Teddy Bridgewater did not run or throw at the NFL Scouting Combine and he truly disappointed at the Louisville Pro Day held this past St. Patrick’s Day. Throughout his NFL Draft process he was heavily scrutinized. The last time we heard this much talk about a glove, it belonged to Michael Jackson.
“No doubt, I feel that I’m the best quarterback in this draft,” Bridgewater said during combine weekend.
“I’m not going to just say that. I actually feel I can back up these words. I’m just confident in myself and my capability of doing all the things at this position and to go out there and prove that I’m the best guy.”
Today, he backed up his talk, by completing 19 of 30 passes for 317 yards, also running for a touchdown as the Vikings piled up more than 500 yards of offense in a 41-28 defeat of the Atlanta Falcons.
Unfortunately, he suffered an injury on a fourth-quarter scramble attempt, and was diagnosed with a sprain after X-rays on the ankle were negative. He’ll get an MRI tomorrow, but as of right now the Vikings believe he’ll be fine. They’re optimistic that he’ll be ready next week.
NBC Sunday Night Football Analyst Tony Dungy on Teddy Bridgewater: “It is amazing when you get good quarterback play. It makes the whole team play better, and Teddy Bridgewater was poised. He was accurate. He was special today in his first start.”
At 6-2¼ and 214 pounds, Bridgewater has the prototypical size, and his measurements led to him being referred to as “Pro Ready Teddy.” He’s a smart kid with original thinking skills. While in college he installed former Louisville offensive coordinator Shawn Watson’s plays to his Xbox as a sophomore so he could sharpen his knowledge of the playbook.
Let us never forget Teddy Bridgewater’s greatest achievement: https://t.co/524GJy37wI pic.twitter.com/SxtBXrejoP
— Mike Rutherford (@CardChronicle) September 28, 2014
The ESPN pundits today on Teddy Bridgewater ’s first NFL start with the Vikings:
Tom Jackson: “I watched his entire career at U of L (University of Louisville), he was the most pro-ready quarterback, I believe, coming out of college. Minnesota is getting a great guy to lead their organization – not only in character and his ability to stay poised on the field, but great, great leadership …”
Cris Carter: “Not only his physical toughness, but his mental toughness as well. People forget, at one point, he was projected to be the first pick in the Draft. How he tumbled in the draft. Mentally, he handled that. Within the Vikings organization, not only the ownership, but the general manager Rick Spielman, they feel very comfortable in the draft pick. That’s why they got him (Bridgewater). Just need to get some help around him. Don’t know what (RB) Adrian Peterson’s future is going to be. But if they put a running game, (WRs) Cordarrelle Patterson, Greg Jennings, they can do some great things. I expect big things from the Vikings organization and Teddy Bridgewater.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and very often writes The Sports Bank.net ,which is partners with Fox Sports. Read his features stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks). His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN 2