Vikings offseason report: Teddy Bridgewater, team ready to make leap

Tom Pelissero | USA TODAY Sports

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — If anyone wants assurances the Minnesota Vikings are heading in the right direction with Teddy Bridgewater as their quarterback, Norv Turner says to watch video of the last six games from Bridgewater's rookie season in 2014.

"He was much more decisive," said Turner, entering his second season as offensive coordinator. "We were very specific in terms of what we were doing. I think we had a good feel for what we did best as a unit. We had so many changes early: a culmination of obviously playing three quarterbacks over a period of time, the offensive line shuffling in and out, the backfield situation. I don't care if you had a veteran quarterback — it was going to be a challenge."

Matt Cassel began last season as the starter and probably would've finished it, too, if a broken foot in Week 3 hadn't landed him on injured reserve. The Vikings were in no rush to put Bridgewater on the field.

But the first-round draft pick acquitted himself fairly well under the circumstances — particularly in the last six games, in which he completed more than 70% of his passes four times, throwing for 10 touchdowns with six interceptions as the Vikings averaged 24 points a game.

When Bridgewater reviewed the tape, he saw a player who early on was "trying to be perfect, overthinking things and overanalyzing things," he said. His decision-making wasn't fast enough, and he held the ball too long.

In consecutive October losses to the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills, Bridgewater threw five interceptions and took 13 sacks. "But once those reps came in and continued to just go out there and compete on Sundays, you got comfortable and you tend to think less," he said.

The Vikings finished 7-9 despite the quarterback change and the loss of star tailback Adrian Peterson (he played in just one game) after a child injury charge, tight end Kyle Rudolph and guard Brandon Fusco to injuries and other challenges.

Now Peterson is back. Rudolph and Fusco are healthy. The Vikings acquired speedy wide receiver Mike Wallace from the Miami Dolphins. There is talent to work with, and Turner has a full offseason to sculpt the offense around Bridgewater's strengths.

"I have high expectations for myself, and this team has high expectations also," said Bridgewater.

But he stopped short of making Year 2 proclamations.

"Right now, we're not as good as what we think," he said. "We know that the ceiling is very high and the expectation level is very high — not only for the players, but from a coaching staff also. We know what's being asked of us, but we have a long way to go."

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Quarterback

This is Bridgewater's team. The Vikings traded Cassel to the Bills, let former first rounder Christian Ponder go to the Oakland Raiders in free agency and signed Shaun Hill, 35, to a two-year, $6.5 million deal as the backup. Mike Kafka and Taylor Heinicke, an undrafted rookie from Old Dominion, are competing for the No. 3 spot.

Running back

The Vikings think Peterson will have a huge comeback season, even at age 30. The 2012 NFL MVP is due $13 million and is signed through 2017. Scatback Jerick McKinnon returns along with grinder Matt Asiata, who re-signed for 2015 on a deal that includes $100,000 guaranteed. But Asiata will face a challenge for his spot from ex-Green Bay Packer DuJuan Harris and perhaps Joe Banyard. Fullback Jerome Felton voided his deal and left for Buffalo. Zach Line has appeared in four games over two seasons. Fifth-round pick MyCole Pruitt (Southern Illinois) is an aggressive blocker who could factor there.

Wide receiver

The release of leading receiver Greg Jennings and addition of Wallace altered the dynamic. Wallace is a vertical threat who's dangerous in other areas of the field. He'll team with last year's breakout player, Charles Johnson, and another speedy target, Jarius Wright. It remains to be seen how former first-round pick Cordarrelle Patterson fits in. Adam Thielen is back as well, and the Vikings used a fifth-round pick on Maryland's Stefon Diggs.

Tight end

Bridgewater raves that Rudolph looks like a new player. His size (6-6, 259 pounds) and hands make him a matchup threat, but he has missed 17 games over the last two seasons. Pruitt has 4.5 speed. The Vikings also have Chase Ford and are looking at Brandon Bostick.

Offensive line

Entering his fifth season, Fusco has emerged as the group's best player and will switch sides to line up next to left tackle Matt Kalil, who says he's fully healthy after struggling noticeably in 2014. Center John Sullivan signed a contract extension in April and remains solid at 29. Phil Loadholt is back at right tackle. The big question is right guard. Fourth-round pick T.J. Clemmings is talented but raw and projects as a tackle long term. Charlie Johnson, a starter since 2011, was released. Joe Berger can play all three inside spots and was a key depth re-signing. Tackle Michael Harris has 17 NFL starts.

Defensive line

Everson Griffen had 12 sacks in his first season as the starting right end. The rest of last year's first-string line also returns: rising three-technique Sharrif Floyd, nose tackle Linval Joseph and veteran left end Brian Robison. The Vikings re-signed Tom Johnson to a three-year, $7 million deal after he emerged as a key rotational player inside. They also have defensive tackle Shamar Stephen, who contributed as a rookie. Depth at end is suspect, depending on how Scott Crichton progresses in his second season. He'll compete at left end and as a nickel rusher inside. Third-round pick Danielle Hunter is a right end with excellent measurables but will need time to develop.

Linebacker

Anthony Barr is a physical specimen who will keep starting on the strong side and perhaps play some end in nickel packages. He had four sacks and two forced fumbles in 12 games before a knee injury ended his rookie year. Veteran Chad Greenway took a pay cut to stick around and play the weak side. He is 32 but has valuable leadership traits. With Jasper Brinkley gone, instinctive second-round pick Eric Kendricks is the favorite to win the middle linebacker job. If not, Audie Cole is the logical alternative. Gerald Hodges made seven starts last season and provides depth outside. The Vikings signed ex-Philadelphia Eagle Casey Matthews to a one-year deal.

Secondary

If top draft pick Trae Waynes lives up to the hype, the Vikings have the makings of a formidable group. He could start immediately opposite third-year corner Xavier Rhodes. Another former first-round pick, safety Harrison Smith, is a rising star. Robert Blanton remains atop the depth chart at the other safety spot, but Antone Exum could make a push. Andrew Sendejo has starting experience. Newcomer Terence Newman played for coach Mike Zimmer on the Cincinnati Bengals. His one-year, $2.25 million deal provides more subpackage options along with Captain Munnerlyn and Josh Robinson.

Special teams

Blair Walsh is coming off a down year by his standards but is among the game's best young kickers. Punter Jeff Locke is back for a third season. Patterson was an all-pro return man as a rookie in 2013, but his production dropped last year.

Coaching

Players love Zimmer, 59. The Vikings improved during his first season, despite the Peterson mess. General manager Rick Spielman is much further along than a year ago with assembling the personnel for Zimmer's defense. George Edwards, 48, is the defensive coordinator, but that's Zimmer's baby. Turner, 63, continues to add fresh pieces to his Air Coryell-derivative offense. Respected special teams coordinator Mike Priefer, 48, is one of the few holdovers from Leslie Frazier's staff.

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