Polian: Best fit for Bridgewater is Rams at 13

[max]

I'm finding it hard to believe that you guys don't think drafting a high first round QB wouldn't undermine Bradford. I understand if you like Bridgewater but it doesn't matter which QB is hypothetically drafted at 13, it would undermine Bradford. To what degree is debatable but just as on this board, there are going to be players in the locker room that would want to see QB X get his shot if/when Bradford struggles.

Two starting QB's equals ZERO starting QB's.

This reminds me of the chocolate ice cream joke.

 

[jrry32]

I'm finding it hard to believe that you guys don't think drafting a high first round QB wouldn't undermine Bradford. I understand if you like Bridgewater but it doesn't matter which QB is hypothetically drafted at 13, it would undermine Bradford. To what degree is debatable but just as on this board, there are going to be players in the locker room that would want to see QB X get his shot if/when Bradford struggles.

Two starting QB's equals ZERO starting QB's.

Except when Green Bay had Favre and Rodgers. No, it doesn't undermine Bradford. It doesn't stop him from leading or helping the team win. Unless you believe he's mentally soft and can't handle being pushed by another talented QB.

The players in the locker-room will favor the better QB getting to play. It's that simple. If Bradford isn't the better QB, guess we made the right decision.

Not the point.

The point is that Fisher won't undermine Bradford to start with.

It is the point. It's what we're discussing.

 

[max]

Except when Green Bay had Favre and Rodgers. No, it doesn't undermine Bradford. It doesn't stop him from leading or helping the team win. Unless you believe he's mentally soft and can't handle being pushed by another talented QB.

The players in the locker-room will favor the better QB getting to play. It's that simple. If Bradford isn't the better QB, guess we made the right decision.



It is the point. It's what we're discussing.

Oh, I didn't know that.

So we are discussing undermining Bradford? OK, well I'm against it.

 

[-X-]

Eye Discipline

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ELPwI9_y5U#t=06m25s

Man that's a nice pass.

 

[jrry32]

Oh, I didn't know that.

So we are discussing undermining Bradford? OK, well I'm against it.

Yep. We're discussing how Bradford won't be undermined. Unless he's too mentally weak to handle competition or isn't the better QB.

 

[-X-]

To what degree is debatable but just as on this board, there are going to be players in the locker room that would want to see QB X get his shot if/when Bradford struggles.

Nobody wants to see me at QB if/when Bradford struggles. They know I'm reckless.

 

[moklerman]

Except when Green Bay had Favre and Rodgers. No, it doesn't undermine Bradford. It doesn't stop him from leading or helping the team win. Unless you believe he's mentally soft and can't handle being pushed by another talented QB.

The players in the locker-room will favor the better QB getting to play. It's that simple. If Bradford isn't the better QB, guess we made the right decision.

It does undermine him because it divides the support of his teammates. And it isn't about being mentally soft, it's just human nature. You start trying to play perfectly, start aiming your passes, don't want to make mistakes, etc. Let's look at the Favre/Rodgers example. Favre had one of his best years as a pro in 1994. 4,088 yards, 30TD, 92.6 rating.

2005 they draft Rodgers and Favre's numbers plummet. Throws the ball 67 more times but has 200 less yards passing, lower completion %, 10 fewer TD, almost twice as many interceptions and 22 point lower passer rating.

Now, one might assume that it was age that was catching up to Favre since he was 35/36 around this time but he posted some of the best numbers of his career in 2007, 2008, 2009 at age 38-40 so I don't think that's the case.

If Rodgers doesn't slide in an epic fashion, maybe the Packers draft someone who helps the teams that Favre was leading and they don't have a 2 year dip.

 

[Username]

Alright, X, here you go. I don't believe drafting Bridgewater undermines Bradford's leadership. Bradford either is the leader or he isn't. He's going to lead or he won't. Bridgewater being here won't change that. Because Bradford will be QB1. Bridgewater just hedges our bets with an incredibly talented young QB. Don't let the media fools like Mayock dissuade you on Bridgewater. His film hasn't changed since they were all calling him the #1 QB and projected #1 pick. They're simply echoing what they hear for ratings. Mayock is the same guy who a couple years ago convinced himself to fall in love with Blaine Gabbert despite Gabbert's awful film.

Here is why Bridgewater is worth the #13 pick(and the #2 pick if we needed a QB):
Pocket Presence

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGjsOvjLY0A#t=09m47s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bQ_uMplUEY#t=00m40s

His pocket presence and movement are already at a pro level. He understands how to climb the pocket, side-step pass rushers, and buy time with quick, subtle movements. He has nimble feet, is a sudden athlete, and is slippery in the pocket. Feels pressure well and moves to avoid it without dropping his eyes.

Ball Placement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeSRj45ar0c#t=04m40s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ELPwI9_y5U#t=04m38s

Bridgewater has impeccable ball placement in the short to intermediate game. He consistently places the ball in the right spot for the WR to run after the catch. He can throw his WR open and understands how to place the ball relative to the coverage he's facing. His deep accuracy needs improvement though.

