Teddy Bridgewater Visits Tampa Bay
April 7th, 2014
Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater is working out for the Bucs today.
Well, it seems like Garrett Gilbert will have company on the practice fields at One Buc Palace. That’s because Gilbert isn’t the only quarterback working out for the Bucs today.
The man many regard as the best pro-style quarterback in the draft, Teddy Bridgewater of Louisville, will be tossing passes to Bucs receivers not named Mike Williams this afternoon, so says Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
@RapSheet: Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater is in Tampa today visiting with #Bucs, source says. Bridgewater has visited with most in Top 10. Pats too
Of course, we all know Bridgewater is not Joe’s first choice quarterback. That’s Johnny Football. Now readers have hammered Joe why he doesn’t write about Bridgewater. That’s because Joe is pretty well convinced Bridgewater’s chances of falling to the Bucs is less likely than Johnny Football’s.
Joe would be happy with Bridgwater. From the research Joe has done, the biggest thing Bridgewater must overcome is fears from NFL front office types about his slender build. NFL types seem to be more fearful Bridgewater will get snapped in half than Johnny Football.
April 7th, 2014 at 12:35 pm
We’ll, I haven’t seen his girlfriend so I don’t really think he has that same ability to “pull”, so Joe, I don’t think we are jealous of teddy…
April 7th, 2014 at 12:35 pm
That and his senior year was atrocious. His workouts thus far have looked like garbage. I don’t know why so many people are so high on him. Personally I have him as my 6th best QB. Behind JFootball, Bortles, McCarron, Garoppolo, that kid Brett Something from Nevada, and Aaron Murray. Mettenburger is close too. I just don’t see it w Teddy.
April 7th, 2014 at 12:40 pm
Ross Tucker said that on these official visits players don’t actually do any physical stuff. All the visit entails is going over X’s and O’s and stuff like that and if a team wants to see them physically work they have to attend a “Pro Day” session (and of course tape).
April 7th, 2014 at 12:50 pm
Nothing personal against him, but I feel the kid is way over-hyped. I saw him play twice last year and came away unimpressed each time. Just looked very average with no on-field leadership, plus looked soft.
April 7th, 2014 at 12:52 pm
Manziel and Bridgewater both look like they could be snapped in half, and Johnny Foosball’s reckless style likely makes him an even greater risk. Pass on both. I’d rather take my chances with a 2nd or 3rd round QB.
April 7th, 2014 at 12:55 pm
can somebody explain to me what teams can do at a workout with a draft prospect? Can they like throw to the receivers and stuff like that or is it kind of like a interview?
April 7th, 2014 at 12:56 pm
“NFL types seem to be more fearful Bridgewater will get snapped in half than Johnny Football.”
Really now Joe? Well Buc fan types like me, think it’s the other way around and Johnny will be snapped in half.
April 7th, 2014 at 12:57 pm
Bridgewater is more likely to be there at 7 than JF, IMO.
Bad year?
31 td’s 4 ints and 71% completion percentage?
Give me some of that bad.
April 7th, 2014 at 12:59 pm
Same here, I just don’t see the awe over Bridgewater, but I do see Lovie being a fan. Teddy’s best attribute is his composure, and that doesn’t get the job done…. He was very accurate in college but I think he lacks arm strength and he’ll throw a lot more ints at the next level.
April 7th, 2014 at 1:04 pm
And Kalind that’s why your madness you would call an “opinion” is being expressed here are and the guys who will be drafting are drafting
April 7th, 2014 at 1:13 pm
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please make it happen NFL, Lovie and Licht!
“From the research Joe has done, the biggest thing Bridgewater must overcome is fears from NFL front office types about his slender build. NFL types seem to be more fearful Bridgewater will get snapped in half than Johnny Football.”
It would take you just an hour to watch 4 game tapes of Bridgewater’s and come up with your evaluation and opinion. How many YEARS are you going to spend compiling research on other people’s opinions before you get the confidence to do your own analysis? How do you have an opinion on everything football if you can’t even break down the game on film?
