Bradford Contract Shenanigans Or Kaepernick To Birds?
By Kevin McGuire
As is generally the case in Philadelphia, where one can find a way to discuss the current affairs, history and future of the local National Football League franchise 365 days a year, the bye week was not short on topics to focus on and debate. With the Eagles getting a week off to regroup after a nationally televised primetime loss in Carolina only to prepare for another Sunday night showdown with the Dallas Cowboys, the state of the football team was a hot topic, none more so than the quarterback position.
Sam Bradford not getting mail from the Eagles
Whether it happened or not, Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford appears to have no knowledge of any contract extension with the team. Howard Eskin reported Bradford turned down a four-year contract offer valued at $72 million. Bradford, though, suggested that offer never made it into his mailbox.
"That offer must've got lost in the mail," Bradford said Wednesday. "Don't know that I saw that one."
When the Eagles acquired Bradford in a trade with the St. Louis Rams it was thought to be either a trade chip to get in position in the NFL Draft to draft Marcus Mariota or to possibly serve as a one-year tutor for Mariota if things fell into place. That, of course, never panned out, which led some to believe a good year this season could end up seeing Bradford rewarded with a contract extension with the Eagles.
What about Colin Kaepernick?
Contract offer or not, Sam Bradford does not appear to be the most ideal long-term solution for the Eagles at quarterback. The pursuit of a franchise quarterback under Chip Kelly could realistically enter year four, which is absurd on so many levels in itself. But what about San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick? Kaepernick's benching in San Francisco has started to ignite some around Philadelphia to think he could be just the right player to run Kelly's offense if no other options are available. And hey, maybe a change of scenery is just what is needed for Kaepernick to turn his career around after a promising start and a run to the Super Bowl.
Former Eagles defensive star Seth Joyner's not buying that. Making a guest appearance on 94 WIP's midday show with Rob Charry and Ike Reese, Joyner let his thoughts on Kaepernick as the easy fix for the Eagles offense be known, and he did not hold back.
"He cannot, nor will he ever be that quarterback that can understand the full lay of the land," Joyner said of Kaepernick. "When it comes to passing, if his first read isn't available, then he goes into run mode. And you can't play quarterback in the NFL like that."
The Bye Week Rhythm Is Not Going To Get You
Players love bye weeks. Coaches, not so much. This week, Chip Kelly was asked what he thought about bye weeks, and he stuck to the thought he has commonly had throughout his coaching career when he said he would rather move on to the next game. This makes sense, given Kelly's penchant for wanting to move as quickly as possible.
"I'd actually rather keep training to be honest with you," Kelly said this week. "I think it gets you out of your rhythm."
The Eagles took a loss in their most recent game, against the still undefeated Carolina Panthers. Maybe it's best for the Eagles to step away from the field for a week so they can find a new rhythm.
Kevin McGuire is a Philadelphia area sports writer covering the Philadelphia Eagles and college football. McGuire is a member of the FWAA and National Football Foundation. Follow McGuire on Twitter @KevinOnCFB. His work can be found on Examiner.com.