Minnesota Vikings second year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has shown the poise of a veteran at times. Other times, he has looked intimidated and indecisive.
Unfortunately, this is the same pattern exhibited by 2011 number draft pick quarterback Christian Ponder, during his four seasons wearing the purple.
Granted, Bridgewater has been running for his life on many passing downs, as the offensive line in front of him is mediocre at best. Still, he hasn't always reacted quickly, and his arm isn't the cannon that you see in other star NFL quarterbacks.
If the front office brings in some quality offensive linemen through free agency and the draft in the offseason, blockers that give Bridgewater time to read the defense and find open receivers, then we may have a better perspective on what he will become as a quarterback. He does have some decent weapons in Adrian Peterson, Mike Wallace, Kyle Rudolph, and Stefon Diggs, so if the blocking improves, we'll know if Bridgewater is the man who will lead Minnesota to the Super Bowl.
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Minnesota Vikings' offensive line not getting it done
One area the Vikings front office could have spent more time on during the
offseason was the offensive line. Having players who are just
"serviceable" on the line is not going to result in a team winning in
the playoffs.
While season ending injuries to center John Sullivan and tackle Phil Loadholt, were not expected, the team could have tried to sign a couple of veteran free agents as backups. Instead they have had to rely on a fourth round draft choice who only played two years in college at offensive tackle in T.J. Clemmings. They also are relying on a player who never played guard before in Mike Harris, and journeyman Joe Berger at center. The idea of moving Brandon Fusco to left guard has not helped, as he has had difficulty making the switch. Left tackle Matt Kalil, a former first round draft pick, has been merely average during his four year career.
Unfortunately, putting all of this together has resulted in quarterback Teddy Bridgewater being unnecessarily pressured and sacked. It's tough for any quarterback to read defenses and pass the ball accurately, let alone one who is in only his second year in the NFL.
The Vikings may still make the playoffs at this point, but they probably won't get very far if they do, primarily because of the below average offensive line. This offseason they ought to make it a priority, by trying to sign several of the best available free agents and spending their draft picks in the first and second rounds on offensive linemen - preferably those who have played four years at a major college.
Baseball - Kindle Ebook
While season ending injuries to center John Sullivan and tackle Phil Loadholt, were not expected, the team could have tried to sign a couple of veteran free agents as backups. Instead they have had to rely on a fourth round draft choice who only played two years in college at offensive tackle in T.J. Clemmings. They also are relying on a player who never played guard before in Mike Harris, and journeyman Joe Berger at center. The idea of moving Brandon Fusco to left guard has not helped, as he has had difficulty making the switch. Left tackle Matt Kalil, a former first round draft pick, has been merely average during his four year career.
Unfortunately, putting all of this together has resulted in quarterback Teddy Bridgewater being unnecessarily pressured and sacked. It's tough for any quarterback to read defenses and pass the ball accurately, let alone one who is in only his second year in the NFL.
The Vikings may still make the playoffs at this point, but they probably won't get very far if they do, primarily because of the below average offensive line. This offseason they ought to make it a priority, by trying to sign several of the best available free agents and spending their draft picks in the first and second rounds on offensive linemen - preferably those who have played four years at a major college.
Baseball - Kindle Ebook
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
NFL offcials contributed to Vikings' loss on Sunday
No doubt that the Minnesota Vikings did not play well enough to win their game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. And of course the Seahawks are hardly pushovers; they're a pretty good team, better than their record indicates.
Still, the game officials made a number of questionable calls that hurt the Vikings chances for a win. When a referee calls a defensive holding penalty on a cornerback who was run into by a receiver; when an offensive lineman is penalized for holding when he barely touches a defensive player; and when your defensive end is called for roughing the passer when it clearly was not roughing, like what happened to the Vikings' Brian Robison, well, that's a problem. Are they going to let these guys play football, or not?
The league needs to tell their officials to ease up on calling thse minor penalties. It's making the game boring and maling the NFL look silly.
Still, the game officials made a number of questionable calls that hurt the Vikings chances for a win. When a referee calls a defensive holding penalty on a cornerback who was run into by a receiver; when an offensive lineman is penalized for holding when he barely touches a defensive player; and when your defensive end is called for roughing the passer when it clearly was not roughing, like what happened to the Vikings' Brian Robison, well, that's a problem. Are they going to let these guys play football, or not?
The league needs to tell their officials to ease up on calling thse minor penalties. It's making the game boring and maling the NFL look silly.
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