Josh Huff and Sam Bradford enter the 2015 NFL season for the Philadelphia Eagles on similar missions of redemption. Huff, a third-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, failed to make much of an impact during what amounted to a mostly lost rookie season. He finished the year with just eight receptions for 98 yards. Bradford, the former first-overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, has missed most of the last two seasons due to ACL tears and has, thus far, failed to live up to the billing as one of the top quarterback prospects to enter the league in some time. Together, the pair is looking to right recent wrongs and help put the Eagles back into the conversation for the league's elite.
Reports this offseason already have Huff as looking "shredded" and much more explosive heading into Year Two. While Bradford has been hampered by his most-recent knee injury, suffered during last year's preseason, throughout OTAs, Huff's already developed quite the impression of his new signal-caller.
"Sam, he's an exceptional quarterback. He has great vision. He know what he wants in a defense, and when he sees something in a defense he'll look one way. He has great eyes. That's what I can say," Huff said recently, while appearing on the Eagles Insider podcast. "His arm is pretty strong. I've heard Zach [Ertz] say that a couple of times, but yes, his arm is definitely strong. Gets the ball out really quick.
"I know during, I think we were doing seven-on-seven, and as soon as I turned around the ball was up on me. I was just like "OK, now I really got to get my head around." He throws dimes. He looks out for his receivers. He has the perfect touch when you're coming across, when you're coming in, and on deep balls he has perfect balls. I'm excited to see this season and for our team and see if he can lead us to the promised land."
Considering what the Eagles gave up to land Bradford - a 2016 second-round pick, quarterback Nick Foles and other draft considerations - along with his salary - Bradford's pre-rookie wage scale deal will pay him $12.8 million next year - he's certain to be given every chance to win the starting gig and finally prove to the NFL what he's capable of with a competent head coach, a strong supporting cast and an offensive line that should keep him upright more often than not, no matter what Chip Kelly says about "open competitions" and Mark Sanchez.
Huff's words seem to echo what has been said about Bradford ad nauseum previously - that he's got all the talent in the world, he just hasn't been able to put it together yet in the NFL. Yes, some of that can be blamed on a lack of continuity, bad offensive lines and even worse skill position-players in St. Louis, but Bradford can't be excused completely.
His move to Philly may represent his final chance to make good on his ample draft promise. If Eagles fans are lucky, the talk around the team next season won't be whether or not to bring Bradford back, it will be how much to pay him.
