Written by Jim Souhan at Star Tribune.com
Sam Bradford, who last year was as accurate and limited as a wind gauge in a living room, started the 2017 season by emphasizing the principle of verticality. When he’s vertical, so is the Vikings’ passing game.
In the Vikings’ season-opening 29-19 victory over the New Orleans Saints at U.S. Bank Stadium, Bradford personified a modern football scouting term: arm talent. A year after setting the NFL record for completion percentage, he showed that there is more to his game than short-pass accuracy and self-preservation, completing 27 of 32 passes for 346 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions while taking only one sack.
Bradford became the second Viking ever to pass for 300 yards, three touchdowns and an 80 percent completion percentage, joining Brett Favre. He completed seven passes for 15 yards or longer, two more than in any game last season, according to ESPN.
“I think this is big for us,” Bradford said.
The reason for the Vikings’ newfound deep game? “Sam,” receiver Stefon Diggs said. “Sam throws some great balls.”
Football is never that simple, and Bradford and his teammates noted that an improved offensive line and running game bought Bradford time, wore down the Saints defense and created matchups that the offensive coaches were able to pinpoint late in the second quarter.
Bradford played like a star. But not immediately.
For the first 19 minutes of the game, the offense looked as befuddled as it did in the preseason, and for much of the last 11 games of last year.
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