peterson/bridgewater era is over

[Funkytown]

I love how people compare seasoned vets to a guy entering his third year like they should be performing at the same level. It seriously drives me absolutely insane.

Teddy Bridgewater (first 28 games): 551/849; 64% Completion; 6,150 yards; 28 TDs; 21 INTs

Sam Bradford (first 28 games): 588/1,007; 58.4% Completion; 6,184 yards; 27 TDs; 23 INTs

Might as well say, "Geez, 2004 Peyton Manning looked better in one game than Teddy has in his first two full seasons!" Yes, that's being hyperbolic but people do understand that quarterbacks can develop, right? Like, they can get better over time. We saw that development in Teddy over the course of 2015 as well as this preseason. It's not out of the realm of possibility that Teddy maybe, just maybe, could've improved over last season and had a good season. You know, like dozens of quarterbacks have done from year 2 to year 3. Heck, Drew Brees's numbers over his first two seasons weren't spectacular either (60% completion; 5,392 yards; 29 TDs; 31 INTs). Guess what? Brees' numbers in year three took off. Obviously not all QBs do, but that's not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is why don't we want to give Teddy that opportunity? What makes him that much different after his second year than Brees after his?

I've also seen Bradford's numbers compared to Bridgewater's over the last two years (giving Bradford the advantage of more years of development) ... and they weren't that much different either. Someone went a step further and broke down passes from 1-10, 10-20, 20-30, 30+ ... probably not as different as most people would think either. But suddenly because he's a Viking, he's going to be borderline elite. I don't get it. I hope it's true, but geez, I don't get it. Conveniently, though, it's mostly the anti-Teddy crowd. That whole "the grass is greener on the other side" thing. We'll see. I wish Bradford the very best - obviously - but I just don't understand all this "he's the franchise" talk ... even before the game against GB. We'll see...

[IrishViking]

I think TB would be crazy not to demand a big contract because of the injury. The question will be if he commands one assuming he heals.
It would be sweet if he recovers fully and they would be faced with the problem of what to do.
But if TB gets offered a lucrative contract to start elsewhere...and there could be lots of teams looking...i'd find it hard to believe he would accept backup money to be #2 for the Vikes.
If Bradford stays healthy and makes Turner's offense go, how do you trade him? I'd reckon he has a good 4 seasons left in him if he doesn't get killed.
It will be interesting and the whole scenario assumes a lot.

No QB has ever come back from this injury.


You think even cleveland is going to drop 10-18m a year on a Player coming off that with no game tape beyond a 14TD season?

What has he done to merit elite money? Ever?

Since when do QBs get huge deals based solely on finishing their rookie deal?

[slapnut19]

No QB has ever come back from this injury.


You think even cleveland is going to drop 10-18m a year on a Player coming off that with no game tape beyond a 14TD season?

What has he done to merit elite money? Ever?

Since when do QBs get huge deals based solely on finishing their rookie deal?

osweiler? brees?

[Nunin]

I don't think it's accurate comparing these guys #'s as an indicator of what kind of QB they are.
I really love TB, but there were several throws in that Packer game that Bradford nailed that TB wouldn't have even attempted. Bradford has thrown those balls his whole career. He was the overwhelming rookie of the year taking a 1 win team to the brink of the playoffs his first season. What happened to him? Jeff Effing Fischer happened to him. Look at what has happened to offenses and QBs under his steady hand.
The numbers don't tell the whole story when you take into account personnel and systems. Bradford with 5 OCs and new systems in 5yrs?! And then the guy slices and dices the Packers after 2weeks in a new system.
Yes he is more experienced than is TB but the larger issue is that he has a very live arm and has Rodger's-like accuracy downfield. He has never had weapons like Diggs, Rudolph or AD nor a defense quite this good. He has had plenty of o-lines this crappy though.
He is almost a perfect fit for Turner's system, lacking some mobility IMO.
But I don't believe you need to be anti-Teddy to be excited at the prospect of Bradford. I'm still kinda shocked we got him...but it loks ike Philly picked a winner with Wentz. Good for them.

