Should Sam Bradford Go Pro?
After playing in the BCS national championship game, winning the Heisman Trophy, and leading Oklahoma to back-to-back Big 12 Conference Championships in football, there really isn't that much left for Sam Bradford to accomplish at OU. Bradford could return for his redshirt junior season, attempting to become the first man since Archie Griffin to win back-to-back Heismans, but that is a crapshoot. Just ask Tim Tebow. Bradford could return and set all of the offensive records he has broken at OU completely out of reach for anyone else who will play there, but there is little motivation to do that. Bradford could return, but he will be playing behind an offensive line that will suffer huge losses because of graduation. If Trent Williams decides to go pro, Bradford may be playing behind a whole new line next season.
Although his injury kept him out of the BCS championship game, there is a chance DeMarco Murray might test the NFL waters, too. Will Bradford be willing to return to play for a third year behind a completely rebuilt offensive line and new personnel in the backfield, too? Bradford isn't likely to match or exceed the superlative offensive number he put up this season, simply because you have to think Big 12 defenses will be somewhat improved next season. I certainly expect A&M to play better on defense when we head up to Norman next season.
The argument for Bradford going pro is that he has nothing left to prove at the college level. He hasn't won a national title, which could motivate him to come backa third season, but he did play in two BCS games, and had a shot at winning the national championship. You can't ask for much more than that. By returning for his redshirt junior season, Bradford would also be risking injury, especially behind a rebuilt offensive line. All it takes is one hit in the wrong place at the wrong time, and all that NFL money will go up in smoke. Bradford may end up with the sad-sack Detroit Lions if he goes pro, but millions of dollars will make it easier for him to live with that heartbreak. His money can keep him warm in the cold Michigan winters.
If Bradford does return to college, he will be another great media sensation. He'll be hailed as a player who followed in the footsteps of Peyton Manning and Warrick Dunn, although Bradford has already accomplished more in two seasons than Manning did in four. The media will gush about how wonderful it is to see someone turn down the filthy lucre offered by pro teams to remain a college student, but that gushing will be silenced if OU struggles while rebuilding next season.
Should Sam Bradford go pro? If I am thinking about what is best for him, I would say yes.
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Plz Sam, GO PRO!
I voted yes even though I think Bradford would be better off as a player staying in the college game at least one more year.
But I voted yes for competely self serving reasons: I want Big Red to beat the Sooners next year!
OU loses 4 of 5 starting O lineman and if Bradford goes pro, then Huskers have a good shot at taking those guys.

"...don't TAZE me, bro..."
Hi Beergut
I wonder if Sam’s conscience is telling him to stay one more year. He is a team guy. And Detroit is in shambles. While OU’s O-line will take a huge hit, they may return Williams, Brian Simmons, and Brody Eldridge (great blocking TE) with playing experience. OU has some up and coming receivers (Broyles for one). Losing Gresham, Manny Johnson, Iglesias, and Cheney, however, will hurt. Yet, the defense should be improved and keep OU in many games next year.
Regarding Detroit… the Lions drafted Steve Owens (Heisman), Billy Sims (Heisman), and Barry Sanders (Heisman). Although it’s irrelevant, do they make it a fourth Heisman winner from the state of Oklahoma?
well
Sims is from Texas and Sanders is from Kansas, so maybe the problem is non-native Oklahomans winning it that is causing a jinx? :-)
Another thing to consider is that Bradford has embraced his Cheyenne heritage, and is a role model for the kids still on the reservations. I wonder if it is better for him to stay or go in that case.
Sam Bradford is of Cherokee heritage
There are as many as 67 different tribes in Oklahoma with a population of nearly a quarter million. I couldn’t find any info to back it up, but I believe that Cherokee or maybe Choctaw would be the most common.
http://www.indianz.com/News/2009/012603.asp
Some people are born on third base and go through life thinking they hit a triple.
Barry Switzer
by Sooner Vince on Jan 11, 2009 1:47 AM CST up reply actions
thanks for the correction
It didn’t sound right when I typed it, but I knew it was a nation that started with ‘Ch’.
Heisman Trophy may be the most exclusive fraternity in the world, though
and it seals your immortality, good or bad.

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