How Teddy Bridgewater fared in Sando's QB Tier Rankings

[John_Viveiros]

Cutler or Stafford ahead of Teddy in fantasy football, sure (as long as they have Marshall/Jeffrey/Forte or Johnson/Tate). If you want to win the game, not a chance.

I'm in Denver today, driving back to Washington state tomorrow, and I can legally have what you are smoking in either of those states, if you really would take those losers over Teddy.

Tongue somewhat in cheek, of course.

[dead_poet]

Carr or Teddy?

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-a ... statistics

[Mothman]

Cutler or Stafford ahead of Teddy in fantasy football, sure (as long as they have Marshall/Jeffrey/Forte or Johnson/Tate). If you want to win the game, not a chance.

I'm in Denver today, driving back to Washington state tomorrow, and I can legally have what you are smoking in either of those states, if you really would take those losers over Teddy.

I don't smoke anything, even that wacky stuff.

[Jordysghost]

Cutler or Stafford ahead of Teddy in fantasy football, sure (as long as they have Marshall/Jeffrey/Forte or Johnson/Tate). If you want to win the game, not a chance.

I'm in Denver today, driving back to Washington state tomorrow, and I can legally have what you are smoking in either of those states, if you really would take those losers over Teddy.

Tongue somewhat in cheek, of course.

I don't even like Cutler, but I think that statement is unfair, I don't think there is nearly anything to insinuate Teddy is better at 'winning games' then those two.

[Mothman]

Carr or Teddy?

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-a ... statistics

Thanks for the link. This paragraph seemed quote-worthy to me:

Oakland fans came out in full force to back their guy, because that's what a fan base starved for success will do when you criticize the player who might be the best quarterback their team has drafted since Ken Stabler in 1968. Oakland is tired of the retreads, reclamation projects, and draft busts from the last three decades. Carr is the 53-touchdown-throwin', possibly-eyeliner-wearing, better-than-his-brother-ever-was, baby-faced stud. How dare you criticize, Scott. How dare you.

[Mothman]

I don't even like Cutler, but I think that statement is unfair, I don't think there is nearly anything to insinuate Teddy is better at 'winning games' then those two.

I don't either. I'm not sure if this is what John meant but there's a thought process out there that solid decision-making and avoiding mistakes is what wins games. I don't share that view but it's an approach to the QB position that works to a degree IF a team is strong enough in other areas to make up for a lack of playmaking from the position. In a way, it can be tied to a point you made in another thread. If I understood you correctly, you were saying the Packers defense was comparable in effectiveness to the Vikings defense last season but because Rodgers helps give a healthy Packers offense serious scoring potential, they have an edge over the Vikings. I agree with that (and I hope I paraphrased you fairly).

As I see it, the disadvantage to Cutler and Stafford is they're both prone to make "the big mistake". However, they've both shown a genuine propensity for making big plays too. However, as dead_poet wrote above, they're both seasoned veterans. That experience gives them an advantage over Bridgewater and I think it gives then an advantage in winning games too.

[Cliff]

I don't either. I'm not sure if this is what John meant but there's a thought process out there that solid decision-making and avoiding mistakes is what wins games. I don't share that view but it's an approach to the QB position that works to a degree IF a team is strong enough in other areas to make up for a lack of playmaking from the position. In a way, it can be tied to a point you made in another thread. If I understood you correctly, you were saying the Packers defense was comparable in effectiveness to the Vikings defense last season but because Rodgers helps give a healthy Packers offense serious scoring potential, they have an edge over the Vikings. I agree with that (and I hope I paraphrased you fairly).

As I see it, the disadvantage to Cutler and Stafford is they're both prone to make "the big mistake". However, they've both shown a genuine propensity for making big plays too. However, as dead_poet wrote above, they're both seasoned veterans. That experience gives them an advantage over Bridgewater and I think it gives then an advantage in winning games too.

I don't think Teddy has enough games under his belt to call him a "winner" or "loser". I realize that no single player determines if a team is a 'winner' or 'loser' but Stafford sure has been on a lot of losers. Though, if I'm being honest, I've never thought much of him as a QB so it's easy for me to see his dreadful W/L record and pin some of it on him.

[Mothman]

I don't think Teddy has enough games under his belt to call him a "winner" or "loser". I realize that no single player determines if a team is a 'winner' or 'loser' but Stafford sure has been on a lot of losers. Though, if I'm being honest, I've never thought much of him as a QB so it's easy for me to see his dreadful W/L record and pin some of it on him.

Some of it should be pinned on him because he was a participant but he's spent a good portion of his career in a messy situation with a team that has a LONG history of losing. I think he's solid-but-flawed QB.

[Cliff]

Some of it should be pinned on him because he was a participant but he's spent a good portion of his career in a messy situation with a team that has a LONG history of losing. I think he's solid-but-flawed QB.

I actually thought of Barry Sanders after I wrote the post. The teams he was on went 29/35 but he's still one of the great RBs. Though, obviously Stafford isn't in that same category.

