• March 19, 2024

A.J. Feeley Gives Us A Scouting Report On Sam Bradford

St. Louis Rams quarterbacks Sam Bradford, left, and quarterback A.J. Feeley drop back to pass during NFL football training camp Saturday, July 30, 2011, at the Rams’ training facility in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Rams quarterbacks Sam Bradford, left, and quarterback A.J. Feeley drop back to pass during NFL football training camp Saturday, July 30, 2011, at the Rams' training facility in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Rams quarterbacks Sam Bradford, left, and quarterback A.J. Feeley drop back to pass during NFL football training camp Saturday, July 30, 2011, at the Rams’ training facility in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Earlier this week, former Eagles quarterback A.J. Feeley was on 97.5 The Fanatic with Anthony Gargano and he talked about his good friend, Sam Bradford. Feeley was a backup quarterback to Bradford in 2011 in St. Louis, so he knows him.  The former Heisman Trophy winner called Feeley immediately when he learned he had been traded to Philadelphia.

A.J. talked about filling him in on what it would be like to play in Philly.  He talked to Anthony about Bradford and raved about his intelligence and athleticism.

“A mellow cerebral quarterback”, Feeley said in describing Bradford. “He’s extremely athletic.  He’s loves the game.  Very accurate. He’s got an underrated arm.  You don’t realize how strong his arm is because it’s effortless for him. His first year he was offensive rookie of the year.  We didn’t have many weapons.  Our best weapon was a guy the Eagles cut the year before Danny Amendola.”

“He’s kind of a unique guy because of how big he is and how athletic he is,” Feeley said. “Assuming that he comes back to his original form from these injuries, he’s a big kind of a dual threat guy — more so than Nick Foles ever was.”

He’s the reason we almost made the playoffs (in 2010) before losing to Seattle at the end of the season.

“Sam was quite the basketball player growing up”, Feeley said.  “He was on a AAU team with Blake Griffin. He can hoop and that’s a pretty good indicator of how good of an athlete he was. He was impressive when I saw him play.”

“He ran this style of offense in Oklahoma”, said Feeley. “He’s still got to get over the injury thing.”

Later in the interview, Feeley recounted a story to illustrate how intelligent Bradford was.  In 2011, then Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, who happens to be the Eagles current offensive coordinator left the Rams to be head coach of the Cleveland Browns, so current New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels took over as the Rams offensive coordinator and put in his system.

“We didn’t have OTA’s”, Feeley said. “We were late getting into training camp, so we had to learn the entire New England offense in a matter of three weeks.  I’m not embarrassed to say it. Sam picked up the offense probably two times faster than I did. It was a tough deal. He was able to read something the first time, pick it up, walk in the huddle; which was definitely an advantage for all of the players because everyone else was struggling.  Sam at one point was teaching the offense to everyone.”

SamBradford&A.J.Feeley3I’m sure stories like this one got back to Chip Kelly and that’s the reason, Bradford is here in an Eagles uniform.

“You look at Chip’s offense, A.J. said.  “They spread you out and the game’s basically angles and spacing.  You get the ball to playmakers in space. A quarterback who is athletic is going to be successful in Chip’s offense as long as you’re accurate and get it out of your hands quick.  Being able to move around gives the offense another dimension.  That’s the great thing about Chip’s offense.  It’s kind of a plug and go.  Guys can pick it up. If they’re accurate, anybody can play in this offense and have success.?”

Feeley did say at the end of the interview that Bradford needed to be more vocal. He didn’t push his teammates in St. Louis  He’s in his fifth year.  There are different leadership styles.

I’ve already had people tell me that Bradford doesn’t have a lot to say.  He doesn’t need to change who he is, but things he feels strongly about he needs to say something because he’s not in St. Louis anymore he’s in Philly.  Eagles fans want their quarterback to be in charge and in control.

 

GCOBB

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seansyh
seansyh
May 15, 2015 2:38 pm

CAN SOMEONE START A FEED ABOUT THE PHILLIES? I know most you probably aren’t keeping tabs on this team, and rightfully so because they stink. But I thought this was a Philadelphia sports website, not a site for a bunch of Eagles fans to bitch and moan about stuff that wont matter for MONTHS!

Jeff Kolsky
May 15, 2015 3:16 pm
Reply to  seansyh

I’m currently working on an article about how Ruben Amaro, Jr. will be in a position to really help the future of the Phillies come the trade dead line. Contending teams have lost a considerable amount of starting pitching and there has also been a struggle with closers getting the job done. I hope, and I’m sure you do, that he not only listens to offers for the likes of Hamels, Harang and Paplebon, but he comes away with players and not excuses that he didn’t receive good enough offers.

I appreciate your willingness to be heard and what you want to read in terms of Philadelphia sports articles.

gmcliff
gmcliff
May 15, 2015 10:48 pm
Reply to  Jeff Kolsky

Jeff, I really think that considering the Dodgers injury problems , and inconsistencies with their starting rotation, there is still a real chance that the Phillies could get what they want in a trade for Hamels with Joc Pederson, Corey Seager, and Julio Urias, or a #1 draft pick.

