Good article on Stewart Bradley:
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20100730_Eagles__Bradley_back_from_injury__eager_to_lead_and_hit.html
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Posted on Fri, Jul. 30, 2010
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<h1>Eagles' Bradley back from injury, eager to lead and hit</h1>
By Jonathan Tamari
Inquirer Staff Writer
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. - A note of caution to Eagles running backs and
tight ends: Stewart Bradley said he feels ready to run, and the one
thing he's aching to do after a year on the sidelines is pound someone.
"I'm just looking forward [to] a little contact," Bradley said when
asked Thursday about getting back on the field.
"It's been a long time since I hit somebody, and you don't realize
how much you miss that until you can't do that," he added, sounding
wistful about blasting ballcarriers.
Bradley's return after missing all of last season with a torn
anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee is one of the most
anticipated stories of training camp and could prove critical to the
success of the Eagles' 2010 defense.
The team is counting on him to not only return to form on the field
but also to emerge as a leader on a young defense going through many
changes.
Both responsibilities present challenges. On the physical side,
Bradley is only a year removed from a significant injury. On the mental
side, a leadership role can carry a burden that weighs a player down on
the field.
Just ask Quintin Mikell, a safety who last year tried to step into a
vocal void left by Brian Dawkins and said his game suffered for it.
"I tried to do too much last year," Mikell said. "I tried to be a
vocal guy. I tried to help guys here and help guys there, and it
backfired."
His pregame speeches, for example, fell flat.
"There's a difference between being more vocal and trying to lead,"
Mikell said. Good leaders work hard and inspire teammates to follow
their example, Mikell said. Not everyone is cut out for big talks.
"I was worried too much about the wrong stuff," Mikell said. "Instead
of trying to be myself I was trying to be someone else."
Bradley seemed keenly aware of that pitfall, though he still embraced
the idea of stepping into a more prominent role.
"When you step outside what you're comfortable doing, guys can sense
that, and it's not honest, and it doesn't come across well," he said.
"So as long as you can stay within your personality . . . then I think
the guys will respond."
Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott made clear this week he is
expecting players to respond to Bradley, telling reporters he expects
the linebacker to be quarterback of the defense and a "significant
addition."
Bradley, 26 and entering his fourth year in the NFL, including the
one he lost last season, has spoken with McDermott about taking on
leadership responsibilities.
"I feel like it's kind of natural for my personality as well as the
nature of being in my position. [As middle linebacker] you're verbal and
you're doing most of the communications, so it's a good fit for me," he
said.
Bradley also sounded confident about the purely physical aspects of
his game, even after sitting out some June practices with a calf injury.
"I'm ready to rumble," he said.
He said he expected to be ready to play Friday with no restrictions.
Having come back from a torn ACL once before, in his other knee in
college, Bradley said he was familiar enough with the recovery process
to feel confident in his return.
His fellow defenders are looking forward to having the 6-foot-4,
258-pound tackler back. With his size and speed, Bradley can help
against both the run and the pass.
"You could see there was a glaring hole last year without him in
there," Mikell said. "He's a big, physical guy. He can play downhill
against the run."
But he can also frustrate quarterbacks.
"When he puts his arm up, he's damn near seven foot, so any ball
going over the middle is going to float," Mikell said, adding with a
smile, "That helps guys like me get some of those overthrow picks, so
I'm excited for that."
But probably not as excited as Bradley is for some collisions.</div>
