Rams vs. Seahawks: It's Time for Sam Bradford to Start Shouldering Blame

St. Louis Rams second-year quarterback Sam Bradford has gotten off the hook the past couple of seasons for the Rams' failures, given the lack of receiving weapons and an offensive line that has sharply declined.

However, after the Rams' 30-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night, it's time for Bradford to start taking more responsibility for the deplorable play of the Rams.

Against the Seahawks, Bradford was sacked three times—nothing new for him. The Rams had given up 43 sacks headed into Monday night's matchup, third-most in the NFL.

But it was more than the offensive line's troubles on Monday, or the receivers' inadequacies. Bradford was simply bad.

After completing 60 percent of his passes for 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions last season, Bradford had completed less than 55 percent of his passes for six touchdowns and five interceptions before Monday's game.

Against the Seahawks, Bradford went 12-of-29 for 193 yards and one interception. Tarvaris Jackson, who has had his fair share of troubles behind the Seahawks' offensive line this season, actually upstaged Bradford, going 21-of-32 for 224 yards and a touchdown.

There were some throws that Bradford made on Monday night that were simply mind-boggling. At times it appeared he was blindly throwing it up and hoping his receivers would come down with the catch. This was even more evident when he tried to connect multiple times with receiver Brandon Lloyd in the end zone.

I'm not saying Bradford is mainly to blame for the Rams' failures; that's preposterous. The failures have been widespread throughout the team, including in the coaching ranks.

What I am saying is Bradford is in part to blame, and at some point you need to start taking responsibility and become the franchise quarterback you were paid to be. You are being labeled a franchise quarterback because you do things above and beyond your team's predicaments.

It's time for Bradford to start proving he can make a franchise better, regardless of the talent around him.