Bradford/Bridgewater

[BwareDWare94 723]

It’s hard for me to ask this question. I really like Teddy Bridgewater as a human being and as a prospective top half NFL quarterback. That being said, I don’t view him as having the potential to ever sneak into the elite ranks because of his physical limitations. He simply does not have the arm strength necessary to make elite NFL throws, and while his mind is sharp as a tac and he isn’t completely noodle-armed, his arm strength deficiencies are still obvious to anyone who has two eyes.

 

Even though he can throw a deep ball like this at 50 yards in the air:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUTOdUxURfk (For some reason this video won't embed)

 

One need only look at how he has to unload this ball--he practically has to rear up and launch it with all his might to get it to the end zone. It's a beautiful pass, but it also puts on display the fact his arm strength is a definite worry. Let’s also not overlook the fact that this was in a preseason game--he was great in the 2015 preseason before stinking it up for most of the regular season that followed. He may not have actively lost games for the Minnesota Vikings, but his deficiencies and overall timid play absolutely killed drives.

 

He’s not incapable of having a great game with plenty of great throws, some of which display NFL level velocity and touch. In this clip that showcases his best game from last season, we see plenty of potential for Bridgewater.

No quarterback is going to throw 4 TD passes in every game, but if Teddy Bridgewater can show this kind of decisiveness in his reads and regularly display the zip in his passes as seen in this video, the decision to go back to him if he can recover from a horrible knee injury is easy. After all, he will only be 24 years old as of this November. We’re talking about a potential 10 or more year window on the offensive side of the ball so long as the Vikings are managed properly, and it appears that the defense is on its way to being a dominant unit for the foreseeable future.

But we just don’t know if he’s going to recover, and when you have a replacement at the helm in Sam Bradford who can stand in the pocket, take a hit, and put the ball in a perfect spot like this to a covered receiver:

It's going to be difficult to go back to Teddy Bridgewater if Sam continues to play well and remains healthy. You also have to factor in the instant chemistry between Bradford and long time Vikings underachiever Kyle Rudolph, who finally has a quarterback willing to give him a chance in the end zone on throws like these next two.

Even though Sam tossed up a duck and perhaps shouldn’t have thrown that pass, he is already showing a willingness to give Rudolph a chance to make a play for him. Will some of these passes end up in interceptions that perhaps Teddy Bridgewater wouldn’t throw? Sure, it’s entirely possible, but it’s also possible that the Vikings find the end zone at such a higher rate under Bradford that turnovers won’t be nearly as crippling as they would be from Teddy. And that’s not to ignore the obvious chemistry between Bradford and Stefon Diggs, as well. There was one more telling throw in the Panthers game to a relatively unknown player that showcases Sam’s trust in his receivers, which was developed in less than a month’s time, mind you.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqowwmIxPoI (For some reason, this video won't embed)

 

Please pardon the quality of this video--I am baffled as to how that catch by Adam Thielen (who happens to be from Detroit Lakes, MN, a town of not even 10,000 people not 45 miles from the Fargo/Moorhead metro) doesn’t have a highlight video out there. Anyway, here’s another throw that Teddy Bridgewater doesn’t even consider making, but Sam Bradford decided to take a chance and it paid off.

 

Overall, Sam Bradford has shown a level of chemistry with his receivers in a mind-bogglingly small amount of time that Teddy Bridgewater hasn’t shown after over two years in the program. Is it possible that Bridgewater would have played better than Bradford these past two weeks had he not been injured? Sure. His mobility may have negated some of the plays made by the pass rushers for the Packers and Panthers, but what Sam Bradford has displayed in just 2 games includes traits that we’ve wanted Teddy to develop, but there’s no tape proving that he has done so.

 

There is the possibility that Sam Bradford implodes, especially if the offensive line can’t play better as the season progresses. There is the possibility that Sam Bradford is injured at some point in this season and proves to be no more likely to make it through 16 games than Bridgewater would have after recovering from his injury. Maybe all of these questions will prove to be unnecessary, but as of right now, if I’m asked who I want at quarterback between two hypothetically healthy options in Teddy Bridgewater or Sam Bradford, my answer would already be Sam Bradford.

 

There is also a chance that Bradford could play even better, moving forward. What can Cordarrelle Patterson do with Bradford at quarterback as he continues to gain snaps with improved route running and elite level special teams play? This is a physical freak of nature with speed and power. His one catch against the Panthers last week displayed a tenacity and desire to see the field more as he broke what looked to be a TFL and scampered for a first down. The play might prove to be an anomaly, but it could also be a sign of more snaps to come with a quarterback who will give Patterson a chance to make plays. I also have to think about the eventual return of MyCole Pruitt, who is excellent at finding holes in the defense and should thrive with Bradford, as Bridgewater missed him repeatedly last season.

There are reasons to be both cautious and optimistic about the future with Sam Bradford at the helm. Nevertheless, with the small sample size we’ve seen of him at quarterback, he is already displaying traits we have yet to see from Teddy Bridgewater, and has noticeably better arm strength. If Sam Bradford stays upright, this is going to be a difficult decision for the Vikings franchise.

Edited September 28, 2016 by BwareDWare94

[Cherry 1,302]

I picked Teddy solely on sample size. Bradford has been safe with the ball just like Teddy, but that's just part of the Minnesota offense. I think if Minnesota eventually needs Teddy to step up and start throwing more, he could come to it and eventually generating more offensive output. I think Bradford would start to mistakes and cost the team games as the pressure rises on him as an individual.

[DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241]

Bradford is extremely talented, always has been, and always will be. And put in the right situation can look great even, which really wasn't the case during his time with the Rams. His ball placement has been A1 in just two weeks with the Vikings in actual games.

