Sam Bradford could be the first quarterback taken in the NFL draft. He could even be the No. 1 pick — if the Rams believe his throwing shoulder is healthy and that he is good enough and durable enough to be their franchise QB.
Bradford spoke with Sporting News’ Clifton Brown and other reporters Saturday at the Combine in Indianapolis.
Q: What exactly was done to your throwing shoulder after you injured it last season?
A: It was a reconstruction of the AC joint. It was a grade 2 separation. From what I heard from the doctors, for my long-term health, if I wanted to continue playing football and get stronger in the weight room, I needed to have the surgery.
Q: You are not throwing at the Combine. How important will it be to throw well at your pro day (March 25)?
A: It’s extremely important. It will be the first time I’ve done this stuff (for) pro scouts since I got injured. I think everyone is really anxious to see my arm and how it works out. I’m going to put on a great show.
Q: How much weight have added since the season ended?
A: About 12 pounds. Yesterday, I was 6-foot-4, 236.
Q: Do you think it is important that you bulked up?
A: Definitely. Coming back from an injury, I wanted to get in the weight room, put some weight on. There were some questions about my weight last year. People thought I was too small to come out. I won’t have to answer any of those questions this year.
Q: How much are you throwing right now?
A: Every other day. When I get back from the Combine, I’m hoping to finish my rehab and throw every day. I’d say it’s close to 85 percent right now.
Q: Do you think you can be an effective quarterback playing under center in the NFL after not doing it that much at Oklahoma?
A: People have this misconception that if you play in the spread, if you play in the shotgun, you don’t know how to take a drop. It just shortens your drop. At Oklahoma, our coach made us take snaps under center. I’ve very comfortable with throwing under center.
Clifton Brown is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at cliftonbrown@sportingnews.com.