Vikings Message Board.Com

I understand the Ponder comparisons because he's been the most recent QB draft pick for the Vikes and because their stats are somewhat similar after 16 starts, but as someone who watches each game at least twice - the visual comparison between QBs is way different to me. I don't have any stats to back this up, but Teddy seems to be way more successful and willing to throw the difficult intermediate passes, which I remember hearing/reading somewhere is a good test because those throws need velocity, accuracy, and the ability to read defenses. Teddy's sideline throws are also way better (again, no stats, just eye test) than Ponder's - mostly because I don't assume a pick 6 is coming every time he throws the 10 yard out like I did with Ponder.

It could be just unfounded silly Vikings fandom hope, but I feel way different about Teddy as our QB than I ever did with Ponder at the helm. Most experts seem to think Teddy will most likely be a solid/fringe Pro Bowl QB in the future which I never heard about Ponder - so that also adds to that hope.

I expect to see him with a big fat diamond studded Gold and Purple Ring on his finger in less then 3 yrs, Period!!

losperros wrote:And some of it may be other things. I honestly don't know. As I've posted before, I wish I could see the games in person as opposed to on TV or a computer monitor. I can't tell what's going on the entire field as each play unfolds. I'd like to see what the WRs are doing. Are they really getting open? And what routes are they being asked to run and do the routes make sense against an extreme pass rush?

I guess I'm just saying that there might be more to it all than just the OL (which I believe is a large part of the problem, especially on the road) and/or Bridgewater.

I think some of it is strategy. When they don't run the ball enough on the road, it's a green light to pressure the QB. So Norv has to maintain commitment to the running game.

Mothman wrote: I think some of it is strategy. When they don't run the ball enough on the road, it's a green light to pressure the QB. So Norv has to maintain commitment to the running game.

Good point. That's an unusual dynamic. By not running the ball more, it also keeps the team's best player out of the game and puts a greater load on a young QB still learning his craft. That simply shouldn't happen.

OTOH, I noticed that some of the ESPN guys were speculating that Turner is trying to make the Vikings offense centered around Bridgewater and not Peterson.

losperros wrote: Good point. That's an unusual dynamic. By not running the ball more, it also keeps the team's best player out of the game and puts a greater load on a young QB still learning his craft. That simply shouldn't happen.

OTOH, I noticed that some of the ESPN guys were speculating that Turner is trying to make the Vikings offense centered around Bridgewater and not Peterson.

I just read an article by Judd Zulgad suggesting that. Is that the one you're referring to above?

I don't think the Vikes are going to win many games where they ask Bridgewater to drop back 50 times and they hand the ball to AD 16 times. Norv needs to wake up and realize which straw still stirs this drink.

If Norv is trying to make this offense run through Bridgewater in lieu of Peterson at this point in their careers, I want a new coordinator.

DK Sweets wrote:If Norv is trying to make this offense run through Bridgewater in lieu of Peterson at this point in their careers, I want a new coordinator.

Same here. I'm really developing Norv issues.

I was looking at some team stats this morning and found something rather unsettling. I wasn't looking for it, I just sort of realized it. If I'm not mistaken, the Vikings are on pace for the least productive passing season in franchise history. NFL.com lists the Vikes offense with 661 passing yards (a number they arrive at by subtracting the 113 yards lost on 13 sacks from Bridgewater's 774 passing yards). They have two passing TDs and 2 interceptions. At this pace, the offense would finish the season with 2644 passing yards, 8 TDs and 8 INTs. I'm pretty sure the first two numbers would be all-time Vikings lows. I don't know what the franchise record for fewest INTs in a season is but that would be a good record to set. The other two, not so much...

We're only 4 games into the season and I imagine the passing game will pick up the pace over the remaining 12 games but ... yikes. Those stats give me bad flashbacks to the early Childress era!

Mothman wrote: I just read an article by Judd Zulgad suggesting that. Is that the one you're referring to above?

I don't think the Vikes are going to win many games where they ask Bridgewater to drop back 50 times and they hand the ball to AD 16 times. Norv needs to wake up and realize which straw still stirs this drink.

