How I would handle the Bradford situation

[taz]

Ok I have flipped flopped like a fish out of water on Bradford. I think at this point they have to take a shot at resigning him. However I still don't think its for huge money. Something that averages around 15 mill or so makes the most sense. I am thinking it should be essentially a 3 yr deal but may need to be a 5yr deal that of course they could get out of after 3. Its a huge risk due to his injury history.

Now if they can't get the contract done they must franchise him. The reason is simple, they have to get something back for him. I do believe a team like the Texans or even the Jets would be willing to give up a 2nd round pick for Bradford. Plus you never know with Cleveland. The cap will hurt if they do this but they really don't have much of a choice. They simply can't let the guy walk in free agency.

[andrewaters]

Agree Taz.

I would franchise him to control him and be prepared to pay him that tender for a season.

However, also be ready to package him to a team like the Texans or Jets.

If you could package Murray and Bradford together and a 4th rounder to the Texans for their second you get the pick back and unload the Murray salary issue.

[taz]

They can't trade Murray, he is un tradable at this point. I would rather have a new coach design plays to utilize the guy.

Bradford for a 2nd to the Texans, Jets or Cleveland does make sense if they can't him under contract here.

The Eagles would then have to use their 1st round pick on a QB and sign a guy.

[musicman]

`We just need to get in a power I once in a while. One of the oldest plays in the history of football is the straight handoff

[andrewaters]

Disagree Taz. You could discount Bradford to unload Murray, his attitude, and his salary.

[FairOaks]

Taking both Murray and Bradford would be a huge hit to a team's cap. That basically rules out the Jets. Texans might have space but they had cap issues this past offseason... not sure if they do now. Among the teams with the most cap space, most are set at QB. Perhaps the 49ers could do it.

It will depend on the new coach a lot -- if they don't want Bradford it's a moot point. But if they do, I think we do need to tag Bradford if we can't come to an agreement first. That would likely let us see how the draft plays out (if we get a QB the coach covets and wants to play, if any actually exist in the draft, we could release Bradford from the tag then). And if we do keep him, that prevents other teams from negotiating. Well, teams could, but a franchise tag would mean two 1st rounders in return, which I'd be just fine with as well, which means no team would negotiate. The transition tag is possible but that will mean you'd have to pay the market rate, whatever that ends up being, or lose him for nothing (or just comp picks in 2017, if we don't sign big FAs ourselves).

I was honestly hoping for a contract we could get out of after two years if necessary -- probably guarantee some 3rd year salary, but an amount which would result in some cap relief if we were to release him. Most would be the first two years. Tom Condon has not done very team-friendly deals in the past, but I'm not sure how much leverage he thinks he has. The fact that most QB-needy teams might have some cap issues might help -- if a team like the Raiders with like 60 million available on the cap wanted him, they could offer quite a bit up-front, but cap-strapped teams couldn't do the same. Some of the numbers on 4th, 5th year salaries might well push the average closer to 20, but the cap should be so much higher by then that those numbers would be OK if he was still playing well. No way you guarantee those of course -- I don't think we should need to guarantee much outside of the first two years, as that would be 30+ guaranteed to start with.

[musicman]

just heard that Sam broke the team comp % record . 65% is the new record. Did Foles have the old mark ?

[kyfred]

Closer to 70% if you add back a portion of the drops. Bradford is a real conundrum. Did the offense struggle due to any of his actions or could he be better with a year in a new system and a year of added healing? I tend to think he is equal to pretty much all the other options and the baggage they present. I’d be tempted to cut Sanchez and find a couple reclamation projects on the cheap for #2 and #3. Hell, I’d even take a look at Freeman at this point.

[musicman]

broke the team completion record with 346

[flyered]

Bradford's records are deceiving b/c so many throws were short, but of course he was hurt by the drops also. Agree with Taz that you can't let him go ... try to work out a reasonable contract and use franchise tag as a fallback. A one-year commitment may make the most sense, even if money is high.

Can't see a franchise QB in this draft, but sometimes kids surprise you. Really torn on Cook, but don't see him as better than late first round value. Maybe trade back a couple times and get him in the late 20's if he falls there? Would work even with Bradford on the roster.

[taz]

Bradford's records are deceiving b/c so many throws were short, but of course he was hurt by the drops also. Agree with Taz that you can't let him go ... try to work out a reasonable contract and use franchise tag as a fallback. A one-year commitment may make the most sense, even if money is high.

Can't see a franchise QB in this draft, but sometimes kids surprise you. Really torn on Cook, but don't see him as better than late first round value. Maybe trade back a couple times and get him in the late 20's if he falls there? Would work even with Bradford on the roster.

The one Qb that I am torn on this draft is Hackenburg. Sure looked like a sure fire stud under Obrien. Then Franklin came in and he really regressed. Had major offensive line issues but also times when he should have got rid of the ball. Still really young at 20 years old (going to turn 21 shortly). Could be the type of guy who falls to round 3 that you pickup, develop and bam you have your franchise QB or he could be another Kevin Kolb type.

[musicman]

I'm a Penn State fan and I honestly don't know what to think of the kid. He can look all world one week and turn around and look like total shit. There are times when he looks like a future Tom Brady and then he can be as accurate as Tim Tebow.

[FRESH]

Closer to 70% if you add back a portion of the drops. Bradford is a real conundrum. Did the offense struggle due to any of his actions or could he be better with a year in a new system and a year of added healing? I tend to think he is equal to pretty much all the other options and the baggage they present. I’d be tempted to cut Sanchez and find a couple reclamation projects on the cheap for #2 and #3. Hell, I’d even take a look at Freeman at this point.

Speaking of WR drops....

@PFF
Jeremy Maclin finished with the best hands in the league at WR. Just one drop from 120 targets

[kyfred]

Hackenburg has bust written all over him. Big arm small mind. His backup played as well, or better, than he played this weekend. Holds the ball too long and struggles with accuracy. Maybe a 3rd, but not a first.

[taz]

Hackenburg has bust written all over him. Big arm small mind. His backup played as well, or better, than he played this weekend. Holds the ball too long and struggles with accuracy. Maybe a 3rd, but not a first.

So which is it bust or 3rd round pick? Nobody said use a 1st round pick on him. I think he goes right around where we will be drafting twice in the 3rd round.

This where I am with him. He has all the tools. He is still really young at 20yrs old and he did play really well under OBrien. He really regressed under Franklin (who I don't think is a good coach).

This is why I am torn, if he would have played under OBrien another year and regressed then I would have said it was him, he never seemed comfortable in Franklins system.

I would take the chance on him in the 3rd round, worst case he is a backup QB in the league, best case he harness his talent and becomes a franchise level QB.