Vikings Message Board.Com

One thing I noticed in recent years is that each time the Vikings tried the "sit the rookie QB for a season" route it always seem to backfire. The QB who came into the season starting always ended up getting benched due to poor performance. Randall Cunningham, Brad Johnson, Donovan McNabb? Maybe we should actually start a rookie QB his first year this time.

I just changed my vote. I think the kid wins the job and they put him out there week 1.

Let's be honest, neither Cassell or Ponder are taking us anywere. This team will go as far as AP takes it. Let Bridgewater play!

Slick Rick wrote:I'm thinking he starts either game 1 of 2016, or he takes the reins at some point in 2015 if maybe Matt Cassel were to get hurt. I think Ponder's going to be the primary backup in 2014 just because he has a head start on knowing the offense, and is more familiar with our receivers.

Not really a head start as it's a new staff and offense.

Ponder is more familiar with our receivers feet!

I found some interesting stats on Teddy

In his college career, Bridgewater made 24 starts when game-time temperatures were 50 degrees or above, according to ESPN. He completed 71 percent of passes, while throwing for 48 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

When temperatures were below 50, he started 11 games, completing 63 percent of passes with a 20-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio, per ESPN
Also heres a fun fact: He’s a 12-1 fourth pick to win Offensive Rookie of the Year behind Mike Evans (3-1), Sammy Watkins (4-1), Johnny Manziel (15-2). Kelvin Benjamin and Marqise Lee are also 12-1.
Jersey sales :Bridgewater was just the 32nd pick, draft order hasn’t dictated jersey sales for rookies, according to a post on outsports.com. The Cleveland Browns’ Johnny Manziel leads, followed by the St. Louis Rams’ Michael Sam, the league’s first openly gay player. Then comes No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney of the Houston Texans, with Bridgewater fourth.


One more fact :The closest Bridgewater came to below-freezing was in the Cardinals’ 2012 home loss to Connecticut, when the thermometer hit 34 degrees for the early kickoff. That day, U of L fell in triple overtime and he suffered a broken left wrist in the second quarter. He came back five days later, on a cold Thursday night at Rutgers, he wouldn't start the game but the team was clearly in trouble and this was for a bcs bowl ,despite a broken wrist and sore ankle He came off the bench to throw two second-half TD passes to rally for the win. Bridgewater still managed to maintain his usual efficiency -- finishing 20-of-28 for 263 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Teddy Bridgewater showed up to the postgame press conference with his left arm in a cast, his left foot in a boot and tears welling in his eyes. It was never clear if they were from the emotion of a big win or from the pain
I will just leave it at that we were so very proud fans to have a player like Teddy to play here

Good stuff, CodeRed. Thanks.

CodeRedCards wrote:I found some interesting stats on Teddy

In his college career, Bridgewater made 24 starts when game-time temperatures were 50 degrees or above, according to ESPN. He completed 71 percent of passes, while throwing for 48 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

When temperatures were below 50, he started 11 games, completing 63 percent of passes with a 20-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio, per ESPN
Also heres a fun fact: He’s a 12-1 fourth pick to win Offensive Rookie of the Year behind Mike Evans (3-1), Sammy Watkins (4-1), Johnny Manziel (15-2). Kelvin Benjamin and Marqise Lee are also 12-1.
Jersey sales :Bridgewater was just the 32nd pick, draft order hasn’t dictated jersey sales for rookies, according to a post on outsports.com. The Cleveland Browns’ Johnny Manziel leads, followed by the St. Louis Rams’ Michael Sam, the league’s first openly gay player. Then comes No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney of the Houston Texans, with Bridgewater fourth.


One more fact :The closest Bridgewater came to below-freezing was in the Cardinals’ 2012 home loss to Connecticut, when the thermometer hit 34 degrees for the early kickoff. That day, U of L fell in triple overtime and he suffered a broken left wrist in the second quarter. He came back five days later, on a cold Thursday night at Rutgers, he wouldn't start the game but the team was clearly in trouble and this was for a bcs bowl ,despite a broken wrist and sore ankle He came off the bench to throw two second-half TD passes to rally for the win. Bridgewater still managed to maintain his usual efficiency -- finishing 20-of-28 for 263 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Teddy Bridgewater showed up to the postgame press conference with his left arm in a cast, his left foot in a boot and tears welling in his eyes. It was never clear if they were from the emotion of a big win or from the pain
I will just leave it at that we were so very proud fans to have a player like Teddy to play here

I think I'd have Bridgewater and Benjamin as my favorites to win the Offensive ROY. Bridgewater has to actually win the battle at training camp to start, so I think I'd give the edge to Benjamin, but I think those two are in the best position. Benjamin's going to be Cam's #1 probably since they got rid of all of their receivers. He's huge and physical, I could just him killing it in that offense. Bridgewater might have an even better situation with all of the receiving weapons we've got, the line that's going to be protecting him, as well as our superior running game that should set him up nicely.

