Analyst Tim Hasselbeck, a former NFL quarterback, caused a stir in the Twin Cities this past week when he said on ESPN Radio of Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater: "I don't believe he's a starter in the NFL. … I think he'd have a nice, long career as a backup." The Star Tribune's Michael Rand caught up with Hasselbeck later in the week, and he expanded on his thoughts about Bridgewater:

Q Were you surprised by the reaction to what you said about Bridgewater?

A Yeah, but only because it's exactly what I've been saying since February. … The way I felt about [Bridgewater] watching his college tape is that there are a lot of things he does really well and you can't deny his production in college. … But what is also undeniable when you watch the coaches' tape from college is that there would be times he would get into a third-and-long situation and he would miss the throw. Everyone misses throws. There's no offense there. But when the same types of throws are missed on a consistent basis — what you put on tape, that's your résumé. … He doesn't possess those physical attributes right now.

Q Is that, to you, a big key between a backup and a starter — being able to make certain throws?

A Right, yeah. But the amazing thing is I say "backup" and the personal attacks I've since received from Vikings fans. … When you draft a guy, you're taking who he is now but also who he could become. What you're hoping he can become is a pillar of the organization. I made this comparison in February: I believe the upside for [Bridgewater] is Alex Smith. And by the way, Alex Smith is a very good quarterback, a nice player. I hear people say Drew Brees. Drew Brees? He's a Hall of Fame quarterback. Let's pump the brakes. But it's not an insult. I'm just saying my honest assessment watching film of what he's shown to be capable of doing and incapable of doing at this point, he has limitations.

Q People might say your critique is based on only half a season in the NFL, but I'm gathering this goes back to what you saw from him in college?

A I guess what I'm saying is in order to be a quality starter for a long period of time, I think you have to be able to make all the throws consistently. And if you can't, you will continually get exposed. Games are generally closely contested and decided by a few game-altering plays. If you don't consistently make the throws on those plays, then it ends up being the difference in a game and it exposes you.

Q Are there things in his toolbox that can overcome those deficiencies?

A That's a very fair question. Not everyone is great at everything. … There are things in his game — he understands the game in that he has good anticipation and he does have good accuracy on a lot of throws that are in front of him. But part of what happens is you develop a pattern, and people are going to try to force you to do the things you don't do well. And that's where you end up getting exposed a little. I lived it. I'm not trying to compare myself to [Bridgewater], but I know what it's like to not be good at some of those throws. And I'm related to a guy [brother and former NFL QB Matt Hasselbeck] who was very good at those throws.