Minnesota Vikings: Still Time to Vote Bridgewater ROY
Dec 28, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback
Teddy Bridgewater(5) breaks the tackle of Chicago Bears Jeremiah Ratliff (90) on a run in the first quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
In case you missed it, Teddy Bridgewater was one of the five nominees for the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year 2014.
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One cool aspect of this particular vote is that it is decided by the fans. Personally, I am not a huge fan of having fans make selections for all-star games, because it leads to injured or over the hill guys making games that they should not. On the other side of the coin, those games are exhibitions played for the fans benefit, so it is really not a big deal.
What makes this particular award unique is that it is not the only NFL Rookie of the Year award presented each season. The writers for both the Associated Press as well as the Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers Association also choose Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the year, and as of 2013, the PFWA also selects an overall Rookie of the Year. Additionally, the NFL players, coaches and executives are the voters for the Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award. The Pepsi Rookie of the Year Award was created in 2002, so now everyone has a chance to have their voice heard.
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Anyway, we have a chance to vote for Bridgewater to win this award. I have touched on some of the reasons I feel as though he is deserving, including his completion percentage and passer rating being among the top ten for rookies all-time. In addition, he was the leader of an offense besieged by injuries, suspensions and baffling inconsistency. Between losing Kyle Rudolph and much of his starting offensive line to injuries, having Adrian Peterson taken away, and the ineffectiveness of Cordarrelle Patterson, it would have been a difficult season for any quarterback, much less a rookie. Despite all of the obstacles thrown his way, Teddy’s play actually improved as the season wore on.
If I was a betting man, I would predict that Odell Beckham, Jr. will wind up winning. He had a great first season no matter how you look at it, but making the greatest catch in the history of time will probably be enough to put him over the top. Still, Teddy had the best rookie season any Vikings quarterback ever has, and I believe he will only get better and better. Between all of the journeymen, has-beens and rookies who never had what it took to be successful to begin with, this was a hugely positive year for the Vikings at the quarterback position.
If you would like to cast your vote for Teddy Bridgewater, follow this link: http://www.nfl.com/voting/rookies/2014/YEAR/0