 

Even if this is a "turning the leaf" situation, like Alex Smith had, he's shown that he can't be relied upon to play for an entire season, and until he shows it for the course of an entire season you shouldn't even be thinking of an extended future with him as your starter.

 

It's also important to note though, that Bradford always has these stretches where he looks great, and then he looks awful. He's incredibly inconsistent. And, at least in the past, the second he gets thrown of his spot he starts making questionable throws. And if the pressure is consistent enough he starts looking like a QB playing in the NFL for the first time.

 

I think it's smart to be cautious about Teddy and whether he can ever make a full recovery, but he's still young. But I'd be even more cautious of Bradford moving forward for a multitude of reasons.

[BwareDWare94 723]

Part of my counter argument to you, DMac, is that Sam Bradford has never had aerial weapons of this caliber at his disposal. Diggs shits all over any WR1 that Bradford has ever had. Kyle Rudolph is certainly better than Zach Ertz. I'm not even mentioning Bradford's STL days because his best WRs were...well, are they even in the NFL anymore?

 

St. Louis/LA is a fucking laughingstock and the mere fact that they have never adequately addressed their WR/TE situations is an indictment on their management and the coaches they've had in place during that time.

Edited September 28, 2016 by BwareDWare94

[Thanatos 2,847]

I really didn't feel like Bradford did much of anything against Carolina. He was careful with the ball, sure, though he should have had one pick, but that offense put up 10 points unassisted over four quarters. 3 more came from an interception that started them in Carolina territory.

 

And he was just gods awful in the first half entirely.

 

That said, he does have the bigger arm and possibly more upside, the issue is Bradford is glass. Until he proves he's viable merely by being able to stay on the field, you have to keep Teddy around.

[Cherry 1,302]

Zach Ertz has more career yards since 2013 than Kyle Rudolph has since 2011. Put some respeck on Ertz's name.

[BwareDWare94 723]

I really didn't feel like Bradford did much of anything against Carolina. He was careful with the ball, sure, though he should have had one pick, but that offense put up 10 points unassisted over four quarters. 3 more came from an interception that started them in Carolina territory.

 

And he was just gods awful in the first half entirely.

 

That said, he does have the bigger arm and possibly more upside, the issue is Bradford is glass. Until he proves he's viable merely by being able to stay on the field, you have to keep Teddy around.

I think the first half was really bad play calling, to be honest, plus the OL is in shambles.

[BJORN 679]

Need more time to judge Bradford. The Giants defense should be an interesting test. Also, unfair question for Teddy because we have not seen his full potential (and sadly may not ever).

[Dutch 874]

I am going to have to go with Bradford here. He undoubtedly has more upside. Bridgewater is limited as a passer and Bradford has the far superior arm. The only question ofcourse is his durability. However, Bridgewater is out and who knows if his injury will be a complication moving forward. Bradford's arm talent adds another element to this already very good Vikings team. They have more potential with Bradford at the helm and more limited with Bridgewater. I don't think there is a good argument to really say otherwise. However, they say the best ability is availability and Bradford's injury concerns are legitimate. With that said, that doesn't bode well for Bridgewater's current situation. Like Bware pointed out though, Bradford was connecting with those receivers in a way I haven't seen Teddy do. After Bradford returned from his injury last season with the Eagles, Bradford was playing very well. If he remains healthy, he will do well with the Vikings and will take Teddy's job. When it comes to QBs, I have to go with the more talented passer ten times out of ten.

Edited September 28, 2016 by Dutch

[DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241]

Part of my counter argument to you, DMac, is that Sam Bradford has never had aerial weapons of this caliber at his disposal. Diggs shits all over any WR1 that Bradford has ever had. Kyle Rudolph is certainly better than Zach Ertz. I'm not even mentioning Bradford's STL days because his best WRs were...well, are they even in the NFL anymore?

 

St. Louis/LA is a fucking laughingstock and the mere fact that they have never adequately addressed their WR/TE situations is an indictment on their management and the coaches they've had in place during that time.

What has Diggs done that makes him better then Jordan Matthews?

 

Darren Sproles?

 

Based on what exactly is Kyle Rudolph better then Ertz? Jared Cook?

 

And I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, since I said he's never been in as an ideal situation as the one he's in right now... But still, I'm not convinced that he is something other then what he's already shown to be in the league. He looks good now, but this has been played out several times before.

 

Same thing with this supposed stuff about him taking more shots down the field once the pressure starts getting in his head. Bradford has been known since entering the league to check down and instantly go to the easy read. He's among the league's bottom since he's entered the league in attempts down the field. And that's with or without pressure. Not only that but he's also been known for being inaccuracy down the field, I believe he was near the bottom according to PFF on catchable passes down the field.

 

It's way too early to even entertain Bradford as a better option then Bridgewater, even if they were both completely healthy moving forward. Bridgewater's issues on deep passes are mostly technical, and can be fixed over time, and he's only 24. And he's already one of the most accurate mid/short passers.

[Bucman 891]

lol Matthews is a better WR than Diggs.

[DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241]

I forgot all about Treadwell...

[BwareDWare94 723]

Jordan "drops" Matthews better than Stefon Diggs? Children, please...

[RazorStar 4,025]

Jordan Matthews is really good at getting open and dropping anything within a catchable radius.

[Thanatos 2,847]

lol Matthews is a better WR than Diggs.

 

No, he's not.

[DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241]

This thread is probably going to catch a lot of steam as long as Bradford keeps playing well. I'm still not convinced, but the Vikings' owner is looking like a genius right now for making that trade.

[BwareDWare94 723]

In a hypothetical situation where both players are healthy and will remain healthy for the foreseeable future, this is a really easy decision. Arm talent wins.