Sam to St. Louis? Why It Makes Perfect Sense...

Let me start this out by saying I am a huge fan of Ndomukong Suh, and that I think he can certainly become a great player in the NFL.  Not only is he Big and Powerful, but he plays with tremendous leverage.  Anyone could argue that he's the best player in the draft, and that he could contend for defensive rookie of the year honors.  But it wouldn't do a thing to help out the Rams 28th ranked offense, which is why Sam Bradford, provided his arm and shoulder are completely healed, should be the pick of the St. Louis Rams.

Of couse, many different scenarios exist for St. Louis.  Many including Steven Jackson believes the Rams should trade down and get more picks.  This would be wonderful...if someone were willing to trade up.  It takes two to tango, and with the commanding salaries of these picks, I don't see anyone willing to trade up with St. Louis.  Another scenario thrown out is that the Rams draft Suh and trade for Mike Vick.  Even I think that this trade makes sense if the Rams could pull it off.  However, given the obvious need at quarterback that St. Louis has, what will be the Eagles asking price?  Also, is Vick worth getting into a bidding war with Buffalo, who may also be looking at quarterback?  Are the Rams willing to give up a 2nd or 3rd round pick for a quarterback who has probably isn't as fast as he used to be, has never been extrememly accurate, and while he was a good winner in Atlanta, hasn't seen significant action on the field for three years?  The price has to be right for Vick to come to St. Louis.

Which takes me to the draft, and Sam Bradford, the quarterback which everyone claims would've been #1 last year if he'd came out.  I realize all many remember of Sam Bradford is him clutching his shoulder against BYU and Texas, and claim he can't take an NFL beating.  However, these are similar shoulder injuries that both Drew Brees and Eli Manning dealt with.  Both went to Dr. James Andrews, like Bradford did, and recovered to have stellar NFL careers so far.  I fully expect Bradford to do the same.  Its short sighted to look at 1 major injury and call someone 'injury-prone'.  the same arguments were made for Adrian Peterson after his collarbone break injury, and he's been pretty durable so far in his 3 year career (unless you consider fumblitis an injury...).      

Most of you know already Bradford is the elite quarterback in this group.  He can make every throw, he's extremely accurate, and his football IQ is off the charts.  Well noted.  He also has tremendous work ethic.  I know ESPN has many of us believing that only a certain QB from Gainesville has a tremendous work ethic, but Bradford does as well.  What does it say about Bradford that he's gained 20 pounds of muscle from the national title game against Florida to the NFL combine?  It very much speaks to his work ethic, and at 236 pounds, I'm confident that he now has the body to last in the National Football League.  

But Why should the Rams take Sam Bradford #1?  First off, as Adam Schefter and John Clayton pointed out, consider the finances.  If the Rams draft Suh at #1, he would become immediately one of the top paid defensive tackles in the NFL.  Now ask yourself these two questions:  who is the best 4-3 defensive tackle, and how much impact do they truly have on a game?  And Suh will not be the best defensive tackle in the league from Day 1.  I enjoyed watching Suh dominate in his games against OU and Texas (keep in mind Texas's offensive line is very overrated...don't know if any of them will be drafted), but they don't turn around franchises.  And while quarterbacks don't turn around franchises either by themselves, if you don't have a quarterback, you don't have a team.    The Rams have already committed first round picks on their defensive line in Adam Carriker and Chris Long.  Adding Suh, That's a hefty amount of money committed to the defensive line when you still don't have a quarterback.

Which gets me to my #1 reason why the Rams should take Sam Bradford:  Value.  If St. Louis can't get Vick, then the draft is the next best option for the quarterback position.  the defensive tackle position in this years draft is alot deeper than the quarterback position.  While Suh and Mcoy are the headliners, this class is loaded with guys that can start from Day 1 at the tackle positon.  However, outside of Bradford and Clausen, the other quarterbacks (Pike, Lefeavor, McCoy, and that QB from Gainseville) are projects at best that won't contribute until maybe the 2012 football season.  Even if the Rams draft Bradford, they can get a quality Defensive tackle such as Jeff Odrick, Lamarr Houston, Geno Atkins, or Cam Thomas.  All of these guys are instant quality starters that will improve Rams defensive line for a cheaper price in the 2nd round, and you still get your franchise quarterback. 

While I think the comparisons to Flacco and Sanchez are off, because both quarterbacks had great defenses to back them up, its possible that Bradford could have similar success to Matt Ryan.  The NFC West is wide open with Kurt Warner retiring, and the inconsistent nature of the 49ers.  This is the time for St. Louis to build their franchise for the future, and Bradford can do that.