While many still question whether or not the Philadelphia Eagles have a roster that is ready to compete, head coach Chip Kelly has all the confidence in the world in the players he put together. With training camp around the corner, all eyes are on Sam Bradford and his recovery from back-to-back ACL surgeries. Many wonder if the quarterback is really built to last after two extensive injuries, but Kelly believes Bradford will be just fine in the starting role.
According to Kelly, the numbers are in favor of Bradford heading into the season. Kelly told the media that he has done extensive research when it comes to ACL injuries and he has discovered that there is very little chance that Bradford re-injures his knee in the coming season or in the future.
"Our research in terms of dealing with guys with two ACLs, there's a 10-to-12 percent chance of re-injury," Kelly said, via Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com. "So that's an 88-to-90 percent chance that they're going to be successful." "Everybody gets hurt in this game. I don't know any quarterback who hasn't missed time. Tom Brady missed a year. Peyton Manning missed a year. Drew Brees has missed time. Nick Foles missed half a season. I mean, Aaron Rogers has been hurt. I don't know if there's any quarterback in this league that hasn't been hurt. And if you haven't, you're probably young. That's the deal. You're going to get hurt in this game."
According to NJ.com, while Kelly is insisting there is a quarterback competition brewing for the Eagles, most team sources believe Bradford is the No.1 guy considering everything they gave up to acquire him. While Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow and Matt Barkley occupy the roster as well, if Bradford shows that he is healthy and ready to play, he is the starter for the team.
So what happens if the numbers are not in Bradford's favor and he does get injured? According to BleedingGreenNation.com, the worst-case scenario for the Eagles is Bradford playing 51 percent of the snaps and not looking good while doing so. If Bradford were to play less than 50 percent of the snaps in the upcoming season, the St. Louis Rams give up the 2016 third-round pick they originally received in the draft. If Bradford struggles early, the Eagles will have to take some serious consideration to his future.
The run game will be critical for Bradford. With DeMarco Murray on board, that position appears set. The battle will be to back him up. Ryan Mathews is on the roster along with Darren Sproles who is looking for playing time. If Bradford is going to be successful this season, all three of those players will have to excel in 2015.