OU QB Sam Bradford re-injures his throwing shoulder

by David Fucillo on Oct 17, 2009 2:27 PM PDT in San Francisco 49ers News

I realize mock drafts are something to help pass the time and ponder what lies in the future. However, today was yet another example of why any mock draft should be taken with a serious grain of salt.

Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford was injured today in the Red River Shootout after being sacked by Texas CB Aaron Williams. Bradford landed on his throwing shoulder, reinjuring the shoulder that he hurt earlier in the season. It's obviously too early to know the specific details of the injury, but obviously we can enter into speculation about long term implications of this injury.

Our folks at Mocking the Draft discussed the fact that Bradford's injury and any lost playing time could be detrimental to his potential high draft status. Given the physical nature of football in general, and the NFL in particular, will this cause teams to give pause? I personally don't see the 49ers investing a first round pick in a QB at this point, but even if they were considering it, you have to think twice about Bradford given the injury.

The other question is now whether Bradford even enters the draft. He's a redshirt junior, and still has one more year of eligibility. If you're Bradford, do you just call it a season and try to rebuild your draft stock in 2010? I think it's possible somebody would roll the dice on him relatively high, but given the kind of money at stake, it might be a gamble. Of course, there's also the issue of a potential hard rookie salary cap in the eventual new CBA, so that's yet another issue for him to consider.

Whatever he does decide, I do think this is very much a lesson on in season college football mock drafts. Peruse them, create them, enjoy them. But keep in mind that things will change many times. For those who don't remember from ~~last year~~ two years ago, at one point Kentucky QB Andre Woodson was projected as a top-10 pick. That obviously changed in a hurry. Bradford is only example for this season.

Keep an eye out at Crimson and Cream Machine for further Bradford updates.

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Comments

I don't see the Niners picking Bradford but

I personally don’t see the 49ers investing a first round pick in a QB at this point

Any reason in particular for this statement? I’d say B is maybe the biggest need on the team, although you could make a case for Ot being bigger.

Also, Andre Woodson was actually drafted two years ago.

by Brendan Scolari on Oct 17, 2009 2:59 PM PDT reply actions

That should be

“I’d say QB is maybe the biggest need on the team”.

by Brendan Scolari on Oct 17, 2009 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Woodson/QB

First off, thanks for the heads-up on Woodson. I corrected that. The years start to bleed together sometimes.

As for QB, I would not be surprised to see the team take a QB, but given that Nate Davis showed some signs in the preseason, I would expect any QB to be drafted a bit later in the draft (like 3rd round or later). Obviously Nate Davis is no guarantee by any stretch, but I just think the team will want to see what he can do possibly with more playing time next August.

by David Fucillo on Oct 17, 2009 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions

My thinking

Personally, I don’t see why Davis should factor into the decision. If he was a first round QB with a big contract things would be different. But he’s a 5th rounder making near the league minimum. So let’s say Davis really is good enough to be a starter, a big assumption, is it a bad thing to have two good QB’s? Look how much Schaub and Cutler brought back when they were traded, having two good players at the most important position is a huge boon to a team.

I also think people overestimate the odds of a late round QB working out, mostly because they only remember the successes and forget the failures. I’ve heard some Niner fans say Davis is the future at QB, some Seahawks fans say Mike Teel (6th round pick this year) is their future, some Broncos fans say Tom Brandstater (4th round pick this year) is their future, etc. The reality is maybe 10% of these guys work out. If the Niners are going to stick with Davis as the QB of the future, that means Hill is probably the starter through at least 2010. Then let’s say Davis takes over in 2011, what if he isn’t very good then? We’re 3 years in the future and there’s not even a semblance of an answer for the QB spot.

To me it seems like a good idea to draft a QB if you think a guy with great potential is there in the early rounds. If he works out you have a franchise QB for the next ten years. If he doesn’t then you still have Davis as a fallback option. That seems like a more reasonable plan than leaving the future of the QB spot to Davis.

by Brendan Scolari on Oct 17, 2009 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions

You cannot develop 2 QBs on the bench at the same time. If you draft a 1st round QB than the ship has sailed on Nate Davis. There are barely enough reps in practice to develop one.

