Teddy Bridgewater

[PurpleHalo]

They were like Paul Bunyan's hands, almost bigger than the human mind can conceive.

He was also 10 feet tall and shot fireballs out of his arse!

[KSViking]

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/4 ... -hand-size

Consider that the NFL average for quarterback hand size is currently 9.6 inches. Well, some of the top “short” quarterbacks (6’2” or shorter) of the past decade have ridiculously large hands—Drew Brees (10.25 inches), Russell Wilson (10.25 inches), Brett Favre (10.38 inches). There are also countless tall quarterbacks with small hands who were drafted highly and failed to live up to expectations.

Some of the top small-handed quarterbacks to play in the past decade include Michael Vick (historically small 8.5-inch hands), Colin Kaepernick (9.13 inches), Robert Griffin III (9.5 inches), Daunte Culpepper (9.5 inches), Aaron Rodgers (9.38 inches), and Tony Romo (8.86 inches).

[Slick Rick]

Something I wanted to point out that I found very ironic was how often in the pre-draft process Russel Wilson was referenced in comparison to Manziel as to why it was OK to take him in the first round and how he would be successful in the NFL. It seems like a fair comparison seeing they are around the same height, weight, hand size, and athletic ability. The only problem with this comparison is that playing QB is 75% mental and 25% physical. Now I'm not saying Manziel doesn't have the mental makeup to be a good QB but he is known more for his physical ability and his improvisation than his dedication in the film room and intricate football knowledge. These are the things that truly made Russel Wilson great, when the team comes in on Monday mornings Wilson has already dissected there next opponent and put sticky notes in the offensive players lockers, he also arrives at the facility around 5:30 every morning to study film before the day and heads to the film room even between 15 minute breaks in meetings. Another aspect of his success is that even though he's a superbowl winning QB he has managed for the most part to stay out of the spotlight. If you look at Bridgewater I think he has WAY more in common with Russel Wilson than Manziel does right now. Bridgewater seems to have his sole dedication to being great on the field, Manziel is doing McDonalds commercials, partying on TMZ, and trademarking things like "Johnny Football" and "The house that Johnny Built". Bridgewater simply went to bed on bed on draft night to catch up on sleep, Manziel got drunk with rappers till 3 am. Before being drafted Bridgewater bought his mom a Cadillac because he promised it to her when he was 9, Manziel bought a shot and a beer for everyone at his favorite bar. Teddy was ready to give up football to take care of his mom when she had breast cancer. Johnny's father had this to say about him “Yeah, it could come unraveled. And when it does, it’s gonna be bad. Real bad,” Paul Manziel said. “It’s one night away from the phone ringing, and he’s in jail. And you know what he’s gonna say? ‘It’s better than all the pressure I’ve been under. This is better than that.’” Manziel’s dad also said that his son drinks to deal with stress, and has anger issues that cause concern for the family.

I'll be the first to admit that I was a bit blinded by Manziel's exciting style of play which made me gloss over some of his risks. I was also drawn to his over the top partying lifestyle because I party a lot myself so i could relate to him. but now that the dust has settled and I can see things clearly I wouldn't have anyone but Teddy Bridgewater as my QB. A franchise QB shouldn't be someone you relate to it should be someone you look up to because of their intense dedication on the field and reputation off the field. Teddy is that guy.

Character is a very important trait. People with character are more likely prioritize, for example, football over having fun. Manziel seems like the kind of guy who is at least in part in it for the attention. I think he really plays into it because he enjoys being that guy, kind of like Brett Favre did. I don't know how many of you remember exactly how popular Brett Favre was in the late 90s, but he might has well have been a movie star or something. He was a certified celebrity, and not simply a great athlete. I think that's how Manziel's going to be at this rate, unless he totally flops as a QB.

What's odd is that not only is his behavior similar to Favre's, but their playing style is so similar with the way they run around and make all of these plays that you never thought they could make. Someone needs to just let Johnny do his thing and I think he'll be successful. It kind of sounds like the Browns want him to be disciplined, which might be yet another huge mistake by them. I think Atlanta did the same thing with Favre, and that's why he ended up in Green Bay.

On Teddy Bridgewater's hands, I'm not too worried about it at all. I think people look at the hands as some kind of excuse, or even like they're a valid reasoning for why a player's going to be good but really it doesn't matter than much. If you can throw you can throw, if you can't you can't. Teddy can throw, and he was one of the best in CFB at protecting the ball.

