Teddy Bridgewater

[corncob]

I doubt 100% completions would please some of you....

[Nick Kuhn]

I doubt 100% completions would please some of you....

Isn't that the truth. He is 3-2 as a starter, even though he is supposed to be on the sideline learning the system still. Maybe in the bye week he will have time to work on things like footwork and mechanics a little more. I'm certain the primary focus for him in practice is understanding the gameplan and what the defense is doing. He demonstrated a lot of accuracy in college (and his average pass attempt was longer than any other of the QBs drafted), so I'm thinking he just has a slight issue with mechanics. That wouldn't surprise me at all, considering how bad the O-line has played he may be rushing just a bit in game situations.

[schmitty3]

I think he moves pretty well in the pocket, just wish he wasn't so hesitant to run. I was thinking it was the coaches telling him not to run, but sounds like Zimmer got in his face after he through the ball away on 4th down instead of easily running for the first down.

Either way he is still very young, only time will tell.

[Big Dave2]

(and his average pass attempt was longer than any other of the QBs drafted)

What stat are you referring to specifically? The reason I ask is because his last years yards per attempt number is slightly lower than both Blake Bortles and Johnny Manzeil.

[FISHINGURU]

Teddy is still young, he's learning a new system/mechanics with new players. I'm happy we are trying to stretch the field and if you are going to miss on the long ball you'd rather miss long then short. He just needs to learn to put a little air under the ball and let the WR make a play.

Even the so called great Eli Manning is struggling after 10 yrs playing at a high level in the league just because they changed the system and he's learning new mechanics with new WR's. You'd think since all he's done is thrown a football his whole life a little change wouldn't be nothing but obviously it is. They look like dung until garbage time when the opposing team packs it in for the night.

We'll have to wait and see how Teddy turns out, the part I like is his poise and goes through his progressions even under heavy pressure.

He does need to run though when given the chance, most rookies are looking to run under pressure when Teddy is still looking to pass, that's a good thing but when the 1st down is a few steps away tuck the ball and take it. I was yelling at the TV for him to run, it was nice to see later in the game when the same situation came up he did run.

[Nick Kuhn]

What stat are you referring to specifically? The reason I ask is because his last years yards per attempt number is slightly lower than both Blake Bortles and Johnny Manzeil.

Air yards per attempt is a better measure of depth of throws than YPA, as YAC comes into play a lot.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2014/story/_...ter-succeed-nfl

[Rick]

Here's a little something I read on Bridgewater from a College and NFL football talent analyst:

Despite an offensive line that thinks it's a turnstile in a metro train station, an option quarterback-turned-running back, and the closest thing we might be seeing to Forrest Gump at wide receiver, Bridgewater is 30 seconds and a Sammy Watkins catch away from guiding the Vikings to a 4-1 record with his starts in Minnesota. The rookie has converted 45.3 percent of his third down passes. Peyton Manning has converted 44.9 percent. The best performer on third downs this year is Tony Romo at 59.5 percent.

The key things that have impressed me about Bridgewater is his decision-making under pressure and his performance after he makes mistakes. Despite taking numerous sacks and knockdowns thus far, the rookie maintains a strong balance of aggression and caution with his down field throws. He's willing to hang in the pocket and take the hits to deliver the ball to an open target, but when it comes to reading coverage Bridgewater rarely makes the same mistake twice.

Bridgewater's greatest issue entering the NFL was his deep accuracy. Some questioned his arm strength, but according to Norv Turner, the issue was more mechanical than physiological. Since entering the league, Bridgewater has routinely overthrown his vertical targets. Considering the adjustments he's made during the off-season, it only seems logical that the rookie would err long.

While Bridgewater will never have a gun like Rodgers, Stafford, or Cutler, I don't believe we're looking at the next Alex Smith, either. If I'm wrong, then Smith will be that proper comparison point in terms of production. However, Smith is routinely shy of his target as a deep passer whereas Bridgewater has been routinely overthrowing his options.

Cordarrelle Patterson has struggled all year as a route runner, and it's a lesson that consistent technique is the difference between most highly productive pros and most inconsistent athletic talents trying to gain a foothold in the NFL. As of this week, Patterson remains more of a Run Forrest, run! option for the Vikings and this is hurting Brigewater's overall productivity. Of the four rookie starting quarterbacks, Bridgewater remains the passer I'm most impressed with.

If Adrian Peterson returns to Minnesota and the Vikings use him, we may see Bridgewater's production increase thanks to Peterson limiting certain situational pass rushes and strengthening the believability of the play-action game. If Peterson stays in Minnesota long-term and has another 2-3 seasons as the starter, I'd bet Bridgewater will perform even better.

[Big Dave2]

Meh......you can find lots of those kind of "selling hope" articles about Ponder back in 2011 too.

