This story appears in ESPN The Magazines October 31 NBA Preview Issue. wholesale authentic jerseys . Subscribe today!SAM BRADFORD APPEARS to be the least subversive player in the NFL. He runs between practice drills in his red jersey like a JV player trying to impress his coaches. He drives a lifted Ford F-150, the same model hes driven since entering the league in 2010 -- also the vehicle known for being the most popular in America. Yep, thats all I drive, he says with a shrug. Even his attempts at exuberance can go wrong. After throwing for his second touchdown in the Vikings Week 5 win over the Texans, Bradford celebrated by jumping into the chest of Alex Boone and promptly bounced off the 310-pound guard like a finch flying into a window.But perhaps the most Bradford thing about Bradford? The long, floppy sleeves that make it look as if hes wearing a jersey that has to be returned to the equipment shed at the end of the season. When his name is announced before games at U.S. Bank Stadium, he jogs out of the Viking-ship facade without so much as a fist pump. Slow and steady, he is nothing more than a guy whos been told where to go and is intent on getting there unnoticed, as efficiently as possible.When asked whether anything interesting happened to him over the past five months, Bradford says, Been pretty boring, to be honest with you. Nothing really comes to mind. He plays it straight just long enough before issuing a wide smile that reaches his eyes a beat or two later. Its phenomenal how hes mastered the art of saying nothing, but in a friendly way, Boone says. I love it.This man, whose unobtrusive personality has meshed perfectly with the impact he has made since being the No. 1 pick in 2010, is leading the offense for the last unbeaten team in the NFL. This man, whose career is distinguished by punctuation -- question marks for the time hes been on the field, commas for the vast amount hes missed to injury -- is authoring the type of personal renaissance that is already triggering a reconsideration of himself and the most glorified and overanalyzed position in sports.It began when Bradford was traded from the Eagles to the Vikings after Teddy Bridgewater suffered a horrific knee injury less than two weeks before the regular season. The trade followed an offseason that did nothing to enhance his reputation. Bradford signed a contract extension in Philadelphia, saw the Eagles trade up to draft Carson Wentz at No. 2 overall and then held himself out of voluntary offseason workouts in what was described by Americas sports media as either the dumbest or the most pointless leverage-free holdout in history.Despite the turmoil, and despite making it known after the draft that he wanted to be traded, Bradford didnt anticipate being a possible replacement for Bridgewater. Honestly, I should have, he says, but they didnt want to trade me in the spring, so I figured they werent going to trade me a week before the season.In Minnesota, Bradford got a crash course in coordinator Norv Turners offense, started against the Packers eight days after he arrived and has only gotten better since. Through four starts, he was seventh in the NFL in Total QBR and second to Atlantas Matt Ryan in passer rating among quarterbacks who had thrown at least 100 passes. Air-dropped into a new offense just before the season opener, he has not thrown an interception.In fact, Bradfords resurgence makes him the perfect subject to explore the cult of the quarterback, the cottage industry thats grown up around the idea that an NFL playbook is the sports equivalent of the Human Genome Project. How could he possibly grasp the convolutions and minutiae of an NFL offense, one devised by a legendary offensive coach, in just two weeks?Presented with this, Bradford suddenly turns subversive. He answers silently, with a cartoon eye roll, then says, I learn a new system every year anyway.ON SEPT. 3, a Saturday, Bradford and his wife, Emma, were taking advantage of a rare weekend without football to do some fishing in Oklahoma. At 8 a.m., Sam received a call. Eagles coach Doug Pederson was on the line, informing Bradford hed been traded to the Vikings. By 1:30 that afternoon, Bradford and his wife were on a private jet heading for Minneapolis, and two hours after that Sam was sitting in a meeting with Turner and his son, Scott, the Vikings quarterbacks coach.Theres no magic formula, Scott Turner told Bradford. Weve got to attack this thing. Were not going to ease into it. Were going to throw a bunch of stuff against the wall and make it stick.Starting the next day, Bradford arrived at the teams practice facility each morning at 6 to learn the terminology of the offense. At 7 a.m., Scott Turner would spend an hour showing him PowerPoint presentations of formations and pass routes before the regular quarterbacks meeting. From there, Bradford sequestered himself with film study before practice. After practice, Scott would summon a few low-level coaches -- or just random people, as Bradford puts it -- to run routes on the practice field. After that, Bradford and Scott would go back into the building and review video cutups of the plays theyd just walked through. Other times they would set up Bradford with a virtual reality headset, called STRIVR, to give him real-time simulations.Sams obviously a very smart guy, but its also him basically living in here, safety Harrison Smith says. Every time I was in here, he was always in here. If we were off, he was here. I honestly dont know how much he left the facility when he first got here.Bradford, typically understated, says he spent an average of 14 hours at the facility