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NFL's most intriguing players of 2014, a team-by-team examination
By Jason La Canfora
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer...ng-players-of-2014-a-team-by-team-examination
It's the time of year for lists in the NFL.
We're still about 100 days from the start of the regular season and nearing a month since the draft, and there is only so much breathless, play-by-play coverage that can be devoted to glorified OTA walk-throughs.
So, perhaps inspired by those Dos Equis commercials, I starting thinking about the most intriguing guy for each NFL franchise. Not quite the world's most dangerous man, to be certain, but individuals whose production in 2014 could have a direct impact on team fortunes this coming season. I'm not looking for MVP candidates or the most important player; it's a little more nuanced than that. These are guys who fill a particular void or have a particular situation that makes me pay particular attention to them.
We're going to do them in alphabetical order, and I'm sure we'll revisit this at some point in 2015 to see how they fared.
St. Louis Rams
QB Sam Bradford: Another season, another make-or-break year for Bradford. He hasn't stayed healthy, been consistent and you can say he hasn't had great protection or weapons -- and I would agree with those final two statements -- but you can make excuses for only so long. Bradford has two years and about $28M left on his rookie contract. The Rams considered Johnny Manziel in the first round this year, and if this team continues to get better at positions other than quarterback, it only makes sense at some point to upgrade the most critical position. Bradford must bounce back from an ACL injury, and he should be playing behind the best offensive line he has enjoyed. The defense looks downright gnarly, and I suspect he benefits from plenty of sacks and turnovers generated by that unit. He has to cash in and take hold as a team leader as a big-play quarterback. Former No. 1 overall pick or not, loyalty in this league only goes so far. There aren't too many kids who are easier to like and root for than Bradford, an extraordinary young man. But at some point you have to play up to your draft position or you risk engendering change.