The only way to develop both is anoint one the starter in 2010 and get rid of both Alex Smith and Shaun Hill. If you think Mike Singletary and the veterans on defense are going to accept playing a rookie QB in 2010 than YAOOYFM. Only shot at accepting a rookie QB is if the season goes down in flames meaning a Nolan-esc October and November eliminating them early from playoff contention. Nate Davis would likely be given the first shot in 2010 and 49ers would probably be a disgruntled roster if Davis doesn’t win right away.

If the team goes down in flames the rest of the season and cannot bounce back right away in 2010 than their will be massive roster defection/cleansing before the QB of the future is actually ready. It’s not that simple.

by bignerd on Oct 17, 2009 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Disagree

How many reps were Kurt Warner or Jeff Garcia getting early in their careers? Shaun Hill couldn’t have gotten any reps either when he was in Minnesota and while he’s obviously not that good, he must have gotten a lot better over the years.

And the bigger point is that the odds are pretty low that Davis is going to amount to anything anyways. If the Niners think say Jake Locker has the chance to be a great player they’d be smart to take him even if it did mean Davis’ development had to be sacrificed.

And no, I don’t expect a rookie QB to start at all. But i do expect the Niners to do what they think gives them the best chance to win, and banking possibly the next 5 years of the QB position on Nate Davis doesn’t seem like the smart move to me.

by Brendan Scolari on Oct 17, 2009 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree with the last paragraph

But drafting a QB for the sake of drafting a QB got us Alex Smith. And the same clown will be picking again this time (ok, sorta). I’d rather play the field in the draft the next 3 years waiting for the right QB to drop to us than reaching for a QB and picking up the 2010 version of Cade McKnown. We can still build an offensive line, add a better safety, possibly a NT or a great pass rusher. All of which improves this team to a playoff level despite the QB.

Missing from the entire week of QB discussions is identifying the the QB who would fit this 49ers offense best. It’s not a West Coast offense, it’s not an offset of the Run n’ Shoot, it’s not a hurry up / get a mismatch offense, it’s a power run and deep ball philosophy. Whose the QB that fits this model the best? I’ve heard nothing, just go shopping cause the deep ball ain’t looking good and Matt Ryan looked so pretty last week. Really, without context that’s an awful plan . . . that a Bears QB plan.

I wouldn’t be so harsh (it’s not really directed at you but the weeks worth of talk) but all I’ve read is it’s a deep QB class. So What? Does it contain a QB that works for us? The last deep QB class only contained Donovan McNabb, which is great except in playoff games. If the right QB isn’t there I’d much rather pass and wait til 2011 or 2012. Let the rest of league suffer drafting crap. Trust me, when it’s the right match it will all click but it requires patience. See the 2005 Steelers or the 2008 Ravens. Those franchises figured it out. Don’t reach, keep drafting well and if the QB is finally there than your instant SB contender.

by bignerd on Oct 17, 2009 11:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Locker.

"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."

by Fearless Frog on Oct 18, 2009 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Thank You

Best quasi draft post all week.

by bignerd on Oct 18, 2009 9:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Makes sense

I love your analysis.

lol

What we've got here is a failure to communicate.

by SportsChicken on Oct 19, 2009 12:43 AM PDT up reply actions

Also known as...

The QB for quite possibly the worst Division 1 football team to ever take the field. The winless 2008 Washington Huskies.

Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."

by chirop1 on Oct 19, 2009 7:40 AM PDT up reply actions

didn't they beat USC?

"Pat is still just scratching the surface." - Coach Singletary on LB Patrick Willis

by 49erLou on Oct 19, 2009 8:44 PM PDT up reply actions

lol my bad I just reread the comment

"Pat is still just scratching the surface." - Coach Singletary on LB Patrick Willis

by 49erLou on Oct 19, 2009 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions

but Davis is good

by goatfather on Oct 18, 2009 1:25 AM PDT up reply actions

The QB class is deep

Is Locker, who I’ve seen projected as a top 10 pick, that much better than LeFevour? Doubtful. The Niners should probably draft a QB but not in Round 1.

Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.

by methodrampage on Oct 17, 2009 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions

"Is Locker, who I’ve seen projected as a top 10 pick, that much better than LeFevour? '

Yes.

"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."

by Fearless Frog on Oct 17, 2009 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Agreed.

LeFevour is pretty overrated in my opinion. He’s nothing special.

by Brendan Scolari on Oct 17, 2009 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Locker's overrated.

Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.

by methodrampage on Oct 18, 2009 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions

LeFevour would be lucky to get drafted if the QB class wasn't so thin.

"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."

by Fearless Frog on Oct 18, 2009 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Thin QB Class?

I just love Locker’s career completion percentage of 51.7. That’s going to translate so well in the NFL.

Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.

by methodrampage on Oct 19, 2009 8:43 AM PDT up reply actions

I'll take LeFevour's 65.9%

over Locker’s any day of the week.

Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.

by methodrampage on Oct 19, 2009 8:46 AM PDT up reply actions

I don't see how

He plays for one of the crappiest teams in the nation…….

What we've got here is a failure to communicate.

by SportsChicken on Oct 19, 2009 12:44 AM PDT up reply actions

He ~~plays for~~ is part of one of the crappiest teams in the nation…….

Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.

by methodrampage on Oct 19, 2009 8:47 AM PDT up reply actions

Setting the MAC record for total yards is at least a little special.

Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.

by methodrampage on Oct 19, 2009 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions

Watching the Florida/Arkansas game

And I’m pissed.

Those zebras are GARBAGE.
They should lose their jobs.

As for the Gators, they are horribly overrated.
Mallet has been horrible all game….he’s not a 1st round prospect.

What we've got here is a failure to communicate.

by SportsChicken on Oct 17, 2009 3:43 PM PDT reply actions

Did you see the Nebraska game?

by 10forTech on Oct 17, 2009 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Nope

What we've got here is a failure to communicate.

by SportsChicken on Oct 17, 2009 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Jimmy Clausen

i hate to say that I am developing a draftcrush on jimmy Clausen…What is
y’all( mississippi for …you guys) opinion?

"Niners Are Back!!!"

by mississippininer on Oct 17, 2009 5:10 PM PDT reply actions

Clausen and Locker are probably the best pro-prospects in the nation right now.

"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."

by Fearless Frog on Oct 17, 2009 6:46 PM PDT up reply actions

+1

What we've got here is a failure to communicate.

by SportsChicken on Oct 17, 2009 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Brady Quinn looked better than Clausen in college

and look how good he is now. Clausen is not great. see: having three shots to tie it from the 6 yard line today against USC.

by WhiteBuffalo on Oct 18, 2009 12:39 AM PDT up reply actions

Brady Quinn had to play for the Browns

The franchise that made Jeff Garcia look like a has-been… and then he went to Philly and Tampa and looked 10 years younger.

Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."

by chirop1 on Oct 19, 2009 7:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Mallett

looked pretty decent against #1 Florida

by Drew Kerr on Oct 17, 2009 5:14 PM PDT reply actions

Not really...

"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."

by Fearless Frog on Oct 17, 2009 6:46 PM PDT up reply actions

I thought he looked pretty poor

What good throws did he make?

by Brendan Scolari on Oct 17, 2009 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Only one, IMO

That long TD, but the WR was wide open.
He did make the throw off balance, which showcased his strong arm, but other than that, he was horribly inconsistent.

What we've got here is a failure to communicate.

by SportsChicken on Oct 17, 2009 10:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Geez you are being overly critical

He also a 40+ yd bomb which he drilled in there before the safety could get over. Had a perfectly thrown TD pass which was dropped against great coverage by Haden, who has a case for being the best corner in the draft. Think you are also selling him way short on the TD throw, considering he hit the guy perfectly in stride some 40 yards down the field just before he got hit.

by znk916 on Oct 18, 2009 2:01 AM PDT up reply actions