Teddy Bridgewater

[Number19]

Hand size is not indicative of success at all.

Michael Vick 8½
Drew Brees 10¼.
Tim Couch 9 7/8
Donovan McNabb 10-0
Akili Smith 9¾
Cade McNown 9 3/8
Brad Johnson 10 1/8
Patrick Ramsey 10-0
David Carr 9¾
Joey Harrington 9¾
Trent Dilfer 9 5/8
Jay Fiedler 9½
J.T. O’Sullivan 9½
Jake Plummer 9¼
Chris Chandler 9¼
Jim Druckenmiller 11¼
Heath Shuler 10 5/8
David Klingler 9¼

Some of you guys are just getting too wrapped up in the "tear down Teddy to make your guy look better" arguments. First it was his weight, then the thickness of his arms, then his lack of Heisman votes in 2013, then his conference competition, then his crossdressing, then his "looping motion" in his throw, then the angle of the ball in his throwing motion, then his defense is making him look good, then his spiral isn't tight enough, then not declaring for the NFL draft immediately, and on and on and on. It's really boring reading the same stuff over and over again. The super-anti-Teddy crowd really needs to step back off this thread, because most of you aren't adding anything meaningful to the discussion.

You name 18 QB's and only four had hand sizes 9 1/4" or smaller. Also hand size was one of the first things being pointed out several months ago and now we are finding out he does have a smallish hand. This is why he wears his glove, or by one report two gloves.

 

[Number19]

Hand size is stupid. No correlation between being a good qb and your hand size.....NONE what so ever. Teddy has lived his whole life with those hands, hes not gonna suddenly forget how "small" they are and let it affect him holding the ball.....they are over critiquing him like they do every top guy every year. Passing on Teddy will be the biggest mistake we make if we do it....

You say hand size is irrelevent to QB play, but Manziel is critized for carrying/swinging the ball outside his frame as he scrambles. But in spite of this risky behavior, he had the fewest fumbles of all the top ranked QB's.

 

[stingray]

Unless something drastic happens, I dont understand how the Texans dont draft Teddy B. Manziel is a huge risk, Bortles is big and has potential but neither is ready compared to Teddy. Great accuracy, smart, talented, humble, eats and ****s the game. The kid has it all.

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

You say hand size is irrelevent to QB play, but Manziel is critized for carrying/swinging the ball outside his frame as he scrambles. But in spite of this risky behavior, he had the fewest fumbles of all the top ranked QB's.

If Manziel continues his ball-carrying technique into the NFL, someone will break off his large-ass hand and offer it back to the ref with the ball still attached.........

 

[steelbtexan]

If Manziel continues his ball-carrying technique into the NFL, someone will break off his large-ass hand and offer it back to the ref with the ball still attached.........

True Dat

 

[The Pencil Neck]

Hand size is stupid. No correlation between being a good qb and your hand size.....NONE what so ever. Teddy has lived his whole life with those hands, hes not gonna suddenly forget how "small" they are and let it affect him holding the ball.....they are over critiquing him like they do every top guy every year. Passing on Teddy will be the biggest mistake we make if we do it....

Hand size is not a stupid thing to be worried about.

Dave Krieg was a QB who was very close to being very good. But he had very small hands. Because he had very small hands, he fumbled. A lot. He had 18 fumbles lost one season and 16 lost in another. There have been some other small-handed QBs who had similar problems.

Bridgewater's hands, otoh, never looked THAT small to me. So I wasn't worried about that.

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

You want big hands, you may want to look at Logan Thomas in the later rounds more as a developmental player..............6'6" 250# 33 1/2 arm length and.............a 10 7/8 inch hand!..........now THAT'S a hand!!!!

 

[PapaL]

Are we looking for a starting lineup of clowns? We already have D.Hop's giant hands, and we've seen/heard what he does w those online. Teddy is just fine as he is.

 

[steelbtexan]

You want big hands, you may want to look at Logan Thomas in the later rounds more as a developmental player..............6'6" 250# 33 1/2 arm length and.............a 10 7/8 inch hand!..........now THAT'S a hand!!!!

Give that man a hand.

Thomas 10 7/8 and Vaughan 8 7/8 were listed alphabetically next to each other. I bet Vaughn is having confidence issue tonight.

 

[Lucky]

Hand size is not a stupid thing to be worried about.

Dave Krieg was a QB who was very close to being very good. But he had very small hands. Because he had very small hands, he fumbled. A lot.

Did Warren Moon have small hands? Because that guy was a fumbling machine.

 

[PapaL]

Did Warren Moon have small hands? Because that guy was a fumbling machine.

