Bradford workout could advance pick by Rams

Sam Bradford worked out for NFL teams yesterday and reportedly did so well that one observer called his display the best he'd seen since Troy Aikman worked out for the Cowboys.

That would seem to be enough to assure that the Oklahoma quarterback, like Aikman, will be the overall No. 1 pick in the coming draft. But the Rams, owners of that pick, aren't expected to make a final decision on Bradford until they privately work him out three days before the draft.

How this affects St. Louis and its possible interest in Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb is open to interpretation.

Bradford's "pro day" at Oklahoma, streamed live online by the university, would suggest that the Rams have an easy decision. Reportedly, only one of his approximately 50 passes was dropped. But pro days at colleges are typically held in controlled climates. Quarterbacks don't throw against defenses, and their throws are scripted.

Bradford won't have that luxury in three weeks. Yesterday may have been enough proof for the Rams of Bradford's worth and that his right shoulder was healed. But the three-week window buys them some time if they hope to entertain offers for the top pick or look elsewhere for a starting quarterback.

Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg was one of many coaches in attendance. While he was likely an interested onlooker, there were many other Oklahoma players there to scout. Bradford, though, was the show.

"If Bradford is feeling the effects of his shoulder injury or is experiencing any weakness, there were no indications of that," said NFL.com's Gil Brandt, the former Dallas executive who made the aforementioned comparison to Aikman. "He threw with velocity during the entire workout."

The Eagles reportedly worked out a quarterback prospect themselves. Fordham's John Skelton was recently at the NovaCare Complex for a private session, according to Adam Caplan of Scout.com.

Mornhinweg and quarterbacks coach James Urban watched the 6-foot-5, 256-pound Skelton at his pro day earlier this month. And Eagles general manger Howie Roseman, a graduate of Fordham Law School, said last week that he had watched Skelton play in person last year.

As for any movement related to McNabb, or any of the Eagles' quarterbacks that the team is "entertaining" offers for, there wasn't much news yesterday.

Adam Schefter of ESPN.com added to previous reports that the Raiders had emerged as the clear favorites to land McNabb. Oakland apparently would be willing to take him without a contract extension. McNabb is in the last year of his deal with the Eagles, but sources have indicated that he does not want to become a Raider.

The Bills have been linked to McNabb, but the team wined and dined Florida quarterback Tim Tebow over the weekend. Teams such as the 49ers and Cardinals have said they aren't interested in trading for a quarterback, but that could be a smoke screen. There could even be unidentified teams making offers.

The Eagles have had no comment. Coach Andy Reid and team president Joe Banner returned from short vacations yesterday.

While it is not impossible that the 33-year-old McNabb could return next season, it would take a delicate touch by the Eagles to bring him back. Only if they traded Kevin Kolb could they give McNabb a contract extension, and the Eagles aren't expected to trade their backup. The Eagles have not told Kolb he is the starter, however, and they have not begun contract negotiations with him, according to a league source.

Something is expected to be done before the draft and most definitely before McNabb is due a $6.2 million roster bonus on May 5. If, for some reason, he were to still be on the team thereafter, it would become a major distraction. McNabb, Kolb, Reid and team officials would have to endure a steady deluge of questions through the spring and into training camp.

McNabb has said he prefers to play for the Eagles, so it might not take much of an overture to smooth over any discontent. But now that the Eagles have essentially admitted that McNabb is on the market, it would be hard to pull back the covers. Reid continues to insist that McNabb is his starting quarterback, but he's never made the statement in the future tense: "McNabb will be our starting quarterback."