Play It Again, Sam?: What If Bradford Doesn't Care About NFL?

(Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Depending on who you ask, Sam Bradford's next start at quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners—assuming there will be another one—will take place anywhere from this Saturday to the 2012 season opener.

OK, actually, we do know that he won't be lining up under center on Saturday against Tulsa. But take a look at what has been reported by various media outlets this week alone:

• On ESPN's College Football Live on Wednesday, Joe Schad didn't give a timetable for Bradford's return, but did say the defending Heisman winner was rehabbing three hours a day in preparation for coming back.

• On an Austin afternoon radio show on Tuesday, "injury expert" Will Carroll and Orangebloods.com publisher Geoff Ketchum commiserated about some bits of information both had received from undisclosed sources: the shoulder injury is much worse than initially thought; three doctors have told Slingin' Sam no more slingin' this year; Bradford's parents want him to shut it down, too; Bradford and coach Bob Stoops continue to look for an opinion more in line with what they want to hear.

• James Hale of OU Insider ($) said on Wednesday Bradford would be back by the Miami game the first weekend in October or the following week for the Big 12 opener against Baylor.

Then, there's Stoops, who's just not saying anything in an effort to discourage speculation. (And clearly that's working.)

Of course, the fact that Bradford opted not to enter the 2009 NFL draft in favor of returning for another season in crimson and cream has added yet another level of intrigue beyond just his status for the Red River Shootout. Specifically, how would the injury impact Bradford's pro prospects, and what would be the best course of action for him to maintain his status as a high first-round pick?

For example, maybe Bradford should rush back to prove his toughness to NFL scouts. On the other hand, what if coming back too soon increases his chances of reinjuring the shoulder? Maybe Bradford should shut it down for the year to ensure the shoulder heals fully. But, wait, couldn't that make him "out of sight, out of mind" in the eyes of the NFL?

Now, I don't know Bradford. I have never met him in my life. If I know anyone who happens to know anyone who would really have any idea how he feels about this subject, it would only be through one of those "six-degrees-of-separation" things.

But what if we're all missing the boat on what Bradford is all about? Is it even remotely possible that Bradford could care less about the NFL, that his "I'm-going-to-Disneyland" moment is right now?

This isn't some la-dee-da paean to a kid who "did the right thing." I'm not talking about getting an education or fulfilling commitments or enjoying your youth or any other sanctimonious inanities that you usually hear bandied about in these kinds of discussions. What I am talking about is just living your life how you want to.

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