I think we get one of these guys just about every year. A guy who feels slighted because he didn’t get drafted higher and then let’s everyone know about it. This year, that guy is linebacker Carl Bradford.
He’s keeping a list. And you’re on it!
Just kidding. It’s a list of every linebacker drafted ahead of him, 12 guys in total.
“I keep track of it, man,” Bradford said. “And I use that as motivation.”
Superb.
First things first. We know why Bradford wasn’t drafted higher. It wasn’t because of production. It was because of what he lacks. Namely, size and a clearly defined position.
Bradford played a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker position in college. Well, he’s too small to be a pro defensive end and he might not even have the appropriate weight and reach to play outside linebacker.
Most scouts projected him as an inside linebacker and we have high hopes for Bradford if he does get moved inside. However, the Packers are going to try him at outside backer first.
Wherever he plays, Bradford will have to learn to play pass defense. He pretty much exclusively rushed the QB at ASU.
That brings us to our second point. We hear this stuff all the time.
Guess who else thought they should have been drafted a lot higher in recent seasons.
C.J. Wilson and Terrell Manning.
Wilson was a seventh-rounder in 2010 and boy, was he pissed off about that. Well, Wilson ended up playing four nondescript seasons in Green Bay before the Packers let him walk in free agency without so much as a “see ya around.”
Manning was a fifth-round pick in 2012 and he didn’t like that much either. Of course, he then made less than zero impact with the Packers before being cut after just one season. He’s since been cut by San Diego and Minnesota.
Hopefully Bradford reverses what appears to be a developing pattern.
Good for him.
I always like a player who wants to prove something.
Hopefully, B.J. Raji (among others) will do the same…
I keep a list of people I went to high school with who I thought did me wrong too.
Don’t forget how steamy Step Bak was after going in the fourth last year! He doesn’t seem to lack motivation. I mean, after all the guy forced himself back onto the field after a concussion in the 49s playoff game.
lets hope he continues the recent trend of middle round guys playing real good football, ie: Mike Daniels, Micah Hyde, David Bahktiari & hopefully JC Tretter.
I can’t think of a guy who out loud said the NFL would regret not drafting him earlier and actually did something. Maybe someone can help me here, but I can’t think of any player.
I think Richard Sherman was pretty vocal about Harbaugh (49ers) not selecting him. Most of the time later or mid round picks do not get much media time as rookies so you do not hear there perceived slights. Once they are around for two or three years most are one year away from being out of the NFL.
It is better for rookies to show their displeasure over their draft status on the field. This is why the old school coaches tell rookies to be seen and not heard. Welcome to the modern media.
I think Richard Sherman was pretty vocal about Harbaugh (49ers) not selecting him. Most of the time later or mid round picks do not get much media time as rookies so you do not hear there perceived slights. Once they are around for two or three years most are one year away from being out of the NFL.
It is better for rookies to show their displeasure over their draft status on the field. This is why the old school coaches tell rookies to be seen and not heard. Welcome to the modern media.
Oops a double tap.
Reminds of picking kickball teams when I was a kid. Who give a shit until you kick a fucking home run and rub it in there stupid fucking faces as you round the bags! If Bradford can show us he can perform on the field then he will always remember those 12 guys that were drafting in front of him and NO ONE else will remember shit.