Feeley: Bradford has love for the game has 0 comments

May 22nd 2010, 14:40 | FFN-Score: 25 points

If the season started today, A.J. Feeley is the starting quarterback for the St. Louis Rams.

It doesn’t, and it’s no secret the Rams expect first overall pick Sam Bradford to eventually beat out Feeley, sooner rather than later. The sentiment is so strong that NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora told NFL Total Access Thursday he’d have a hard time imagining anyone else under center when the games matter.

But Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo has a reputation for starting rookies on the second unit. So that’s where Bradford sits for now, getting equal reps but leading the second team while the experienced Feeley gets the first-team snaps.

Feeley said in a group interview Thursday he has no qualms helping Bradford — acknowledging it’s part of his dual role — and has a favorable early impression, which sounds very similar to what Steven Jackson offered earlier this week.

“I think he’s a bright, bright guy,” Feeley said. “He’s big, he’s strong, and he plays that way too. He can throw the football; he’s accurate with it. You can tell that he wants to learn, he wants to play, and he enjoys playing the game. I think, nowadays, I think that’s most important. Some of the guys who come in the league now don’t love the game, they don’t embrace it. I can tell with the guy he does, he definitely does.”

It’s interesting, I think, the names that come to mind when Feeley references young players who don’t love the game, which is exactly the rap on another former first overall pick, JaMarcus Russell. Feeley’s early assessment of Bradford has to be very encouraging news for Rams fans.