[Thaumaturgist]

I've also seen Bradford's numbers compared to Bridgewater's over the last two years (giving Bradford the advantage of more years of development) ... and they weren't that much different either. Someone went a step further and broke down passes from 1-10, 10-20, 20-30, 30+ ... probably not as different as most people would think either. But suddenly because he's a Viking, he's going to be borderline elite. I don't get it. I hope it's true, but geez, I don't get it. Conveniently, though, it's mostly the anti-Teddy crowd. That whole "the grass is greener on the other side" thing. We'll see. I wish Bradford the very best - obviously - but I just don't understand all this "he's the franchise" talk ... even before the game against GB. We'll see...

I was, and still am pretty reserved about Bradford, but he sure helped his case against GB.

[IrishViking]

osweiler? brees?

Brees got a big deal after suffering a career ending injury and putting up 14 TDs in his last season played?

[Nunin]

Like I said, the situation we are speculating about assumes a lot. Mainly that Teddy can fully recover. If he does and shows that he can still play, contract #'s aside, I would think that he would opt for an opportunity to start somewhere rather than being behind Bradford. Again assuming Bradford stays healthy and lights it up. We're talking 2018 season here...right? So, if Teddy heals in time to back up Sam and gets a couple of spot starts in 2017...looks legit and poised, I could see teams like Chicago, Jets, maybe the Browns offering him a chance to start. Then it could come down to money...I don't know. Just speculating. He could have total loyalty to Minny either way, that wouldn't realy suprise me. I hope it's something that happens cause I want to see him play again.

[IrishViking]

Like I said, the situation we are speculating about assumes a lot. Mainly that Teddy can fully recover. If he does and shows that he can still play, contract #'s aside, I would think that he would opt for an opportunity to start somewhere rather than being behind Bradford. Again assuming Bradford stays healthy and lights it up. We're talking 2018 season here...right? So, if Teddy heals in time to back up Sam and gets a couple of spot starts in 2017...looks legit and poised, I could see teams like Chicago, Jets, maybe the Browns offering him a chance to start. Then it could come down to money...I don't know. Just speculating. He could have total loyalty to Minny either way, that wouldn't realy suprise me. I hope it's something that happens cause I want to see him play again.

I agree there, There will be a slim window for Rick to work a trade but he could still be traded in his final contract year. A team might pay a premium just to have the "Advantage" of having him technically be on their team when doing negotiations.

But I also could see, in that situation, the vikings signing him to a 2 year 20 million dollar contract or something palatable, then trading him. Its sorta like, would Spielman and the Wilfs pay 10 million (or more) for a extra and high 1st round pick? Lots of options and we will see what Teddy does, I have no doubt hell get more then his rookie.

[dead_poet]

I don't think it's accurate comparing these guys #'s as an indicator of what kind of QB they are.
I really love TB, but there were several throws in that Packer game that Bradford nailed that TB wouldn't have even attempted.

Please. Teddy has thrown some absolute dimes in his career already. He's one of the most accurate passers in the short to mid-range. His long ball was improving. Judging by the completion percentages Sam wasn't all that accurate when he was slinging it around early in his career.

Bradford has thrown those balls his whole career. He was the overwhelming rookie of the year taking a 1 win team to the brink of the playoffs his first season.

First, Bradford's "competition" for that honor was Mike Williams and a center. Not exactly stiff competition. He then "led" his team to one win the next 10 games. Yes it's a team game but you're going to praise him one year and absolve him from another? Meanwhile Teddy gets discounted for his 11 wins and playoff appearance? Ok.

The numbers don't tell the whole story when you take into account personnel and systems.

I completely agree. Teddy was on a run-first team with significant o-line issues. Give him as many attempts as Bradford through 26 games and Teddy runs away with it instead of looking similar.

Bradford with 5 OCs and new systems in 5yrs?! And then the guy slices and dices the Packers after 2weeks in a new system.