Dante Culpepper must've have midget hands. Errrr little people hands.

 

[mussop]

It has to be Bridgewater or Brett Smith. No one else should suffice for the Texans.

I understand Bridgewater but Brett smith????

 

[Marshall]

Hand size is stupid. No correlation between being a good qb and your hand size.....NONE what so ever. Teddy has lived his whole life with those hands, hes not gonna suddenly forget how "small" they are and let it affect him holding the ball.....they are over critiquing him like they do every top guy every year. Passing on Teddy will be the biggest mistake we make if we do it....

Ball security is a major issue in the Pros with faster rushers with longer arms. There are ways to compensate for this, but a bigger throwing hand helps. It shouldn't be the biggest part of the evaluation, but it is a part of it. But the more interesting factor to me is how well he protected the ball at the college level. How many fumbles did he commit after a blind side tackle as a percentage of all blind side tackles?

Another issue where hand size comes into play is the ability to pump-fake the DBs off the receiver. One thing I did notice was Manziel's use of the pump-fake and guess what? He has bigger hands than his taller counterparts. Now this is merely an observation, but I'd like to see research on the correlation.

 

[Corrosion]

I've been silently on the Bridgewater Bandwagon now since shortly after the season.

It has to be Bridgewater or Brett Smith. No one else should suffice for the Texans.

As much as the game is won and lost in the trenches, if there is a such thing as a tipple - edged sword, then we best believe that a Head Coach will rise or fall based upon his QB of choice. There are just no ways around any of these basic football facts.

Bridgewater, Theodore.

Im as high on Smith as anyone , accept maybe you and SteelBTexan .... but I wouldn't expect Smith to be more than a two to three year project at this point.
Bridgewater , Manziel , Bortles , & Mettenberger (pending the knee) are the only 4 I believe are ready to take NFL snaps right out of the gate.

 

[Number19]

If Manziel continues his ball-carrying technique into the NFL, someone will break off his large-ass hand and offer it back to the ref with the ball still attached.........

I don't disagree. My point was larger hands offer a more secure grip on the ball. Another poster pointed out this is a factor in the pump fake. You also observe on the run fake how often the QB extends the ball out 30 inches or so. One instance when QB's are likely to lose the ball is when they are in the pocket, trying to throw the ball under intense pressure, and they have to pull the ball down while defensive players are slapping at the ball. The point being, any time the QB handles the ball with one hand, a larger hand offers a more secure grip.

 

[jradMIT]

The gloves nowadays are the guys with smaller hands out.

 

[Playoffs]

Matt Miller ‏@nfldraftscout

SF Chronicle report says Teddy Bridgewater will NOT throw at the Combine. Disappointing.

 

[kiwitexansfan]

That is hugely disappointing.

Are you a teddy bear or a grizzly bear?

Eat some concrete and harden up!

 

[beerlover]

never expected this, but this could really benefit Bortles (TB/Manziel not throwing). having stage to himself, couldn't really ask for more than that.

 

[The Pencil Neck]

Understandable but very, very disappointing.

You want a guy at QB who's competitive and who wants to show off what he can do.

 

[WolverineFan]

Understandable but very, very disappointing.

You want a guy at QB who's competitive and who wants to show off what he can do.

I agree. I'm tired of guys like Manziel and Bridgewater showing up to the combine and not throwing while guys like Brett Smith sit on the sidelines with no invite.

 

[bah007]

I don't knock points from guys like Bridgewater or Manziel who don't throw. But if a guy shows up and throws really well he certainly has the opportunity to make up ground.

 

[b0ng]

I don't knock points from guys like Bridgewater or Manziel who don't throw. But if a guy shows up and throws really well he certainly has the opportunity to make up ground.

I don't knock them either because Teddy/JFF are probably top 10 if not top 5 picks already. If there were millions on the line for who gets picked first (like the old CBA) more of these guys would throw in Indy.

 

[mussop]

Matt Miller ‏@nfldraftscout

I'm still waiting on his presser.

 

[Playoffs]

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet

Spent time with someone who coached against Teddy Bridgewater at U of L. Talked for 10 minutes on how tough he is, injuries he played through..

[IMGwidthsize=400]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BhGjaAbCMAA8ypu.jpg[/IMG]

Dan Kadar ‏@MockingTheDraft

Bridgewater said he's goal oriented. Set a three year plan for college and has achieved everything he set to do. Including graduate.

If he could be any QB ever, Bridgewater said Johnny Unitas.

He even says playing football video games are "virtual reps."

