Sam Bradford's Importance Can Not Be Understated

The St. Louis Rams look like they're on their way to signing the No. 1 selection in this year's draft by the end of the month. With the Rams starting camp on July 28, there appears to be a willingness on both sides to get something done by then. 

Make no mistake, Bradford will get the $45-50 million guaranteed; it's part of the process. The question remains: When will he sign?

Okay, there is one more major question: Will Bradford be the next Kurt Warner, or the next Jim Everett?

Everett was seen as the challenger to Joe Montana when the Rams were in Los Angeles, and had a good cast of receivers and an all-world running back. But Everett would get the Rams nowhere in his career, as the Niners still proved too difficult for the Rams to overcome.

The 1989 playoffs were typical of Everett. Despite great numbers the Rams were shell shocked in the NFC finals, losing 30-3. Everett's personal performance would go down in infamy with the Jim Rome teasing/near brawl .

Everett was a decent quarterback who just could not live up to expectations. Not a bad player, but never a superstar either. 

Kurt Warner, comparatively, had it all: the story, the championship, and the team to take him to the Superbowl three times, if you include the Cardinals. He was a leader in and out of the clubhouse in a way that Everett never was.

Warner was worn down rapidly, in part due to playing indoor kamikaze ball and because he was already an older player when he got his chance in the NFL. Even still, I think most fans would take a winner over a stats guy.

Bradford needs to become a winner first, stats guy second. Otherwise, the Rams will continue to struggle.

A bad team can play fair with a winner, a good team can win championships, and a great team can leave an historic mark.

Can Bradford make his mark? 

To do so he will need stay healthy. He will have to use his intelligence and skill to help his line protect him. 

He will need to rely on Steven Jackson to act as his release valve in the same way that Mark Sanchez relied on his rushers.  Then he can survive, lead the team, and make an impact that will give the Rams a chance to return to a level of competency.