5 Reasons Why St. Louis Rams Can Still Win NFC West Without Sam Bradford

By Anthony Blake

5 Reasons Why St. Louis Rams Can Still Win NFC West Minus Sam Bradford

Sam Bradford St. Louis Rams
Getty Images

As an outspoken critic of Sam Bradford this offseason, it’s still hard to say I told you so when it comes to his repeat ACL tear. I really feel for a kid who just wanted to get out on the field and prove all of the critics wrong with his play, but the St. Louis Rams should have known better. Thankfully the team still has the personnel to persevere in the 2014 season and win the NFC West. Here are five reasons why.

5. Bradford’s Injury-Prone in the First Place

Sam Bradford St. Louis Rams
Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

5. Bradford’s Injury-Prone in the First Place

Sam Bradford St. Louis Rams
Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

This really isn’t meant to kick a guy while he’s down, but the truth is that Bradford has been prone to missing games due to injury every season anyway. Sure, in 2010 and 2012 he played the full 16 games, but a 10-game 2011 and seven-game 2013 certainly don’t instill confidence of durability. The fact of the matter is an injury was inevitable; the only shocking thing is that it happened in such a devastating manner.

4. Defense Will Be Team Strength

Sam Bradford St. Louis Rams
Getty Images

4. Defense Will Be Team Strength

Sam Bradford St. Louis Rams
Getty Images

With a pass rush featuring Robert Quinn and Chris Long as well as an interior presence with Michael Brockers and rookie Aaron Donald, the Rams have a stout front four. Their linebackers also feature strength with the consistent James Laurinaitis and second-year phenom Alec Ogletree in the mix. The secondary is a work in progress, but the youth is bound to blossom there and make the entire unit into a force to be reckoned with.

3. Running Game Will Be Primary Focus Anyway

Sam Bradford St. Louis Rams
Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

3. Running Game Will Be Primary Focus Anyway

Sam Bradford St. Louis Rams
Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

After Zac Stacy’s stellar performance down the stretch last season, the Rams are clearly going to be a run-first team in 2014. Add Tre Mason into the equation and the already defined path gets highlighted even further. This team is not going to be passing the ball much, so losing Bradford isn’t the death knell for the upcoming campaign. In fact, it could actually benefit the offense by forcing it to play to its strength.

2. Shaun Hill

Sam Bradford St. Louis Rams
Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

2. Shaun Hill

Sam Bradford St. Louis Rams
Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps the best decision the Rams made all offseason was bringing in a reliable backup at QB should the unthinkable happen again. Now that it has and the team will be without Bradford, at least they were prepared for the worst with a journeyman in Hill who has some solid career numbers. He will be a caretaker with the running game sure to dominate the offensive headlines. The veteran should thrive in that role.

1. Bradford’s the Definition of Mediocre

Sam Bradford St. Louis Rams
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

1. Bradford’s the Definition of Mediocre

Sam Bradford St. Louis Rams
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Calling Sam Bradford mediocre may actually be generous for a former No. 1 overall pick. A 58.6 career completion percentage and 59 to 38 career touchdown-to-interception ratio scream more bottom third than middle of the road in terms of NFL QBs. The regret of not pressing the reset button this past offseason has to sting, but the Rams can still compete with their current cast of characters in the 2014 season.

Anthony Blake is a Senior Writer/Copy Editor for Rant Sports. You Can Follow Him on Twitter, on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

Share On FacebookShare StumbleUpon

You May Also Like