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Bradford's decision is the right one to make

Heisman-winner Sam Bradford announced through a University of Oklahoma press release that he plans to have shoulder surgery next week and enter the 2010 NFL draft if his recovery goes well. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

 
By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist
Published: 10/26/2009  2:23 AM
Last Modified: 10/26/2009  4:07 AM
Related Stories:

Bradford plans for surgery, NFL draft

Sam's choice

Go to John Klein's Blog



SAM BRADFORD is making the right decision by opting for shoulder surgery and planning to jump to the National Football League.

He also made the right decision by coming back to Oklahoma for what was a very abbreviated junior season.

"I dreamed about coming to Oklahoma my whole life," Bradford said.

He lived his collegiate dream, leading the Sooners to a national championship game and winning the Heisman Trophy.

Now it's time for him to live his dream in pro football.

In order to end all the wild speculation, Bradford announced through a school spokesman on Sunday he will go through with shoulder surgery and plans on bypassing his senior season to enter the draft. According the school, the surgery will be performed by noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews in Alabama on Wednesday.

No regrets. He did all he could. He tried to come back and play this season, even though it might have been better for him to undergo surgery last month.

One of the most-decorated Oklahoma high school quarterbacks in history will do what is best for himself.

Bradford, if he fully recovers and goes through with his plan, could be the most successful OU QB to play in the NFL.

He'll draw some obvious comparisons to another former Oklahoma high school star — Troy Aikman of Henryetta.

Aikman is the most-decorated pro quarterback from the state. He won three Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys and is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Aikman was not just a terrific quarterback with a monster arm. His leadership and pursuit of perfection were legendary among his teammates and coaches.

In that manner, Bradford is very similar. How Bradford compares to Aikman as a pro will be determined by a number of factors, not the least of which is the team and coach that gets him next spring.

Plus, there is the no small issue of Sam's soon-to-be repaired shoulder. According to various reports, normal recovery time for this type of surgery is four to six months.

"I'll be up to the challenge," Bradford said.

Bradford's dedication to hard work and his teammates at OU has been nothing short of remarkable.

OU coach Bob Stoops often lavished praise on Bradford for his work ethic and commitment to the team.

That's what a pro team will be getting. He has a virtual cannon of an arm. Or, at least, before the injury he had a cannon. He is a marvelous leader, but the question will obviously be his health.

Various reports indicated Bradford has talked with many advisers, players and coaches over the past week in trying to make a decision about the surgery.

The consensus was pretty consistent. Get the surgery. Get to the NFL.

Bradford did everything he could to come back. He even came back when it was probably best if he had shut it down earlier.

He said he owed it to his teammates because he made a commitment to them when he announced he would skip the NFL draft and come back for his junior season.

He came back when many draft observers said he would have been the No. 1 pick last year.

Now, he probably won't be the No. 1 pick.

But just like Adrian Peterson is proving his skeptics wrong, we wouldn't want to be the team that needs a quarterback and passes on Bradford.

You might want to take a guy with his arm. And his character.



What You're Saying

On the article: OU's Bradford plans to have surgery and enter NFL draft

"Good kid, too bad he waited to make this decision as it put him several weeks behind and probably pulled money out of his future NFL bank account."

— Bart78

"Too bad for the Sooner Nation. We've been honored by Sam and Jermaine Gresham for the loyalty and desire for us by passing up the money this year for a chance to try again. Here's a scenario about the upcoming draft for Sam: Questions about Bradford's injury cause him to slide down the draft selection and he is chosen to replace a retiring Brett Favre at Minnesota. Wouldn't that be a kick if Sam Bradford was in the same backfield as Adrian Peterson??? And, by the way, Sam would be protected by Phil Loadholt from last year's team. I can't think of a better way to protect Sam's shoulder. Hey, ya never know!"

— Surfin'USA

"How is Bradford going to play for the NFL, if he can't play for OU due to injuries? Even with shoulder surgery there is no guarantee that will take care of his shoulder. He should still finish college."

— Mar

"Well if he gets drafted, and he will. He will have several million dollars to to help defray the cost of tuition at any school he chooses. It's my understanding the surgery being considered has a very successful history. The head coach for the Eagles said, the type of surgery will make his arm even stronger. But you never know what might happen. Just have to wait and see how it all turns out."

