‘Good Chance’ Teddy Bridgewater Starts Against Titans
By Dan Zinski
Vikings fans eager to see Teddy Bridgewater start a game may well get their wish Thursday night. Mike Zimmer said (via the Star-Trib) that there’s a “good chance” the rookie quarterback will get the call as starting QB for the preseason finale against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville.
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Okay so it’s not quite as good as Teddy being named the starter for the season opener against St. Louis, but still, it’s more Teddy Bridgewater. There is nothing not good about more Teddy Bridgewater. Unless he gets hurt starting a completely useless game.
GULP.
Zimmer explained the thinking behind giving Bridgewater the start with Matt Cassel taking the night off:
"“If he does start the game, it’s good for us to see how he takes the beginning of the game,” Zimmer said."
Letting Teddy lead the team onto the field for the start of the game will be a nice experience for the young man, especially since he likely won’t be starting another game for quite some time.
Bridgewater probably won’t play very long, and then it will be all Christian Ponder for the rest of the evening. Some will be inclined to characterize Ponder’s extended appearance as a trade showcase but that would just be wishful thinking.
Among the Vikings expected to sit out the finale are rookie Anthony Barr, linebackers Michael Mauti and Brandon Watts, safety Jamarca Sanford, cornerback Jabari Price, offensive tackle Phil Loadholt and defensive tackle Linval Joseph.
Gerald Hodges and Rodney Smith may still get in according to Zimmer. Were I Gerald Hodges, I would be fighting very very hard to play. Hodges needs to generate some positive energy for himself heading into final cuts.