Quote:

- Christian Ponder: A lot of focus is going to be put on Ponder after this week's performance, especially considering he almost took down the undefeated Packers. He proved his head coach Leslie Frazier right when Frazier said earlier this week that Minnesota's best chance to win on Sunday was by starting Ponder. While Ponder struggled with a few throws early on, he looked very cool under pressure, and showed great accuracy on the move, fitting balls into extremely tight windows. For as miserable a season that this has been for the Vikings, Ponder is a definite bright spot moving forward.

[CaptainMusky]

BigDave was that written by Paul Allen?

[Big Dave2]

BigDave was that written by Paul Allen?

[CaptainMusky]

Hey since your good at sleuthing this stuff. Find where someone reputable says Johnny Football is the second coming of Christ.

[FISHINGURU]

I can't ever recall where Blunder looked cool under pressure, he always had happy feet and would get rocked. He'd also lock onto 1 WR and if he was covered he'd want to run.

[DrJuice1980]

This guys arm is weaker than circus lemonade. You guys still drinking the "water" or do you all seen that he's only good for check downs and dump passes? What led to the lovefest, a fluke 300yrd game? Are you all that blind?

[DrJuice1980]

Nice analysis, what a joke. I love the "what if" scenarios, worth as much as a wet fart.

[DrJuice1980]

I can't ever recall where Blunder looked cool under pressure, he always had happy feet and would get rocked. He'd also lock onto 1 WR and if he was covered he'd want to run.

You never seen Bridgewater play then

[ANYFISH2]

Really getting tired of the 3yd checkdowns on 3 and 5+. Make a play.

[BuckSutherland]

Chase Ford WIDE OPEN down the seem on the final play. Duncewater throws into double coverage.

[BuckSutherland]

So for you Bridgewater defenders/lovers do you believe that at almost no point yesterday did we have an open receiver or tight end?? Even Blunder could hit Rudolph a couple times a game. This was the same Bears team that gave up over 80 points in the previous two games in the first half.

Yesterday Greg Jennings, Cord Patterson, Kyle Rudpolph, Jarius Wright, Chase Ford combined for 4 catches for 32 yards.

Obviously this guy is not near as good as they thought. They barely let him throw the slant, no back shoulder stuff, no double moves with a pump fake, no rollouts. He goes mock 1 through the progressions and checks it down. Never lets a play develop.

I wonder who was pushing so hard to draft him??

[SkunkedAgain]

Another great example of the Vikings screwing themselves by playing a rookie QB too early. They did this with Ponder too. There is a small percentage of rookie QBs that roar out of the gates like Andrew Luck and succeed. The Vikings would be no worse had they used Ponder to get through this season and let Teddy learn what NOT to do in the NFL. The game is fast and he is young. He needed more time to marinate. Now he might just be rotten. Congrats on throwing away another QB with possibilities.

[DrJuice1980]

Hey Skunked, youre still going to need an arm. He just doesnt have one. Very Ponderlike player, without the balls to scramble and get yards.

[SkunkedAgain]

Rodgers didn't have an arm either. Some development years sure seemed to help out THAT guy. Teddy needed time to grow into a man. Time to learn the game speed. He also needed time to develop his deep throw.

Saying it's not there is a very short-sighted view. The big question now is did playing this season destroy his confidence.

[nofishfisherman]

Arm strength is a cliche that gets thrown around far too much. You don't need to throw the ball a mile to get the job done in the nfl. Accuracy and timing is FAR more important. I'd put arm strength way down on the list.

Here is ranking of needed qb skills.

1. Decision making

2. leadership

3. accuracy

4. timing

.

.

.

.

.

10. Arm strength

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

Another great example of the Vikings screwing themselves by playing a rookie QB too early. They did this with Ponder too. There is a small percentage of rookie QBs that roar out of the gates like Andrew Luck and succeed. The Vikings would be no worse had they used Ponder to get through this season and let Teddy learn what NOT to do in the NFL. The game is fast and he is young. He needed more time to marinate. Now he might just be rotten. Congrats on throwing away another QB with possibilities.

Suggesting the vikings use ponder instead is laughable. No one would watch the games! I know i wouldn't. Teddy's a rookie. He's gonna struggle more then not. I would give it at least another season or two before he's considered ruined. Its so clear the offensive line is inadequate after this season, hopefully there will be change there next year.

[swampman]

Totally agree with those that say its to early to make many assumptions about this kid only a handful of quarterbacks have ever looked great being thrown into the fire as rookies. Speed of the game is also a big factor to adjust to every time you go up a level the speed of the game increases.

As far as arm strength I think he probably has a good enough arm to play in the nfl I would be more concerned with accuracy and decision making, going to be some growing pains. Its not like he has a Moss/ Carter tandem to throw to and he certainly isn't playing behind a offensive line that anybody would fight over, throw in a inconsistent running game and the kid isn't getting a whole lot of help.

He might end up being a bust or he might end up being a good QB but I am not going to throw in the towel on him in a handful of starts.

[Rather_B_Fishing]

Just remember, Peyton Manning was not exactly stellar his rookie year with 28 INTs

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/1428/peyton-manning