Nick Piccone
It’s pretty well-known that I think Sam Bradford is a clown. I didn’t have an issue with the Eagles giving him another year at least as the starting quarterback of the Eagles, despite giving him a lot more money than he’s worth. But, it meant some stability at the quarterback position in terms of the same guy behind center. A different offensive scheme? Sure. But, in my opinion, Bradford would have benefited from a different scheme. But that’s a story for another day.
Then, the Eagles traded up to the second overall pick to take their franchise guy, Carson Wentz. The contract Bradford had signed weeks earlier was proof the organization didn’t see him as their franchise guy, but gave him a chance to earn that title if he had a good season. Seemed good enough to all of us. But, then, Bradford got all whiny and his agent said things. Dumb things. Infuriating things.
And then the wrath of the Philly fans, Philly media, and even national media, came down. Bradford’s in a no-win situation now. It would’ve done a lot for his stock around the league if he just came to work and did his thing. Whining about it because he wants to be “the man” isn’t a good look, especially now that he returned to the team after two weeks. His leverage is shot. The only way he gains it back is if he has his best year this season.
John Gonzalez took a look at the reaction Bradford got not only from the fans, but from the media, as well. It is that bad?
This is the sort of thing that lends itself to finger-wagging columns and people who like to get worked up. There have been so many hot takes. The takes got so hot, in fact, that one local scribbler drew a parallel between skipping voluntary workouts and the Spanish Inquisition. Not to be outdone, Angelo Cataldi channeled his inner Joe McCarthy and called Bradford “un-American.” Because of course. It’s all right there in your middle school history book.
On the radio and in various forms of social media, Bradford has been called a “wimp” and a “crybaby” and a “loser.” He’s been implored to “grow a pair” and “suck it up, buttercup.” He’s rehabbed two ACL injuries, and he plays a brutal sport for a living, but you don’t have to search very far to hear someone say he has “no guts.” One person on Twitter advised the Eagles to trade him to the Soul. Another person on the radio advocated that the Eagles somehow move him to the practice squad as a form of punishment. Nuance is for suckers in other towns.
One of my favorite radio calls of the last two weeks began with an incensed fan — one of Cataldi’s infamous Dirty 30 — that thought Bradford is a terrible teammate. He said if he played offensive line, and Ndamukong Suh lined up in front of him, he’d give Suh a free shot and implore him to “take Bradford’s head off for me.” In his imaginary scenario, not showing up for voluntary workouts makes you a bad teammate, but letting your teammate get killed is within reason. Deranged fantasy logic is complicated stuff.
There are crazy columns and tweets and radio calls about this every day now. There will be more. If Bradford ever plays another game for the Eagles — Roob thinks he might actually retire — he’s going to get one hell of a reaction when he steps back on the field for the first time. The national media is no doubt working on various Santa references in advance.
Do you agree with Gonzo’s assessment? You can read his final verdict here. Gonzo’s certainly not a clown. But Bradford sure as hell [still] is.