Sam Bradford was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year without the team upgrades the St Louis Rams made in the off-season.
Now the talent pool is deeper and he is a year older and wiser, Bradford believes everything is going to be much better.
"There's no question he's more prepared," Steve Spagnuolo, the coach, said. "He's matured beyond his years."
The Rams shed their doormat image with a six-win improvement last year, a 7-9 record that left them one game out of the play-offs in the NFC West. Bradford's sound play in a no-frills offence helped make it happen.
Around mid-season, Spagnuolo stopped referring to Bradford as a rookie. An immediate gauge comes on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, perennial NFC contenders who signalled their intention to go for the Super Bowl in free agency.
"Obviously, everyone's talking about Philly," Bradford said. "They deserve it. If we could come out and get a win against a team like that I think it would give guys on the team a lot of confidence."
Bradford set NFL rookie records for completions and attempts and had 3,512 yards passing, second only to Peyton Manning. The former Oklahoma star was one of only three rookies to pass for 3,000 yards in league history, and last year was among three quarterbacks to play every snap.
The Rams expect to open things up under Josh McDaniels, new offensive coordinator, and Bradford said the two have developed a nice rapport. During a productive pre-season in which Bradford threw five touchdown passes with two interceptions, he learnt about minding the details.
"When you sit and watch tape with him, he points out things that I don't see the first time or I'm not necessarily looking for," Bradford said.
"It's always good when you have someone like that in the room with you. I think it's been great, I think everyone's really bought into the system."
St Louis also signed the guard Harvey Dahl, the wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker and backup running backs Cadillac Williams and Jerious Norwood, and anticipate immediate impact from their second-round draft pick, the tight end Lance Kendricks.
Opponents should not be able to focus as much on Steven Jackson, coming off his sixth consecutive 1,000-yard season. Jackson is expected to get more pass-catching duty, too.
"We have the potential to be a very good offence," Bradford said. "I think it could turn into a special year. It's just a matter of everyone doing their job and being great on Sunday."
The Eagles won the NFC East at 10-6 last year and are favourites to win in St Louis. "They're really good," Bradford said. "We're going to have to be good on Sunday, there's no doubt about it."
* Associated Press
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica
Best Agent: Jorge Mendes
Best Club : Liverpool
Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP
Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart
Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)
Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)
Best Women's Player: Lucy Bronze
Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi
Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)
Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs
