VikesCentric: Trust in Teddy—working to be even better

There are numerous qualities an NFL team looks for in a quarterback. They include toughness, intelligence, football IQ, strong arm, accuracy, quick legs, good work ethic, prefers film work over twitter and a good night sleep over the night life. Perhaps one valued over them all is a desire to improve, and the Vikings have that in Teddy Bridgewater.

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer agrees that Bridgewater has the drive and determination to get better—which is necessary when playing quarterback, a position considered by many to be the most difficult in sports. Zimmer likes what sees in Bridgewater:

"The great thing about him is he wants to work and get better every day," he told the Star Tribune. "I feel really good about him. He's the quality of guy that we really want to have here."

The drive is certainly there for Bridgewater. Speaking to the Pioneer Press recently, Bridgewater said that he "wasn't impressed" with his rookie season (even though he was the fan's choice for the rookie of the year).

"Yes, we did some good things as a team," he said, "but we could have been much better finishing games. That's what separates championship teams and determining whether you're playing games in January or watching games in January."

Bridgewater often avoids speaking about just himself when referring to his job. When he does well and is asked about it, he responds in terms of the team. He said, like his coach, team goals are more important than winning individual awards.

"I have that same mind-set [as Zimmer]," he told the Pioneer Press. "I could care less about the single-player awards; I'm all about team success. The ultimate goal is to win championships."

"It's a special time because you get to see guys off the field," said Bridgewater told the Pioneer Press. "When you're in Minnesota, we only get to see guys in their work environment. To be able to be around the guys and see how they live their everyday lives outside of football, it builds a bond, one that will eventually be unbreakable."

Zimmer, who like Bridgewater, got a new job last season, is just as serious about getting better. He is a driven individual who likes to surround himself with others of like mind. He sees that in Bridgewater.

"I know he's spending some time with those guys," Zimmer told the Star Tribune. "I believe it's this week he has a bunch of guys coming down to see him [in Miami, his hometown]. That stuff I feel good about, the way he progressed throughout the season. We anticipate that he'll continue to progress at that pace. He has to continue to make the right decisions and take the plays that are there for him. All of those things are going to lead to his development."

Zimmer would like also Bridgewater to improve by building up his body. The rigors of playing quarterback in the NFL demand that players can take a hit and stay on the field. Former Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder learned that after his rookie year and came back for his second season noticeably bulked up for the coming season. Zimmer would like to see that from Bridgewater as well.

"The big thing with Teddy is he needs to add a little bit more strength, a little more weight on him," Zimmer said. "He's about 210 pounds, we're trying to get him around 218, somewhere in that range."

But even more important than that is fortifying the offensive line. Bridgewater can do all the weight training and gaining he wants, but if the Vikings offensive line can't protect him, Bridgewater will be spending more time on the injured list than behind center.

Teddy is ready to get better. He's got the right attitude, work ethic, skills, abilities and desire to improve at his position. He's working with his teammates to form bonds off the field so they will have chemistry on it. He's doing exactly what you would want a young quarterback and leader of your team to do. It's incumbent upon the Vikings that they make sure they do what is necessary to protect him and allow him to grow and develop.

"I want to have a plan before the ball is even snapped. I want to win at the line of scrimmage," he told the Pioneer Press. "I want to know where I'm going with the football, what I'm doing with protection and just sit back in the pocket and play comfortable."

Give him a decent offensive line and Teddy Bridgewater will do just that.

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