Sam Bradford vs. Memorable Rookie QBs and How the Rams Can Help Him In 2011

Sam Bradford just put up one of the more impressive rookie seasons for a quarterback in the history of the NFL.

With his 3,512 yards passing, 18 TD, 15 INT, and 60 percent completion percentage, Bradford proved that he is the real deal even with a less-than-stellar group of receivers.

He broke Peyton Manning's mark for completions in a season by a rookie, with 354 of his attempts reaching receivers. He also set a rookie record for most attempts without an interception, going 169 passes between picks.

At the end of the day, he put up one of the most impressive seasons by a rookie in NFL history and set a benchmark for future success despite not making the playoffs as a rookie.

With some help, either from the NFL Draft or free agency, Bradford could be leading this team to the promised land sooner rather than later.

First, let's take a look at how Bradford's rookie year stacks up against some notable quarterback rookie years.

Bradford Vs. Peyton Manning

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INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 02: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts gives instructions to his team during NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Bradford: 3,512 yards, 18 TD, 15 INT, 60 percent comp. pct., 354 completions, 7-9 record

Manning: 3,739 yards, 26 TD, 28 INT, 56.7 percent comp. pct., 326 completions, 3-13 record

Peyton Manning had a very impressive rookie season, being named to the All-Rookie first team and breaking a number of rookie records. As one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL, his rookie season has become a benchmark for pretty much any rookie QB coming after him.

Manning has gone on to pass for 54,828 yards, 399 TD, 198 INT, and a 64.9 percent comp. pct. in his career. His 399 TD places him third on the all-time list behind only Brett Favre (508) and Dan Marino (420). His 54,828 yards also place him third all-time, again only behind Favre and Marino.

Obviously, it is unclear if Bradford can ever become as good as Peyton Manning, but he did put up comparable stats (if a little bit less in the touchdowns and interceptions department). It is also worth noting that Peyton Manning had a young Marvin Harrison to throw to during his rookie year as well as dual-threat running back Marshall Faulk, much more receiving talent than Bradford had this year.

Bradford Vs. Matt Ryan

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons waits for a play call against the Carolina Panthers at Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Bradford: 3,512 yards, 18 TD, 15 INT, 60 percent comp. pct., 354 completions, 7-9 record

Matt Ryan: 3,440 yards, 16 TD, 11 INT, 61.1 percent comp. pct., 265 completions, 11-5 record

"Matty Ice" had a great rookie season in '08, ushering out the Michael Vick era and bringing in a new era for the Falcons. He had a very similar season to Bradford's, taking a team that was pitiful the year before and leading it to a huge turnaround. 

Ryan has gone on to pilot the NFC-best Falcons this season, leading them to a 13-3 record while throwing for 3,705 yards, 28 TD, nine INT, and a 62.5 percent comp pct. Ryan has thrived with receiver Roddy White and running back Michael Turner by his side, as well as tight end Tony Gonzalez, who was signed last season.

The Falcons have helped Ryan's development by adding quality receivers around him, and it is a business model that the Rams should follow with Bradford. If the Rams can give Bradford some quality receiving targets like the Falcons did for Ryan, his ceiling could be extremely high.

Bradford Vs. Joe Flacco

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 19: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens looks for a receiver during the game against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Saints 30-24. (Photo by Larry

Bradford: 3,512 yards, 18 TD, 15 INT, 60 percent comp. pct., 354 completions, 7-9 record

Joe Flacco: 2,971 yards, 14 TD, 12 INT, 60 percent comp. pct., 257 completions, 11-5 record

Joe Flacco has turned out to be the leader that the Ravens have never had at the quarterback position. He turned in playoff seasons his first two seasons and is playoff-bound once again this year behind his 3,622 yard, 25 TD, 10 INT season. 

The Ravens have put some great talent around Flacco, giving him running back Ray Rice to go with incumbent receivers Derrick Mason and Todd Heap in his rookie year and since adding the likes of Anquan Boldin and T.J. Houshmandzadeh at receiver.

Both the Falcons and the Ravens are prime examples of what the Rams should do over the next few years. Placing lots of receiving and running talent alongside a promising young quarterback tends to lead to success.

Bradford Vs. Ben Roethlisberger

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the third quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Pittsburgh won 13-10

Bradford: 3,512 yards, 18 TD, 15 INT, 60 percent comp. pct., 354 completions, 7-9 record

Ben Roethlisberger (in 13 games): 2,621 yards, 17 TD, 11 INT, 66.4% comp. pct., 196 completions, 13-0 record

Ben Roethlisberger's rookie year is one that quarterbacks may be compared to for the rest of time. He took over for Tommy Maddox after three games, and the rest was history. Roethlisberger went undefeated through the regular season, and led the Steelers to the AFC championship game. 

Since then, Roethlisberger has won two Super Bowls for the Steel City. With any luck, Bradford will one day lead the Rams to as many championships as Roethlisberger if ownership can build a solid team around him like the Steelers have for years with Roethlisberger.

Who Can the Rams Add To Help Sam Bradford?

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TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 24: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams looks for an open receiver against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Manning, Ryan, Flacco and Roethlisberger are extraordinary talents at the quarterback position, but none of them would be where they are today if their teams hadn't built around them. 

For Sam Bradford to succeed, the Rams will need to add some talent at the wide receiver and tight end positions. He already has a great running back in Steven Jackson and a much-improved offensive line with Rodger Saffold and Jason Smith at the tackles.

Danny Amendola and Danario Alexander performed well this season, but neither would be starters on any legitimate playoff contender. Mark Clayton will most likely be returning to the Rams next year, but he is still not quite the answer that the Rams need at wide receiver. 

