The real reason for Bradley’s struggles?
Oct 13, 2011, 9:58 PM | Updated: 11:00 pm
It was considered a coup back in July when the Arizona
Cardinals signed free agent inside linebacker Stewart
Bradley, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles, to a five-
year, $30 million contract.
Bradley was a stalwart in the middle of the Eagles’
defense in 2008, registering a team-high 108 tackles. He
missed the entire 2009 season after tearing an ACL during
training camp, but he bounced back to play in 12 games
during the 2010 season in Philly.
So far in the desert, Bradley has yet to make his mark,
still running second-string behind Paris Lenon at one
inside linebacker spot, and one notable NFL Insider thinks
he knows why.
Ron Jaworski of ESPN’s Monday Night Football crew, a
weekly guest of Burns and Gambo on Arizona Sports 620,
joined the show on Thursday and offered his explanation on
why Bradley hasn’t had a bigger impact on coordinator Ray
Horton’s defense.
“I just don’t know if he’s ever fully recovered from the
injuries of a couple years ago,” Jaworski said. “I
thought two years ago, he was on the verge of becoming an
All-Pro linebacker, and you guys are seeing it, I’ve seen
it, he’s regressed right now.”
Bradley has played in all five games for the Cardinals,
and started one. The Nebraska product got the call in a
week three loss to Seattle in place of the injured Daryl
Washington. He’s registered 14 total tackles (9 solo)
this season.
