Here's what jumped out at you in 2014 about Teddy Bridgewater: No impressive rookie passer in recent memory has generated less buzz around the league. And for someone who probably should have received much more credit -- with the Adrian Peterson mess, where would the Minnesota Vikings have been without Bridgewater? -- it appears his doubters still outnumber the believers.

"He played the position better than the other [rookie quarterbacks last season], but he's not especially talented," one NFC offensive coordinator wrote in a text message the other day, summing up the NFL's less-than-enthusiastic evaluation of Bridgewater. "[He] has a very average arm and is undersized. ... The ceiling isn't as high" as it is for some other quarterbacks.

OK, so it's unlikely Bridgewater will ever be compared favorably to Andrew Luck. Or Russell Wilson, for that matter. But instead of harping on Bridgewater's shortcomings, let's focus on what he does well. There's a lot to see there, too.

On the eve of training camp, the Vikings are relying on their sharp second-year signal-caller to bring stability to the game's most important position. Supremely confident, Bridgewater, 22, displayed poise that belied his age while shouldering the weight of the Vikings' offense last fall without Peterson. The All-Pro running back missed all but the season opener after he was charged with child abuse in Texas in September.

The return of Peterson (who's happy after having his contract restructured this week) and the addition of deep-threat wide receiver Mike Wallace could be just what Bridgewater needs to make another strong statement after his surprising opening act. The numbers told the story.