Agent's defense of Bradford a joke

TOM CONDON sounded like a man doing a job he didn't want to do.

On Monday, Condon executed a four-minute interview on Sirius XM radio in defense of his client, Sam Bradford, who, earlier that day began his boycott of the Eagles' voluntary offseason program in the hopes of forcing a trade. Bradford was upset that the Eagles traded from the No. 8 to the No. 2 spot and announced they would draft a quarterback; most likely, Carson Wentz.

Condon, as his agent, was tasked to defend it.

In the defense, Condon painted Bradford as a mediocre quarterback who is terrified of competition, is unsure that he will play well and, if he does not play well, is scared that the fans will call for his head.

This was the defense.

Condon sounded like Lewis Black stumping for Trump; not a lot of conviction there.

He stammered. He grasped.

He failed.

He failed in the defense because, as Condon knows, what Bradford is doing is indefensible.

Bradford signed a two-year, $35 million extension in March that kept him off the free-agent market. Bradford, the No. 1 overall pick in 2010, has endured an injury-addled six NFL seasons, the first five spent in St. Louis before a trade landed him in Philadelphia. He finished the 2015 season strong, became the team's clear leader and added value to his otherwise enigmatic brand.

In the past calendar year, according to the Eagles, Bradford has declined several long-term offers from them. Suddenly, with the specter of a talented kid being groomed as his replacement, Bradford is trying to force the Eagles to trade him.

This, despite knowing the Eagles would draft a quarterback at some point this weekend. Doug Pederson said so in February, before Bradford agreed to the extension.

One popular justification of Bradford's unjustifiable actions involves Bradford being upset that the Eagles spent valuable picks that could help him now to move up in the draft. Also, they will use the No. 2 pick to bolster a position that cannot help him.

Condon never mentions that concern. Erase it from the dialogue. What Condon repeatedly mentions is that, incredibly, Bradford wants to be guaranteed a starting spot for as long as he wants it no matter how well or how poorly he plays.

Condon begins by claiming that Bradford is "very competitive."

Really? Unless that competition is a kid with 23 starts at college football's second tier? Or unless the competition is a career backup with two NFL starts in six seasons? Because Condon made it sound as if Bradford wasn't even happy that Pederson brought Chase Daniel with him from Kansas City:

"Then Chase came on. They paid him a substantial amount of money to be on the roster as well."

Does that mean Bradford was worried about Daniel taking over if Bradford played poorly? It sounds like it.

The big issue, of course, is Wentz:

"I don't think anybody foresaw the second pick in the draft, which we anticipate to be a quarterback. He wants to go someplace and . . . know that he's going to stay as long as he plays well. His situation in Philadelphia now is different. I completely understand from Howie's standpoint - they had no idea they were going to come up and get the second pick in the draft."

This is patently false, and Condon knows it. That's why he sympathizes with Eagles vice president Howie Roseman. When Bradford signed a two-year deal he forsook any guarantee of longevity as an Eagle. He knew they would need to insure their future beyond him and his alarmingly fragile knee, whether with the second pick, the eighth pick, the 13th pick or the 77th.

Again, Condon is forced to re-create history:

"Sam wants the opportunity to go someplace and not only be the starter but be the starter there long-term."

Sam and his agent had that "opportunity." It was called "free agency." He gave up that opportunity for $35 million, $22 million guaranteed. He could have gambled that Houston or Denver or another team would make him a big-money, long-term offer. Instead, he chose to stay with Philadelphia, for no more than two years. His choice.

One he clearly regrets, Condon said, incredibly:

"If you're on a two-year contract and the second pick in the draft is behind you, then you'd better really play well, because you're going to hear from the fans if you don't. You'd better play well, or your teammates are going to be looking at you sideways and wondering when the next guy is going to step in."

That's always true, whether or not the second pick in the draft is sitting there. And it's only true for Bradford in Year 2 of his contract, since Daniel almost certainly will be the backup in Year 1.

None of which precludes Bradford from being in Philadelphia beyond Year 2, despite Condon's contentions:

"The other players understand you're a short-term guy, and you're going to be out of there even if you play well."

That's almost true, except Bradford decided he would be a short-term guy when he signed a short-term deal. It was his choice. If Bradford were to "play well," he might get an extension; he might not. Furthermore, there's no guarantee he's "out of there." The Eagles could always trade Wentz. That's how Brett Favre went from Atlanta to Green Bay, remember?

Bradford's absurdist fantasy scenario involves him landing with a team that not only will anoint him its savior but also will pledge its allegiance to him for the next decade, and, said Condon:

"Set (him) up . . . for the rest of his career."

He's on a two-year deal. How does a trade "set (him) up . . . for the rest of his career?" Who would be crazy enough to commit to Bradford long-term after he's done this to the Eagles?

Finally, said Condon:

"He wants to go someplace and know that he's 'The Man.' "

He'd better start acting like one.

@inkstainedretch