What Lions Are Getting In QB Teddy Bridgewater
Alain Poupart covers the Miami Dolphins for All Dolphins, and answered five questions regarding what the Detroit Lions are getting in quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
1.) What are Lions getting in QB Teddy Bridgewater?
Alain Poupart: If you look around the NFL, there frankly are not that many backup quarterbacks with better credentials than Bridgewater, who has a lot of starting experience. Bridgewater has been around, won't get overwhelmed by any situation and maybe could start for some teams around the league. So, as backups go, it's pretty high end — and an upgrade over Nate Sudfeld, to be quite honest.
2.) How do you think he can benefit from being in Detroit?
Poupart: Bridgewater will benefit from the Lions situation the same way any quarterback would, and that starts with being able to operate behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.
3. What are his biggest strengths and weaknesses?
Poupart: Bridgewater's biggest strength is his experience and the fact that situations won't get too big for him. Bridgewater has above-average accuracy, and while not necessarily fast, has some scrambling ability. The biggest weakness very clearly is the lack of a big-time arm, which will limit the kind of throws that he can make on a regular basis. Bridgewater always is kind of fragile, and it was injuries more than anything else that doomed him, in terms of returning to the Dolphins for a second year.
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4.) If Jared Goff does go down with injury, do you think Bridgewater can steer the ship without too much of a drop-off?
Poupart: I said several times last season that the Dolphins absolutely could function with Bridgewater in the lineup, instead of Tua Tagovailoa. But, Bridgewater simply couldn't stay healthy, and left his two starts early because of injuries. But, he did pass for 329 yards in less than three full quarters in an October game against Minnesota, after he had come in for rookie Skylar Thompson. This came the week after Bridgewater was pulled from a contest with the Jets after one play by the concussion spotter. So, yes, I think the Lions' offense could function if Bridgewater had to come in for Goff, but the number of shots downfield probably would have to be reduced. And, the Lions would have to then hold their breath that Bridgewater doesn't get injured.
5.) What is something about Bridgewater many people many not know?
Poupart: This is tough to answer, because I don't what people know about Bridgewater. What I would say is that some fans got on his case last year for appearing disinterested, when I would suggest he's just a very laid-back kind of guy.
