(Getty Images: Hannah Foslien)
My issues before on the offense was the play calling (Norv, I'm still here complaining and you can't get rid of me) and the offensive line. As of today, the Vikings signed Alex "The Rhino" Boone out of San Fransisco. Huge signing. This allows the Vikings to move Fusco back to right guard where he belongs. With Kalil in a contract year (and history shows contract years usually make players realize they like and enjoy money), Sullivan and Loadholt coming back from injury, this once weakness now could be a strength. This is all hoping, I know. But hope is a good thing according to the end of The Shawshank Redemption. And that movie was amazing, so maybe the Viking's line will be amazing because of the connection? Makes sense? Science!
With that being in line (pun) all that's left is for Teddy to make that next step. I believe he has the ability to, so lets look at the numbers so we can get all excited about what could be if everything goes to the Vikings dastardly plan! Mwahahahaha. (On a lighter note: Mwaha.)
Now, I've read this article saying Teddy was the most accurate quarterback last year. Take a look.
"What the traditional stats don’t show, however, is just how accurate Bridgewater is. The Viking led the NFL in 2015 with an accuracy percentage of 79.3. While this number is inflated by the large amount of short throws required by the Minnesota offense, it is no small feat to be the most accurate in the league. In fact, Teddy scored his best passing grades on throws between 10–19 yards, and broke even on throws over 20 yards.
You have to wonder if Bridgewater’s modest touchdown and yardage totals are more a product of the Vikings’ offensive style, rather than an indictment of the QB’s abilities."
-ProFootballFocus - Ryan Jenson
Knowledge bombs. Took out our entire civilization of smarts and replaced them will more advanced, well informed smarts. This is a pretty eye opening piece to read, and being an avid watcher of Teddy and the Vikings, I could totally accept it. He is remarkably accurate on short to medium length throws. Which also makes me wonder if he had more time to pass (due to better line play) and wasn't forced to go by a run-first style, what kind of quarterback could Teddy be?
Hopefully we find out in 2016 because this needs to be a better scoring offense and I don't think this negative weight is on Teddy's shoulders. And yeah, I get that 28 touchdowns to 21 interceptions in his career isn't much to look at, but when you look at the play calling he's had to deal with you understand. And knowing is half the battle.
If Norv took a dose of reality and relieved himself of his "Childress Syndrome", he could be a great “offensive mind” again. Right now...it’s not happening so let's hope it changes.
Teddy has shown that without a player like Peterson on
the field, he can be up there with the top 10 quarterbacks in the league. He proved in games where Peterson was removed that he could handle himself way beyond what people expect. Remember the game against the Bears on December
12, 2015? 231 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 1 rushing touchdown ring a bell? I remember. I also remember many 4th
quarters where he march us down the field to set us up for a win without
Peterson in (because of his lack of abilities to pass protect or run out of the shot gun).
(Pioneer Press: Ben Garvin)
I believe that if he is able to take over as the true leader
of the offense, the face of the offense, the face of the team, and not just the "guy who hands off to Peterson"; he will shine. Even in the Preseason (without
Peterson playing one down), Teddy was 29 of 35 (82.9%) with a touchdown. Granted it is the preseason, but he looked crisp and was able to spread out
defenses because he wasn’t forced to rely on Peterson. Teddy Time is now if the Vikings want to be a legitimate contender. Let's take this ship to the championship!
Skol!
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