Am I the only reader of this site who feels this way? I think it’s ******* ridiculous that Joe still wastes people’s time with his borrowed opinions after all these years of blogging. At least if you’re gonna borrow opinions you can go to the real experts on twitter who follow the draft, not anonymous idiot scouts and GMs who burn picks on scrubs like Gabbert, Locker, Ponder and Manuel every year.
April 7th, 2014 at 1:14 pm
WE WANT JOHNNY
April 7th, 2014 at 1:17 pm
Bucs signed Lavelle Hawkins for what its worth, which isnt much.
April 7th, 2014 at 1:17 pm
That and his senior year was atrocious. His workouts thus far have looked like garbage. I don’t know why so many people are so high on him. Personally I have him as my 6th best QB. Behind JFootball, Bortles, McCarron, Garoppolo, that kid Brett Something from Nevada, and Aaron Murray. Mettenburger is close too. I just don’t see it w Teddy.
How to make yourself look like a retard 101: talk about a player having an atrocious senior year without them ever having played a senior season. If this post isn’t blatant racism it’s just sheer stupidity.
April 7th, 2014 at 1:23 pm
@Pablo
It’s an interview along with doctors probing them and checking there injury history with their own doctors… Also have them throw or workout for the team privately without it being on a script to see how they actually do as opposed to the scripted pro days they practice for months
April 7th, 2014 at 1:27 pm
The devil in me says the Bridgewater visit is intended to show just enough interest to force the Vikings to trade up one to get him before the Browns trade back or the Titans trade up! lol.
April 7th, 2014 at 1:37 pm
From what I have seen of Bridgewater…he has very good touch on his throws, but his arm strength is very questionable. When looking at his highlights he has WRs wide open all over the place…lol.
April 7th, 2014 at 1:46 pm
I like Bridgewater too. I think he will successfully make the transition to be a pro QB.
April 7th, 2014 at 1:47 pm
TEDDY IS THE BEST QB HANDS DOWN.
April 7th, 2014 at 1:50 pm
Oh god another quarterback from the AAC????? Licht is trying to get himself fired.
April 7th, 2014 at 1:52 pm
Maybe they’ve signed a bunch of no name receivers to catch the passes from the QB’s today.
April 7th, 2014 at 2:00 pm
Brain:
Forgive Joe if he puts more stock into what he heard from NFL football executives at the combine than guys who probably never played high school football who monitor TV broadcast tape and try to peddle their analysis as Gospel.
Joe knows this site isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. If you prefer statistical graffiti based on broadcast tape rather than what NFL decision-makers see, then this isn’t your kinda site. Sorry.
April 7th, 2014 at 2:04 pm
BucsfaninChina Says:
April 7th, 2014 at 1:50 pm
Idiotic statement.
April 7th, 2014 at 2:05 pm
No question there is likely a little gamesmanship involved. Also, however, teams can only invite 30 players to their facility. Not many teams are going to waste too many just to send up smokescreens.
April 7th, 2014 at 2:05 pm
Orca:
Pretty sure China is just being sarcastic.
April 7th, 2014 at 2:11 pm
Joe Says:
April 7th, 2014 at 2:00 pm
Joe is full of shizznit.
April 7th, 2014 at 2:23 pm
Would be dream come true.
April 7th, 2014 at 2:25 pm
I think everything is in place for the Bucs to Draft a Franchise QB this draft and ease them into the role.
McCown’s age and his two year contract suggests that he is merely the Bridge to Bridgewater taking over after a year or so in training.
Bortles might be a good fit in that type of internship
but i am not sure that Manziel would.
April 7th, 2014 at 2:29 pm
If we draft Teddy @7, does he come with or without the glove needed to throw?
I hope we don’t take him at 7 overall. That means we pass on another, more talented prospect.