I think that is the team Rueben should set his sights on more so to deal with in a trade for Cole. They – the Dodgers – may have no choice but to be desperate, because they really have no decent production from their starting rotation this year, and they been bitten by the injury bug as well.

paulman
paulman
May 15, 2015 11:03 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

No way are the Dodgers moving 5-Tool OF J Pederson
They would be happy to offer a Carl Crawford or A Ethier but Pederson is their future face of the Dodger Franchise and will not part with him for
Hamels

gmcliff
gmcliff
May 16, 2015 7:06 pm
Reply to  paulman

He’s their potential future, but there is no guarantee. The Dodgers could be desperate enough to take the chance.

They aren’t going to get Cole Hamels for their trash Paul. The asking price to the Dodgers is reasonable.

Their pitching isn’t good at all this season, and Hamels would be their ace this year with Kershaw having a bad year, and with the injuries. So why would the Phillies be satisfied with Crawford, or Eithier ????

If they want Hamels – It would have to be Pederson, Seager, and Urias, or a #1 draft pick……

paulman
paulman
May 16, 2015 8:16 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

Hamels would not be the Dodgers #1 Starter, Cliff…
More like their 3-4 Starter behind Kershaw, Grenkie for sure and
maybe even after McCarthy.
They have 5 MLB OF’s on their Roster

A Team who could also use Hamels
Are the SF Giants and Texas Rangers as
They are battling in their respective Divisions

haveacigar
haveacigar
May 16, 2015 8:56 pm
Reply to  paulman

Paul have you seen jets haws post season numbers?

paulman
paulman
May 16, 2015 9:13 pm
Reply to  paulman

Kershaw Post-Season #’s have been poor the last
2 Post-Seasons .. But over the last 3 Full Seasons
He’s probably been the Best and most Consistent Starter
Over the last 100 Starts so chances are his Numbers/Stats
will even out

gmcliff
gmcliff
May 16, 2015 10:14 pm
Reply to  paulman

I FLAT OUT disagree with you Paul….Hamels would be their #1 this year, and into the playoffs…HE IS NO ONES #3, or #2 especially behind Grienke, you’ve got to be kidding me with that statement….You’re out of your mind Paul.

The Phillies would benefit most from trading with the Dodgers, because the potential of the prospects they would get in return like:

Pederson(RF), Seager(SS/2B), Urias, along with the development of Luis Encarnacion(LF), JP Crawford(SS), Maikel Franco(3B), Odubel Herrera(CF), and possible Jahailyn Ortiz(1B)………and if they can get some pitching talent to compliment Nola, and Urias……..The Phillies could be special…

bugsyhawk
bugsyhawk
May 16, 2015 10:27 pm
Reply to  paulman

Cripes Cliff you are out of your mind. And Paul to say that he would be behind MaCarthy is a joke right? That is an idiotic comment. One is a world series MVP who has pitched in the low 3s in ERA his whole career and the other is MaCarthy.

Kershaw is the best pitcher in baseball. I wouldn’t take any other SP over him even with his slow start
Greinke has a 1.52 ERA this year
Hamels would have been their 3

I agree that Hamels is worth one or more of the Dodgers best prospects, but the reality is that the Dodgers don’t need Hamels to compete and win the West and compete for the WS this year. They are not going to trade Pederson. He is up to stay. They are not going to trade Seager as J-Roll will just carry them over a season or so to get to him. Urias is one of the if not the best SP prospect. They are not trading that guy either. They can trade some of their 2nd level prospects and get a servicable SP, but they are banking on Beachy or Ryu coming back at some point this season.

bugsyhawk
bugsyhawk
May 16, 2015 10:28 pm
Reply to  paulman

And to suggest like you do in their post that they would get all 3 of those guys is just plain ridiculous. They would be lucky to get 1.

haveacigar
haveacigar
May 17, 2015 11:52 am
Reply to  paulman

Bugs that’s cliff setting it up in an unrealistic manner so that when the trade happens and we don’t get three top prospects he can say we didn’t get enough…

gmcliff
gmcliff
May 17, 2015 12:58 pm
Reply to  paulman

I may be out of my mind Bugs, but I wouldn’t trade Hamels for anything less than that.

I wouldn’t even entertain discussing 2nd tier prospects; It would be a complete waste of time to me. If they want him, they better come strong. That’s my point.

At the very least I want Seager, Urias, and a #1

gmcliff
gmcliff
May 17, 2015 1:01 pm
Reply to  paulman

Zach Grienke, is not a better pitcher than Cole Hamels….

