Sam Bradford: Offensive Rookie of the Year Is But the First Step for Rams QB

Sam Bradford Earns AP Honors In Landslide

You know you've made the right first overall pick when you win seven times as many games the next season.

The St. Louis Rams can vouch. They picked Sam Bradford No. 1 overall in the 2010 NFL Draft, and saw their record improve to 7-9 after they finished a league-worst 1-15 in 2009. And on Friday, Bradford was named The Associated Press 2010 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Coming after a rookie season that saw Bradford pass for 3,512 yards and 18 touchdowns, this was pretty much a foregone conclusion. And the AP reported that it wasn't even close, as Bradford earned 44 votes out a nationwide panel of 50 media members.

Bradford also won the Heisman Trophy as a member of Bob Stoops' Oklahoma Sooners in 2008, but he says that he thinks he can get even better.

"I think the game's stating to slow down a little bit," he said, "but I really still have a long way to go before I'm as comfortable as I want to be."

Rest assured, Rams fans, there's plenty of time for Bradford to grow into his own. And after nearly leading the Rams to the playoffs in his rookie campaign, it's apparent that the sky is the limit. If the team can add a few more pieces, namely a talented wide receiver (i.e. Julio Jones), there's really no reason why Bradford can't develop into perhaps the next great quarterback in the NFL.

Moreover, the news gets even better when you take a look at the NFC West. The Seahawks may have won the division in 2010, but it would be foolish to think that they're in better position for a period of sustained success than the Rams are. Same goes for the Cardinals and 49ers.

One way or another, year one is in the books. We shall see what Bradford can do for an encore.

If you're a football fan who's still concerned with the here-and-now, on the other hand, you might check out our list of 20 Things You Can Expect To See This Super Bowl Sunday.