to see them keep EJ. What's the downside?
mattsox Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 Just wondering everyone's thoughts on him. Doesn't appear he'll get his job back in St. Louis. Would you like us to bring him in? I would love to see him and a qb we draft battle it out for the job. A Fragile China Doll. Behind the exist Bills OL, He'd be dead in 5-7 snaps.
CountDorkula Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 This is kind of what I was thinking. Obviously we'll have to see how the season plays out first, but if Orton keeps playing the way he's been playing I'm not sure I'd see Bradford as an upgrade. He's not bad, but to this point he's a guy that's never quite lived up to his billing. Whether that's due to his shortcomings or the team around him I can't say for sure, but if he and Orton are more or less equal I'd rather go with the guy who's already in our system, doesn't get hurt every other game, and has a cool pornstache. What is so bad about having competition? If Bradford outperforms Orton after Orton had "a great" season, wouldn't that be a good thing?
indiragandhi'sthong Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 IMO, this is the exact type of guy that needs a change of scenery. For some reason, mostly injuries it seems, Bradford never stayed healthy enough to "get on a roll" ... he'd have a few nice games and then wind up on the rack. Very cerebral QB, more elusive than you'd think, and a solid enough arm. If the price is reasonable, I'd take a shot. The payoff could be big and he is definitely more talented than Orton. It might allow you to bring in a young QB and move him along slowly ... a major issue with EJ.
Rob's House Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 What is so bad about having competition? If Bradford outperforms Orton after Orton had "a great" season, wouldn't that be a good thing? If Bradford is signed it will probably be for more than Orton makes and likely as the presumptive starter. If that happens I can see Orton opting out and going elsewhere. If he has a good season he should be able to find some team who he can start for. If we could get them both on the roster at a reasonable sum I'd be fine with it.
billykaykay Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 Wait...... are you presenting FACTS ??? I tried that for a few years here. Doesn't work. If we have the cap space I would bring the guy in for sure. Idle money is stupid when you have a multibillionaire owner and an aggressive GM. For those of you who don't like the idea of signing Bradford, let me ask you, what if we had the salary room to do it and you had the choice to either bring him in or just have the money sitting in the bank doing nothing. What is your answer then? My pet peeve is when people say someone is too expensive but they have no idea what type of creative salary structure an athlete is willing to take nor do they understand how much room we have to spend? If you don't understand those two things (i don't), how can you say no? How? There are NO playoffs for teams with mediocre qb's people. None. What evidence do you have that he isn't just that - a mediocre QB? He certainly is not a bum, but why the love for a guy who has been very ordinary?
CountDorkula Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 If Bradford is signed it will probably be for more than Orton makes and likely as the presumptive starter. If that happens I can see Orton opting out and going elsewhere. If he has a good season he should be able to find some team who he can start for. If we could get them both on the roster at a reasonable sum I'd be fine with it. I think that is what most people are aiming for. Having Orton and Bradford compete for the starting job, along with EJ. Does Orton have the ability to opt out of the contract? I dont know much about his contract details.
C.Biscuit97 Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 Bradford is a pretty interesting discussion. Personally, I've never been wowed by him since college. I think he is fragile and benefited from playing on a loaded Oklahoma team. QBs that play on loaded college teams worry me because they benefit from the supreme talent around me. But his #s in 2013 were impressive, so I did some research. His best games were against the worst teams in the NFL (ATL, Jax, Hou). In the Atlanta game, they were trailing 24-3 at one point. The more you research his numbers, the less impressive they are. http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/13197/sam-bradford His QBR was 48 in 2013, which was only 6 points higher than EJ's rookie year QBR. Additionally, his rookie year was not better than EJ's. http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/13197/sam-bradford He averaged less than 6 ypa. His QBR was 38.2 and 26.2 for his first 2 seasons. Given his injury history and his not very impressive resume so far, I would not invest in a significant contract for him. Far too risky when he really hasn't been that good. There's always the chance he stays healthy and improves but it seems so risky. Personally, I'd keep our QBs now and draft another guy.
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