What does Teddy have to do to win qb job?

[Reignman]

I see some comparisons of Bridgewaters situation to that of Russell Wilsons rookie preseason in 2012. Wilson was named the regular season starter after just 3 preseason games that year. Flynn missed the 3rd preseason game with an injury, but Wilson blew him out of the water statistically through those 3 games. I could see Bridgewater starting week 1 if he looks this much better than Cassel.

Code: Select all

        cmp/att   pct  yds   avg td int rating
----------------------------------------------
Wilson   35/52  67.3%  464  8.92  5  1  119.4
Flynn    17/26  65.4%  102  3.92  0  1   56.9

[Purple Reign]

The original question was what Teddy has to do to win the starting job for week 1 (not later during the season). IMO, he has almost no chance barring injury to Cassel, no matter how well he plays in preseason. Let's not forget that most of the preseason games teams aren't playing their starters, including the defense. This means that Cassel probably isn't going to play very much so even if he did stink while he was in there, it wouldn't be enough to lose his job over. As far as looking great in practice, lets not forget that Ponder also got high praises in practice but couldn't transfer that to the real game. I just don't see Teddy starting week 1 no matter what he does in preseason.

[Purple bruise]

The original question was what Teddy has to do to win the starting job for week 1 (not later during the season). IMO, he has almost no chance barring injury to Cassel, no matter how well he plays in preseason. Let's not forget that most of the preseason games teams aren't playing their starters, including the defense. This means that Cassel probably isn't going to play very much so even if he did stink while he was in there, it wouldn't be enough to lose his job over. As far as looking great in practice, lets not forget that Ponder also got high praises in practice but couldn't transfer that to the real game. I just don't see Teddy starting week 1 no matter what he does in preseason.

Cassel IMO, already has proven beyond any doubt that he is not the answer to the Viking's plans for the future. If he goes out and plays some of his lacluster, getting balls nocked down at the line of scrimmage, interceptions and shows the mobility of a tortise, I could easily see Teddy starting game one.

[Purpnation]

The player that gives the best chance to win will start, and that will be Bridgewater.

If he is equal to Cassel, then screw that start the veteran crap, get Bridgewater I'm there and get him some experience, some players do better by sitting a while and some do better by learning from first hand experience, there is no way to know which one Bridgewater is, so if he is equal to or greater than Cassel in the coaches mind he needs to start asap.

People forget, but Cassel is awful, beating him out is no great feat by any means, especially for a QB as talented as Bridgewater.

[Purpnation]

The original question was what Teddy has to do to win the starting job for week 1 (not later during the season). IMO, he has almost no chance barring injury to Cassel, no matter how well he plays in preseason. Let's not forget that most of the preseason games teams aren't playing their starters, including the defense. This means that Cassel probably isn't going to play very much so even if he did stink while he was in there, it wouldn't be enough to lose his job over. As far as looking great in practice, lets not forget that Ponder also got high praises in practice but couldn't transfer that to the real game. I just don't see Teddy starting week 1 no matter what he does in preseason.

So you think that despite being in a full blown position battle, the coaches are just going to pull Cassel in the preseason because he's the "starter"? That makes zero sense, bonafide starters with there spot on the depth chart secured get pulled in preseason games early, not possible starters fighting for the job.

So if Bridgewater vastly outplays Cassel, and shows himself to give the team the best chance to win, you dont think they will give him the nod?

[vikesfan71]

If he can play well in preseason the job is his.

[Mothman]

LOL! I love the certainty with which some of these declarations are being made, as if any of us really know how Zimmer plans to handle the QB situation. Heck, he's never even had to handle a QB situation before so he may not know what he's going to do.

[PurpleKoolaid]

He may just start Ponder for the hell of it. Maybe he has a sense f humor.

If he enjoys hearings boo's for the first game. I don't anyone would be humored by it.

Bridgewater plays as well under pressure as any other QB ive seen. Rookies are started in regular season openers, I see no reason why Bridgewater cant. Unless Cassel is lighting it up. Which would be ok with me. But im not holding my breath.

[Purple Reign]

So you think that despite being in a full blown position battle, the coaches are just going to pull Cassel in the preseason because he's the "starter"? That makes zero sense, bonafide starters with there spot on the depth chart secured get pulled in preseason games early, not possible starters fighting for the job.

So if Bridgewater vastly outplays Cassel, and shows himself to give the team the best chance to win, you dont think they will give him the nod?

Tonight just confirms my beliefs - Cassel played only 1 series before being pulled - doesn't appear that what I think makes zero sense to the coaches. The coaches pretty much know what Cassel is capable of because he's been a starter for several years now and they don't really need to see what he can do in preseason. On the other hand, Bridgewater is a rookie and they really don't know how he will perform in the NFL so they will give him more playing time so they can better evaluate him. Based on what I saw tonight, Bridgewater didn't do anything to take the starting job from Cassel.

[Webbfann]

Tonight just confirms my beliefs - Cassel played only 1 series before being pulled - doesn't appear that what I think makes zero sense to the coaches. The coaches pretty much know what Cassel is capable of because he's been a starter for several years now and they don't really need to see what he can do in preseason. On the other hand, Bridgewater is a rookie and they really don't know how he will perform in the NFL so they will give him more playing time so they can better evaluate him. Based on what I saw tonight, Bridgewater didn't do anything to take the starting job from Cassel.

I think they played Teddy a bit longer tonight not to see what he could do but to see if he could start doing something. Didn't quite happen yet, but I don't mind. He clearly has a high ceiling, and gives us a backup who isn't named Ponder. He'll get it eventually, it doesn't have to happen right away.

[Purple Reign]

I think they played Teddy a bit longer tonight not to see what he could do but to see if he could start doing something.

Really? What's the difference.

[Eli]

Bridgewater played as much as he did because the Vikings only have three QBs on the roster and they played their starter for just one series. They wanted to give Bridgewater a little time with the starters.

[Webbfann]

Really? What's the difference.

Not a lot. But I thought Ponder would start the second half, and leaving teddy in longer was an attempt to give him a bit more time only because he didn't do a heck of a lot in the first half. But maybe that was their plan all along.

[Reignman]

LOL! I love the certainty with which some of these declarations are being made

What certainty? I think people are just speculating about how they think it'll go down. Isn't that what a fan message board is about? I swear some of you act like fans should just keep their mouths shut if they're not "experts". Message boards would be pretty boring if that were the case. I don't think it's a stretch to believe if Teddy vastly outplayed Cassel here in the preseason that there would be a chance he could start week 1. It's probably a moot point now with Cassel looking sharp and Teddy not looking like Wilson did in 2012. And personally I'm fine with that. For the most part I was content with Cassels play last year so I'm ok with Teddy riding the pine this year. There are still 3 games to go though and things could still change.

[DK Sweets]

What does Teddy need to do to win the starting job? Play better than he did tonight.

He has potential, and forgive me if I'm over reacting, but he needs to sit for most (if not all) of this season.