St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford throws during training camp at the NFL football team's practice facility on Friday, July 25, 2014, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (The Associated Press)
ST. LOUIS – It's become a rite of training camp for Sam Bradford.
Every summer, he deals with the oversized burden of living up to getting picked first overall in 2010. The St. Louis Rams quarterback is not surprised that once again, he's supposedly at a career crossroads.
Bradford can't remember when that wasn't perceived to be the case, and he tries to ignore low outside expectations that include a fantasy rating in the bottom half of NFL quarterbacks and other assorted doubts. He's as eager as anyone on the outside to be a difference-maker in a breakthrough season.
So far he's been impressive in camp, rewarded for dedication to the rehab program. Though he's wearing a brace, there have been no restrictions.
Before his season-ending left knee injury in Week 7, Bradford appeared headed for his best year with 14 touchdown passes and just four interceptions.
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