Young Theodore Bridgewater

[Purple Reign]

That could be the difference between a veteran and a rookie with only 10 starts under his belt. Teddy is definitely continuing to improve week after week no matter what way you look at it

I was only responding to the statement that Teddy did the job better today than Stafford (when obviously he didn't do everything better today - especially where it counts the most as the 'job' is to win games). That's not a knock on Teddy as he did have a decent day and he is improving, not denying that.

[PacificNorseWest]

I assume Jennings is the "washed up vet?"

I'll respectively disagree with that. I think the perception of his talent has been marginalized by him coming to Minnesota. I think he's still a very good receiver who has been in a bad spot, QB-wise.

Had he stayed in GB with Rodgers, I feel like he would still be looked at as one of the more consistent and better WR'a around -- ala Reggie Wayne of a few years ago.

[808vikingsfan]

Instead, we're picking through a handful of marginal mistakes to help explain a two-point loss against the NFC North divisional leader. Bridgewater completed 31 passes for 315 yards Sunday, but three misfires scuttled the Vikings' chances.

In the 15th week of his first NFL season, Bridgewater has dismissed the macro and pushed us into a micro discussion about the few plays he didn't make.

Teddy Bridgewater changes conversation

[PacificNorseWest]

Yeah, it's encouraging -- his progression.

I found myself burying my head in my folded arms on the table after both picks because I knew the Vikings needed to epitomize efficiency on offense in order to win this game. It was tough because Teddy is a rookie and rookies make those boneheaded mistakes, but even tougher because I already hold him to such high standards that I didn't think he'd make those mistakes. Still recoverable at that point in the game, but still crucial. In the end, it hurt them. Blair sucked, but you don't want to rely on a kicker like that.

I Give Teddy a C grade for the game and I have been one of his biggest advocates. The C is more because of that aforementioned 'new standard' he's held to in my eyes and that the article speaks to. The conversation really has changed. He's that dirty 'P' word (potential) to a degree closer to being realized than to being a bust, and because of it, he'll need to tighten up those few mistakes going forward.

I'm excited. I also know better. I feel he's already so close to being what this team has been waiting for and I felt that way when wanting Minnesota to draft him. The biggest worry now is the feeling of being letdown -- again. Pull through for us, Teddy.

/preach

[shannontw]

If Blair Makes those FG. We would be saying. Bridgewater played a pretty good game today. i cant believe we had a 26 yard FG blocked. Like Really?????????????

[shannontw]

Teddy has already exceeded my expectations ad a Rookie. I will be more worried next year because i dont wont him to regress. To all the people who wanted Johnny Football. even though its 1 game. dude looks like Ponder out there almost. Just more athletic

[DK Sweets]

As far as the first INT goes, I'm not sure that it's fair to put the blame on any one player. Johnson ran into a defender on his cut and Teddy threw a high ball, but if Johnson had a clean route, he could have made a play on the ball. I don't have a great angle on it, but it appears as if the ball was released before Johnson was stopped. Johnson probably could have done a better job breaking off the route, and Teddy could have put the pass into a safer position, but I would rather see these types of growing pains than see a scared offensive plan. Two Lions player played well in coverage, and two Vikings failed to adjust. It illustrates how much of a team sport football really is.

[PurpleHalo]

As far as the first INT goes, I'm not sure that it's fair to put the blame on any one player. Johnson ran into a defender on his cut and Teddy threw a high ball, but if Johnson had a clean route, he could have made a play on the ball. I don't have a great angle on it, but it appears as if the ball was released before Johnson was stopped. Johnson probably could have done a better job breaking off the route, and Teddy could have put the pass into a safer position, but I would rather see these types of growing pains than see a scared offensive plan. Two Lions player played well in coverage, and two Vikings failed to adjust. It illustrates how much of a team sport football really is.

We are talking about 2 young players, still gonna be some mistakes.

[PurpleHalo]

Teddy has already exceeded my expectations ad a Rookie. I will be more worried next year because i dont wont him to regress. To all the people who wanted Johnny Football. even though its 1 game. dude looks like Ponder out there almost. Just more athletic

Teddy has quality people around him in Zimmer and Turner, I don't expect a regress. The playbook has opened a little more the last few weeks. And with them being eliminated expect that to open even more.

