QB market is a little nuts.

[fiestavike]

TD production from the QB position isn't simply a consequence of the number of attempts. For example, Russell Wilson threw 20 more TDs than Bridgewater last year on just 36 more attempts.

In other words, it's as much about how the QB plays the position as it is about how many passes he attempts. Of course, there are numerous other factors as well (blocking, receivers, play calling, route-running, drops, etc.) and 30 TD passes in one season is a lot. That said, 14 isn't much and Bridgewater has certainly had opportunities to be more productive, even while playing within the team's chosen strategy.

If signing him to a lucrative. long term contract is even going to be a consideration in the next few years, he has to play better. It's that simple. All the excuses in the world aren't likely to land a QB averaging 14 TD passes a season a big starting contract unless there are exceptional circumstances (like a Super Bowl win).

Thats all the more reason to sign him now. Suppose his market is just below Tyrod Taylor and he's looking at 12 million a year based on current stats. Well, give it to him this/next year, bet on the upside, and get him for a couple extra years with the same total financial outlay. He's already proven to be steady and play at a solid level. The coaches and teammates obviously love him. I'd make the move ASAP. If the line shows up in the next two years you are probably looking at an additional 8 million a year at least.

[Mothman]

Thats all the more reason to sign him now. Suppose his market is just below Tyrod Taylor and he's looking at 12 million a year based on current stats. Well, give it to him this/next year, bet on the upside, and get him for a couple extra years with the same total financial outlay. He's already proven to be steady and play at a solid level. The coaches and teammates obviously love him. I'd make the move ASAP. If the line shows up in the next two years you are probably looking at an additional 8 million a year at least.

We live in different worlds.

[fiestavike]

We live in different worlds.

I agree.

I still love you though...even though I think you're nuts.

[Maelstrom88]

Thats all the more reason to sign him now. Suppose his market is just below Tyrod Taylor and he's looking at 12 million a year based on current stats. Well, give it to him this/next year, bet on the upside, and get him for a couple extra years with the same total financial outlay. He's already proven to be steady and play at a solid level. The coaches and teammates obviously love him. I'd make the move ASAP. If the line shows up in the next two years you are probably looking at an additional 8 million a year at least.

I could see that if they get a decent deal and it would hopefully be frontloaded with guarantees so if he doesn't improve in the next two years they can move on.

[Mothman]

I agree.

I still love you though...even though I think you're nuts.

This nut appreciates the sentiment!

I appreciate the unconventional thinking regarding the contract too but in this case, I think it would be putting the cart before the horse.

[Mothman]

Chip Scoggins has a good column about Bridgewater on the Star Tribune site today:

Scoggins: Bridgewater aiming to show his daring side

The column is about Bridgewater's efforts to become more aggressive and it raises some interesting points, For example,Scoggins wonders about the level of patience we'll see if "Bridgewater’s interceptions tick upward or his completion percentage drops as a result of him becoming more aggressive as a passer."

This is an excerpt from the later in the column:

The Vikings sound serious about their intent to incorporate more deep passes into the offense, but Bridgewater’s bread-and-butter will always be short to intermediate throws.

He’s had his most success on quick-hitting passes that are high percentage and allow him to find a rhythm. Rather than become fixated on deep throws, the goal should be for him to become more assertive in that intermediate range, 10 to 20 yards beyond the line, and more decisive in the pocket.

Bridgewater’s average time before releasing the ball ranked among the slowest in the NFL last season. That can be a product of him either going through his progressions, or being tentative and unwilling to take a chance.

Too often Bridgewater settles for checkdowns, presumably hoping to avoid mistakes. Sixty percent of his passes last season traveled less than 10 yards past the line of scrimmage, according to PFF; 16.1 percent were thrown behind the line.

That’s playing it way too safe.

Teddy 2.0 promises to be more aggressive in throwing the ball downfield. This is a necessary step in his evolution, one that should provide clarity for his true ceiling as a franchise quarterback.

[Raptorman]

Chip Scoggins has a good column about Bridgewater on the Star Tribune site today:

Scoggins: Bridgewater aiming to show his daring side

The column is about Bridgewater's efforts to become more aggressive and it raises some interesting points, For example,Scoggins wonders about the level of patience we'll see if "Bridgewater’s interceptions tick upward or his completion percentage drops as a result of him becoming more aggressive as a passer."