1. Clowney
2. Robinson
3. Mack
4. Mathews
5. Watkins
6. Donal
7. Lewan
^ One of those guys would be a better pick at 7. I’d even take WR Mike Evans before a QB.
If we do end up taking a QB @7, then give me John Football.
April 7th, 2014 at 2:30 pm
If you like guys with dreadful mechanics, long release times, weak arm strength, and can’t anticipate throws….Bridgewater is your man.
April 7th, 2014 at 2:33 pm
I hope we get him. Best QB in the draft. If not him maybe McCarron or Murray. Not sure why people are salty on him. His awareness and decision making is beyond the others imo.
April 7th, 2014 at 2:38 pm
It’s possible that one of the projected top three QBs in this draft will fall farther down the board than predicted. However, it’s difficult to guess considering all the teams at the top of the draft with QB needs. I think Bridgewater will still be available when the Bucs pick. And it’s possible that Lovie, Licht and Tedford have a QB rated higher than Bridgewater, Manziel or Bortles. The new regime seems to put a priority on value an they might see more value in drafting a QB after the first round.
April 7th, 2014 at 2:46 pm
Love Teddy…anyone questioning his skills really hasn’t watched the guy. It doesn’t take that long to youtube stuff people. I just don’t think he has the same fire in his guts that Johnny Football has. He has that rare quality and intensity that you know he’s just going to will his team to victory. We’ve done the “level headed” QB…let’s see what a guy with some BALLS does on a Sunday for us.
April 7th, 2014 at 3:05 pm
@Brain-Just for fun, here’s Lousville’s 2013 opponents:
Ohio
E. Kentucky
Kentucky
FIU
Temple
Rutgers
UCF
USF
UConn
Houston
Memphis
Cincinati
Mia
My point? Who on this list would you have penciled in as a top 10 or better yet top 25 team?
I don’t have to be a film guy to tell you that he played NOBODY. Before calling people names for not sharing your opinion, maybe you should look up Texas A&M’s schedule or Alabama’s or…
So, again, tell me how this guy is more “NFL” ready than the others?
April 7th, 2014 at 3:13 pm
Bucsfanman:
Understand what you are suggesting, but it is not always who you play against. Look, Ben Roethlisberger played in the MAC. There isn’t one sober Bucs fan who thinks Tony Romo or Joe Flacco wouldn’t be upgrades in what the Bucs currently have, and those guys played in Division I-AA.
JaMarcus Russell and Rex Grossman both played in the SEC. How’d that work out?
Picking a guy just because of what conference he played in is dangerous.
April 7th, 2014 at 3:14 pm
@Bucsfanman
He played in a pro style offense mainly and was very successful. JF was in a spread offense, which in imo he is a product of. Bridgewater played under center more and has better pocket presence.
April 7th, 2014 at 3:32 pm
Joe, c-spann- Very valid points! However, the quality of opponents faced should be factored into these conversations regardless of the “style” of offense. More than half the teams he played couldn’t beat Plant HS! Including USF!
April 7th, 2014 at 3:39 pm
Glennon is better.
April 7th, 2014 at 3:46 pm
Alright stevek. Lets not go down that road again!
April 7th, 2014 at 3:51 pm
no
April 7th, 2014 at 3:54 pm
Teddy has the most solid fundamentals, throws a very accurate ball, and has been consistent throughout his college career. Why take another chance on “potential”? It didn’t work with Josh Freeman, it’s funny how quickly Bucs fans forget. Guys like Bortles and JF may have higher ceilings, but there are still plenty of question marks around them.
I’ll take Teddy any day of the week.
April 7th, 2014 at 4:17 pm
Eric Said:
“Bridgewater is more likely to be there at 7 than JF, IMO.
Bad year?
31 td’s 4 ints and 71% completion percentage?
Give me some of that bad.”
Me too.
stevek Said:
“If we draft Teddy @7, does he come with or without the glove needed to throw?”
Doesn’t Payton throw with a glove?
