How did you like #TeddyTime.
HIGHLIGHTS: http://t.co/o5KfOEWvrg pic.twitter.com/ttMEBobofb
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 29, 2014
Before the NFL Draft, there were a lot of opinions flying around about Teddy Bridgewater, the rookie quarterback who had a wildly successful first career NFL start on Sunday in the Minnesota Vikings 41-28 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
A few talking heads, as pointed out by Rick Bozich, made disparaging remarks about Bridgewater’s NFL potential. Here are the quotes from the men who Bozich targeted in his Monday column at WDRB.com, saying all of them owe Bridgewater an apology.
Mike Mayock
“With Bridgewater, I don’t feel an ‘it’ factor. I see a really good kid. But I don’t know if he’s ready to be the guy,” Mayock said before the draft, according to SB Nation. “Because of that, I think he’s going to need at least a year to get used to that environment. He needs a redshirt year, in other words. If you need a redshirt year, you’re probably going to get drafted at a different level.”
Ron Jaworski
“After my tape evaluation, I had Teddy Bridgewater No. 1,” he said, via Pro Football Talk. “But I went to his Pro Day. He really struggled throwing the football — accuracy, velocity and it came out with a wobble.”
Skip Bayless
Teddy Bridgewater will frustrate Vikings just the way Ponder did. Good kid, just not accurate enough.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 9, 2014
Bozich found some good stuff, but he also claimed Bridgewater “won a game for a bad team.” Time will tell, but Bridgewater has definitely put the Vikings back on the radar. Just check out some other writers are saying.
Don Banks, Sports Illustrated
“Bridgewater’s poise, presence and grasp of the offense suddenly make for a brighter future in Minnesota. It was only one start, but it looked like the start of something really good. Under less than ideal circumstances, Bridgewater played like he’s the total package. And even if Bridgewater can’t play on Thursday in Green Bay and Ponder has to take over for the time being, the Vikings on Sunday found out they have a quarterback for the long term.”
Peter King, MMQB
“Good and bad. The good: He threw for 317 yards in his first NFL start, looked as poised as a seventh-year starter, led six scoring drives and engineered an upset of the Falcons. The bad: He sprained his ankle late in the game (X-rays negative, but MRI last night), and the Vikings have a short week before playing at Green Bay on Thursday night. But Bridgewater’s poise and performance were very encouraging. The Vikings gave serious consideration before the draft to picking Johnny Manziel over Bridgewater; this performance, and Bridgewater’s seriousness of purpose, are very positive early signs that they made the right call.”
Brandon Schlager, Sporting News
“With the Adrian Peterson saga that was supposed to derail the Vikings season, should anyone be surprised if Bridgewater soon helps Minnesota forget all about All Day?”
