Vikings @ Dolphins Game Day Discussion Thread -- Week 16

[TSonn]

Is there a video of that Bridgewater to Chase Ford completion for a "TD" before the end of the half? Every highlight video I've watched of the game has not included it. Curious how that works, huh? I know MIN vs. MIA had no playoff implications, but it seems weird to leave out that play in the highlights!

[Mothman]

What time is Zimmers Monday presser. I would imagine he has calmed down some, but I am anxious to hear what he has to say a day later. I don't think I would have liked to be in the locker room after the game. That had to be brutal.

I'm sure it wasn't pleasant for the players.

Here's a link to his Monday presser:

http://www.vikings.com/media-vault/vide ... 0ff121c940

Edit: I just watched the whole press conference and Zimmer looks like he's still fuming. I think the defense is in for a difficult week of practice.

It sounds like there was a lot of freelancing, a lot of playing outside of the scheme, failure to line up correctly, etc. He seems happy with Bridgewater and happy with the performance of the offense yesterday but Zimmer's a defensive coach and it was plain to me that his pride was hurt by that performance from his defense.

[maembe]

Is there a video of that Bridgewater to Chase Ford completion for a "TD" before the end of the half? Every highlight video I've watched of the game has not included it. Curious how that works, huh? I know MIN vs. MIA had no playoff implications, but it seems weird to leave out that play in the highlights!

Here's a screen shot if you just want to see where his foot was.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B5a-SOOCcAEO3zM.jpg

[TSonn]

Here's a screen shot if you just want to see where his foot was.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B5a-SOOCcAEO3zM.jpg

Oh, wow. So that was ruled out on the field and then the replay upheld the challenge? Was it "confirmed" or just "call stands"? I was at a family holiday party during the 2nd quarter so I missed this nonsense.

Thanks for the link, Maembe.

[J. Kapp 11]

Oh, wow. So that was ruled out on the field and then the replay upheld the challenge? Was it "confirmed" or just "call stands"? I was at a family holiday party during the 2nd quarter so I missed this nonsense.

Thanks for the link, Maembe.

It was ruled out of bounds on the field, and then (somehow) the replay crew in New York upheld the challenge.

I can't remember if it was "call stands" or "confirmed." I was too busy being restrained from throwing something through my expensive TV. Worst, most blatantly wrong replay call I've ever seen. What made it even more maddening for me was the comments by both Moose Johnston and Mike Pereira that the "emphasis this year is on not overturning calls on the field." I mean, seriously? Why have the replays, then?

[Purple Reign]

I assume it was more than just time, but also a matter of position in terms of both the mechanics of the punt and positioning relative to blocking, etc.

From what I remember, Locke didn't have to move (right or left) to field the snap so that shouldn't have changed the blocking scheme/positioning and he fielded it cleanly, so I don't put a whole lot of blame on Loeffler. If Locke got the kick off in the same time as normal (or within a second), then I would say most of the fault has to be placed on the blocking. Unless there is a full out rush on the punter (which there wasn't in this case), then even a full second more than normal should be good enough to get a punt off. It is quite possible that the punt would have been blocked even with a better snap.

[frosted]

Why did it have to be a full second late for the bad snap to have had an effect on the punt?


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[Purple Reign]

Why did it have to be a full second late for the bad snap to have had an effect on the punt?


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It doesn't have to be, but if the punter can still get the punt off within a second or so of his normal time, then I just don't think the snap hitting the ground should be that much of a factor in getting the punt blocked. Obviously if it causes the punt to be delayed by more than a second than it greatly increases the chance of it getting blocked. In this case, Locke scooped up the snap cleanly, didn't have to take any extra steps and took his normal 2 steps to punt the ball, so I don't put all the blame on the snap like most people are, I think it was more of a breakdown in blocking than the snap itself.

[808vikingsfan]

I thought someone posted this but I couldn't find it. Apologies if it already was.

It's a nice write up of Bridgewater's big plays (with pictures).