[Mothman]

I actually thought of Barry Sanders after I wrote the post. The teams he was on went 29/35 but he's still one of the great RBs. Though, obviously Stafford isn't in that same category.

No, but it's a good dose of perspective!

[Mothman]

Here's some very informative analysis from Greg Cosell about Bridgewater's game and how Norv Turner has adjusted his play calling for his QB:

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/greg-cosel ... 41470.html

Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner had success earlier in his career coaching Troy Aikman and Philip Rivers, a pair of big pocket passers. Turner could dial up five- and seven-step drops with deep dig routes and his big-armed, tall quarterback would stand in the pocket and deliver downfield.

With Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, Turner had to change his approach.

Bridgewater isn’t like Aikman or Rivers. Bridgewater is a good quarterback but isn’t a big, prototypical pocket passer. He’s a 6-foot-2 quarterback who, because he has a low, practically sidearm delivery, throws more like he’s 5-11. While a quarterback like Rivers is virtually oblivious to pressure, Bridgewater is a young quarterback who breaks down in the pocket when he senses or perceives pressure. He’s very reactive to pressure; he’s not a late-in-the-down quarterback yet. He needs a clean pocket and more functional space than most quarterbacks.

Much more at the link...

[TSonn]

I like Cosell's analysis of the Turner/Bridgewater tandem but I do disagree with the part you highlighted. Aikman and Rivers could/can do 5 and 7 step drops successfully because they were given time by their line, not because they don't "perceive pressure" like Cosell states Bridgewater does. Brady is a great quarterback when he gets time (2008 regular season) but pretty terrible when he's pressured (Super Bowl XLII). The article is more of a critique of the offensive line and RB's shoddy job of protecting and picking up blitzes than it is of Teddy's strengths and weaknesses.

And to say that Teddy "needs more functional space than most quarterbacks" is bogus. That's a nice generality that someone can say without any stats. Sure, when Teddy gets a clean pocket he's much better. On the other hand, he's also not as quick to pull the ball down and run compared to many QBs in the game. Even in some of the plays that Cosell includes shows Teddy moving around the pocket to deliver the pass instead of bailing at the first sign of pressure.

[Mothman]

I like Cosell's analysis of the Turner/Bridgewater tandem but I do disagree with the part you highlighted. Aikman and Rivers could/can do 5 and 7 step drops successfully because they were given time by their line, not because they don't "perceive pressure" like Cosell states Bridgewater does. Brady is a great quarterback when he gets time (2008 regular season) but pretty terrible when he's pressured (Super Bowl XLII). The article is more of a critique of the offensive line and RB's shoddy job of protecting and picking up blitzes than it is of Teddy's strengths and weaknesses.

Pressure effects all QBs but it doesn't impact them all equally. Cosell's a solid analyst and based on my own observations, I agree with his take. The Vikes have pass protection issues but I think Cosell has correctly pointed out some issues with TB's game too.

[fiestavike]

I like Cosell's analysis of the Turner/Bridgewater tandem but I do disagree with the part you highlighted. Aikman and Rivers could/can do 5 and 7 step drops successfully because they were given time by their line, not because they don't "perceive pressure" like Cosell states Bridgewater does. Brady is a great quarterback when he gets time (2008 regular season) but pretty terrible when he's pressured (Super Bowl XLII). The article is more of a critique of the offensive line and RB's shoddy job of protecting and picking up blitzes than it is of Teddy's strengths and weaknesses.

And to say that Teddy "needs more functional space than most quarterbacks" is bogus. That's a nice generality that someone can say without any stats. Sure, when Teddy gets a clean pocket he's much better. On the other hand, he's also not as quick to pull the ball down and run compared to many QBs in the game. Even in some of the plays that Cosell includes shows Teddy moving around the pocket to deliver the pass instead of bailing at the first sign of pressure.

I agree. I would say the one of Teddy's strengths is reacting to pressure, staying poised, and finding space. Remarkably so for his youth and level of experience, and even more remarkably so for the consistent and immediate protection breakdowns. Cossel just seems way off on that from my vantage point. For those who don't percieve this with their eyes, the stats bare it out.

[Mothman]

I agree. I would say the one of Teddy's strengths is reacting to pressure, staying poised, and finding space. Remarkably so for his youth and level of experience, and even more remarkably so for the consistent and immediate protection breakdowns. Cossel just seems way off on that from my vantage point. For those who don't percieve this with their eyes, the stats bare it out.

I hope you aren't referring to "advanced" stats like DVOA.

I have a feeling Cosell's point is being missed. He wrote that Bridgewater "breaks down in the pocket when he senses or perceives pressure". It seems clear to me that he's talking about playing IN the pocket and saying Bridgewater overreacts to pressure, rolling away and leaving the pocket more than he should. He might still find space, remain poised with his eyes directed downfield and make some plays but I believe the point is that he seems to need a comfortable space in the pocket and without that comfortable space, he tends to overreact and leave even when it's not necessary. That's a tendency I've seen on film (again, not every time but enough to be something he needs to improve).