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Dad: Sam probably has made his choice

DEADLINE NEAR
Sam Bradford: Has until Thursday to decide if he wants to enter the NFL Draft or return to Oklahoma for another year.

 
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Published: 1/14/2009  2:28 AM
Last Modified: 1/14/2009  2:29 AM

 The father of Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford thinks his son has made up his mind, but is taking all the time necessary to be sure of his decision.

Bradford has all day Thursday, until midnight, to choose between returning to play at OU next season or jumping to the NFL. If he decides to leave, he'll have 72 hours to change his mind as long as he doesn't hire an agent or sign representation or endorsement deals.

In a Tuesday telephone interview with the Tulsa World, Kent Bradford said he suspects Sam knows what he wants to do.

"Do I think he's going back and forth? No. No, I don't," Kent Bradford said. "I just think he's trying to become comfortable with his choice, I guess."

He said his son met with OU head coach Bob Stoops, quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel, associate athletic director for media relations Kenny Mossman and others in recent days to help him decide.

"It'll be his call and his time," Kent Bradford said.

Kent Bradford said he thinks he knows which way his son will go, but admits he's not 100 percent sure.

"I think I probably know his choice," he said, "but I'm not totally sure of it. "He and I have talked, sure. And no, I'm probably not totally in the dark," Kent Bradford said. "But you know, he has not actually made his final choice known to me yet. I truly think I know it, but hell, I may not."

Sam Bradford lit up scoreboards and rewrote record books this season on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy. There is a dearth of NFL prospects in this year's senior class, so Bradford is among a handful of coveted juniors. Another is Georgia's Matthew Stafford, who announced last week he's turning pro. Like Bradford, USC's Mark Sanchez hasn't revealed his intentions yet.

Scouts Inc., analyst and ESPN contributor Todd McShay projected Bradford as the No. 1 pick to Detroit, but in a phone interview with the World on Monday, offered another perspective.

"I like him, personally," McShay said. "But I know I've talked to other scouts who say, 'I'm not quite as high on him.' So I can envision a scenario in which he's bottom half of the first round. And while that's still very good money, maybe a year from now he could solidify a spot in the top 10.

"There are varying opinions on him, let's put it that way. I think with Stafford coming out and Mark Sanchez still to make a decision, it'll just be interesting to see where he falls on most teams' boards."

Long time draft analyst Mel Kiper, also an ESPN contributor, disagrees with McShay.

"I don't think he's going No. 1," Kiper said. "He could be third (among quarterbacks). See, the thing is, where you're gonna be right now doesn't mean anything. It's where you go in late April, and it's a long, long way between now and late April."

Both McShay and Kiper see potential holes in Bradford's game.

"The big thing that I see, and I call to confirm information with scouts, is (that) the system in which he plays, obviously, and the supporting cast he played with, doesn't help him," he said. "Because he's spending a lot of time out of the shotgun, especially on passing downs, throwing into a lot of bigger windows, and not having to face pressure and not getting hit a lot. How's he gonna react when the windows are smaller and the pressure's coming quicker?"

Kiper also likes Bradford's height and accuracy and said his arm strength is good but not great. But like McShay, Kiper looks at the Texas game and the Florida game — both losses, in which Bradford was hit more frequently.

"To draft him No. 1 is very risky," Kiper said. "You see Stafford get harrassed and deal with pocket maintenance on a regular basis. Granted, he's not as accurate as Sam. Granted, he doesn't have the lofty stats that Sam has. But the upside is, and to defend that, Matthew has had to deal with an offensive line that wasn't very good, receivers that were good but not great, and no tight end of consequence — no Jermaine Gresham. He didn't have anybody like that.

"He didn't have the big left side of the line. He wasn't in the shotgun, no-huddle, fast-paced offense that was pitch-and-catch and he never got touched. So I think there's a lot of things you know about Stafford that you don't know about Sam. I'm not saying Sam won't be Peyton Manning at the pro level. But what determines whether you're great at the pro level is how you deal with the pocket. At Oklahoma, he didn't have to worry about it."



John E. Hoover 581-8384
John.hoover@tulsaworld.com
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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12 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Report Comment
Dobrescu, Tulsa, OK (1/14/2009 6:27:04 AM)
Go for it Sam. Take the money and run. We would like you to keep playing for OU, but one injury and you're out millions. Good luck.
Report Comment
Dr. Strangelove, Tulsa (1/14/2009 6:30:28 AM)
Who wants to go to Detroit? He still looks like a kid, I think he should stay out another year.
Report Comment
Have that, America (1/14/2009 8:44:20 AM)
huge millions of dollars now...or...roll the dice to play one more year and then get huge millions of dollars if you make it through the year not being hurt and looking as good as you did this year....

choice is pretty simple...

later sam...good luck to ya
Report Comment
Big Harp, Koolie (1/14/2009 9:01:27 AM)
I've already put money down in Vegas on him staying. Like the Doc said he's still a kid but he is smart and understands what another year of experience will do for his career.
Report Comment
OKLA, (1/14/2009 9:25:15 AM)
Lots of things to consider. How many talented offensive linemen are returning to protect him like they did this year? How many talented receivers and backs are returning or are as good as those graduating? His fortune rides at least in part on the success or failure of the team next season. On the other hand, he's looking a big bucks immediately if he goes for the draft. What's that saying about a bird in the hand. . .?
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (1/14/2009 10:00:10 AM)
BOOMER SOONER!!!!

One more year Sam. Look at how staying another year is playing out for Blake Griffin.
Report Comment
SoCal Fan, Broken Arrow (1/14/2009 10:21:54 AM)
I think he should stay. There is no guarantee he's going No.1 with Detroit. Besides, the Sooners need him to win their second National title in 9 years. Do it!
Report Comment
ousooner72, Tulsa (1/14/2009 11:06:54 AM)
If Sam comes back and has an off year, there is always a senior year to correct or immortalize himself. Colt McCoy is a great example. Sam understands what a legend he is and can be with more time. OU will not have a shabby O-Line under Stoops watch. Brady Quinn might have an opinion on draft projections too. If Sam was a year older and filled out a bit, I think it would be a no brainer as the #1 QB in the draft. I see him late first round, which means back up role. It is almost a win/win situation either way. I would like to see his Sooner legacy grow! Good luck Sam either way! Boomer Sooner
Report Comment
kyote, (1/14/2009 11:55:22 AM)
He is only a ball player, who really cares what he does. I just wish he would go away so the TW could find something else to print.
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (1/14/2009 12:03:12 PM)
I would say kyote he is more of a role model. The type of young man that I am proud that my children look up to and one that is not just a distant figure on the tube.
Sam Bradford is Oklahoma's own!!

BOOMER SOONER!!!
Report Comment
CL. 69, Claremore (1/14/2009 1:27:34 PM)
kyote,

Its a pretty good guess that you don't like football, and especially in Oklahoma, because thats all we are interested in at the moment.I hope the TW keeps up with everything SAM the MAN does. Go read the Fla. Mistake if you don't like what TW is writing about.
DAN the MAN
Report Comment
jalwgis, Tulsa (1/14/2009 2:27:28 PM)
Pleaassssee stay Sam. I won't see you play as much in the NFL:(
 

 
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