before going home to eat dinner and study more film. I dont know if I ever came up for a breath over those two weeks, he says. Definitely crazy.Running back Matt Asiata says, When he first got here, I looked at Sam and thought, This guy looks like a smart guy. He has to be. Norvs offense is pretty ... lets say its Spanish sometimes.Still, Bradford cautions anyone from making too much of his achievement. To me, you can pretty much learn anything, he says. Ive run pretty much all these concepts somewhere in my career. The concepts arent all that different, but the small details within the concept might be different.The way Bradford explains it, the hard part is compartmentalizing words that have different meanings in different schemes. Lets say green means one thing in Philadelphia and something entirely different in Minnesota. When faced with green in Minnesota, he has to translate it from the previous language. OK, what hits my brain? he asks himself. But over time, that fades out and this becomes your language. This is what you understand, so when you hear these playcalls, you get it.Scott Turner told him, Its like someone parachuted you into Mexico. You know what a banana is, but you have no idea what they call it.Normally, a quarterback -- even a quarterback who has gone through three regime changes in three years, as Bradford has -- is provided with at least an offseason to learn the new language. In Minnesota, Bradford had just two weeks.He doesnt know much about us, so hes just finding the open guy, receiver Adam Thielen says. The way it happened so fast, there was no other choice but to trust us.LESS THAN FOUR minutes into the Vikings rout of the Texans, Thielen runs down the right sideline and puts a double move on cornerback Johnathan Joseph as Bradford releases the ball. When it spins off his fingertips in a geometrically precise arc, its outcome as obvious as its spiral, you know precisely why he was chosen No. 1 in 2010. And as it lands in Thielens hands, as if dropped there by a gentle wind, for a 36-yard touchdown, you know why the Vikings gave up a first-round pick in next years draft and a conditional fourth in 2018 to get him to replace Bridgewater.Those who believe in Bradford do so despite his past, despite his injury history and despite an undercurrent of skepticism about his mental toughness. He missed the entire 2014 season after injuring his knee midway through 2013 and re-injuring it in preseason. He threw for more than 3,700 yards in Chip Kellys offense in Philadelphia last season, but 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions left critics unconvinced. Of the six quarterbacks taken with the No. 1 pick since QBR became a measurement of a quarterbacks worth, only the infamous bust JaMarcus Russell had a worse rating than Bradfords 49.8.But is it possible that quarterbacks arent out there by themselves?Minnesotas offense, after losing Adrian Peterson in Week 2, employs more of what Bradford does best: working out of the shotgun, throwing short, quick passes to make up for the NFLs worst rushing offense. In leading Minnesota over the Texans to go 5-0, Bradford was 22-of-30 for 271 yards and two TDs. But to get a clear view of Bradfords resurgence, you also have to look to the other side of the ball. The Vikings D, fast and nasty, is allowing an NFL-low 12.6 points per game. (By comparison, the Eagles allowed 26.9 a year ago.)As for the persistent suggestions that Bradford has lacked mental toughness, that causes Vikings tight ends coach Pat Shurmurs eyes to flash and his voice to rise. Thats so far from the truth, he says, leaning into the words. Shurmur was Bradfords offensive coordinator in his rookie year in St. Louis, then again last season in Philadelphia. He repeatedly says he felt responsible for Bradford in both places. In Minnesota, he was Bradfords most vocal advocate when the trade was being discussed. He got injured, and sometimes theres nothing you can do about that, he says. Along the way, hes taken some hits and matured as a pro. Not mentally tough? Thats the furthest from the truth when you talk about Sam. Hes tough as nails.I really think hes a different guy here, Boone says. I think hes more confident, more comfortable. I think hes not afraid to let it loose.Six weeks removed from losing Bridgewater for the season, and four weeks removed from losing Peterson, perhaps for the season, the trade for Bradford is viewed within the Vikings locker room as a message from GM Rick Spielman.It really showed the confidence they have in the team, Smith says. This isnt a rebuilding year. Its not, Oh, we were going to be really good, but now well just see what happens. It reinforced to us that the time is right now.Or, as Boone says: Sam came wrapped in gold.Its clear that the king of the eye roll wouldnt agree, and that the reconsideration of Sam Bradford will continue along its unemotional, monotonous path. The cosmic importance of football eludes him. He doesnt take himself too seriously, and he sincerely hopes nobody else does either. Hes been down that road before. He doesnt particularly like the view. cheap jerseys . Vettel was 0.168 seconds faster than Red Bull teammate Mark Webber around the Suzuka circuit. Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg was two tenths of a second off Vettel. "The car balance is decent, but I think we can still improve," Vettel said. cheap soccer jerseys . The Americans, skipped by John Shuster, seized the advantage in the eighth end by scoring five points for a 7-3 lead. The Czechs pulled two back in the ninth, but Shusters team of third Jeff Isaacson, second Jared Zezel and lead John Landsteiner ended with another point to secure the last Olympic berth on offer. http://www.wholesalecheapjerseysnflauthentic.com/ . President of baseball operations Larry Beinfest was fired Friday after 12 years with the Marlins. The move came as the team neared the end of its third consecutive last-place season in the NL East. Brian Campbell breaks down every match at WWE Clash of Champions -- the first Raw-exclusive pay-per-view since the WWEs brand split. Senior stats analyst Sean Coyle offers ratings for each match; criteria for ratings is based on storytelling, in-ring execution, match?psychology,?timing and innovation -- worth up to one point each for a?maximum of five points..This recap will be updated on a match-by-match basis.(c) - Indicates defending championWWE Universal championship: Kevin Owens def. Seth Rollins?by pinfall (25:07)To read a full recap of the Universal championship match between Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins, click here.WWE United States championship: Roman Reigns def. Rusev (c) by pinfall (17:07) He may no longer be the guy in WWE, but Reigns, at the very least, added a new piece of hardware to his budding Roman Empire.After teasing a push into the Universal title picture on Raw in recent weeks, WWE sent Reigns back into his rivalry with Rusev on Sunday as the three-time WWE champion ended matters via pinfall to begin his first reign as United States champion.In an often slow and deliberate match that took a long time to heat up, Reigns rallied late by breaking free of Rusevs Accolade submission to land his patented spear for the victory.Reigns, who sold back and rib injuries throughout as Rusev attempted to wear him down for that late submission attempt, saw an earlier spear attempt interrupted when Rusevs wife Lana stood on the apron and distracted him -- allowing Rusev to roll Reigns up for a near three-count. Lana went one step too far moments later.After Reigns avoided an Accolade attempt and landed a spear, his pinfall was interrupted when Lana grabbed the leg of the referee and pulled him out of the ring. Instead of Rusev being instantly disqualified, allowing him to retain the title, the referees discretion led to Lana being banished from ringside.The sudden lack of distraction fueled Reigns, who landed a drive by kick on the ring apron before a second on the announce table leading up to the matchs finish and his fifth title reign since joining the WWEs main roster.WWE Raw womens championship: Charlotte (c) def. Bayley and Sasha Banks by pinfall (on Bayley) (15:28)It was wild and often out of control, with high-risk spots and constant near falls, but lets face it; this womens championship match was nearly everything you would want from a triple-threat title match between three top stars.Charlotte, who was at her physical and nasty best as a heel champion, retained her title by pinfall after a pair of boots to the face against Bayley; that Bayley inadvertently knocked Banks out of the ring during the first kick should further intensify their budding rivalry.Bayleys on-screen friendship with Banks has slowly dissolved in recent weeks, thanks to Banks competitiveness, and it took another step back early in the match when the two pushed each other in the center of the ring after exchanging unpleasantries. From there, the match went in many different directions -- nearly all of them exciting.Charlotte performed what would ultimately be a candidate for top move of the night when she laid Banks and Bayley next to each other on the canvas and landed a breathtaking moonsault from the top rope onto both of them.Both attempts from The Boss to lock on her Banks Statement submission were stifled by distractions from Dana Brooke, who aided Charlotte from ringside without setting back their on-screen relationship at all, which had been hot and cold in recent weeks.Bayley, who honored the late Dusty Rhodes by wearing a polka dot pattern on part of her ring attire, paid further tribute when she got a near-fall by rolling Charlotte up with an inside cradle just seconds before the match ended.Chris Jericho def. Sami Zayn by pinfall (15:22)As far as stay-busy feuds are concerned between top-end superstars, Jericho and Zayn produced a fun match to kick off their fledgling rivalry.There wasnt much of anything at stake on Sunday, aside from Zayn seeking retribution for Jericho smashing him in the face with a cell phone two weeks ago on Raw -- and there didnt have to be. Both wrestlers let the focus remain solely on the in-ring action, contributing a series of near falls that consistently raised the intensity.A visibly worn down Jericho kicked out of a series of big moves late, including Zayns Blue Thunder bomb -- leading announcer Corey Graves to say, It doesnt get any closer than that without the bell ringing.Jericho stayed true to his character in the closing seconds by using the veteran tactic of playing possum and appearing hurt, only to catch Zayn with his patented Codebreaker to cap off a gutsy win.Three times Jericho avoided Zayns Helluva Kick by slipping away and overcame Zayns typical mix of high-flying moves, including his tornado DDT after diving through the second rope outside the ring and a textbook Tope Con Hilo dive onto the floor.All the while Jericho, who is doing some of the best work of his career at age 45, perfectly embodied the heel you love to hate, including constant trash talk when he had Zayn down on the canvas. There should be more to come here in the next few weeks.Best-of-7-series finale: Cesaro vs. Sheamus ended in a no contest (16:36)For a seven-match series that played out predictably, lacking any semblance off buzz entering Sunday, Cesaro and Sheamus left everything they had in the ring in No. wholesale stitched nfl jerseys. 