Eye Discipline

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ELPwI9_y5U#t=06m25s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGjsOvjLY0A#t=0m45s

Bridgewater has great eye discipline when moving in the pocket and when challenging coverage. He is one of the best college QBs I've ever seen at manipulating coverage with his eyes. In both videos above, he looks off the safety to open up a clear throwing lane. In the first video, he makes that throw despite having a badly sprained ankle on his plant foot.

Toughness

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTKLlffTaQk#t=08m05s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9GcKd1CkuA#t=01s

Bridgewater is an extremely tough kid. He has shown the willingness to step into a throw knowing he's going to get blasted. He does not shy away from pressure. He also led Louisville to a win and the Sugar Bowl in 2012 by playing through a broken wrist (non-throwing hand) and badly sprained ankle against Rutgers when his team needed him.

Timing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9GcKd1CkuA#t=04m20s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2sQkfDVWPc#t=10s

Bridgewater throws with anticipation and great timing on his routes. He also has a real knack for finding the check-down quickly so that the target has a chance to create after the catch. This is a skill that makes Peyton Manning lethal.

Improvisational Skills

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ELPwI9_y5U#t=04m06s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2sQkfDVWPc#t=09m07s

Bridgewater is a mobile QB that is surprisingly tough to tackle for a smaller guy. He's slippery and has a good stiff arm. He's also quick and decently fast. Bridgewater also has gotten very good at scrambling to the LOS and flipping a shovel pass to an open WR/HB/TE when the defender leaves his assignment at the last moment.

Throwing on the Run

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kTkH4Nrg2Y#t=06m10s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZzmXxB64ec#t=01m12s

Bridgewater is a very accurate and effective thrower on the run showing the ability to keep his eyes down the field, throw accurately with touch, and place the ball on target. He also demonstrates the ability to change arm slots when needed.

So what doesn't Bridgewater do well? He needs to improve his deep accuracy which, imo, is related to him not using the lower half well enough. He doesn't step into his throws and drive off his back-foot consistently and hard enough. I also think he needs to add bulk to his body as well as strengthen his core and lower body which will improve his velocity which is solid but not elite.

Regardless, he's a very developed QB that shows off the mental acuity, technical skills, and instincts to be great at the position.

Here's a good article for those who want to read more on Bridgewater:
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/futures/2014/futures-louisville-qb-teddy-bridgewater

This is really good.

 

[max]

Yep. We're discussing how Bradford won't be undermined. Unless he's too mentally weak to handle competition or isn't the better QB.

So what if the Rams pick Manziel at #2, is that ok?

 

[-X-]

So what if the Rams pick Manziel at #2, is that ok?

Instead of Luck? That would be dumb.

 

[moklerman]

If you're a Ram player and the Rams draft Bridgewater in the first round, what does that make you think about Bradford or the coach's belief in him?

 

[PhxRam]

If you're a Ram player and the Rams draft Bridgewater in the first round, what does that make you think about Bradford or the coach's belief in him?

And if the Rams draft Clowney? What will the players think about Chris Long?

 

[max]

If you're a Ram player and the Rams draft Bridgewater in the first round, what does that make you think about Bradford or the coach's belief in him?

The same thing that you would think about Bradford if the Rams drafted Manziel at #2. It would make you think Bradford has one foot out the door.

The problem here is that some posters are blinded by their affinity for Bridgewater that they want to believe it's all hunky dory with Sam to draft him at #13.

 

[-X-]

If you're a Ram player and the Rams draft Bridgewater in the first round, what does that make you think about Bradford or the coach's belief in him?

If I'm Hekker, I want dibs on the interviews.
If I'm Zuerlein, I really don't care at all.
If I'm Quinn, I'm pissed they get to wear red shirts.
If I'm Austin, Givens, Pettis, Kendricks or Bailey, I just want the ball.
If I'm anyone drafted this year, I could care less.
If I'm anyone still on the team from 2010, I might be empathetic towards Bradford (all 3 of them).

 

[max]

And if the Rams draft Clowney? What will the players think about Chris Long?

Surely, you understand the difference between starting QBs and starting DEs.

 

[-X-]

The same thing that you would think about Bradford if the Rams drafted Manziel at #2. It would make you think Bradford has one foot out the door.

The problem here is that some posters are blinded by their affinity for Bridgewater that they want to believe it's all hunky dory with Sam to draft him at #13.

You're getting out of line now. "Blinded by their affinity?"

Jesus.

 

[Username]

If you're a Ram player and the Rams draft Bridgewater in the first round, what does that make you think about Bradford or the coach's belief in him?

If Bradford plays like shit or gets injured again this year, what do think the players/coaches/fans/everyone will think about Bradford?

 

[max]

If I'm Hekker, I want dibs on the interviews.

If I'm anyone still on the team from 2010, I might be empathetic towards Bradford (all 3 of them).

Ah, there it is!

 

[PhxRam]

Surely, you understand the difference between starting QBs and starting DEs.

Not sure.. one catches the ball and one kicks it?

 

[max]

You're getting out of line now. "Blinded by their affinity?"

Jesus.

It means you like him a lot and you'd like to see him on the Rams.