Kershaw may be their ace NOW, but if Hamels was on that team, and Kershaw’s season continued to be the way it is…..Hamels would eventually be their #1 just like I said…

haveacigar
haveacigar
May 16, 2015 8:23 am
Reply to  Jeff Kolsky

He will get prospects but we all know that prospects are just that… there are no guarantees whatsoever. Remember a few years back everyone wanted the prospect Dom Brown, everyone wanted the prospect Kyle Drabek…Tommy Joseph was a solid catching prospect. Obviously, it is time to unload hamels, pap and i guess Harang….Howard is hitting 260 in his last like 20 games with some pop…maybe something for him

DCar
DCar
May 16, 2015 2:34 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Ruin 2morrows alter worshipping, PR spin man, in full-service, spin mode.

haveacigar
haveacigar
May 16, 2015 4:14 pm
Reply to  DCar

Exactly what did I say about prospects that is spin?

paulman
paulman
May 17, 2015 12:44 pm

Hamels would be a #3 on Dodgers Staff
Behind Kershaw & Greinke…
No Doubt about this…

haveacigar
haveacigar
May 17, 2015 1:06 pm

Paul, sometimes I think you have a clue about sports…then you say dumb shit

paulman
paulman
May 17, 2015 1:36 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Grenkie is Pitching well and better than Hamels
has the last 2 Seasons…
Plus the Dodgers would prefer a lefty, righty, lefty
Combo at the Top of their Rotation as most Teams do
I believe Greinke has an option after this year which
Is big motivation for him to get even a bigger deal..

paulman
paulman
May 17, 2015 1:44 pm

Greinke is 37-13 with a 2.65 ERA since 2013
What’s Hamels?
You guys continue to Overrate your home-town Players
Hamels is not as highly thought of around MLB
As many of you think…

paulman
paulman
May 17, 2015 1:53 pm

Hamels is 20-26 Since 2013 with an ERA
of 3.25

How is this better Stats than Greinke?
Just because Hamels had a nice Post-Season
Run some 5-6 Years ago? So did John Lackey?
CC Sabathia, Matt Cain, Jon Lester…

gmcliff
gmcliff
May 17, 2015 7:22 pm
Reply to  paulman

Paul, considering the fact that the Phillies squandered some good outings by Cole Hamels with no run support through the years – although those games he had 9-13 strikeouts – It doesn’t surprise me that statistically anyone’s stats aren’t better than Hamels, ESPECIALLY Grienke playing for the Dodgers…..duh…

I said Hamels is a BETTER PITCHER flat out, and he is….Grienke’s stats don’t make him a better pitcher my friend….

paulman
paulman
May 17, 2015 8:29 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

Since 2013, it’s Greinke every day over Hamels…
The proof is in their Stats.. It is what it is… No comparison…

gmcliff
gmcliff
May 17, 2015 10:01 pm
Reply to  paulman

Totally disagree…..

Oh you mean, His STATS when he was in Kansas City, with a lame team???
His stats with the Dodgers don’t even make your point

He has something to prove before he can be on the same plane with Cole Hamels Paul. He is NOT a better pitcher than Cole Hamels…..period.

paulman
paulman
May 17, 2015 11:40 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

The Stats I recited above 2013 to present are from Greinke’s Time with the Dodgers.. As usual, you are wrong when presented with the Facts and Stats
That state that Greinke has been more productive and an overall better Pitcher
than Cole Hamels…

gmcliff
gmcliff
May 18, 2015 6:28 am
Reply to  paulman

I’m not wrong. Grienke is not a better pitcher than Hamels. What’s funny is that I’m not the only one that feels that way. Myself, and Ciggy don’t always agree, but as you can see in his post, even he thinks that statement is assinie.

Please don’t use the phrase “as usual” in reference to me Paul, because
1. That’s hardly accurate; You just don’t agree with me at times..which is fine.
2. You’re the one that’s usually wrong, but on this we can agree to disagree.

gmcliff
gmcliff
May 18, 2015 6:31 am
Reply to  paulman

Just a side point though. Statistics, don’t always tell the whole story, and your argument in reference to Grienkes stats are irrelevant, because he isn’t a better overall pitcher than Cole Hamels…..That is a fact.

haveacigar
haveacigar
May 17, 2015 3:03 pm

Paul Kreinke is an excellent pitcher. Hamels is a horse and has been for a long time

haveacigar
haveacigar
May 17, 2015 3:22 pm

paul, you are the manager…its game 7 and you have a rested hamels and a rested Greinke….. who do you start? and if you don’t say hamels you are just being a dick!

paulman
paulman
May 17, 2015 3:56 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Depends on who the opponent is, where the game is played, etc..
Greinke is Low-Ball Pitcher who gets a lot of ground balls outs…
Hamels give up more Fly Balls & HR, so it would depend on who they are facing…Dodgerr Stadium is Big Park
In 2015, all things being equal, I start Greinke and tellHamels to be ready
And maybe pitch both

haveacigar
haveacigar
May 17, 2015 4:55 pm
Reply to  paulman

Thanks for once again proving your stupidity….