Bridgewater said there's not a moment that goes by where he isn't thinking of football.

Bridgewater said he met with the Jaguars owner and general manager. Same with Oakland.

Bridgewater said it doesn't matter about his hand size because he can complete the football.

Bridgewater said he's eager to meet and talk to Texans head coach Bill O'Brien.

Bridgewater said when his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer he wanted to quit playing sports.

Bridgewater said hopefully he relieved doubts about his size.

Bridgewater said the Louisville system him for NFL QBs have to do before the snap.

Bridgewater said he putting on weight was a big focus for him.

Bridgewater said he will run at the combine.

Bridgewater said his accuracy separates him from other QBs.

Bridgewater is now up. Initially at Louisville he wanted to play WR just to get on the field.

Matthew Fairburn ‏@MatthewFairburn

Bridgewater wanted to start year one, be all conference year two, graduate year three and be out the door. He accomplished all of his goals

Bridgewater wants to get back up over 220/225 pounds... Was at that weight at Louisville but an oral procedure caused him to not eat and lose lbs

Bridgewater: I have met with the Jaguars. It was a great meeting. Lot of energy in that room. Owner and GM were in there.

Bridgewater says "with my accuracy, my arm strength, my decision-making," the hand size won't matter

Bridgewater on game against Bortles: He's an awesome guy. I'm a big fan of his from watching him and playing against him.

Bridgewater: First time I picked up a football I told myself I want to go to the NFL.

Bridgewater: I want to prove that I can put on that weight.

Bridgewater: getting bigger was a huge focus. I was 205 at the end of the season, added nine pounds.

Bridgewater: I feel like I'm the best QB in this draft. I'm not just going to stand up here and say it. There's actions that have to back up those words

It's finally Teddy Bridgewater time in Indy.

Marc Vandermeer ‏@TexansVoice

Don't know if he's the top pick but he had the #1 press conference. Won the media over. Lot of smiles. #Bridgewater pic.twitter.com/TTDhTrhchk

 

[MistaRed]

Bridgewater meeting with the Texans tonight.

 

[Playoffs]

Video: Bridgewater: My Goal Is To Prove I'm The Best

Well coached, but loosens up into it.

Matt Miller ‏@nfldraftscout

Blake Bortles' hand is 1/8" bigger than Teddy Bridgewater's. Slow your roll, haters.

 

[disaacks3]

That sounded much better than his last one. Sounds like he's ready.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

 

[mussop]

Video: Bridgewater: My Goal Is To Prove I'm The Best

Well coached, but loosens up into it.

Matt Miller ‏@nfldraftscout

Now that's what I'm talking about. He did well.

 

[Playoffs]

Can't imagine having to have my jaw broken to fix an open bite.

Must've been a miserable recovery.

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

Can't imagine having to have my jaw broken to fix an open bite.

Must've been a miserable recovery.

Actually, it is not a painful recovery at all. Movement at fracture sites, due to pulls of the muscle attachments are mostly what make fractures painful. In this type of surgery, the fracture segments are firmly stablized with plate and screws. After ~48 hours postoperatively, most of my patients do not usually require narcotics. And, because of the aforementioned technique of stabilization, wiring the jaws together with its accompanying problems with eating, are no longer necessary.

 

[ObsiWan]

Actually, it is not a painful recovery at all. Movement at fracture sites, due to pulls of the muscle attachments are mostly what make fractures painful. In this type of surgery, the fracture segments are firmly stablized with plate and screws. After ~48 hours postoperatively, most of my patients do not usually require narcotics. And, because of the aforementioned technique of stabilization, wiring the jaws together with its accompanying problems with eating, are no longer necessary.

Wait...
You break jaws for a living?

and you seem like such a nice guy

 

[EVOLVIST]

Im as high on Smith as anyone , accept maybe you and SteelBTexan .... but I wouldn't expect Smith to be more than a two to three year project at this point.
Bridgewater , Manziel , Bortles , & Mettenberger (pending the knee) are the only 4 I believe are ready to take NFL snaps right out of the gate.

Brett Smith is my unapologetic dark horse in this race, much the same as Nick Foles was a couple of years ago.

I'm not saying that the Texans should pass on Bridgewater for smith...not by a long shot, but I'm starting to lean towards taking two QBs in this draft, depending on the value they're able to snag at other positions.

Having said that, more than any years this is a difficult one to mock/predict. Not only does O'Brian, in my opinion, must partner with a QB early - in this case Bridgewater - but also Rick Smith is picking to keep his job.

I think Bortles and Mettenberger, though - too a lesser extent Mettenberger - are just as much projects as Smith. I'm not sold on Bortles...which means absolutely nothing! HA!

