We're turning the corner and seeing the Rams become more experienced at the skill positions and tougher in the trenches on offense. I'm a firm believer that the selection of Robinson instead of Watkins was the right thing to do (Although I loved the idea of having Watkins and Tavon). The 2nd key (1st key below) to whether we're playoff bound is the health of Jake Long and he stability of the Oline. Long, Robinson, Wells, Saffold, Barksdale is pretty damn good. It appeared that Stacy had more running room than maybe SJ39 ever had. Last year was the first time in many years that we actually saw the running game have an impact on the outcome of games. I watched a lot of Auburn games last year because of the speed and excitement they had on offense. Tre Mason has the vision and quickness reminiscent of LT. I absolutely loved this pick in the 3rd round. I must have done 100 mock drafts and he kept showing up in the 3rd round in our. One thing came to mind however when we selected Mason. Niners went big and physical with Carlos Hyde, and we went 2 picks in a row with a player who is 5'8". Niners also stockpiled with 2 high picks on olineman. Looking back, it would have been nice to use 1 of the 4 DB picks on an Olineman. Obviously in the 4th round we don't know what we're taking later in the draft but OT Cameron Flemming of Stanford was available in the 4th. I was surprised he wasn't taken sooner.
I like our WR core a lot with another year of experience. Cook, Kendrick's, Britt, Quick gives us good size and speed in the red zone. If the light turns on for Brian Quick we become dynamic on offense. Tavon and Givens give us home run threats and the wildcard of this group is Stedman Bailey. Stedman can be Isaac Bruce. There are plenty of weapons with experience that should open things up for Bradford.
Make no mistake about it. Bradford is the 1st key to us getting into the playoffs now that the pieces are in place. Not to mention a sick defense being installed to create more opportunities.
My honest assessment of Bradford has always been from this standpoint. Is he smart enough on his pre snap reads to know what defenses are doing to him so that he can make his reads to make the others around him better? Or is he a guy who needs all the big toys to create the physical mismatches to make it happen? When I look at last season I see,
Week 1- 13pts scored going into the 4th quarter. That's 1 TD. Bradford throws a pick 6
Week 2- 10pts scored going into the 4th quarter. That's 1 TD. Bradford throws a pick 6
Week 3- 7pts scored the entire game.
Week 4- 3pts scored going into 4th quarter. 11pts the entire game
Week 5 and 6 we tore up 2 of the worst 3 teams in the league. Hence the #1 and #3 picks with Houston and the Jags respectively.
Week 7- 10pts with a defensive safety going into the 4th quarter when Bradford got injured. Bradford throws a pick 6 on the first drive.
What's glaring to me are the points this offense was generating going into the 4th quarter. I would have to look further to know whether the 4th quarter was against prevent defenses and that's why stats were compiled? We did win game 1. Were the performances vs two of the worst teams help inflate the stats?
Perhaps the time off Bradford had and watching from the sidelines helped Bradford see things from a different perspective. All I know this season will tell us a lot. Can he stay healthy and does he have a better grasp of defenses. Let's hope so.