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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford is back in action. At least during the Eagles seven on seven drills Monday. He's showing good mobility and the live-action practice appears to agree with him.
It's nice to be out there with the guys, getting a feel for this offense and actually running the plays we're going to run. I think the past couple of weeks have gone really well. I know that the knee feels really good.
Bradford's progression, depending who you ask, is either progressing well or slower than normal. Last week an article pointed out it's very possible he will not be ready for game time when they begin their 2015 season against the Atlanta Falcons Monday, September 14th, 2015.
The writer did not believe he'll be ready to take the field against the Falcons. So the big question remains: will he be ready or won't he? Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly hasn't committed to Bradford starting in the season opener against the Falcons but he feels the progress is right where it needs to be.
"He is on schedule. We all think there's three phases: There's medical rehab, there's performance rehab and then there's prepare to play. He's probably right at the tail end of medical rehab. He'll probably start throwing some 7-on-7 next week, but I think he's right on schedule in terms of where he is" – Chip Kelly quoted in SI.com May 29th.
Today, he began Phase Two of his rehab. And for all intents and purposes Bradford is right on schedule. Does that mean he'll be ready? No one in the Eagles Camp is ready to commit to that just yet. But it looks promising.
If he becomes ready and can stay healthy, the Philadelphia Eagles and Chip Kelly may be the storyline of the season for the NFL. Kelly's made some bold moves in his tenure as head coach. Again, depending who you ask, he will either create a new dynasty in the NFL or he will be just another college football coach that failed. If Bradford stays healthy, he'll probably be the former.
In Bradford's final partial season with the St. Louis Rams where he only played seven games, he had thrown 14 touchdowns, 4 interceptions for a total of 1,687 total yards. To throw a little math at you, he was averaging two touchdowns, 241 yards per game. Had he finished the season with that pace he would have had 32 touchdowns and 3,856 yards. Those are stratospheric numbers. So he has the ability to deliver the goods.
In the Chip Kelly offense Bradford is primed to excel. Philadelphia Eagles wide receivers Jordan Matthews, Josh Huff, Riley Cooper, rookie Nelson Agholor tight ends Brent Celek and Zach Ertz and star running backs Darren Sproles and DeMarco Murray represent a wide array of weapons for him to choose from. He'll have plenty of options to get rid of the ball quickly leaving less and less opportunity for injury.
He could be exactly what the Philadelphia Eagles need to make a deep run into the 2015 NFL Playoffs this season. The injuries are a concern but don't think that Bradford's propensity for injury is lost on Kelly. He would not have risked as much as he had without a plan.
Chip Kelly always has a plan. And it is usually two steps ahead of everyone else.
