Last season, Teddy Bridgewater was thrust into a starting role for the Minnesota Vikings following a season-ending injury to veteran Matt Cassel. The plan was to let Bridgewater sit and learn behind Cassel for a season before seeing what the rookie could do in a regular season game. One thing that Vikings fans have learned over the years is that nothing ever seems to go to plan.
Now, Teddy Bridgewater isn’t a rookie anymore. He’s had a full year to absorb what the team expects from him, figure out what he needs to improve upon, learn how to get command of the huddle and be a team leader.
Commanding the huddle and being a team leader are a couple of things that some quarterbacks in the NFL never seem to get the hang of. When Teddy Bridgewater was drafted out of Louisville at the end of the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, some Vikings fans expressed their displeasure about the pick because they felt Teddy lacked the vocal capability and strong character traits necessary to take charge of the offense.
May 27, 2015; Eden Prairie, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws during OTA drills at Winter Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
But the young Vikings QB has working hard to erase any doubts about his ability to lead the Minnesota offense. He worked hard this offseason to bulk up in preparation for the 2015 NFL season and even got together with other players to watch movies and play games in order to build a rapport with them.
According to an article on the Fox Sports website, Teddy Bridgewater’s comfort and confidence are on the rise.
"“It’s way higher,” Bridgewater said of his comfort level. “Not only because I have a year under my belt, but I know the guys on this team, even though we don’t have all of the same guys on the team from last year, but for the most part, those guys are back. You talk about John Sullivan, Big Phil (Loadholt), Matt Kalil, Joe Berger, those guys up front, Brandon Fusco, those guys continue to give me confidence in myself to lead.”"
Comfort and confidence are two things that can lead to respect in the locker room. Those kind of traits can help create a team leader who can command a huddle and have players rely on him. But Teddy Bridgewater is still a humble guy. He’ll still lean on the Vikings veterans to help give him that push to the next level.
"“The guys kind of push you into that leadership role,” Bridgewater said. “I’m a young guy still on the team, but guys are pushing me forward to say something in the huddle, or break the team down, or break the offense down. That just gives you that confidence in yourself, confidence in your leadership and I’ve been extremely comfortable doing that so far.”"
Teddy Bridgewater sounds ready for the 2015 NFL season. Hopefully, this new confidence and comfort can help translate into success on the field for the Minnesota Vikings offense. Expectations are high for the young quarterback after a fantastic finish to the 2014 season and it appears as though Bridgewater’s upward trend is set to continue.
Next: Minnesota Vikings 2015 Game By Game Previews
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