This si an excerpt from the later in the column:

I always love lines like this when talking about Bridgewater. He's a checkdown QB. Now, I don't know how PFF does it, but according to the stats at ESPN the following are numbers for 4 QB's and the distance of pass attempts from last years. From behind the line of scrimmage to 10 yards past.

Code: Select all

 Comp.   Atmp.   BLS     1-10 yards   Total BLS-10
  390     603   17.9%     55.7%        73.6%
  319     528   24.1%     42.0%        66.1%
  310     512   18.5%     50.1%        68.6% 
  282     428   22.9%     49.5%        72.4% 

So there you have a comparison of 4 QB's from last year. Bridgewater's number are on the bottom. The top three? In order, Brady, Rodgers Wilson.

[Mothman]

I always love lines like this when talking about Bridgewater. He's a checkdown QB. Now, I don't know how PFF does it, but according to the stats at ESPN the following are numbers for 4 QB's and the distance of pass attempts from last years. From behind the line of scrimmage to 10 yards past.

Code: Select all

 Comp.   Atmp.   BLS     1-10 yards   Total BLS-10
  390     603   17.9%     55.7%        73.6%
  319     528   24.1%     42.0%        66.1%
  310     512   18.5%     50.1%        68.6% 
  282     428   22.9%     49.5%        72.4% 

So there you have a comparison of 4 QB's from last year. Bridgewater's number are on the bottom. The top three? In order, Brady, Rodgers Wilson.

I see your point but regardless of what PFF or the stats above show about the percentage of short throws, there's ample evidence of Bridgewater's conservative, "settle for the safe play" approach on film and it's reflected in comments from both his coaches and himself. They agree he needs to open up his game. That's why it's been a point of emphasis this offseason. He needs to become a more aggressive passer. He plays in a system that relies upon it.

[fiestavike]

I see your point but regardless of what PFF or the stats above show about the percentage of short throws, there's ample evidence of Bridgewater's conservative, "settle for the safe play" approach on film and it's reflected in comments from both his coaches and himself. They agree he needs to open up his game. That's why it's been a point of emphasis this offseason. He needs to become a more aggressive passer. He plays in a system that relies upon it.

We'd all like to see him be more aggressive, but that doesn't take place in a vacuum. I wouldn't have wanted to see him be anywhere near as aggressive last year as I would ultimately like to see him be, because it would have resulted in many disastrous plays. When circumstances allow for more aggressive play to become efficient, then I would like to see him be more aggressive.

[Mothman]

We'd all like to see him be more aggressive, but that doesn't take place in a vacuum. I wouldn't have wanted to see him be anywhere near as aggressive last year as I would ultimately like to see him be, because it would have resulted in many disastrous plays. When circumstances allow for more aggressive play to become efficient, then I would like to see him be more aggressive.

Excuses, excuses...

He had plenty of opportunities to be more aggressive last season and he simply didn't take enough of them. That responsibility rests with him. Whether being more aggressive would have "resulted in many disastrous plays" is purely speculative. It would have depended on execution.

If it had resulted in more disastrous plays, perhaps those mistakes would have proven to be valuable learning experiences.

His coaches have been calling for him to open up his game since last season. He was leaving opportunities on the field. He agrees this is a necessary change to his game so why does mentioning it always seem to meet with so much resistance here? He's a young QB. It's not unfairly critical to say his game needs further development or that his inexperience and inclination to play cautiously during his second year led to more conservative play than necessary (or desirable).

Scoggins has it right: Bridgewater played it too safe in 2015. I hope he learns from that mistake in 2016. If it results in more mistakes and turnovers, maybe it will also lead to more scoring plays and help make him a better QB later in the season and beyond.

If he's going to be worthy of a second contract, he must develop his game and be more productive.

[fiestavike]

Excuses, excuses...

Nonsense.

[Mothman]

Nonsense.

Bunk! Poppycock! Balderdash!

You've got Bridgewater-shaped stars in your eyes.

[fiestavike]

Bunk! Poppycock! Balderdash!

You've got Bridgewater-shaped stars in your eyes.

But I do watch the games instead of listening to them on the radio

[Demi]

He had plenty of opportunities to be more aggressive last season and he simply didn't take enough of them.

He *shouldn't* have taken them. He can't. He doesn't have the arm...

[Mothman]

He *shouldn't* have taken them. He can't. He doesn't have the arm...

I don't think that's true. He doesn't have an elite NFL arm but he has the arm strength to do the job.