Adrian Peterson: Teddy Bridgewater reminds me of Tom Brady
Outside of a single season with Brett Favre in 2009, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has played his entire nine-year career without the benefit of elite quarterback play.
His current quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater, has put together a solid but unspectacular first two seasons in the NFL. He's flashed the skills of a franchise quarterback, but has failed to significantly develop as a passer, throwing 6,150 yards and 28 touchdowns in his two-year career.
However, Peterson said on Friday’s PFT Live that he believes Bridgewater is ready to make a significant leap in his third season in the league.
"His third year in, that's a moment when a young guy really just comes to himself," Peterson said, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "I feel like these past two years have been good. His first year I felt like was an awesome opportunity with me not being back there to really kind of have a load on his shoulders. Then last year we went through those first couple of weeks just kind of balancing things out with me being back there. I feel like this year with how I feel the offensive line will perform that's just going to make him an even better player. Just having more time to sit back there in the pocket and deliver the ball."
With the additions of guard Alex Boone and offensive tackle Andre Smith during free agency, as well as center John Sullivan and right tackle Phil Loadholt returning from injury, Bridgewater should be able to play with adequate protection for arguably the first time in his career.
Because of this, Peterson said Bridgewater will be able to show that he possesses a similar skill set to one of the league's premier passers.
"He reminds me of a Tom Brady because Tom Brady is great at those mediocre passes," Peterson said. "Those short passes and mid-range passes and that's exactly what Teddy does as well. He's the type of guy that needs the receiver that runs routes and that's at a specific location that you're practicing. So I feel like with the additions that we've made to the offensive line and of course me envisioning what I'll be able to bring to the offense as well I think that's going to make his job a lot easier. With that he'll feel more comfortable and he can really get back there and just play his game. So I'm expecting big things from Teddy this year."
Peterson said recently that he thinks the Vikings are capable of winning it all this season, and if that prediction is going to come true, the team needs Bridgewater to become an upper-echelon quarterback.