— FUTURE WORLD

"I am sorry to see you go Sam!!! You were a great quarterback at OU, you will be a great quarterback in the NFL and but you are a great role model!! I wish you much success!!"

— Bison3

"Smart choice Sam! Honestly, even with a couple injuries I still think he could be 1st round! Not just saying that either. He is probably one of the best College Football Players in the league. BOOMER SOONER!"

— T!ger
By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist

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COMMENTS 
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14 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Report Comment
SinBagSailor, (10/26/2009 6:05:39 AM)
OSU fan here, but one who has always had a very high opinion of Sam Bradford. Best wishes to him for successful surgery and a great NFL career.
Report Comment
Daven, Tulsa (10/26/2009 8:07:04 AM)
Good decision. Take care of that problem now so you can keep your promising career. Good luck!
Report Comment
SS_Hippy, Tulsa (10/26/2009 8:07:14 AM)
i think the best thing for Sam would be to get drafted by Tennessee or another team with veteran QB's so Sam could learn from the sidelines next year. not be thrown into the fire like the QB's at Detroit and the Jets this year.
Report Comment
AtlantaSooner, Atlanta (10/26/2009 8:34:03 AM)
Good luck, Sam!

How in the world can any fan or writer say what is the right decision for Sam? There is a bit of arrogance at work for anybody to make that presumption.

Having said that, I hope this turns out to be a great decision for Sam.
Report Comment
Steff M, Claremore (10/26/2009 8:46:32 AM)
Settle down, AtlantaSooner. Writers often times give their opinion, if you hadn't noticed. Then people make comments about the story and give their opinions. Is there something difficult to understand about this process?
Report Comment
Steff M, Claremore (10/26/2009 8:58:18 AM)
I think it's debatable whether or not Sam made the right decision to come back as it has cost him tens of millions of dollars and caused him injury to his most valuable asset, which hopefully can be made as good as new with this surgery. Hindsight's 20-20, right? He's definitely making the right call to move on to the next level at this point. There is no reason to believe he won't do well in the League and I wish him well and thank him for his service.
Report Comment
Wheat Shocker, (10/26/2009 9:12:29 AM)
If any fan hasn't seen the You Tube video called "I am number two" presented by Sam and Colt McCoy, you need to view it. It will give you total assurance that whatever level Sam does or accomplishes in life from this point on he will be a winner. With his skill level and strength of character a NFL team would be crazy not to bring him as a team leader.
Report Comment
retired x2, Canadian (10/26/2009 9:50:28 AM)
Get it fixed and come back to Norman and prove you're tough enough for the NFL, otherwise no one wants a kid that can't take a shot.
Report Comment
pat, Kiefer (10/26/2009 10:30:10 AM)
BEST OF LUCK TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, SAM! Now everyone FEAR the Stache!
Report Comment
shaw411, Scottsdale, AZ (10/26/2009 11:33:43 AM)
Best of luck Sam...go and make the Sooner nation proud! Boomer Sooner!
Report Comment
Steff M, Claremore (10/26/2009 1:23:05 PM)
Well, retiredx2, he's still being projected 5th to 15th overall, so I think a lot of people will want the "kid" who "can't take a shot". Have you not watched many of his games in the past? I have and I remeber him taking a lot of shots and not having a problem. Do you think New England should have gotten rid of Brady after he showed he couldn't take a hit and missed the whole season, or is that different?
Report Comment
yep, Tulsa County (10/26/2009 7:56:03 PM)
I hope he does go closer to 5th. Most teams will view him as a big risk, not only because of the injury but because of the system he's in. He'll be considered a project to get up to NFL starting QB standards, but if he's trained the right way he has a lot of upside potential.
Report Comment
GoBlueGal, Broken Arrow (10/27/2009 7:55:24 AM)
Sam will be fine. This is one kid that has his head on right. He's got a great support behind him with his parents, coaches, players and friends. Good Luck Sam.
Report Comment
Steff M, Claremore (10/27/2009 8:00:37 AM)
A project? Would you say Sanchez was a project? He seems to be doing just fine and the experts felt Sam was the better of the two. I'm not seeing your logic there.
 

 
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