[KSViking]

I agree about character. I also think, that Minnesota, more than many other places needs to have some high character teams, with the team leaders being exceptionally high character. The Minnesota that I go back and visit, and remember living in for 20+ years. Although they vote democrat the majority of the time, they are very socially conservative. And between the Love Boat incident, Multiple DUIs/Drug Arrests from players, Randy Moss and his bumping into police women, ect ect the list goes on. After funding the big stadium, the feeling I get is that the general population of Minnesota expects the Vikings to behave themselves better now. Whether that will happen or not, I think Teddy much more than JFB presents a positive role model that even the non-football fans of MN could get behind.

[Webbfann]

I found that 9 3/8 hand figure for Rogers too, but I'm pretty sure it's wrong. He has large hands.

[PurpleMustReign]

He was also 10 feet tall and shot fireballs out of his arse!

Brett Favre or Paul Bunyan?

[Just Me]

They were like Paul Bunyan's hands, almost bigger than the human mind can conceive.

I am totally hearing that in a John Madden voice...

[HardcoreVikesFan]

Just in case anyone isn't 'sold' on Bridgewater yet:

http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/B ... bc367707d7

Skol.

[mondry]

Just in case anyone isn't 'sold' on Bridgewater yet:

http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/B ... bc367707d7

Skol.

"In the red zone: In 2013, Bridgewater had a 17-0 touchdown-interception ratio in the red zone with a 113.0 NFL passer rating.

On critical downs: On 3rd and 4th downs in 2013, Bridgewater was a 68.0% passer with a 14-1 ratio and a 133.1 rating.

Versus the blitz: Per ESPN Stats & Information, Bridgewater completed 53.5 % of his throws under duress in 2013, with a 7-1 ratio; he also completed 70.1% of his attempts against pass rushes of five blitzers or more.

When tied or trailing in the 4th quarter: When tied or trailing by 7 or less in the 4th quarter during 2013, Bridgewater completed 75.0% of his passes with two touchdown and no interceptions for a passer rating of 126.9."


And that's basically why when you looked at the QB's when football ended (and before the circus began) Bridgewater was the #1 prospect. I'm happy with that, I'll take my chances with that guy over a Blake Bortles who only "looks" like the best QB in the draft (physically). It still cracks me up that a bad pro day and after football stuff dropped this guy to to #32 for us.

[Vikings28]

My only concern with Bridgewater is his deep ball. Love him as a prospect and love this pick but that was the one thing I worried about when I watched him in college. Almost looks Ponder-ish at times with the deep ball accuracy. Not all the time, just sometimes. Hopefully that's something Norv and the coaching staff can work on.

[purplehaze]

Supposedly the nickname Bridge has had since high school. "Great Under Major Pressure". Sure hope it translates to NFL. Side note. One stat that is impressive is his red zone effectiveness. Something we have sucked at. In 2013 Bridge has 17-0 TD interception ratio and a rating of 113 in the red zone.

[PurpleHalo]

Brett Favre or Paul Bunyan?

Both!

[Cliff]

This kid went from #1 overall to falling in our lap because of a pro day. Laughable!

We got a steal. Living in Louisville I've seen him a fair amount. He's got a very good chance of fixing the Vikings QB problem for a long time.

[Mothman]

This kid went from #1 overall to falling in our lap because of a pro day. Laughable!

We got a steal. Living in Louisville I've seen him a fair amount. He's got a very good chance of fixing the Vikings QB problem for a long time.

He does have a good chance of helping the Vikes solve their QB problems but I question whether NFL teams ever had him as the #1 player in the draft and while his pro day didn't help him, I don't think it's the main reason he was on the board until the end of the first round. I think he fell primarily for physical reasons (size/frame, hand size, arm strength) and also because, while he was a very good college player, he wasn't a great player in a top level conference. Neither was Bortles, of course, but his physical characteristics moved him up in the draft. If Bridgewater had that kind of size going for him, he might have been the top pick in the draft.

Anyway, none of that means he won't become a great pro or that he can't turn out to be a real bargain for the Vikes.

Edit: After typing that, I was curious to see what kind of post-draft theories were around abut why Bridgewater lasted until pick #32 and I ran across this article:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-foo ... -the-board

... and this one, which is interesting:

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutd ... 03085.html

[Texas Vike]

From the comments section to that first article you linked (Jim). Pretty funny.

William Holz
2 days ago
"If you asked the coaches or scouts ahead of time just how good he was, nobody would have said he's the first pick of the draft," Brandt said. "It was a media creation."



Says Gil Brandt in THIS article.



"Bridgewater's the best of the whole group," NFL Media draft analyst Gil Brandt told Hubbuch, meaning the best player in the entire draft and not just among the quarterbacks."



Said Gil Brandt before his Pro Day.


Can I have his job?