Young Theodore Bridgewater

[Ardenn]

Where?

I'm not trying to be difficult. I'm just not seeing it.

Funny, I just tabbed over to a PFT article where Turner was praising Teddy, and one of the first comments is a Vikings "fan" complaining that he needs to improve his accuracy next year in order to be "good."

[dead_poet]

Where?

I'm not trying to be difficult. I'm just not seeing it.

Might be referencing the interception discussion of earlier this week.

[dead_poet]

Turner's comments on Teddy: https://twitter.com/smartfootball/statu ... 4440795137

[Pondering Her Percy]

Might be referencing the interception discussion of earlier this week.

That's exactly what I am referring too. Jim, you were going on a rant in two threads over it. That specific pass and accuracy in general. Also, when I asked you what you didnt like in Bridgewater....accuracy was one of those things. Not trying to call out PB but he has mentioned accuracy multiple times as well.

[Mothman]

Might be referencing the interception discussion of earlier this week.

That occurred to me but how is that excessive to the point where people need to lighten up about Bridgewater's accuracy? I realize the discussion of one particular play got pretty passionate but I'm getting the strong impression that what several fans really want is just an absence of criticism, a pass for Teddy the Rookie because he's shown promise and he's the Vikings future. Consequently, issues become "issues", a fan becomes a "fan", etc. We know where this sort of thinking can lead ... we've been there.

I'm seeing seeds of the same frustrating divide we saw over Christian Ponder taking root and I'm hoping to head them off at the pass, if possible, with a plea to the board. Can we all please accept that any QB is going to receive some criticism, that not everyone is going to see a QB's game the same way or reach the same level of support, admiration or (let's hope this one won't be relevant to Teddy) disappointment simultaneously. I'm hoping everyone will make a real effort not to slip into a divisive "us vs. them" mentality over this QB. The board has seen enough of that in recent years.

[dead_poet]

That's exactly what I am referring too. Jim, you were going on a rant in two threads over it. That specific pass and accuracy in general. Also, when I asked you what you didnt like in Bridgewater....accuracy was one of those things. Not trying to call out PB but he has mentioned accuracy multiple times as well.

I'll say this about him: he hasn't been pinpoint, but he hasn't bee grossly sporadic. Basically, he's been a rookie (and a promising one).

Glass half-empty: He's missed some open passes, sometimes by more than a little, missed open receivers and he's thrown more interceptions than he probably should've (at inopportune times).
Glass half-full: He's made some good throws, led late scoring drives and looks as good as advertised handling pressure. For a rookie QB in the NFL he's done about as good as you can realistically expect in his first year without great weaponry behind a mediocre-to-below-average, injury-riddled offensive line.

[Mothman]

That's exactly what I am referring too. Jim, you were going on a rant in two threads over it

I was defending my point of view about a single play, engaging in a debate and discussing different aspects of the play with several people. I don't consider that a rant and I certainly wasn't piling on Bridgewater for his overall play this year.

That specific pass and accuracy in general. Also, when I asked you what you didnt like in Bridgewater....accuracy was one of those things. Not trying to call out PB but he has mentioned accuracy multiple times as well.

You literally asked me to be critical and ever since receiving a response, a response you requested, you've been taking me to task as if providing an answer somehow represents excessive criticism. That's a bit of a set-up, although I certainly don't think you ever intended it that way.

I don't think I've presented an exaggerated view of Teddy's interceptions, accuracy issues, etc. and if someone feels I have, I'm open-minded enough to consider that point of view, especially if it's presented with some good evidence to support it. However, as a Vikings community, we need to be able to discuss this subject (or any subject) without an "us vs. them" mentality developing. I'm not in opposition to you or any other Teddy Bridgewater fan. I like him. I'm rooting for him. Saying I don't like his interceptions, calling a high throw high or discussing his accuracy, which has been an actual issue at times, seems like legitimate criticism and it's not made in the absence of praise for the same player. I also don't think it's made excessively. we should all be able to agree that Bridgewater isn't perfect and naturally, that means some aspects of his performance are going to be criticized.

As a board, we have to find a way to discuss Teddy's bad points along with his good points and we have to be able to do it without everybody ending up at each other's throats or making little digs at each other.

[Mothman]

I'll say this about him: he hasn't been pinpoint, but he hasn't bee grossly sporadic. Basically, he's been a rookie (and a promising one).

Glass half-empty: He's missed some open passes, sometimes by more than a little, missed open receivers and he's thrown more interceptions than he probably should've (at inopportune times).
Glass half-full: He's made some good throws, led late scoring drives and looks as good as advertised handling pressure. For a rookie QB in the NFL he's done about as good as you can realistically expect in his first year without great weaponry behind a mediocre-to-below-average, injury-riddled offensive line.

