J. Kapp 11 wrote:I've been pretty clear in my position, but I'll take it a step further. Sam Bradford should be the starter ... even if Bridgewater is healed completely. He's simply a better quarterback.
What he accomplished -- with no OTAs, no training camp, learning a new system, working under 3 OCs, losing AP and both tackles, having his OC walk out halfway through the season, getting pummeled game after game -- is nothing short of phenomenal. With an entire season, he easily would have passed 4,000 yards. His interception percentage was less than 1%. While critics attribute his inordinately high completion percentage to short passes, it's important to note that he also ranked among the best in the league when he did throw the ball downfield. Teddy has never been a good downfield passer. The only thing Teddy had over SB is mobility, and Sam even improved on that toward the end of the season (and there's no guarantee that Teddy's mobility will be what it was prior to his injury).
I like Bridgewater as a person, and he seems to be really popular with his teammates. But Bradford is better, and that has to win the day IMO.
I'm still on the fence. I can't see how the Vikings can keep Bradford on the bench if both are healthy. But I still think Bridgewater has intangibles that Bradford doesn't. I can see Bridgeater being a better leader in the huddle. I also see him being better at extending plays when protection breaks down. Of course, it's hard to compare with how bad the OL has been these past several seasons. Also, with Peterson out, the Vikings play calling was not as predictable in 2016 which also adds another variable.
Pro Football Focus: Teddy Bridgewater Most Accurate Passer In NFL
... Teddy Bridgewater has shown all the abilities to be a big time, productive quarterback given the opportunity. Unfortunately, he runs an offense whose strategy is, more often than not. . .
-First down - Handoff to Adrian Peterson
-Second down - Handoff to Adrian Peterson
-Third down - Hope that Bridgewater can make something happen with three or four defenders in his face and/or while running for his life because it's 3rd-and-7 and everyone knows the Vikings have to throw
-Either punt on fourth down or repeat steps one through three
Bradford may be a better passer, but I have yet to be convinced that he's the better QB for this team, especially with how well Bridgewater was doing during camp and preseason.
I'll be happy with either as the starter. It's a good problem to have especially with the recent history at this position ( Ponder, Mcnabb, Jackson, Cassel, Holcomb).