Something to Think About: Clausen vs Bradford

[Sam Mills Fan]

I'm not, I'm just saying it's something to think about. Many people felt Bradford was a frail system QB and he is looking like the true definition of a franchise QB right now. He looks closer to the elite guys in their rookie years (Manning, Ryan, and other who started their rookie years) than Clausen is so far.

Honestly SMF, did you expect Bradford to be this good, or even good at all? I really didn't... I didn't know what Clausen would be, I didn't really have a feeling one way or the other.

But is it that Bradford is that good, or can it just be chalked up to the offenses they play in now - our caveman offense vs theirs... Is the offense itself limiting his ability and Bradford's isn't? Or is Bradford that much better and we're being too butterflies and rainbows about our rookie QB?

And also, you know Clausen was projected to be a Top-15 guy or somewhere around there initially.

Bradford, Manning, and Ryan were all Top 3 picks when they were selected. Clausen was selected in the 30s or 40s IIRC.

Why not try to find a rookie quarterback taken past the first round that is playing as well as Clausen is right now? I sure can't think of any to be honest.

[scpanther22]

A way better situation? lol

Why don't we compare Clausen to the quarterback chosen closest to him in the draft this year....The Golden Calf of Bristol? Remind me, how's Timmy playing right now?

what does The Golden Calf of Bristol have do with clausen and why are loling?? Clausen did come into a better situation?

[Swan]

Wins, like losses, are a team effort.

At least Bradford puts his team into a position where they have a chance at winning. At least they have some offense. We have better weapons than the Rams, and can't even put up half the points.

[PanthersPhan18]

there's a reason why one was a the number 1 overall pick and the other fell out of the first round (coming from a ND fan)

Clausen fell out of the first round because of off field issue. He was considered a top 10 pick.

[Sam Mills Fan]

How in the world did Clausen come into a better situation? As of today, the Rams have better receivers and a better offensive line than we do. They also have the best running back. They also don't have a fullback that sucks. And everybody in the Rams organization expected Bradford to win the starting job very quickly and prepared that way in the offseason whereas everyone expected Moore to at least be serviceable this season and for Clausen to sit. So yes, saying Clausen is in the better situation gets a lol from me.

And my point about The Golden Calf of Bristol is that it would be a better comparison to compare Clausen to The Golden Calf of Bristol rather than Bradford. And The Golden Calf of Bristol is currently the #3 quarterback in Denver behind Kyle Orton (lol) and Brady Quinn (lololololol).

[Sam Mills Fan]

So far this season: Mark Clayton and Amendola have been way better than LaFell and Gettis. And Steven Jackson has been way better than any of our backs.

[Proudiddy]

Bradford, Manning, and Ryan were all Top 3 picks when they were selected. Clausen was selected in the 30s or 40s IIRC.

Why not try to find a rookie quarterback taken past the first round that is playing as well as Clausen is right now? I sure can't think of any to be honest.

But as I said, Clausen was projected to go top 15 or so, and dropped for what many attributed to non-football issues.

What I'm getting at is so many people on this board are already claiming he's there, or will be there shortly, and that he will be the QB of the future. I'm asking to look at it objectively...

They're both rookies and they're both starting. Where they were taken should have nothing to do with it. Bradford had just as good of a chance to be a bust as he did being a franchise guy... It's too early to say what Clausen will be, but I'm asking to look at it realistically and not just under the one veil of hope we are hoping to take out of this season.

[Pox 08]

At least Bradford puts his team into a position where they have a chance at winning. At least they have some offense. We have better weapons than the Rams, and can't even put up half the points.

Better weapons only mean something if your coaching staff can utilize them all. Apparently Fox and company can't.

Rams are doing more with less because they're prepared to go out of their comfort zone and because their Oline is playing insanely well compared to what Bulger had to deal with and compared to how our Oline is playing.