That's how I feel about him too and most importantly, he's made progress over the course of the season, particularly in recent weeks. There have been setbacks but there are going to be setbacks. They're inevitable. It's how he responds to them that matters.

I hope he can finish strong. It would be nice to go into the offseason with Teddy on a hot streak, playing his best ball at the end of his first season. Playing the Bears in the final week should give him that opportunity. They're a mess!

[Pondering Her Percy]

That occurred to me but how is that excessive to the point where people need to lighten up about Bridgewater's accuracy? I realize the discussion of one particular play got pretty passionate but I'm getting the strong impression that what several fans really want is just an absence of criticism, a pass for Teddy the Rookie because he's shown promise and he's the Vikings future. Consequently, issues become "issues", a fan becomes a "fan", etc. We know where this sort of thinking can lead ... we've been there.

I'm seeing seeds of the same frustrating divide we saw over Christian Ponder taking root and I'm hoping to head them off at the pass, if possible, with a plea to the board. Can we all please accept that any QB is going to receive some criticism, that not everyone is going to see a QB's game the same way or reach the same level of support, admiration or (let's hope this one won't be relevant to Teddy) disappointment simultaneously. I'm hoping everyone will make a real effort not to slip into a divisive "us vs. them" mentality over this QB. The board has seen enough of that in recent years.

I am completely fine with that but no it has nothing to do with an "absence of criticism". At least for me that is. I am not claiming Teddy is some perfect rookie that is lighting the world on fire. I have admitted that he has had some BAD throws but the thing is, every QB does. I'm not going to sit here anymore and discuss if a throw was 8 inches too high or 8 inches too low. He's not perfect but all I know is, everything I see in Teddy, has been much better than anything I have seen in a Vikings QB in a long time (outside of Favre obviously). His intangibles, his pocket presence and ability to step up into the pocket, his accuracy, his ability to go through progressions, the way he handles pressure whether it be having a poor offensive line or a game winning drive, etc. What makes me react to these comments is when others question his accuracy when he's 14th overall in the league in completion percentage and he's a rookie. Like I said, he's thrown some bad balls and he's going to throw more in his young career but by no means does that mean he is an inaccurate QB. I'm not saying you specifically said that, I am just saying that in general

[CbusVikesFan]

I wasn't a Teddy fan at first but I am warming up to him. What QB doesn't miss a wide open receiver at least once a game? You see it all the time. How many times have you heard an announcer say, "I am sure he would like to have that one back"? I hate drafting QB's high in the draft, not as risky as it used to be but still risky when you have to put all of your footballs in one basket. Spending so much time and effort developing, etc. I like what I have seen so far overall, not willing to give the keys just quite yet. He can drive it on dates, not wreck it, keep it clean, then prove he is responsible enough to take care of a car, then he can have the keys.

[dead_poet]

As a board, we have to find a way to discuss Teddy's bad points along with his good points and we have to be able to do it without everybody ending up at each other's throats.

That's fair. I thought the interception discussion resolved nicely and people made some good points. We're good, dad

[Pondering Her Percy]

What QB doesn't miss a wide open receiver at least once a game? You see it all the time. How many times have you heard an announcer say, "I am sure he would like to have that one back"?

That has basically been my point through all of this. The kid is young, really young and we need to give him time.

[Mothman]

That's fair. I thought the interception discussion resolved nicely and people made some good points. We're good, dad

LOL! I guess that was a bit Dad-like.

That has basically been my point through all of this. The kid is young, really young and we need to give him time.

I think that's a point pretty much everyone agrees on... let's check:

Sound off if you don't see promise in Bridgewater and feel that he's a young we need to give some time to develop!

[Mothman]

I am completely fine with that but no it has nothing to do with an "absence of criticism". At least for me that is. I am not claiming Teddy is some perfect rookie that is lighting the world on fire. I have admitted that he has had some BAD throws but the thing is, every QB does. I'm not going to sit here anymore and discuss if a throw was 8 inches too high or 8 inches too low. He's not perfect but all I know is, everything I see in Teddy, has been much better than anything I have seen in a Vikings QB in a long time (outside of Favre obviously). His intangibles, his pocket presence and ability to step up into the pocket, his accuracy, his ability to go through progressions, the way he handles pressure whether it be having a poor offensive line or a game winning drive, etc. What makes me react to these comments is when others question his accuracy when he's 14th overall in the league in completion percentage and he's a rookie. Like I said, he's thrown some bad balls and he's going to throw more in his young career but by no means does that mean he is an inaccurate QB. I'm not saying you specifically said that, I am just saying that in general

I wouldn't describe him as an inaccurate quarterback either, just as a QB who needs to become more accurate on certain throws. It will give him something to work on with the Turners during the offseason.

[CbusVikesFan]

That has basically been my point through all of this. The kid is young, really young and we need to give him time.

Fight for what you believe in brother!!!!!