April 7th, 2014 at 4:23 pm
BoJim,
Does Peyton throw at his his combine/pro day?
Why wouldn’t a smallish QB from the AAC not want to throw at the combine?
IMO, the guy needed to show he was the best at the combine, and we didn’t see it. Then, when it came time to watch the pro day, we heard about how he went gloveless and stunk….
I just don’t think Bridgewater will be the Franchise QB.
We need a Franchise LT like Mathews or Robinson, or a pass rusher like Clowney, Mack, or Donald, or two of the best playmakers on offense in Watkins or Evans… IMHO, QBs in this draft aren’t all that.
Glennon and an OT/Pass Rusher/Playmaker is better then REACHING for a QB @7.
April 7th, 2014 at 4:24 pm
Would everyone be singning a 1st round rookie’s praises for going 19TD/9INT’s, and being the best QB in his draft?
I just don’t see a QB that is “surely” better than what we got.
April 7th, 2014 at 4:49 pm
@stevek
I hear where you’re coming from about Glennon. In most fan’s eyes he was average. I think a lot of the offense’s problems was mainly the play calling. It could be that MG is a great QB we don’t know. It is just that the upcoming QBs have a little more flare, if you will. And the fact that the offense was dead last with MG8 qbing.
April 7th, 2014 at 5:14 pm
[quote=Joe]Forgive Joe if he puts more stock into what he heard from NFL football executives at the combine than guys who probably never played high school football who monitor TV broadcast tape and try to peddle their analysis as Gospel.
Joe knows this site isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. If you prefer statistical graffiti based on broadcast tape rather than what NFL decision-makers see, then this isn’t your kinda site. Sorry.[/quote]
Lol, you’re a clever writer who can conjure strong imagery from text, I’ll give you that…
You’re also absolutely right that coach’s film is far superior to broadcast tape, but superior thinkers can still do better with inferior tools.
Personally I’ve found from doing my own evaluations that the latter group you mention has a better process for scouting draft prospects. 5+ years from now we’ll know the truth for sure based on the results, but I can already tell you that guys like Matt Waldman and Josh Norris called a lot of the mid-late round and UDFA sleepers from last year, whereas NFL execs routinely pick busts. Does Joe really think that Bruce Allen and Jon Gruden drafted better than the more intelligent fans of his blog would have? If so you must think very little of us.
I like statistical graffiti a lot, but I also enjoy this site a lot because I’m a Bucs fan and this is by far the best Bucs blog. Unlike that Phillipse guy on Bucs Nation, Pewter Report, or whomever Joe is a good writer and isn’t pretentious about his supposed football knowledge.
I do think it would be interesting if Joe did his own scouting, or at least deferred to Stephen White for evaluations. White would tell you the truth about Bridgewater, and Shaun King as well.
April 7th, 2014 at 5:22 pm
Teddy is weak physically and mentally, watched him give up on the season after the mighty UCF knights and Bortles beat them in their own house leading to the BCS bid and stomping of Baylor….
April 7th, 2014 at 6:07 pm
Bridgewater had a not so great Pro Day, where his lack of elite arm strength was displayed.
He does not seem to have that “IT” factor either.
I think he will still be there when we pick, but hope we don’t take him.
April 7th, 2014 at 7:17 pm
@c-span……it was 28TH with Glennon, dead last if you include Freeman’s s*!t show for three weeks.
April 7th, 2014 at 7:34 pm
Evans @ 7.
April 7th, 2014 at 7:39 pm
Seems like another Geno Smith to me.
April 7th, 2014 at 7:59 pm
@Patrick, offense was one of the worst with Glennon, end of story. He did manage a mediocre passer rating and decent TD-int numbers by playing safe. It is a classic case where numbers are deceiving .
April 7th, 2014 at 10:14 pm
Is it just me or bridgewater doesnt seem like fun pick up anymore compare to bortles or manziel hell even watkins ro evans seem more sexy..