I like Watkins a lot, but I'm not so sure about Manuel. Evans is good, but Jackson is still their #1, and Josh McCown is still Josh McCown. Manziel would surprise me the most just because he has such a terrible situation. He's going to have a heck of a career if he can actually succeed in Cleveland.

Great stat on Teddy about the different temperatures and what not. I'm sure he'll be pretty used to it after his first season at TCF.

I think Bridgewater will win the starting spot. This kid just has too many things going for him. I suspect they will also be working on his velocity this offseason, as well as his deep ball. They aren't easily correctable but it can be done. I just have a gut feeling this kid is legit. I went back and watched every game I could find of his, he never seems flustered, always poised, makes good reads, and spreads the ball around. I hope this is finally it for the Vikings.

fiestavike wrote: he has pretty good velocity and anticipation on his intermediate routes. I think deep accuracy is probably his biggest weakness.

I sure he gets the starting QB designation.

Purple bruise wrote: I sure he gets the starting QB designation.

Well you've now chosen 2 of our 3 quarterbacks to start this fall, so you have a 66.6% chance of being right.

[


Well you've now chosen 2 of our 3 quarterbacks to start this fall, so you have a 66.6% chance of being right. [/quote]

I guess I can't make a comment without hearing it from the peanut gallery. Anyway, how is your boy Webb doing with his QB career

We have a week left in voting. So if you want to change your vote feel free. I still think he starts week 1 and it is a virtual lock he starts this season at some time.

NDVikeFan wrote:We have a week left in voting. So if you want to change your vote feel free. I still think he starts week 1

86% of respondents think otherwise.

and it is a virtual lock he starts this season at some time.

56% of respondents think otherwise.

I'm sticking with my original response because the truth is we don't know what will happen in preseason. Even if he plays well it doesn't mean he'll start in the regular season. I was trying to find where PHP was juiced up because Zim or Norv said Teddy was learning the playbook quickly, but what do you expect them to say? Has a coach ever in the history of football said that their proud new acquisition "was learning really slow"? I think game time will tell how well he's learning the playbook.

Webbfann wrote:
86% of respondents think otherwise.
56% of respondents think otherwise.

I'm sticking with my original response because the truth is we don't know what will happen in preseason. Even if he plays well it doesn't mean he'll start in the regular season. I was trying to find where PHP was juiced up because Zim or Norv said Teddy was learning the playbook quickly, but what do you expect them to say? Has a coach ever in the history of football said that their proud new acquisition "was learning really slow"? I think game time will tell how well he's learning the playbook.

Yes they have, the Raiders and JaMarcus Russell. Management openly stated that he had great difficulty in learning the playbook.

Unless we are in a playoff push, I think he's starting the last month of the season or so.

Webbfann wrote:
86% of respondents think otherwise.
56% of respondents think otherwise.

I'm sticking with my original response because the truth is we don't know what will happen in preseason. Even if he plays well it doesn't mean he'll start in the regular season. I was trying to find where PHP was juiced up because Zim or Norv said Teddy was learning the playbook quickly, but what do you expect them to say? Has a coach ever in the history of football said that their proud new acquisition "was learning really slow"? I think game time will tell how well he's learning the playbook.

Usually when a coaching staff actually details one of the ways that the player has begun to learn the playbook at such a high rate (coach Zimmer said that Bridgewater was repeating plays and memorizing them), then there's more credence to their words at that point as opposed to them just repeatedly saying that he's "coming along great", or whatever.

I don't think this poll matters a lot. Right now the only thing that matters is that they're saying great things (not just good things) about Bridgewater. I think he's going to win the job right away just because I think that he's the best of the 3 on film, and they don't got much of a head start on him with learning this offense. If any of the other two starts, I think it'll be Cassel just because I'm just not convinced of Ponder mentally. Wouldn't be terribly surprised if he won the starting job, but I just don't see him as being as good of an option as the other two having watched him for 2 years worth of starts now. Maybe that was just the product of several different things, but there are certain things that we all saw from him that a new coaching staff and an upgrade at OL don't seem like they'd fix.