Sam Bradford’s NFL experiences in different offensive systems and relationships with Vikings assistant coach Pat Shurmur, and players Shaun Hill and Adrian Peterson, should hasten the adjustment to his new team, and allow him to play soon.
Bradford, who will be 29 in November, was acquired yesterday from the Eagles to solve the Vikings’ quarterback void created by the season-ending injury to Teddy Bridgewater. Bradford is in his seventh NFL season and he has played for several offensive coordinators and in multiple systems.
“Yeah, if there’s a good thing about learning a new offense every year, it’s that I’m familiar with this process, and I kind of know how it goes, I guess,” Bradford said after being traded to the Vikings for future draft choices. “I’m sure there will be some carryover from some of the systems that I’ve been in, but as far as right now, we really haven’t gotten too deep into the (Vikings) playbook. But, I’ve gone through this process, so hopefully doing it before will help me pick things up a little quicker.”
The list of Bradford’s previous coaches includes Shurmur who was his offensive coordinator with the Rams in 2010 and Eagles in 2015. Shurmur, now the Vikings’ tight end coach, talked with Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman before the trade for Bradford, a starter for both the Rams and Eagles.
“…He knows what his strengths and weaknesses are,” Spielman said of Shurmur’s past history with Bradford. “I think that’s a valuable asset for us as our coaches teach him the offense and understand what things he does best, and what things that he may struggle at. Our coaches always preach to put these guys (in the best possible situations) and to utilize what they do best.”
Bradford acknowledged his relationship with Shurmur should help him learn offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s system. “Pat is very familiar with me as a player. I think he understands the things that I do well, the concepts that I like. So I’m sure that he can relay that to coach Turner. …”
Turner’s system includes a deep vertical passing game to loosen defenses for shorter throws and create space for the team’s running backs. That deep threat has been a challenge since Turner joined the Vikings prior to the 2014 season but Bradford could improve results.
Spielman said Bradford, 6-4, 224, has multiple attributes as a passer. “He is a very accurate thrower. He does a great job getting through his reads of progressions. He makes quick decisions in the pocket. He can throw the deep ball down the field. Some of the routes that we throw in our offense, we’ve seen those same routes and seen him complete those same balls that he’s going to have to do in this system.”
Hill, 36, signed with the Vikings as a free agent in 2015 to back up Bridgewater, who then was the team’s second-year starting quarterback. Hill had played the previous season with the Rams where he was the backup to Bradford. Hill’s knowledge of the Vikings’ offense will be an asset for Bradford. “I’m really excited to work with Shaun again,” Bradford said. “We had a great relationship when we were in St. Louis.”
Peterson, a future hall of famer, is a major presence in the Vikings locker room. He and Bradford were together for awhile in college at Oklahoma. Peterson will be supportive of his new teammate and no doubt help ease Bradford’s transition.
Today and into the week Bradford will be learning the playbook and adjusting to his new teammates. It’s unlikely he will start the season opener at Tennessee next Sunday. Hill is the team’s No. 1 QB now, but his age and lesser skills than Bradford likely mean a change is coming soon—perhaps game No. 2 on the schedule at home against the Packers September 18.
Bradford could become the team’s starting quarterback indefinitely. The Vikings have him under contract through next season. Bridgewater’s knee injury is so serious and predicted recovery time so extensive he might not be effective next season. If the Vikings win big with Bradford this season, the quarterback job could be his or at least up for competition in 2017.
Bradford was the first-overall selection in the 2010 NFL draft by the Rams. He became the 2010 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and still holds the league rookie record for most passes completed (354). Last season he set Eagles franchise records in completions (346) and completion percentage (65 percent), and finished fourth in team history in passing yardage (3,725).
Worth Noting
Best wishes to former Vikings tight end and Twin Cities resident Joe Senser who is recovering from a health issue. Senser played for the Vikings from 1979-1984 and later was a radio analyst on their games.
The Vikings, as expected, dominated the television audience numbers last Thursday night. Their preseason game did a 19.2 rating and 37 share in this market, with the Gophers’ nonconference opener drawing a 5.1 and 10. The Twins-White Sox game had a 2.2 rating and 4 share. At no time during the evening did the Gophers’ numbers exceed the Vikings.
The hapless Twins, who ended a 13-game losing streak with a win Thursday night, had historic TV numbers a week ago Sunday, according to a ratings authority. He said the Nielsen results of the Twins-Blue Jays game showed no viewers in the 600-home meters sample size. “That’s never happened before with the Twins,” the source said.
True freshman Tyler Johnson from Minneapolis North caught three passes for 31 yards in the Gophers’ 30-23 win over Oregon State. Only senior wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky, with four catches, had more receptions for Minnesota in the opening game.
A converted quarterback and defensive back, the 6-4 Johnson has impressed coaches, teammates and others. Johnson could exceed the numbers of last year’s leading freshman receiver Rashad Still who caught 18 passes for 194 yards including three touchdowns. The Gophers’ freshman receiving records for yardage (654) and touchdowns (seven) are held by Ernie Wheelwright in 2004. Ron Johnson set the total receptions record with 38 in 1998.
True Thompson, formerly of Armstrong High School, suffered a concussion last month playing football for Iowa Western Community College. The wide receiver and son of Gophers’ career leading rusher Darrell Thompson will sit out the season as a redshirt.
True’s brother Race Thompson, who will be a junior this fall at Armstrong, is an outstanding 6-8 basketball player being recruited by the Gophers, and he attended the Minnesota-Oregon State game Thursday evening. He has received scholarship offers from multiple schools including Minnesota and Marquette.
Renovation of Target Center will not only relocate the Lynx to Xcel Energy Center next year, it could be a problem for the Timberwolves. If the team were to surprise and make a deep playoff run next spring the arena renovation timeline will slow down.
Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor told Sports Headliners Target Center work sometimes will be so extensive the whole building will be closed for events. If the Wolves need the arena for playoff games, the renovation schedule will intensify to have Target Center ready for the opening of the team’s 2017-2018 schedule.
“We just have to work that out,” Taylor said. “Maybe some inconveniences but we’re just gonna have to adjust.”
The Wolves haven’t made the playoffs since 2004 but have one of the NBA’s most promising young rosters.