Teddy Bridgewater is underrated

[godkiller]

This is a quote taken from NFL insider article "The Case for Drafting Teddy Bridgewater":

Bad decision rate
Bad decision rate is a tape-based metric that measures how often a quarterback makes a mental error with the football that leads to a turnover opportunity for the opposing team.

This metric is important because it illustrates how adept a passer is at protecting the football. The bar for excellence here can vary depending on the type of system a quarterback plays in. In dink-and-dunk offenses, any BDR total of less than 2 percent is considered upper-tier and scoring around 1 percent is considered elite. For gunslingers, finishing below the 3 percent BDR level is a sign of superb play and scoring below 2 percent is elite.

In his games against teams from BCS-caliber conferences, Bridgewater amassed an incredibly low 0.6 percent BDR. He had zero mistakes of this nature on short passes (aerials thrown 10 or fewer yards downfield) and had an astonishingly low 1.8 percent BDR on vertical passes (those thrown 11 or more yards).

This stacks up extremely well against some of the best college QB seasons in recent memory, including Luck in 2011 (2.9 percent BDR, 1.6 percent vertical BDR), Griffin in 2011 (3.1 percent BDR, 7.0 percent vertical BDR) and Cam Newton in 2010 (1.7 percent BDR, 3.0 percent vertical BDR).

Bridgewater's performance in this area might be even better than Griffin's or Newton's in the sense that he posted his BDR totals in a vertically based pro-style NFL offense versus the offenses Griffin and Newton played in. All quarterbacks have to make an adjustment upon joining the NFL, but this quality decision-making history bodes very well for Bridgewater to keep his mistake totals at a more than acceptable level in the pros.

Performance when blitzed/under duress
Bridgewater also displayed a Tom Brady-like ability to produce in situations when the other team blitzed or when the pocket collapsed and he was under pass-rush duress.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, last season Bridgewater posted a 70.1 percent completion rate (second in the nation) and an 11.0 YPA (yards per attempt) mark when the opposing team sent five or more pass-rushers. Those aerials additionally netted an amazing 15-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Bridgewater completed 53.5 percent of his passes when under duress (defined as situations when a quarterback is forced from the pocket, forced to alter his throwing motion, forced to move within the pocket because of pressure, having a defender clear in his line of sight or being hit while throwing), a mark that ranked third nationally.

Size
Perhaps the biggest concern that has been raised about Bridgewater is that his lean frame could prevent him from being able to stay healthy for 16-game NFL seasons year after year. But, although it's true he doesn't have the prototypical 6-foot-4, 239-pound frame of someone such as Luck, the reality of the situation is he more than measures up in this area. His 6-2 height, which hasn't been as much of a concern, places him equal to Andy Dalton, Tony Romo, Aaron Rodgers and Griffin. He also is taller than Brees (6-0) and current Super Bowl champion quarterback Russell Wilson (5-11).

Bridgewater will need to put on some weight, as his 214-pound measurement at the combine and 208-pound measurement at his pro day are on the small side, but even if he bulks up to just 225 pounds for his NFL career, it would make him equal in weight to Rodgers and Brady and heavier than Sam Bradford (224 pounds), Jay Cutler (220), Dalton (220), Eli Manning (218), Matt Ryan (217), Alex Smith (217), Griffin (217), Brees (209) and Wilson (206). What this shows is Bridgewater can land anywhere within these parameters and be of comparable bulk to some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

My thoughts: This article basically makes clear that Teddy Bridgewater makes decisions at a similar or higher level than other top level prospects including RG3, Luck and Newton. He maintains this efficiency within a pro style offence as well, which should carry over. Equally important, Bridgewater the beats the blitz on a consistent and superior basis, with only two quarterbacks in the nation doing so with as much efficacy. Looking at quarterbacks like Rodgers and Brady, their special talents revolve around pocket presence, accuracy and limiting turnovers. These are all Bridgewater's strengths. The factors which Bridgewater lacks are arguably inane physical tangibles which can be overhyped in a position where the most dominant players aren't behemoths. Though Rodgers and Brady are bigger, their arm strength--which is a cause for concern for some when it comes to Bridgewater--isn't overwhelming. Size issues in Bridgewater's case are mitigated by the fact he has better mobility than prototypical passers and is at least as big as Brees and Wilson. I still believe Bridgewater will be the best QB in this class. He has better pocket presence and IQ than Manziel. His arm is at least as good as Bortles, and his short accuracy is better.
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[godkiller]

bump

 

