Didinger: Bradford 'Should Be' Playing For Job On Sunday
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia and quarterback problems. These two things have become synonymous.
While many analysts and fans have discussed a potential QB change for the Eagles after just six weeks---from Sam Bradford to yes, Mark Sanchez (gulp)---when Hall Of Fame NFL analyst Ray Didinger declared it on Thursday morning, my ears perked up.
"Yeah, I think he [Bradford] should [be playing for his job]," Didinger told Angelo Cataldi and the 94WIP Morning Show. "I think this should be---if he plays as badly in this game [against the Panthers on Sunday night] as he has so far [this season], then I think you have to think about it. The only problem is the alternate isn't a heck of a lot better. What you're trying to get away from with Bradford is the interceptions. And what do we think of the most with Sanchez? Interceptions at the worst possible moments. "
Listen: Ray Didinger on the 94WIP Morning Show
Chip Kelly, in his first season with personnel control, traded Nick Foles and an extra 2016 second-round pick to the St. Louis Rams for Bradford and his $13 million contract.
Didinger admitted he feels Bradford's starting status should be in question, but he doesn't believe the Eagles' coaching staff necessarily agrees.
"There are the other---for the lack of a better term---there are the other political aspects to it," Didinger said. "The price that you paid to bring him in here, the trade that you made to bring him in here, the obvious commitment you made bringing him in here, the amount of money that you paid him. He has a leash on him that goes from here to Vineland, New Jersey."
Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, on Wednesday, said that Bradford has made more good plays than bad, as he continues to progress after two straight ACL injuries.
"I'm buying the part that he [Bradford] hasn't played football in two years and he's working in a new system with a new bunch of teammates, and that hasn't happened overnight," Didinger said. "OK, that much I'm buying. But guess what guys? You created this situation. You traded for this guy knowing he hadn't played in two years, you traded for him knowing he was coming to a new situation. You didn't let him play in the preseason and then you expected everything to be fine on opening day? That's nonsense.
"Guess what," Didinger continued. "In the NFL it doesn't work that way. You get 16 cracks at it. You get 16 games and every one of them is important."
Sam Bradford has thrown nine interceptions in six games as the Philadelphia Eagles' starting quarterback, including four in the end zone. As Didinger noted, the most interceptions ever thrown in the end zone during an NFL season is five. Furthermore, according to Ray Didi, Bradford has dropped back 56 times on third down, converting just 12 times (21.4-percent).
"Some of it is an accuracy issue, but more than that it's a decision making issue," Didinger said. "He's throwing passes he shouldn't throw. They're intercepted before they leave his hand."
