Teddy Bridgewater

[Mothman]

It's usually the guy with the biggest hands~

LOL! That's just because he has trouble working those tiny doorknobs.

[mondry]

Actually, this is one of the things that always bugged me with Ponder. Maybe there isn't anything to it at all but I felt like he never put in any extra work. He did what he had to do but overall it didn't really seem like he thought he had work to do or needed to improve a lot. I mean I'm sure he knew he had to get better but I always got the feeling he was just too cocky in himself when it just wasn't there.

Bridgewater on the other hand is just working like a horse, no one had to tell him to do it, he just does it. That's the difference to me from a lot of these guys. They all check out for the most part physically so they get drafted high ala blake bortles but it's the very few like Peyton Manning who put in the extra time studying and it just helps them so much to break down a defense, beat the blitz, and get prepared.

You hear the same kinda things about Russell Wilson as well and you don't hear it at all about the Ponder's, Gabberts, Lockers, etc.

[Webbfann]

When the Vikings traded up to draft him with the last pick in the first round, he didn't use that moment as a chance to say he'd make the 31 teams that passed on him regret that slight.

Actually, he has said that too, but perhaps not "in that moment". And I look forward to him making them regret it, all 31 of them.

[The Breeze]

Actually, this is one of the things that always bugged me with Ponder. Maybe there isn't anything to it at all but I felt like he never put in any extra work. He did what he had to do but overall it didn't really seem like he thought he had work to do or needed to improve a lot. I mean I'm sure he knew he had to get better but I always got the feeling he was just too cocky in himself when it just wasn't there.

Bridgewater on the other hand is just working like a horse, no one had to tell him to do it, he just does it. That's the difference to me from a lot of these guys. They all check out for the most part physically so they get drafted high ala blake bortles but it's the very few like Peyton Manning who put in the extra time studying and it just helps them so much to break down a defense, beat the blitz, and get prepared.

You hear the same kinda things about Russell Wilson as well and you don't hear it at all about the Ponder's, Gabberts, Lockers, etc.

I think you have to be a bit loopy to be an elite level QB......a crazed competitor.
I think Ponder is too well adjusted...too nice. Like I think Frazier is.

You see how Manning looks after losses and I imagine that Tom Brady burns his forearms with cigarettes while Giselle paints his toenails black after losses. I like to imagine that, anyway.

Maybe Teddy will be like that?

[Funkytown]

Actually, this is one of the things that always bugged me with Ponder. Maybe there isn't anything to it at all but I felt like he never put in any extra work. He did what he had to do but overall it didn't really seem like he thought he had work to do or needed to improve a lot. I mean I'm sure he knew he had to get better but I always got the feeling he was just too cocky in himself when it just wasn't there.

I've always felt the same, and I've expressed it more than once.

Bridgewater on the other hand is just working like a horse, no one had to tell him to do it, he just does it. That's the difference to me from a lot of these guys. They all check out for the most part physically so they get drafted high ala blake bortles but it's the very few like Peyton Manning who put in the extra time studying and it just helps them so much to break down a defense, beat the blitz, and get prepared.

You hear the same kinda things about Russell Wilson as well and you don't hear it at all about the Ponder's, Gabberts, Lockers, etc.

And the stuff we are already hearing about Teddy is what I wanted to hear about Ponder. Instead, we heard about how McLeod Bethel-Thompson was the one sticking around, after practice, throwing balls to anyone willing to catch them.

Teddy gets it, and I freakin' love him for it. Forget the pro day and his hand size; the kid is a football player. His passion is obvious, and I think it will take him wherever he wants to go.

[Mothman]

I've always felt the same, and I've expressed it more than once.

This subject comes up over and over again and yet when and yet what scouts, coaches and teammates have said about Ponder's work habits never seems to sink in. From the end of the 2012 season:

http://www.twincities.com/ci_22299878/v ... huddle-and

Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave and the players around the Vikings' young quarterback certainly have seen Ponder's development over the past four games. He's putting in the extra work, making better decisions, emerging as a leader on the field and becoming the player the Vikings need him to be.

WORK HABITS

Musgrave: "He's here early in the morning and late at night. There's a lot of work to be done with a quarterback. Your scope has to be tremendously broad without spreading yourself too thin. He puts the time in to make sure he's well prepped. At times, when I walk in, especially early in the week, I see him sitting in the cafeteria. He's got his book out or he's making notes. He has watched film and he's having a bowl of cereal and getting ready to go back down and get a workout. It's probably around 7 or 8. We have coaches' dinners at night. At times, he slips in there and grabs a bite to eat or a little to-go box to go home. It's definitely a full day's work. He's fully invested."

Sullivan: "You want to see a guy who's committed, and that's what we have in our quarterback. He's done a great job of maturing throughout the course of the year and is continuing to progress. That's what you want at your most important position. You want that across the board from everybody."

Bethel-Thompson: "You're seeing all the work he put in paying off."

It's the same thing being said about Bridgewater getting to work early and working late.

[Purple bruise]

This subject comes up over and over again and yet when and yet what scouts, coaches and teammates have said about Ponder's work habits never seems to sink in. From the end of the 2012 season:

http://www.twincities.com/ci_22299878/v ... huddle-and
It's the same thing being said about Bridgewater getting to work early and working late.

Good post Jim. Also where did this crap stem from calling him "cocky" I hope Bridgewater is the Vikings QB for the next ten years and Ponder gets a chance to go to another team and start fresh.

[maembe]

Ponder's problem isn't that he's too cocky, or that he's too nice, or that he doesn't work hard enough. He just isn't that good. Working hard is great, but almost everyone in the NFL works hard, quarterbacks especially. Hard work can help make a good quarterback great but most people just don't have what it takes to be a quarterback in the NFL and no matter how hard they work or how "firey" their attitude is they aren't going to be a successful starting QB in the NFL.

