St. Louis Rams Will Rally Around Sam Bradford and Play Good Football

Its halfway through preseason.

The Rams' starting quarterback, acquired during the preseason, has been injured.

The team will now have to rely on a new quarterback with little experience.

Where have I heard this story before?

Okay, so its not 1999, and we can't presume that Sam Bradford will have the kind of impact that Kurt Warner had in that magical year.  Still, there is something familiar about this story.

There is something to be said about a leader who receives his trial by fire, rather than being handed an opportunity on a silver platter.  Bradford will have to take the reigns of a very young team and never look back.

Here are a few things he can learn from Kurt Warner.

Recognize and Rely on Your Best Asset

Just as Kurt Warner had an elite running back to serve as his wingman, Sam Bradford has Steven Jackson.  Jackson will be his best friend.  If Jackson does his job, Bradford will face 3rd and 2, rather than 3rd and 8.  Play action will become a weapon.  And, don't forget, Jackson is a very good receiver out of the backfield.

Never Underestimate the YAC

One of Warner's best talents was his ability to hit receivers in stride so they could gain yardage after the catch.  Bradford has that same ability.

Don't get me wrong, to borrow a quote, Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt aren't coming out of that locker room.  Still, just as Warner made Az Hakim into a star, Bradford can elevate the play of receivers like Donnie Avery, Danny Amendola, and Mardy Gilyard by giving them the opportunity to run with the ball. 

Don't Stop Believing

As Bradford starts his Journey...um...no...too corny.  Let me start again.

When Warner hit the league like a storm, Sports Illustrated asked "Who IS This Guy?"  That inquiry perfectly described how Warner approached his promotion to the starting role.  He boldly hit the field like a confident field general.  It was as if he had been there for years.

I'm looking for the same approach from Bradford.  After last Saturday's game against the Browns, in which Bradford posted rather pedestrian numbers, he hinted that he's the same kind of guy.  His postgame comment was "I expect to be able to go out there and tear it up every time I step on the field. Anytime you're not able to do that, it's a bit of a disappointment."

Hell yeah!

It's not cockiness, it's confidence.  Bradford isn't here to collect a paycheck and go through the motions.  He expects to tear it up.  Before long, I'm betting he'll do just that.

I'm an eternal Rams optimist, but even I am not bold enough to suggest that the 2010 season will end up looking like the 1999 dream year. 

But...there is something familiar going on here.  That old feeling is coming back.

I'm rallying around Sam Bradford, and I'm looking forward to seeing some good football.