[PurpleKoolaid]

I assume Jennings is the "washed up vet?"

I'll respectively disagree with that. I think the perception of his talent has been marginalized by him coming to Minnesota. I think he's still a very good receiver who has been in a bad spot, QB-wise.

Had he stayed in GB with Rodgers, I feel like he would still be looked at as one of the more consistent and better WR'a around -- ala Reggie Wayne of a few years ago.

Thielen would be a star if Rogers was his QB. I think there are some people here who expected Teddy to be like the greater QBs playing now, instead of playing like some of those QBs played there rookie year. Teddy has the most beat up, and just plain bad Oline, out there. And no running game. Even though Asiata played his heart out yesterday. We are going to have to pick up a legitimate threat to go along with McKinnon. And I am better we will have to drop a TE to keep Asiata.

[Pondering Her Percy]

Thielen would be a star if Rogers was his QB. I think there are some people here who expected Teddy to be like the greater QBs playing now, instead of playing like some of those QBs played there rookie year. Teddy has the most beat up, and just plain bad Oline, out there. And no running game. Even though Asiata played his heart out yesterday. We are going to have to pick up a legitimate threat to go along with McKinnon. And I am better we will have to drop a TE to keep Asiata.

I don't understand your man crush on Thielen. What can you even go off of??? Preseason?? Well, Rodney Smith always had good preseason games and he's gone and sitting on the Browns practice squad so preseason doesn't really say a whole lot. You always say Thielen could do this, Thielen could do that and Thielen is better than this guy and that guy. It's pure speculation that has no real backing behind it

As for Jennings, myself and others have continued to say that he is a very reliable veteran. Not washed up by any means which is why I would like to keep him. He's never going to light the world on fire for us so I wouldn't mind if he took a paycut down the road but he's definitely a valuable veteran leader to have on this offense. Especially if we plan on brining in another young rookie stud WR next year

[frosted]

Teddy Bridgewater changes conversation

http://espn.go.com/blog/minnesota-vikin ... nversation

I found Sunday to be a turning point of sorts for Bridgewater, the Vikings and outside perception. The conversation has changed.

We're no longer debating whether Bridgewater, the No. 32 overall pick of the draft, can play. His steady ascendance continued Sunday, his third consecutive game with at least a 70 percent completion rate. Bridgewater threw 41 passes in a pass-first game plan against one of the NFL's top defenses, and it seems moot to break down whether it means Bridgewater can be the Vikings' long-term answer. He is well on his way to demonstrating it. The Vikings are 4-3 in his past seven starts, with all three losses by one score, and the organization has already committed to it.

Instead, we're picking through a handful of marginal mistakes to help explain a two-point loss against the NFC North divisional leader. Bridgewater completed 31 passes for 315 yards Sunday, but three misfires scuttled the Vikings' chances.

Worth a read - my thoughts regarding Ted are pretty well summed up by Seifert.

[Mothman]

Teddy Bridgewater changes conversation

http://espn.go.com/blog/minnesota-vikin ... nversation
Worth a read - my thoughts regarding Ted are pretty well summed up by Goessling.

A "handful of marginal mistakes"? If "three misfires scuttled the Vikings' chances" then they weren't marginal mistakes.

[DK Sweets]

A "handful of marginal mistakes"? If "three misfires scuttled the Vikings' chances" then they weren't marginal mistakes.

I think it depends on how you view the word. I don't remember seeing a single throw in the game where I though "What the hell was he thinking?". Some QBs, even veterans like Cutler and Romo, still have throws like that.

[losperros]

Teddy Bridgewater changes conversation

http://espn.go.com/blog/minnesota-vikin ... nversation

Worth a read - my thoughts regarding Ted are pretty well summed up by Goessling.

Thanks for the link. I pretty much agree with the article.

I'm glad Zimmer feels that the more Teddy plays, the more he's improving. Ultimately, whether Bridgewater can continue to learn his craft will determine his success level.