5055567475852000, Euless (12/26/2008 5:53:18 AM)

Amazing how he's gone from 6'7" to now 6'4"; he'll be under 6ft at this rate when it's time for the draft/combine :D

Royce, Tulsa (12/26/2008 3:59:24 PM)

Look for this Jones guy to be OU's starting QB next fall, and look for Sam Bradford to start for the Detroit Lions.

I rather doubt that the Lions offensive line can provide the pass protection which Sam enjoyed as a Sooner, but if he does wind up in the hospital he'll undoubtedly be the richest patient in the building.

5055567475852000, Euless (12/27/2008 7:49:57 AM)

Sam isn't going anywhere, sorry. He'll be back at you trust me.

Royce, Tulsa (12/27/2008 12:20:44 PM)

Sam is a red shirt sophmore which means he is academically a junior. He will have only 2 semesters left to graduate after this year.

He can easily earn these credits in the off season as a pro.

He will, undoubtedly, be the first QB to go in the draft which means that Detroit, with the first pick this year, will grab him.

They will also offer him a very handsome signing bonus (estimated at $30 million). It's also believed that this is the last year for the big buck signing bonuses because the veteran players resent rookies getting so much dough and owners have, all too often, given a big bonus to a big name rookie who failed to pan out.

Sam would be foolish to pass this opportunity up because the big bonus will not be available next year. Moreover, one can never tell on which play the player will sustain a career ending injury. If he plays college ball next year he could easily sacrifice his pro career. Indeed he could sustain that career ending injury on January 8 against Florida.

Of couse he could, quite easily, sustain that injury as a pro, particularly if he relies on the Detroit Lions' offensive line to provide him pass protection, but if he is injured at least his signing bonus will be safely in the bank.

Besides with Jones as his replacement, it occurs to me that Detroit needs Sam far more than does OU.

Don't begrudge this fine young player his chance to get rich. He's already done more for OU than most of the QBs they've had, particularly if he leads the Sooners to a win on January 8.

shytnik, Colorado Springs (12/27/2008 5:30:34 PM)

I would love for Sam to take a cue from McCoy and stay another year and finish his degree. Especially if he wants to be a role model for kids. But the reality is that there will be a ton of money on the table and he could be the #1 overall pick this year. Of course some predictions have him as the 3rd or 4th QB taken which could drop him way back.

It's possible to come back another year, put the records out of reach for anyone to follow and still go top 5, but it usually doesn't work that way, just ask his NC opponent Tebow. Still, some guys have different goals in life than just the money, see Myron Roll at FSU, and Sam's family is not hurting for money. $30 mil this year or wait and get prob. $24 mil next year, not a ton of difference really.

For selfish reasons, I hope Sam comes back one more year, finishes his degree and Landry gets to back him up and become a better QB by the time he gets the starting nod. But I won't be holding my breath.

mgsooner, (12/29/2008 1:06:25 PM)

It might be worth coming back just so you wouldn't have to play for Detroit.

Tulwac, (12/29/2008 6:01:21 PM)

If Sam has any sense, he will go this year. It becomes business at this point, not emotion. Not many coaches would stay out of loyalty if they were offered the same circumstance, same with any profession. He can finish his education WITH the money. It would be ashamed to tear an acl or worse while staying for no advantage.