Jonathan Lintner

@JonathanLintner

Can Teddy Bridgewater handle freezing temperatures in Minnesota?

That’s the question ESPN’s Stats & Information department is asking Monday after researching the University of Louisville’s cold-weather performances. Bridgewater’s production is a tick lower when temperatures dip below 50 degrees, but ESPN found that while at U of L, he never started a game in freezing cold air.

“With the Vikings playing their home games outdoors for the next two seasons, in addition to away games at Green Bay and Chicago every season, Bridgewater’s ability to adapt to cold temperatures could have an impact on his long-term success,” wrote ESPN’s Sharon Katz.

The closest Bridgewater came to below-freezing was in the Cardinals’ 2012 home loss to Connecticut, when the thermometer hit 34 degrees for the early kickoff. That day, U of L fell in triple overtime and the Florida native suffered a broken left wrist in the second quarter.

Bridgewater came back five days later, on a chilly Thursday night at Rutgers, to help the Cardinals come back and clinch a BCS bid.

In his college career, Bridgewater made 24 starts when game-time temperatures were 50 degrees or above, according to ESPN. He completed 71 percent of passes, while throwing for 48 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

When temperatures were below 50, he started 11 games, completing 63 percent of passes with a 20-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio, per ESPN.

The numbers can be deceiving, though, considering the Cardinals didn’t play a ranked non-conference opponent in warmer games with Bridgewater as their starter, including two games against Football Championship Subdivision foes. He’s also known for wearing gloves, which should diminish the cold’s effects.

• Offshore odds maker Bovada.LV listed prop bets Monday involving Bridgewater coming out of the NFL draft.

He’s a 12-1 fourth pick to win Offensive Rookie of the Year behind Mike Evans (3-1), Sammy Watkins (4-1), Johnny Manziel (15-2). Kelvin Benjamin and Marqise Lee are also 12-1.

The other prop involving Bridgewater asks who will start more games next season, either Bridgewater (2-3) or Blake Bortles (11-10). The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Bortles third overall.

• While Bridgewater was just the 32nd pick, draft order hasn’t dictated jersey sales for rookies, according to a post on outsports.com. The Cleveland Browns’ Johnny Manziel leads, followed by the St. Louis Rams’ Michael Sam, the league’s first openly gay player. Then comes No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney of the Houston Texans, with Bridgewater fourth.

Jonathan Lintner can be reached at (502) 582-4199; follow him on Twitter @JonathanLintner.