[iamduval]

His down field accuracy (15+ yards in the air) was disturbing on film. I dont know what the numbers are but he really struggles on deep sideline and vertcal routes. His arm talent doesnt match his intangibles. Not a top 10 pick but I think he is the best in his class

 

[Lucky_Lefty]

for some reason, he reminds me of McNabb

 

[Trip]

not a fan of this QB class at all...

 

[AITheAnswerAI]

I don't like this qb class either, but Teddy might have been the first one taken had he not had an underwhelming pro day. Your pro day is supposed to make you look good, because it's your thing in a controlled environment. So that shytty pro day might make him the 3rd or 4th taken.

 

[malbaker86]

I like Teddy but he just....I dont know, doesnt "wow" me when watching him. I can see him being good or very good but never great or elite

 

[Yogi]

Career backup

 

[triplehate]

They don't even have a reason for why he isn't the best qb.

 

[Bone$]

I just watched these faagots mark brunnel and hasslecac on ESPN rank him the last of the qbs, even behind the lsu Cac with the bum leg, Gtfoh

 

[Trip]

I don't like this qb class either, but Teddy might have been the first one taken had he not had an underwhelming pro day. Your pro day is supposed to make you look good, because it's your thing in a controlled environment. So that shytty pro day might make him the 3rd or 4th taken.

I dont think there's a clear cut #1 guy this year. JF is a total wildcard, but other than that...teams seem to be shying away from taking an ok QB prospect too early. EJ Manuel there was not a good pick and everyone knew it. And are any of these guys that much better prospects than Geno was?

The days of reaching on Christian Ponder or Blaine Gabbert might be over.

 

[triplehate]

I dont think there's a clear cut #1 guy this yeaJF is a total wildcard, but other than that...teams seem to be shying away from taking an ok QB prospect too early. EJ Manuel there was not a good pick and everyone knew it. And are any of these guys that much better prospects than Geno was?

The days of reaching on Christian Ponder or Blaine Gabbert might be over.

It makes sense but it doesn't, it's not like the players drafted in those spots instead of quarterbacks are elite prospects either. No one seems to complain 2 tackles taken 1 and 2 aren't Jonathan Ogdens, or Dion Jordan at 3 isn't Peppers.

Considering that you pay the player the same exact amount why wouldn't you take a quarterback if you need a quarterback?

It's ok for teddy to fall to Vikings and them draft him...but top 5 nah?

Value is the biggest myth in the draft.

So you need a quarterback heading into the draft to lead your franchise you can pick any one you want. You pick the player rated 4th or 5th on your own board at the position, and people allow that to be spent into a win.

Weird shyt to me

 

[Trip]

It makes sense but it doesn't, it's not like the players drafted in those spots instead of quarterbacks are elite prospects either. No one seems to complain 2 tackles taken 1 and 2 aren't Jonathan Ogdens, or Dion Jordan at 3 isn't Peppers.

Considering that you pay the player the same exact amount why wouldn't you take a quarterback if you need a quarterback?

It's ok for teddy to fall to Vikings and them draft him...but top 5 nah?

Value is the biggest myth in the draft.

So you need a quarterback heading into the draft to lead your franchise you can pick any one you want. You pick the player rated 4th or 5th on your own board at the position, and people allow that to be spent into a win.

Weird shyt to me

Jordan went way too early, but then again Jeff Ireland was terrible. And I've been saying the value thing for a while as we don't know what each teams board actually looks like or how good that player actually is anyway.

 

[Kobes Two Jerseys]

I would not be mad if Oakland took him. I'd be mad if they got any other qb though. Manziel won't be shyt. Guaranteed.

 

[Amare's Right Hook]

Dude sucks