I know it's nice to think that there's some magic formula or criteria that Ponder didn't follow/meet, but the reality is sometimes quarterbacks can do all the right things and still not work out, so let's not get too caught up in the coach-speak about Teddy. I'm sure you'll here the same things about Jimmy Garapolo, Derrick Carr, Johnny Manziel, and Blake Bortles, but chances are only 1-2 of the top 5 qbs are going to pan out.

[Mothman]

Good post Jim. Also where did this crap stem from calling him "cocky" I hope Bridgewater is the Vikings QB for the next ten years and Ponder gets a chance to go to another team and start fresh.

If Mondry perceives Ponder as cocky, I assume it's because of something he perceived in Ponder's demeanor at some point. I've always thought Ponder came across as sincere and humble but I don't live in Minnesota where I might see him on TV or hear him on the radio more often so maybe my view him is off target. To me, the only real issues with Ponder have been in games, primarily with the way he sees the field and handles pressure. Those are issues that some QBs improve on over time. Others never shake them but if Ponder gets the change of scenery and fresh start you mentioned, I hope it works out for him (and I hope Bridgewater works out for the Vikes).

[Mothman]

Ponder's problem isn't that he's too cocky, or that he's too nice, or that he doesn't work hard enough. He just isn't that good. Working hard is great, but almost everyone in the NFL works hard, quarterbacks especially. Hard work can help make a good quarterback great but most people just don't have what it takes to be a quarterback in the NFL and no matter how hard they work or how "firey" their attitude is they aren't going to be a successful starting QB in the NFL.

I know it's nice to think that there's some magic formula or criteria that Ponder didn't follow/meet, but the reality is sometimes quarterbacks can do all the right things and still not work out, so let's not get too caught up in the coach-speak about Teddy. I'm sure you'll here the same things about Jimmy Garapolo, Derrick Carr, Johnny Manziel, and Blake Bortles, but chances are only 1-2 of the top 5 qbs are going to pan out.

Well said!

[Texas Vike]

Ponder's problem isn't that he's too cocky, or that he's too nice, or that he doesn't work hard enough. He just isn't that good. Working hard is great, but almost everyone in the NFL works hard, quarterbacks especially. Hard work can help make a good quarterback great but most people just don't have what it takes to be a quarterback in the NFL and no matter how hard they work or how "firey" their attitude is they aren't going to be a successful starting QB in the NFL.

I know it's nice to think that there's some magic formula or criteria that Ponder didn't follow/meet, but the reality is sometimes quarterbacks can do all the right things and still not work out, so let's not get too caught up in the coach-speak about Teddy. I'm sure you'll here the same things about Jimmy Garapolo, Derrick Carr, Johnny Manziel, and Blake Bortles, but chances are only 1-2 of the top 5 qbs are going to pan out.

Solid post.

I have never gotten the sense that Ponder was cocky. He seems like a really solid guy to me. I think some of us even liked Manziel in part because he was the opposite of Ponder in a lot of ways--extremely cocky, even abrasive, certainly not just a likable gentleman, like CP7.

[dead_poet]

This subject comes up over and over again and yet when and yet what scouts, coaches and teammates have said about Ponder's work habits never seems to sink in. From the end of the 2012 season:

http://www.twincities.com/ci_22299878/v ... huddle-and
It's the same thing being said about Bridgewater getting to work early and working late.

Yeah, I recall these same reports of him putting in added work. I also seem to recall he organized a three-day "minicamp" as a rookie because of the lockout. As others have pointed out, I don't think the reason for his performance has anything to do with attitude or work ethic and everything to do with talent/ability.

[Just Me]

Brian Billick evaluates our QB (Make sure you check this link for context, and keep a healthy dose of skepticism until we see exactly how Bridgewater will work out for us.):

"Of all the quarterback prospects, [he] has the most experience being under center and has great fundamentals. He is an accurate passer who relies on great timing and coverage recognition, more so than a huge powerful arm."

"[He] had proved during each practice that he was the most NFL ready quarterback [in the draft]..."

"He showed a certain level of comfort taking snaps from under center and had very impressive elusiveness inside the pocket. By that, I mean, he recognized pressure and had a calm pocket presence in which he made subtle movements to elude tacklers, reset his feet and throw a strike to his receiver downfield."

I'm excited to get one of the best QB prospects in Bridgewater. I'm optimistic he'll work out for us. I just hope we have learned our lesson and have a "plan B," just in case...

[The Breeze]

I don't care how much work a guy puts in if he isn't fearless about getting hit by big dudes.
Ponder has plenty of talent and ability what he seems to lack is the appropriate lack of regard for his body vs the desire to win. Part of the 'It' factor. It's all between the ears. Fearlessness.


As far as prognosticating Bridgewater, what did Dilfer have to say about him?

[Mothman]

I don't care how much work a guy puts in if he isn't fearless about getting hit by big dudes.
Ponder has plenty of talent and ability what he seems to lack is the appropriate lack of regard for his body vs the desire to win. Part of the 'It' factor. It's all between the ears. Fearlessness.

I don't think "the appropriate lack of regard for his body" has anything to do with Ponder's failures. Watch the effort he put forth, and the hit he took, when trying to score a TD against the Redskins on the play that knocked him out of that game last year and that should tell you all you need to know about his willingness to make a physical sacrifice for his team.

I doubt Ponder left the pocket because he was afraid to be hit. I think it's far more likely that he left it because he's a good runner, capable of extending plays on the move, and his instincts told him to do that (more often he should have done it). We can't get in his head to know for sure but if he feared anything, I suspect it was fear of taking a sack and not making a play rather than fear of being hit. He's shown more than once that he's willing to take a hit. YMMV.