Minnesota Vikings: Teddy Bridgewater’s sophomore slump?
By Michael Crow
We’re only three games into the season and I’m already hearing fans talk about the “big step back” that Teddy Bridgewater has taken this season. So, is Teddy sliding into the dreaded sophomore slump? The answer is elusive this early in the season but here are some comparisons and insight into the warning signs.
When the word “slump” comes to mind I think a dip in performance of some degree. There are two ways to measure performance, stats and with the eye.
Statistically, Teddy’s production is marginally down from last year overall. QB rating is down five points, but QBR is up 10. Yards per attempt is down by half a yard. Interception rate is actually down slightly this year, compared to last. Sack rate is down this year as well. TD rate is down slightly and completion percentage is up a little.
So, statistically you could say Teddy’s production is marginally down just based on the big stats, completion percentage, YPA and TDs. This shouldn’t be anything to spark the disappointment some people seem to be experiencing with Teddy, so far he’s been the Teddy we saw last year.
The second method, mentioned above, is the good old “eye test”. Perhaps the most accurate method at times but also the most subject to bias. The person who backs a player can watch the game and point out a reason why every mistake wasn’t his fault while someone who dislikes a player will blame bad play on the given player.
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I went back and watched every passing snap Teddy Bridgewater took so far this season. What did I see? Mostly very good QB play and a different philosophy from Norv Turner. Largely, Teddy’s passes have been on point and on time, right up there with the best in the league. So, timing and accuracy have been excellent. Sure, there have been few examples of terrible passes in each game and there have been a couple of interceptions. Overall, though, there is absolutely nothing wrong with his performance from an accuracy and timing point of view.
People will ask , “Well, if he’s doing so well then why such low yardage and so few TDs?”. The answer is Norv Turner and Adrian Peterson. I think we all expected that Teddy’s work rate would go down with AP back and that’s exactly what we’re seeing. So far the offense is calling for 5-6 fewer passing attempts per game than he threw last year. Another factor in this is that, like most of last year, deeper routes are not getting separation. Mike Wallace, to this point, isn’t doing what they brought him here to do: “Blow the Top Off” of defenses on long balls.
I think we all expected that Teddy’s work rate would go down with AP back and that’s exactly what we’re seeing
If there is anything to worry about, it’s not if there is a “sophomore slump” but instead, whether or not Teddy Bridgewater has gotten better. To the last question, I believe there has been some improvement. Overall, I think Teddy looks more decisive and his timing is better but whether this is him honing skills or simply being more familiar with the offense is yet to be determined.
In the words of a great QB, and this is likely to get me in hot water:
“Five letters here just for everybody out there in Viking-land: R-E-L-A-X”
Next: Viking game-by-game preview!