7. And a little bit more outside of it. In what was hands down the best match of their series, which began last month at SummerSlam, the two hard-nosed workers battled to a no contest after ringside doctors told the referee that both couldnt continue. The match ended with both wrestlers laid out on the floor after Cesaro clotheslined Sheamus over the ringside barrier and neither could get up quickly enough.It was difficult to tell which injuries were real and which were part of the storyline after a match that featured a series of hard bumps, including a wild suicide dive from Cesaro that saw him inadvertently land on the side of his head on the floor outside the ring.After the match, Cesaro held what appeared to be an injured left shoulder, pleading with the referee to continue and arguing that hed fought with one arm in the past. He then rolled into the ring and motioned for Sheamus to come back as he was forcibly led backstage by doctors and referees.Its uncertain where their rivalry goes from here after Cesaro rallied from a 3-0 deficit to force Sundays match, but for a rivalry that never quite got over during the last four weeks, both wrestlers continued to prove how well they work together and how physical theyre willing to get with each otherWhile Sundays result failed to provide closure, at least it was unpredictable -- an element thats otherwise been lacking in this seriesWWE cruiserweight championship: TJ Perkins (c) def. Brian Kendrick (10:31)If Perkins first cruiserweight title defense against Kendrick is any indication of what WWE fans can expect from the companys newest division, buckle up for what is to come.Not only did Perkins and Kendrick combine to create the kind of innovative and high-flying moves the cruiserweights are known for, they told one heck of a story in the process.Perkins overcame constant attacks on his neck from Kendrick to submit the veteran via knee bar -- but what followed after the match bodes well for the future of their rivalry and the kind of storytelling we can hope to see from the cruiserweights going forward.Kendrick, who has done well to establish a true heel persona, beginning with his early matches in the Cruiserweight classic and continuing with his main roster return on Mondays episode of Raw. His in-ring style and actions carried that further along; Kendrick even pulled the ring apron over Perkins head outside the ring before raining down blows.Hed ultimately shake Perkins hand and hug him after the match, and Perkins mouthed thank you into his ear. But as the two separated, Kendrick landed a vicious head butt to knock him down before walking away.A handshake ... then a HEADBUTT from @MrBrianKendrick to the Cruiserweight Champ @MegaTJP!! #SoreLoser #WWEClash pic.twitter.com/8qMxrReU0i- WWE (@WWE) September 26, 2016The crowd chanted for both equally throughout the match. Each got in their submissions in, as Kendrick used variations of a strait jacket submission to soften Perkins neck. Multiple attempts at a Captains Hook submission choke proved unsuccessful for Kendrick, as did his finishing move, Sliced Bread, after Perkins barely kicked out before the referees three-count.Perkins, who debuted a new 8-bit video game-inspired theme song in his main roster debut, put forth the wildest spot of the match as well when he landed a hurricanrana from the top rope that sent both spilling out onto the floor. Hed ultimately pick up the win too, but the fiery aftermath points to a continued clash in the future.WWE Raw tag team championships: The New Day (c) def. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson by pinfall (6:45)In a physical and fast-paced match to open the Clash of Champions pay-per-view telecast, The New Day extended their tag team title reign to at least 400 days -- second-longest in WWE history (trailing only Demolition) -- by dipping back into their heel bag of tricks from 2015.Xavier Woods, who sat out for The New Day, waited until the referee was distracted to make his presence felt after chaos broke out late in the match. With Karl Anderson hung up on the ropes, Woods used his infamous trombone, Francesca II, to nail Anderson to the side of the head and knock him out.Big E instantly picked Anderson up on his shoulders and tagged in Kofi Kingston, who delivered the Midnight Hour to secure the three-count.Anderson and Gallows had set a vicious tone off the opening bell, with Gallows taking out both Big E and Woods outside the ring while Anderson nearly secured an early pin on Kingston in the matchs opening moments with a running Liger Bomb.The Club continued their onslaught throughout, and further established their nastier feel of late with a series of power moves. Anderson nearly earned a three-count against Kofi following a spinebuster, before Gallows tagged in and did the same with a choke slam.Ultimately, the turning point of the match came moments later when Kingston escaped Gallows and Andersons finishing move, The Magic Killer, before action involving all four wrestlers spilled out onto the floor, leading to the finish that saw The Club fall short once again. NFL Jerseys Cheap Cheap Jerseys Online NFL Jerseys From China Stitched Jerseys Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys 2019 China Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale NFL White Jerseys Wholesale NFL Autographed Jerseys Discount NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Cheap Authentic Jerseys NFL T-shirts From China Wholesale NFL Autographed Jerseys Youth NFL Jerseys Cheap ' ' '