After suffering his second ACL tear in a calendar year in the 2014 preseason, Sam Bradford considered calling it a career. According to Mike Sielski at the Philadelphia Enquirer, if not for his former quarterback coach Josh Heupel at Oklahoma, Bradford would be out of the NFL instead of preparing for a new start with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Sam Bradford thought about retiring last year. A column on the coach who talked him out of it: http://t.co/uz1MkxWlp6 #Eagles
— Mike Sielski (@MikeSielski) March 30, 2015
“It was one of those moments where, after all the time and energy and passion that he poured into rehabilitating himself in the first injury, you feel like you’re snake-bitten,” Heupel told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “You don’t know when, if, or how your body is going to respond and what your next opportunity is. You’re really just in a lot of limbo. Sometimes, I think, just having a voice from an outside perspective is something that can be valuable.”
The Bradford for Nick Foles trade was a tricky one for both teams and was reportedly dead just a day before the St. Louis Rams and Eagles pulled the trigger. Huepel was a quarterback himself, leading Oklahoma to a national title in 2000. He never had Bradford’s physical skills, though, and had to continue his career with a whistle around his neck instead of a football in his hand.
Heupel knew Bradford didn’t want that talent to go to waste.
“I just tried to reach out to him and say, ‘Hey, I still see this in you as a person and a player. I think the best is yet to come for you. You’ve got to get yourself healthy and get yourself back on the field and get yourself in the right environment with the right people and the right supporting cast around you, and there’s no doubt in my mind you’ll achieve the things you’re capable of achieving and want to achieve,’’ Heupel told Bradford. “Nothing changed for him from a guy who was the number-one overall draft pick as far as who or what he is as a person and a competitor, and ultimately that’s why there’s no doubt in my mind he’s going to reach the pinnacle of success.”
Demaryius Thomas won’t attend Broncos’ or Peyton Manning’s workouts
The Denver Broncos may have designated wide receiver Demaryius Thomas as their franchise player, but without a new contract, they won’t be seeing the sixth-year receiver any time soon. Thomas said Monday that he will not attend the team’s offseason workouts or the private workouts with quarterback Peyton Manning and his fellow receivers.
Thomas broke the news over Xbox Live, of all places, during a Call of Duty live event.
Congrats to @DenialEsports for winning the #CODChamps. I’ve added a goal for next year…come back and win this! pic.twitter.com/AmCgOcUkBG
— Demaryius Thomas (@DemaryiusT) March 30, 2015
“I’ll be back in Georgia, trying to get the body right, get the ankle right,” Thomas said. “Then when it’s time to go, make sure I’m 100 percent ready to go.”
Thomas has yet to sign his one-year, $12.823 million tender and his agent continues to work with the Broncos on a long-term deal.
Any multi-year deal will likely not pay Thomas much more than he’s making this season with the franchise tag, but will grant stability. Thomas is probably looking for a contract with $30 million-plus guaranteed money. If he gets it, he’ll be the second highest paid wide receiver in football behind Calvin Johnson. That is until Dez Bryant and the Dallas Cowboys work out their long-term deal.
Thomas has surpassed 1,400 yards and 10 touchdowns the last three seasons with Denver. Last year he caught 111 passes for 1,619 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Eagles add Austin to wide receiver corps
The Philadelphia Eagles shored up their depth at wide receiver by adding free agent Miles Austin Monday with a one-year contract worth $2.3 million and possibly $3 million with incentives.
WR Miles Austin and the #Eagles have agreed on a one-year deal worth $2.3M base with another $700K available in incentives, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 30, 2015
Austin gives the Eagles another option at slot receiver besides Josh Huff, who caught only eight passes last season as a rookie. Huff is likely head coach Chip Kelly’s choice to fill the role, being an Oregon alum and all, but Austin is ready to play today and that made signing him an easy call.
Austin’s last good season was in 2012 while he was still with the Dallas Cowboys. Austin caught 118 passes for 943 yards and six touchdowns. An injury-shortened 2013 ended his tenure in Dallas and he spent last year in Cleveland, appearing in 12 games and catching 47 balls for 568 yards and two touchdowns. Austin still averaged a solid 12.1 yards-per-catch and should fit right in to Kelly’s offense, giving QB Sam Bradford a reliable third-down target.