[rayzor]

not sure anyone really expected feeley to stay as the starter. you don't draft the #1 overall to let him sit behind the likes of feeley.

anyway, the point is, bradford has had more time to work as the starter. clausen was just thrown in without having much of a chance to prepare.

also, consider his first game was in a downpour, the second game was in the superbandwagondome having to deal with noise that would make your ears bleed. not exactly ideal situations for anyone. next week should be better....or at least would have been except now he won't have smith to take pressure off of the other WRs and to keep that 9th man out of the box.

he'll have to find his groove. he did pop his cherry and get his first passing TD, so that has to help with some confidence. get him back home next week in normal weather conditions and with three weeks under his belt as the starter and he should be better.

[Swan]

How in the world did Clausen come into a better situation? As of today, the Rams have better receivers and a better offensive line than we do. They also have the best running back. They also don't have a fullback that sucks. And everybody in the Rams organization expected Bradford to win the starting job very quickly and prepared that way in the offseason whereas everyone expected Moore to at least be serviceable this season and for Clausen to sit. So yes, saying Clausen is in the better situation gets a lol from me.

And my point about The Golden Calf of Bristol is that it would be a better comparison to compare Clausen to The Golden Calf of Bristol rather than Bradford. And The Golden Calf of Bristol is currently the #3 quarterback in Denver behind Kyle Orton (lol) and Brady Quinn (lololololol).

He did come into a better situation. The Rams have mediocre receivers. Clayton, their best receiver is mediocre at best. We atleast have a playmaker in Smitty. Both our O-lines suck, but we're probably better than the Rams on the O-line. Steven Jackson the best running back? He's a top 5 back, but we have D-Will and J-Stew. They both went for 1100 yards last season.

Saying Clausen wasn't expected to start is an excuse. He and Moore competeted in camp, and he SHOULD be ready, even if he wasn't expected to start. Clausen absolutely ended up in a better situation. Maybe it doesn't look like it, but he did. I think Bradford is just making his teammates look better, simple as that.

[Sloth]

At least Bradford puts his team into a position where they have a chance at winning. At least they have some offense. We have better weapons than the Rams, and can't even put up half the points.

what better weapons? their oline is better, their rb is equal or better, we have one wr on them but their overall group is better and they actually sling the ball around.

[scpanther22]

How in the world did Clausen come into a better situation? As of today, the Rams have better receivers and a better offensive line than we do. They also have the best running back. They also don't have a fullback that sucks. And everybody in the Rams organization expected Bradford to win the starting job very quickly and prepared that way in the offseason whereas everyone expected Moore to at least be serviceable this season and for Clausen to sit. So yes, saying Clausen is in the better situation gets a lol from me.

And my point about The Golden Calf of Bristol is that it would be a better comparison to compare Clausen to The Golden Calf of Bristol rather than Bradford. And The Golden Calf of Bristol is currently the #3 quarterback in Denver behind Kyle Orton (lol) and Brady Quinn (lololololol).

Are you serious??? at the time..top 10 Oline,best group of RB in the NFL and top 10 WR and QB that could hold the job untill he was ready to take it..It did not work out like that. but that was the thinking by everybody at the time.Thats a way better situation than Bradford.

You cant say 100% what anyone in the rams FO was thinking.No it would not be a better comparison because nobody ever brought up Tebows name as the #1 overall pick but Clausen and Bradford were in the discussion for the top spot.

[Dpantherman]

Mark Clayton and Laurent Robinson > Steve Smith and some rookie receivers

[theyhateme45]

I don't know how to explain Bradfords success this early, but he is playing damn good football. I'm living in St. Louis right now and I have to go to the bar every sunday to catch our games, but since the bar is FULL of rams fans (Yes they do have fans) I see a lot of their game on the big screen. I'm always rooting for them to fail so they can shut up, but Bradford is playing wayyyy better than I ever expected....

A few bad throws here and there, but quick decisions with the ball.... good reads... very accurate passes.... goes thru his progressions well, and seems to have complete control over the offense. Even the games they loss he played well, and some of those Int's are mistelling. If he keeps it up they have a chance to win that Mess of a division known as the NFC West.