Buddy, I've never agreed with you more. Sam Bradford is one hell of a QB and these QB's coming out this year are are more than one level below him. His tape us better than Luck's coming out and it's obvious. I really, really, beleive the Rams find their lightning in the bottle this year just like 99. We're differently built team that vastly resemble the 99 Titans rather than the 99 Rams, but those guys were a yard away from winning the SB.
Also like 99, we are written off. We went 7-9 with Clemens starting half the year! We can win 4 more games with upgrades that are well within our grasp.
I beleive in Sam, I beleive in Fish, I beleive in this team. We should be hungry as hell after last year. A fire storm begins to brew and a hurricane from hell will be our team.
At the risk of beating a dead horse, the Titans did NOT come within a yard of winning the 99 game, unless they also went for and made a 2 point conversion. I agree that the defensive unit somewhat resembles the Titans team, but clearly not the offense. Personally, I don't favor resembling anything other than what they are or become based upon the current personnel and hopefully, a successful draft.
As for Bradford, I'm really tired of the excuses. I think he's a great person with excellent character, desire and effort. And when given time, (he) is accurate (although I believe that Warner lead his receivers better, especially coming across the middle). I also think he's flawed in the areas previously discussed. The problem I have, is that although he's improved in some areas, it would seem that for a 68 million dollar man so highly regarded, his improvement appears stunted and I'm taking the OC changes into account. Remember Sam was so incredibly highly regarded that despite the fact he'd missed final year (Jr) at OU, playing only 2 seasons and coming off a shoulder injury! Talk about a pig in a poke. Back then, it seemed like all the focus was on his shoulder and whether it would hold up or not. I never read or heard about his other weaknesses, even today, it's how accurate he is as though that solves every issue.
In any event, I'm convinced that this season will be "make or break" for a number of skill players, including the QB (assuming they get a viable replacement). Many speak about this being a 3 year break out season and all that. In some ways, I suppose it is, particularly in regards to how they compete in their division. Other than that, I suspect ownership is comfortable with continued progress closer to 5 years.
Lastly, I'd live to see "lightening in a bottle" once again, but just as with lightening, it rarely strikes twice. Now for those of you wishing to see it strike twice, simply add a Pace, Faulk, Holt, Hakim, Bruce, Proehl and stir. I think Sam could shine with that cast.