Who would you start in Week 1?

[Mothman]

I'm sure it's not easy to be moved up and down the depth chart but a seasoned pro like Cassel understands his role and how the sport works. He clearly understood the role he would be asked to play last season:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nf ... k/1992405/

"The fact of the matter is," Cassel said in a conference call on Friday, "Christian is the starting quarterback."

Cassel appears to fit the mold. He was a career backup in college at Southern Cal then spent his first three seasons in the NFL buried on the bench behind Tom Brady. When Brady went down with a knee injury in 2008, Cassel stepped in and led the Patriots to an 11-5 record.

"I think I understand the role completely, without a doubt," Cassel said. "At the same time, both being a starter and a backup, your preparation, what you do on a daily basis, doesn't change."

Cassel worked out with Ponder in Los Angeles last summer and the two have already talked on the phone about being teammates.

"I think we'll have a great (meeting) room," Cassel said. "I'm there to add value. I'm there to help him out in whatever capacity that is, and go from there."

The exchange with the media below, which occurred last year during the week prior to the Baltimore game, reveals just how well Cassel understands how to deal with going back and forth from backup to starter. If you look for comments he made after being benched with the Chiefs the prior year, you'll find that he displayed a similar attitude. He's a pro and it seems like he takes these things in stride.

http://www.kduz.com/2013/12/05/vikings- ... r-comment/

Q: Does this sort of give testament to staying with the program and staying patient and your opportunities will come back sooner rather than later?

A: Just how you put it. I think you get as frustrated as you let yourself get frustrated. Each and every day I try to work hard, I try to stay in the right mind frame because I think anything other than that that takes away from you doing your job and being able to go out there and perform when your number is called. Again, I’m excited about the opportunity to play with these guys again come Sunday and hopefully we’ll go out and have a great game.

NFL players are human beings but they also know the perils and pitfalls of their jobs. There's absolutely no indication that Cassel was mistreated as a human being last year and as a player, he knows as well as anyone that most players have to earn their way onto the field and earn the right to stay there. He eventually earned the latter last year and consequently, he finished the season as the starter, was able to re-sign with the Vikings and will likely enter this year as the starter. He's showing no ill effects from 2013 and if I'm not mistaken, he hasn't expressed any resentment about last year either.

[DK Sweets]

That's why you can change your vote anytime in August. And your second paragraph is why. Our opinions of these two could change if, like you say, Cassel would play awful and Teddy would shine. Would show some trajectories that might influence who we would want.

Actually, he said poo the bed. With more #s. Much funnier.

[Purpnation]

TEDDY!!!!!

We already know what Cassel is, mediocre and nothing more, we do not however, know what Brudgewater is, if he gives us the best chance to win going into week 1 he MUST start, some guys learn better on the sideline (Rodgers), and some learn better by experience. (Manning)

There is no way to tell which Bridge is so if he is the superior player going into week 1 (Which, I truly believe he is) we NEED to start him.

[Purpnation]

Cassel deserves a chance after being treated like a dirtball last year and after how he has performed this year, and Teddy isn't going anywhere. Plus Teddy has had one good half against backups, so why am I even being asked this question??? Hold the horses.

Short of 3+ straight games of truly pitiful (not just Ponderous) performance by Bad Matt I would start Cassel all year. The odds say Teddy will not be harmed and is likely only to be better for it. Win-win. And I think Cassel will take us to the playoffs.

Who is to say Teddy isn't a learn from experience type guy?

If Teddy is the superior player to Cassel going into week 1 (Which wouldn't be saying much) he must, and will start. The better player needs to start because the better player will have the better chance to get us to the playoffs.

Why are you being asked this question? Because Teddy is an electrifying young 1st round pick and Cassel is 30+ year old backup with a completely mediocre career outside of two seasons.

[Purpnation]

yeah, really. These are professionals, right? You should be able to jerk them around any which way you want without any effect on their emotions, confidence, or performance. They are cogs in a wheel, not humans. [/quote]


Poor millionaires.

[J. Kapp 11]

For Week 1, I say go with the veteran, especially with a game on the road against a tough defense.