I was referring to a video with Zulgad and Krammer. They both suggested that.

DK Sweets wrote:If Norv is trying to make this offense run through Bridgewater in lieu of Peterson at this point in their careers, I want a new coordinator.

I agree wholeheartedly.

TSonn wrote:I understand the Ponder comparisons because he's been the most recent QB draft pick for the Vikes and because their stats are somewhat similar after 16 starts, but as someone who watches each game at least twice - the visual comparison between QBs is way different to me. I don't have any stats to back this up, but Teddy seems to be way more successful and willing to throw the difficult intermediate passes, which I remember hearing/reading somewhere is a good test because those throws need velocity, accuracy, and the ability to read defenses. Teddy's sideline throws are also way better (again, no stats, just eye test) than Ponder's - mostly because I don't assume a pick 6 is coming every time he throws the 10 yard out like I did with Ponder.

It could be just unfounded silly Vikings fandom hope, but I feel way different about Teddy as our QB than I ever did with Ponder at the helm. Most experts seem to think Teddy will most likely be a solid/fringe Pro Bowl QB in the future which I never heard about Ponder - so that also adds to that hope.

Its not silly, Teddy is far better then Ponder, and while im not sure what the stats are right now, I feel very confident that that statement will prove to be the truth.

Teddy has 'it'. Ponder doesn't, didnt.

DK Sweets wrote:If Norv is trying to make this offense run through Bridgewater in lieu of Peterson at this point in their careers, I want a new coordinator.

Yeah running the offense through AD has worked so well the last several years, with different coaches and OC's I am all for a change and if that means running the O through a young talented QB like TB, with a very high ceiling, then I would support it 100%. It can't be any worse than it has been before TB and when the o-line gets fixed/healed then the passing game will take off IMO, and AD will still be a huge part of the offense.

Purple bruise wrote:Yeah running the offense through AD has worked so well the last several years, with different coaches and OC's I am all for a change and if that means running the O through a young talented QB like TB, with a very high ceiling, then I would support it 100%. It can't be any worse than it has been before TB and when the o-line gets fixed/healed then the passing game will take off IMO, and AD will still be a huge part of the offense.

Well, in 2008 the Vikings ranked 12th in points scored and in both 2012 and 2013 they ranked 14th. Considering those QBs were Jackson, Ponder, and Cassell, I feel like it is pretty evident that feeding Peterson makes sense.

Let's also not forget the success that Seattle has had running an offense that was based on Beast Mode for the past few years. Just because we didn't have the right personnel to run an offense (any offense, really) it doesn't mean that style can't work.

Further, the line isn't fixed/healed right now, and we have seen a night and day difference between the games where they base the offense around Adrian and when they base it around Teddy. Go with what works!

DK Sweets wrote: Well, in 2008 the Vikings ranked 12th in points scored and in both 2012 and 2013 they ranked 14th. Considering those QBs were Jackson, Ponder, and Cassell, I feel like it is pretty evident that feeding Peterson makes sense.

Let's also not forget the success that Seattle has had running an offense that was based on Beast Mode for the past few years. Just because we didn't have the right personnel to run an offense (any offense, really) it doesn't mean that style can't work.

Further, the line isn't fixed/healed right now, and we have seen a night and day difference between the games where they base the offense around Adrian and when they base it around Teddy. Go with what works!

What ever dude. And all of that ended up with how many championships I want to see this team go in a different direction and that direction is following TB into the future and I am all in with him and his leadership

Purple bruise wrote: What ever dude. And all of that ended up with how many championships

For Seattle, it led to 3 (two NFC championship wins and a Super Bowl). The concept works. It just requires the right coaching staff and personnel (just like every other approach) and the Vikings have never put that together.

Purple bruise wrote: What ever dude. And all of that ended up with how many championships I want to see this team go in a different direction and that direction is following TB into the future and I am all in with him and his leadership

So because you didnt get any Championships with crappy QBs, it is now time to ignore your best player because you have a QB who might be good someday?

Another article about Bridgewater's status after his first 16 games as a starter, this time from Michael Rand:

http://www.startribune.com/vikings-at-t ... 331246101/