First, we don't know if Teddy would've had similar success. Second, again, Sam is a 7-year vet. Would Year 3 Sam have performed the same? This is again comparing apples and potatoes. People are still assuming Teddy's ceiling is/was 2015. SMDH.

Yes he is more experienced than is TB but the larger issue is that he has a very live arm and has Rodger's-like accuracy downfield. He has never had weapons like Diggs, Rudolph or AD nor a defense quite this good. He has had plenty of o-lines this crappy though.

Sam has a better arm. No question. But a big arm isn't everything or MBT might be our QB.

He is almost a perfect fit for Turner's system, lacking some mobility IMO.

He's a good fit. I'm not sure the o-line is, though.

[IrishViking]

He's a good fit. I'm not sure the o-line is, though.

What are you talking about? Lots of things fit in -and through- our Oline.


Jesus, just cant please some people.

[dead_poet]

What are you talking about? Lots of things fit in -and through- our Oline.

Touche'

[slapnut19]

brees is actually a good example. he had a career threatening shoulder injury then signed when the saints. he had 24 tds, but was hardly a sure thing much like teddy. my point is don't wait until teddy walks and we get nothing. if bradford cements himself then trade teddy while you can.

[IrishViking]

brees is actually a good example. he had a career threatening shoulder injury then signed when the saints. he had 24 tds, but was hardly a sure thing much like teddy. my point is don't wait until teddy walks and we get nothing. if bradford cements himself then trade teddy while you can.

I agree completely. My point is just that Teddy isn't going to come off this injury, have a decent preseason and say


100 million over 5 years

That would be insanity

[Nunin]

Please. Teddy has thrown some absolute dimes in his career already. He's one of the most accurate passers in the short to mid-range. His long ball was improving. Judging by the completion percentages Sam wasn't all that accurate when he was slinging it around early in his career.
First, Bradford's "competition" for that honor was Mike Williams and a center. Not exactly stiff competition. He then "led" his team to one win the next 10 games. Yes it's a team game but you're going to praise him one year and absolve him from another? Meanwhile Teddy gets discounted for his 11 wins and playoff appearance? Ok.

The numbers don't tell the whole story when you take into account personnel and systems.

I completely agree. Teddy was on a run-first team with significant o-line issues. Give him as many attempts as Bradford through 26 games and Teddy runs away with it instead of looking similar.

Bradford with 5 OCs and new systems in 5yrs?! And then the guy slices and dices the Packers after 2weeks in a new system.

First, we don't know if Teddy would've had similar success. Second, again, Sam is a 7-year vet. Would Year 3 Sam have performed the same? This is again comparing apples and potatoes. People are still assuming Teddy's ceiling is/was 2015. SMDH.

Yes he is more experienced than is TB but the larger issue is that he has a very live arm and has Rodger's-like accuracy downfield. He has never had weapons like Diggs, Rudolph or AD nor a defense quite this good. He has had plenty of o-lines this crappy though.

Sam has a better arm. No question. But a big arm isn't everything or MBT might be our QB.

He is almost a perfect fit for Turner's system, lacking some mobility IMO.

He's a good fit. I'm not sure the o-line is, though.

I guess my larger point is that the time is now. Bradford has always thrown into tight wndows with pace. Whether he was more accurate in his 3rd season than Teddy would have been this year is completely moot. TB is looking at a long rehab while Bradford was remarkably accurate and had amazing chemistry with a couple of guys he has known for 2 weeks. Bradford is clearly the better QB right now in spite of the systematic beating he took playing for the wost run organization in the league outside of Cleveland for 6/7's of his career, or whatever it is. I just think that is great for the Vikings and see no valid reason to have QB camps cropping up when it's not even known if TB will ever be himself again. That is Teddy's new ceiling TBH.
I do understand the sentiment toward and the promising potential of TB.. I share it. Bradford has always had his own promise and potential, there are lotsa rams fans who have very Bridgewater-like sentiments toward him still.

[halfgiz]

Why don't we wait till the end of the season and see where everybody is.
I thinks it's way to early making guesses at what will happen.