Overall, I think the job is Matt Cassel's until he loses it. I, for one, do not think Cassel is as bad a quarterback as some on this board. Nobody will ever mistake him for Manning or Brees, but he has the ability to play at an above-average level. Let's not forget that he had absolutely abysmal coaching in Kansas City, and not much better (IMO) his first year here in Minnesota. Not that coaching makes ALL the difference, but if you go to Vikings.com and watch the film-study video about Kyle Rudolph, you'll see it's apparent that Norv Turner really knows what he's doing. With AP in the lineup to draw defenders up toward the box, I believe you'll see Turner/Cassel finally take advantage.

It's also pretty apparent that the job will eventually be Teddy Bridgewater's. I really like what I see out of him, especially his ability to look defenders off and to go to his second and third options. But right now, Cassel gives us the ability to let Teddy learn before he's thrown to the wolves.

[DK Sweets]

TEDDY!!!!!

We already know what Cassel is, mediocre and nothing more, we do not however, know what Brudgewater is, if he gives us the best chance to win going into week 1 he MUST start, some guys learn better on the sideline (Rodgers), and some learn better by experience. (Manning)

There is no way to tell which Bridge is so if he is the superior player going into week 1 (Which, I truly believe he is) we NEED to start him.

If we don't know which type he is, wouldn't it be prudent to get to know him better and see if he responds to learning on the sidelines first? It's easy to say "He's not learning on the sidelines. Let's put him in the game and see what he can do.", but it is not easy to start him, realize he isn't ready, and then send him back to the bench. Nobody wants to deal with that kind of circus.

[Purpnation]

If we don't know which type he is, wouldn't it be prudent to get to know him better and see if he responds to learning on the sidelines first? It's easy to say "He's not learning on the sidelines. Let's put him in the game and see what he can do.", but it is not easy to start him, realize he isn't ready, and then send him back to the bench. Nobody wants to deal with that kind of circus.

If Bridgewater is a learn from experience type player, then no, it would not be prudent to have him on the sideline.


I agree we don't want to be starting QBs and pulling them, but if Teddy gives us the best chance to win going into week 1 he needs to start. Period. Cassel has proved himself to be mediocre the majority of his career, he should get no benefit of the doubt when it comes to him vs our 1st round Rookie QB

[DK Sweets]

If Bridgewater is a learn from experience type player, then no, it would not be prudent to have him on the sideline.


I agree we don't want to be starting QBs and pulling them, but if Teddy gives us the best chance to win going into week 1 he needs to start. Period. Cassel has proved himself to be mediocre the majority of his career, he should get no benefit of the doubt when it comes to him vs our 1st round Rookie QB

Is it not possible that he could give us the best chance to start Week 1, but that he would become a better player if he would sit and learn first?

My point is this: if we don't know what type he is, having him on the bench is a much more reversible mistake than putting him in too early.

[vikeinmontana]

for me i think decisions like these always depend on how good your team is. if we were a lock to be a playoff team i think you go with the vet. but i have also always been of the belief that kids don't get better on the bench. if it was my call, and it was this years team, teddy would be my game 1 starter.

but i'm a realist. cassell will start and unless he just plays awful for a few weeks straight it's his. and i'm fine with that too. i just wanna win games!

[S197]

Poor millionaires.

[PurpleHalo]

My opinion could change after the final tuneup tonight, but Teddy has not proven to be able to handle the full offense with starters at this point. He would probably be okay starting, but the team would struggle. I am past the point where I want this team to tank, it now needs to grow up and learn to win. If this team is sporting a poor record after the first 8 games, it's time to hand him the ball at that point, and get ready for 2015.

[Webbfann]

I am past the point where I want this team to tank, it now needs to grow up and learn to win.

It's mighty generous of you to think it's OK for us to win now. Tanking would have done nothing for us, except possibly get good players cut for tanking.

[84BreaksAnkles]

Touchdown Teddy 2-Minutes Bridgewater.....
And heres why:

Through 3 preseason games -

Matt Cassel
5 quarters + 2 drives of play
26 Completions -for- 39 attempts 367 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT

Teddy Bridgewater
4 1/2 quarters of play
26 Competions -for- 40 attempts 266 yds, 4 TDs, 0 INT

Here are a few factors:
Matt Cassel -
1st game- lead the team on two crisp drives in the first game, resulting in 0 TDs.