 

[Corrosion]

Brett Smith is my unapologetic dark horse in this race, much the same as Nick Foles was a couple of years ago.

I'm not saying that the Texans should pass on Bridgewater for smith...not by a long shot, but I'm starting to lean towards taking two QBs in this draft, depending on the value they're able to snag at other positions.

Having said that, more than any years this is a difficult one to mock/predict. Not only does O'Brian, in my opinion, must partner with a QB early - in this case Bridgewater - but also Rick Smith is picking to keep his job.

I think Bortles and Mettenberger, though - too a lesser extent Mettenberger - are just as much projects as Smith. I'm not sold on Bortles...which means absolutely nothing! HA!

I definitely wouldn't be against taking two QB's in this draft - one of Manziel and Bridgewater early then Smith in the 5th / 6th round.

 

[Lucky]

I definitely wouldn't be against taking two QB's in this draft - one of Manziel and Bridgewater early then Smith in the 5th / 6th round.

I don't see the point of spending 2 draft picks on QBs. Picking up another as a UDFA for a camp arm, OK. But are you really going to carry 2 rookie QBs on the roster? Not likely.

 

[Texian]

Scare red

 

[thunderkyss]

I don't see the point of spending 2 draft picks on QBs. Picking up another as a UDFA for a camp arm, OK. But are you really going to carry 2 rookie QBs on the roster? Not likely.

Depends on what you got in your stable & what happens in FA. If the league prices us out of the FA market (ie McCown, Freeman get $8M contracts) & you don't feel good about any of Schwab, Yates, Keenum. Why not?



Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[infantrycak]

Scare red

Thought you were joking the 1st time. For Manziel delaying was cool because he wanted more time to prepare but TB is "scare red."

 

[kingtexan]

Why go to the combine and not participate?

 

[bah007]

Why go to the combine and not participate?

If you're invited you pretty much have to go or else you'll get crucified for not doing measurements.

Top guys skip the events every year and everybody freaks out. I don't think it's a big deal.

People overreact to the combine in a huge way. It can hurt you just as easily as it can help you if you have a bad day. I'd rather be judged on what I've done on the field, to be honest.

The original purpose of the combine was medical evaluations and interviews. As long as you still go through that you're okay in my book.

 

[Number19]

Can I get several responses, both pro and con, as to the kind of presence Bridgewater had in the huddle and on the sideline? I've seen clips of Manziel being a firebrand, pumping up and inspiring his teammates. My impression is that Bridgewater doesn't seem to have this strong of a motivating personality. I could be wrong which is why I'm asking.

 

[bah007]

Can I get several responses, both pro and con, as to the kind of presence Bridgewater had in the huddle and on the sideline? I've seen clips of Manziel being a firebrand, pumping up and inspiring his teammates. My impression is that Bridgewater doesn't seem to have this strong of a motivating personality. I could be wrong which is why I'm asking.

Manziel's personality is definitely more overbearing.

To me, Bridgewater seems like a guy who doesn't get too high or too low. Always keeps his emotions in check.

I prefer the latter to be honest. I know that's not popular around here, considering the QBs we've had in the past.

High school and college kids respond to Manziel's style of leadership, no doubt about it. I feel it's cheesy for the pros. I really don't think a 10 year vet is going to get pumped up by Manziel running around and yelling.

Confidence is the most important thing. The other guys have to honestly believe that you can win the game no matter what the situation is. I think all of the top three have that working for them. They all exude that confidence.

 

[Corrosion]

I don't see the point of spending 2 draft picks on QBs. Picking up another as a UDFA for a camp arm, OK. But are you really going to carry 2 rookie QBs on the roster? Not likely.

Depends on what you got in your stable & what happens in FA. If the league prices us out of the FA market (ie McCown, Freeman get $8M contracts) & you don't feel good about any of Schwab, Yates, Keenum. Why not?

I think TK answered the question well.


I'll just add that its not just the price of potential FA's but the fact that this class of FA QB's is void of talent. I've posted the list of FA's a few times , I can say without a doubt that I wouldn't want a single one of them on my roster with the one exception possibly being Vick.


It all boils down to how you evaluate Yates & Keenum who are going to be cheaper than any FA ($692k for Yates , $495k for Keenum) and will probably offer you just as much on the field as any of the potential FA's. Do one or both fit your scheme ?! If only one , then taking a late round flyer on a QB isn't such a waste of a roster spot.

You also have the option of hiding that late round QB by not giving him exposure in the preseason and stashing him on the practice squad.

