Is Teddy Ready For an "Encore" When Saints Face the Cowboys?
A "game manager". In the NFL, it's a term often used to describe a quarterback who isn't exactly an "elite" caliber player at that position, but one who can still play well enough to lead his team to a victory.
And while it's normally viewed as a derogatory term. it's actually a complimentary term that can be used when mentioning Saints back-up #2 QB Teddy Bridgewater.
This Sunday Night at the Superdome, the 26-year old will be starting his 2nd game for the Black and Gold in place of the injured Drew Brees. who as of now is expected to miss at least 5 more games until the thumb on his throwing hand heals from surgery from a torn ligament that he suffered two weeks ago in the team's loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
The former University of Louisville star surprisingly led the Black and Gold to an unlikely victory against what was seemingly overwhelming odds last Sunday in the Saints' win in the rain over the Seattle Seahawks; and while his stats and numbers weren't anything that would be considered spectacular. he and the team were able to accomplish their main objective: which is winning games and all the while keeping the franchise in Playoff contention, until Brees returns to the line-up.
Photo Credit: Associated Press
But now both analysts that cover the League as well as passionate Who Dat fans are all wondering: is Teddy ready for an "encore" or repeat performancefor a 2nd week in a row, and this time against the undefeated (3-0) Cowboys?
The answer depends on your individual perspective and how you personally view the overall skill and talent-level of the Saints' current starring QB, but this much is indisputable: Bridgewater has proven that he's more than capable of getting the job done.
While many Who Dats were thrown into a complete state of panic when Brees went down, the skill-set and athleticism of Bridgewater shouldn't be overlooked. He may not be anywhere near the same "elite caliber" category as Brees (or a Tom Brady or an Aaron Rodgers for that matter), but he is adequate or efficient enough to beat opposing NFL defenses like the one he faced last week at Seattle.
Bridgewater filled in quite admirably in the place of Brees against the Seahawks; and while he wasn’t anything that would be considered 'sensational' by any means, he still was able to successfully silence many of his biggest critics by demonstrating a much cooler, calmer demeanor and command of the offensive huddle.
(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
That display of leadership and self-confidence was starkly different by comparison to his performance two weeks ago during that loss at Los Angeles to the Rams; in a game where he entered the line-up "ice cold" and appeared to be completely unprepared to take over the reins of the offense.
But just one week later in the constant and unrelenting drizzle of rain at CenturyLink Field in downtown Seattle, Bridgewater had a redemptive bounce-back performance and was the one of the main catalysts for the Black and Gold in that unforgettable winning effort, as he completed 19 out of his 27 pass attempts for a grand total of 177 passing yards and compiled an above-average QB rating of 112.7.
Long story short: the Saints DON'T need Bridgewater to single-handedly win games.
(Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
As everyone was witness to last weekend, the Saints roster is still loaded with an overabundance of young talent; not only just on the offensive side of the ball, but on defense and the special teams as well.
Both the defense and special teams scored TD's of their own, and by doing so provided Bridgewater with the comfort and confidencethat he could get the job done.
With Brees expected to be out until after the Bye Week (despite Brees' own overly-optimistic view that he might return sooner), the impetus will fall upon Bridgewater to play at least just "well enough" to give the Saints a chance to win, regardless of the opponent.
And with New Orleans currently having the 3rd best offensive line in the entire NFL (according to the good folks over at Pro Football Focus), as well as having two young superstars with RB Alvin Kamara and WR Michael Thomas at his disposal, Bridgewater has the necessary tools within his grasp to continue getting "W's" in the win-loss column.
(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
As it is, there are several other factors that could go in both Bridgewater and the Saints' favor this Sunday Night when they face the despised and hated Cowboys.
Such as playing the game at home inside the cozy confines of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, where the Saints have compiled a (13-3) win-loss record over the course of the last two years; including their season-opening win over the Houston Texans.
Then there's also the fact that while they are undoubtedly talented, the Cowboys defense has been performing at a level that's been more "middle of the pack" than anything else; and honestly haven't played all that well thus far through their first 3 games.
That's supported by the fact that Dallas is only ranked 15th overall currently in total yards allowed, and that was against three bad offenses (New York Giants, Washington Redskins, and the woefully "tanking" Miami Dolphins).
Nevertheless, Dallas currently remains as a 2.5 point favorite over the Saints despite those additional factors. But yet that still doesn’t mean that the Cowboys are an "invincible" team by any stretch of the imagination — and that they aren't capable of getting beat.
And as everyone saw last week at Seattle, it also doesn't require Bridgewater to become the "next Warren Moon" or any other stereotypical comparisons that could be made to other outstanding top-notch African-American quarterbacks from past NFL history (such as Doug Williams or Michael Vick).
What players such as Moon, Williams, and Vick all had was the SELF-CONFIDENCE that they could be successful no matter what obstacles came their way, either on the football field or off of it.
That's an intangible that can't be gained or earned externally, but comes from deep within.
And as it's been proven already: it's an intangible that Bridgewater clearly possesses. based on that winning performance on the road in a hostile environment last week, up in the Pacific Northwest.
Sure, he might only be nothing more than a "game manager" and not much else in the opinion of some, and especially in the eyes of his biggest critics and detractors. But he has shown that he can win games. even if it isn't "pretty" or dazzling along the lines of someone like Patrick Mahomes.
Photo Credit: Associated Press
Is Teddy ready for an "encore" when the Saints face off against the Cowboys on Sunday Night?