2nd game- lead the team for the first half to a decent start with effective throwing, 1 TD, and a fieldgoal. Had issues at times with continuing drives and identifying pressure, and handling pressure in the pocket.

3rd game- Although his first drive, and ensuing gorgeous deep bomb to Cordarrelle, was a promising start, Matt struggled thereafter to move the chains, get in scoring position or build on the first drive. Matt struggled multiple times with identifying when the Chiefs were sending extra guys- and from where-.. he was constantly pressured in the pocket, and was clunky with his pocket step-up resulting in a few sacks, a fumble, and an ugly pick into double coverage.. I was just dissapointed with his performance overall on the day if you subtract the 75 yard TD to Cordarrelle - ~75yds, 0 TD, 1 INT, in 3 quarters of play??????????

Overall grade (considering he is a 10-year vet, and he has lots of experience, not to mention sat under Tom Brady for a number of years)..... B-

Although he was mostly efficient in his preseason outings, he was struggling with things that a vet should not be struggling with (pocket pressure, sustaining drives)

Ted -
1st game- saw limited time. Consistently was hurried, and under major pressure in the pocket. Although he made a few mistakes, he avoided any huge turnovers, or costly errors. was surprisingly efficient given the circumstances..

2nd game- Commanding on the field, Moved the ball.. Incredible improvement from the 1st game... Strong pocket poise, handled the blitz very well and was extremely efficient in his decision making and moving the football and chains.. not to mention two gorgeous drives that resulted in TDs. One of which happened to come in the 4th quarter, down with 1:07 on the clock. The poise he showed on this drive was extremely exciting. He made no errors and efficiently marched us down the field, putting guys into position to get out of bounds and make plays. Go back and watch his reaction after tossing the gamewinning pass... the kid is HUNGRY and knows he has a LONG way to go to get where he wants to be..

3rd game- although I was surprised that we didn't get to see him until the 4th, he did exactly what he needed to do.. When he ended up with the ball in the redzone, he did NOT settle for fieldgoals, or make mistakes. He threw 2 TDs... Both were good decisions
the most promising thing I saw out of this game was that he was already actually making changes to protections on a few plays. and On the couple times where the chiefs sent pressure , he handled it brilliantly. (On one play, KC rushed 7, and Teddy identified it immediately and hit the quick slant)
-quick note: just going over the condensed version and Ted's 2 scoring drives, guys........ AZ blitzed ted at least 8 times on these drives.... think about this

Overall grade - A

Overall.. I see Ted doing things other rookies don't do... He knows football- his IQ is extremely high for a rookie. He makes vet plays, like looking off the defender from his prefered target until they are open, then hitting them. He doesn't stare down his target from the snap. He is already making protection calls at the line, and handling pressure really well. (Multiple examples ready if you are doubtful)


BOTTOM LINE : HE HAS 4 TDs in 4.4 quarters of play......... 0 PICKS ......... 66%+ comp ............ one 4th quarter comeback Victory (something that 65% of current starters cant boast)
Working without the likes of Cordarrelle for the most part (who some think to be the breakout player of the year... in the league), greg, Kyle, Kalil, Sullivan, Loadholt, not to mention ALL DAAYYYY.... granted , against the 2's - but think about his numbers with the aforementioned boost of talent on the field at the same time................

it depends on the guy, not sit or play, everyones different...
a few Starters from day one.. Peyton, Roeth, Flacco, Matt Ryan, Stafford, Dalton, Russel Wilson, Luck, Cam.... ETC...

a few Sitters from day one... Brees, Rodgers, Brady, Eli, Romo, Foles.. ETC...

You can do it both ways..
Teddy is ready!!!
SKOL VIKES !
LETS GET EM' 2014!!!!!!

-Nick

[mosscarter]

lets talk about this realistically. everyone wants to see teddy start (and he may be ready) but i'm glad he isn't going to yet. cassel is a vet who has played solid all preseason and in all honestly, hasn't gotten his fare shake throughout his career. he has played with some horrible teams. look at that 1 pass to patterson tonight and tell me he shouldn't start? anything jennings did last year was because of cassel too, let this guy run the team this year. there is no need to throw bridgewater to the sharks right now.