Teddy Bridgewater Emerging as NFL's Top Rookie Quarterback

Because Bridgewater properly read the coverage and checked down at the right time, his tight end was immediately in enough space to get a first down. Furthermore, because the rest of the defense had been dragged to the other side of the field by the quarterback's eyes, the tight end only had to beat one defender to gain 40 yards.

Pressure is coming from the right side of the offensive line. Cameron Wake immediately beat his blocker when he contacted him, while another defender is following him through the hole he created. With this quick pressure, Bridgewater would ideally throw to his first read.

However, Bridgewater's first read is double-covered as soon as he begins working down the field.

Panic is the natural reaction to a situation like this. The first movement most quarterbacks make is with their feet; they attempt to buy time by escaping backward or stepping up in the pocket. However, Bridgewater doesn't do that on this occasion. His natural reaction is to use his eyes.

[DK Sweets]

I missed the game because I was at a family Christmas party but I found an online radio stream and my girlfriend and I listened on my phone. Incredibly frustrating way to go out

[808vikingsfan]

Oh, wow. So that was ruled out on the field and then the replay upheld the challenge? Was it "confirmed" or just "call stands"? I was at a family holiday party during the 2nd quarter so I missed this nonsense.

Thanks for the link, Maembe.

Here's a gif (gfycat) of the catch in slow mo.

https://gfycat.com/KaleidoscopicShinyHound

[Mothman]

Here's a gif (gfycat) of the catch in slow mo.

https://gfycat.com/KaleidoscopicShinyHound

Thanks. It's pretty hard to see that as anything but a clear touchdown.

[DK Sweets]

I didn't get to see the game this week, I could only listen. After seeing the play, I can say that no-TD call is laughable.

[808vikingsfan]

Here's PFF's analysis of Teddy (not grades)

Teddy Bridgewater:Analysis Notebook: Week 16

It’s important to point out that this was just one game. It was by far the best graded game of his rookie season, and the next step for him will be repeating it before building on it. However, this was the first game where I think you can look at the tape and be confident that Bridgewater has everything you need to become a franchise quarterback down the line.

The Minnesota Vikings have been searching for a new franchise quarterback since Daunte Culpepper went down with a devastating knee injury in the 2005 season. They were able to get a decent rental season out of Brett Favre in 2009, but other than that it has been a succession of letdown passers from Tarvaris Jackson to Christian Ponder. Teddy Bridgewater just put together a game better than either of those players ever managed, and displayed traits that they never did.

Maybe, just maybe, the Vikings finally have their successor to Culpepper.

[808vikingsfan]

If anyone needs reading material to tie over till Sunday, this is a good write up.

Breakdown:Teddy Bridgewater

Teddy Bridgewater finally made it onto the national media circuit with his performance from this past week against the Dolphins. Those of us here at /r/nfl have been well aware of Bridgewater and his talent for some time (as well as Derek Carr). Although it may be a broken record at this point, I thought I would go into the film from this past week to help those curious understand what makes Teddy so good beyond just looking at the stats. A 6 yard throw shows up as just that in the box score, but on tape it shows much more and that is what I will help with!

...
For those of you asking what my background in football is, I am a Junior at Kent State University in Ohio, I am lucky enough to have gained a job as a Student Coach in the football program for the past two seasons, working with the Defensive Line and now Safeties. This year I ran drills in practice as well as helping out with the scout team and scouting reports for each opponent. Although our season didn’t go as planned, the experience I gained was phenomenal, I even had a Safety get named 1st Team All-Conference. My ultimate dream is to coach high level football (NFL or college) and I think I am off to a good start by learning from Division 1 coaches that I have very high regard for. Writing these articles helps build my resume and refine my skills by watching the best at what they do play the game. I am always trying to learn new things so if you have any football strategic advice you would like to share, please let me know!! Also, if you are interested in learning more about how to get involved with your program please let me know and I can give you some advice on the steps you should take. Thanks for reading!