8 Position battles to watch out for heading into NFL training camps

#3 Cardinals' quarterback – Sam Bradford and Josh Rosen

It’s not too long ago since I watched hours of Josh Rosen’s college tape and I was impressed enough to put him as my number two quarterback in the draft, so I decided it would only be fair to go back on checking out some film on Sam Bradford as well.

I think it’s easy to say that we kind of know who he is by now. Bradford is immensely talented as a rhythm-thrower from the pocket but simply hasn’t been able to stay healthy since the Rams picked him first overall back in 2010. Last year he only played in the season-opener, so I went back and watched him in that game. I have to say, I was extremely impressed.

He found the holes against zone-coverage, put the ball in perfect position against men, manipulated defenders with his eyes as well as by taking down his throwing shoulder to draw them deep and set up an easy check-down. He stepped up off-play action and took shots to be able to fire the ball deep, threw with touch on the move and just carved up the Saints D. Of course, that unit wasn’t the same it ended up being later on in the season, but he was outstanding in that lone start.

Let’s move back at Rosen, who the Cardinals were lucky enough to select tenth overall in April. Looking at the board before the draft and what assets the teams around them had to move up, it felt like they could be the odd team out, that won’t get their QB of the future, but they had to be thrilled when Rosen fell to them.

When I watched him at UCLA, I saw a young signal-caller who was in complete control of his offense and displayed impeccable footwork. Rosen is already far beyond his years in terms of understanding defenses, fooling safeties and processing information. I like his confidence, which some people even label as cockiness. He might present a rather slender frame and have an injury history, but if he can stay upright and be a little less reckless late in some plays, I see a bright future ahead for him.

I’m not sure who will start the season-opener, because I think Bradford is one of the more impressive guys in shorts and as long as he stays healthy, he doesn’t really give up the starting gig, but with him recovering from another injury, the rook will get a lot of first-team reps and will have plenty of opportunities to convince the coaches he is ready to take over the reins. Once they go with the young guy, I don’t really see how they can go back.