A 5th-7th round pick isn't much of a risk in this situation when the position is in such dire straights.

 

[infantrycak]

Can I get several responses, both pro and con, as to the kind of presence Bridgewater had in the huddle and on the sideline? I've seen clips of Manziel being a firebrand, pumping up and inspiring his teammates. My impression is that Bridgewater doesn't seem to have this strong of a motivating personality. I could be wrong which is why I'm asking.

Manziel is definitely louder and more demonstrative. TB is more quiet and businesslike - steadying. I think you would have to talk to the teammates for who inspires or is more effective. Some fans only appreciate brash and obvious because they can see it but it isn't always the most effective. Basically I think it is guesswork unless some kind of inside info leaks out.

 

[WolverineFan]

Can I get several responses, both pro and con, as to the kind of presence Bridgewater had in the huddle and on the sideline? I've seen clips of Manziel being a firebrand, pumping up and inspiring his teammates. My impression is that Bridgewater doesn't seem to have this strong of a motivating personality. I could be wrong which is why I'm asking.

If you ask Louisville coaches or players they dispute that he's not a fiery leader. His OC at Louisville laughed at that assertion in an interview a while back. They just have different personalities and that carries over to the way they interact with their teammates.

IMO, Bridgewater just carries his persona in a different manner. There are pros and cons to both styles. Manziel seems to have the Brady-esque fiery leadership style. Bridgewater seems to have the Manning-esque more calm and collected leadership style. They both work if the guy can lead.

 

[_King_]

I've played with guys who were loud and "fiery" that could get you hyped up and I've played with guys who could say one mono tone sentence and get you fired up. The thing is, if you are a good player and you decide to say something before the game, people are going to listen. You can't suck or be in a bad stretch of sucking and go with the same method you've been using to motivate.

Tbh, most of the better qb's I've seen or known have had a fairly even personality but would have bursts of fire.

 

[Lucky]

I'll just add that its not just the price of potential FA's but the fact that this class of FA QB's is void of talent.

I don't buy that. At least in terms of relating their talent to what would be available late in the draft.

The Texans will bring in a veteran QB. You need that in the meeting room and the practice field to help a young QB. One of the guys left on the roster may or may not make the roster. I think either would be available for trade (if there's a market). But you're asking the staff to spend time coaching up and getting reps to 2 rookies. On a 2-14 team that needs to find LBs, DBs, and probably a RB with those late picks. It doesn't even come close to making sense.

Again, if a guy like Smith (who wasn't invited to the combine) is undrafted, then sign him up as a UDFA. But if the Texans, or any of the other 31 NFL teams, thought he was that good, he would have gotten a combine invite. The last non-invite QB that did anything in the league I can remember was Matt Cassel (taken in the 7th by NE). Cassel would actually be a great FA pickup by the Texans.

 

[Lord Bills]

so the guy who claims to be the best QB of the draft is a cross dresser and refuses to throw or run while playing the weakest competition out of all the other qbs in question?

and this is the guy who you want to be our franchise qb?



Where the same posters who slagged Manziel for saying cocky things do the same for Bridgewater?

 

[LikeMike]

so the guy who claims to be the best QB of the draft is a cross dresser and refuses to throw or run while playing the weakest competition out of all the other qbs in question?

and this is the guy who you want to be our franchise qb?



Where the same posters who slagged Manziel for saying cocky things do the same for Bridgewater?

It´s probably their manager telling them not to do it - be it because they are not throwing to players they know, or they are having one very minor injury that could cause a number to drop. I am disappointed by both of them, but it is not a big deal.

Bridgewater probably had a minor injury or sometihng like a cold today. He was announcing he were running, so I guess it was a last minute decision. His 40 time isn`t as important as Manziels, since he won`t do any designed runs anyways. But it would still be nice to have a comparison.

 

[disaacks3]

Manziel's personality is definitely more overbearing.

To me, Bridgewater seems like a guy who doesn't get too high or too low. Always keeps his emotions in check.

I prefer the latter to be honest. I know that's not popular around here, considering the QBs we've had in the past.

High school and college kids respond to Manziel's style of leadership, no doubt about it. I feel it's cheesy for the pros. I really don't think a 10 year vet is going to get pumped up by Manziel running around and yelling.

Confidence is the most important thing. The other guys have to honestly believe that you can win the game no matter what the situation is. I think all of the top three have that working for them. They all exude that confidence.

I think your preference for a more "quiet" leader is off-target in the current NFL. Most of the top ones aren't the quiet types. Sure, rah-rah can be OVERdone, but having fire isn't a flaw.