Here is a couple directions that the Rams could go to build a legitimate receiving corps around Bradford.

Build Through the Draft- Julio Jones

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 26: Julio Jones #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after a long reception against the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Rams may have missed out on the playoffs this year by losing to the Seahawks, but that loss also gained them at least seven draft spots in this year's NFL draft.

Fortunately for the Rams, there is a very deep class of wide receivers this year who could help the team out. 

The most realistic options for the Rams' draft position at 14 are Julio Jones, the big-time wide receiver from Alabama, and Justin Blackmon, the Oklahoma State receiver who was one of the nation's leading receivers in 2010.

First, Julio Jones. He stands 6'4" and fits the Randy Moss mold of wide receiver. He has great speed and is big enough to get up and over smaller corners.

He caught 78 passes for 1,133 yards and seven touchdowns to lead the Crimson Tide in receiving in 2010. 

Jones has been on the NFL radar since his freshman year (for catches like this- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO8Wf0VKip4) and is a big, physical receiver that can make a big play by beating someone downfield or trucking right through them.

The addition of Jones to the Rams' receiving corps could give them the reliable big-play threat that they were missing all of this year.

Build Through the Draft- Justin Blackmon

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STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 05: Wide receiver Justin Blackmon #81 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys warms up before the college football game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Boone Pickens Stadium on September 5, 2009 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys defe

If Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State manages to fall out of the top 10, the Rams will most likely be adding him to their roster.

Blackmon put together one of the most complete seasons for a wide receiver in the NCAA this year, catching 111 passes for 1,782 yards and a monstrous 20 TD. 

He destroyed all competition this year with his great route running and breakaway speed (as he demonstrated against likely top-ten pick Prince Amukamara of Nebraska- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVeWn3bwWTg). Blackmon also possesses the ever-important intangibles, like blocking and great hands.

Outside of A.J. Green, Blackmon looks to be the most complete wide receiver of this year's draft, and he would be the big-play threat with great hands that Sam Bradford is missing.

Build Through Free Agency- Vincent Jackson

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SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson #83 of the San Diego Chargers scores a touchdown on an 11-yard pass in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Phot

Building through the draft is a great way to build a team, but established talent means a lot in the NFL.

If the Rams want to build a legitimate receiving corps for Sam Bradford, they could do some work in free agency as well.

Vincent Jackson is another example of a big target with great hands that could help out Bradford in a big way. Jackson spent a good portion of this season not playing due to a contract dispute in San Diego, but came back for the last five games of the season and proved that he hadn't lost a step.

Jackson put up 14 receptions for 248 yards and three touchdowns in the Chargers' final five games this year, but perhaps a greater indication of his success is his last full season in 2009, when he put up 68 receptions for 1,167 yards and nine touchdowns. 

The main problem with Jackson is his character issues, after he received a DUI in February 2010 and then held out for a new contract for most of the 2010 season. However, as great of a vote of confidence as there can be is that Norv Turner, his coach in San Diego, still would like him back after all of the problems.

V-Jax may not don a Chargers uniform again, however, because of all of the friction between his camp and Chargers G.M. A.J. Smith (Jackson's agent went on the record as calling Smith the "Lord of No Rings" during the contract dispute, among other things). This opens up the door for the Rams to acquire Jackson in the offseason, especially considering they were already linked to Jackson trade talks at mid-season.

Build Through Free Agency- Sidney Rice

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MINNEAPOLIS - JANUARY 17: Sidney Rice #18 of the Minnesota Vikings scores a 45 yard touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on January 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minn

Sidney Rice is another big-play threat that could greatly help Bradford. He had hip surgery to begin this past season, but after his return, he proved that the injury did not affect his ability to make plays.

With all of the uncertainty surrounding the Vikings' quarterback situation, Rice might decide that he wants out. The Vikings figure to be on the decline over the next few years if Brett Favre finally throws in the towel, and the Rams would provide a fresh start for Rice to form chemistry with a quarterback that he could be with for years.

Rice, like Vincent Jackson, only played in a few games this year, and thus, his stats for the year are lower than what he is capable of. In six games this year, Rice grabbed 17 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns, but more important than his stats was the fact that he proved the ability to catch the ball like he did in his 83 reception, 1,312 yard, eight touchdown season in 2009.

Build Through Free Agency- Zach Miller or Other Tight Ends

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Zach Miller #80 of the Oakland Raiders in action against the Miami Dolphins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 28, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Zach Miller of the Oakland Raiders could be a free agent this year, and a player of his caliber at tight end for the Rams could be just the dual-threat of catching and blocking that they need.

Miller caught 60 balls for 685 yards and five touchdowns this year, numbers that are very similar to what he has put up the last three years since he came into the league. Miller might see the Rams as a better place to show off his skills than the consistently bad Raiders, especially considering that he would have a consistent situation at quarterback with Bradford (something that he hasn't had in Oakland).

Other tight end options in this year's free agent class include Owen Daniels of the Texans and Marcedes Lewis of the Jaguars, either of which could provide a legitimate receiving threat for Bradford, if not quite the same level of blocking prowess as Miller.

Most Importantly- Build Around Bradford

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams runs out onto the field before the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Pe

The most important thing for the Rams is that they build around Sam Bradford. He showed all of the signs of a future NFL great this year with his stellar performance throughout the year. 

If the final game against Seattle was any indication as to what the Rams need, then it is definitely a good group of receivers. There's only so far that a talented quarterback can take a group of nobody receivers, and Sam Bradford is no different.

Luckily for the Rams, they have a fairly high draft pick and a good crop of free agent wide receivers this year. Getting together a good corps of wide receivers could happen sooner rather than later, and when it does, the world could be looking at the next Peyton Manning in the form of Sam Bradford.