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Factoid

Minnesota Vikings

Bridgewater looks like poor fit for Norv Turner's offense

I am not crazy about the marriage of Teddy Bridgewater and Norv Turner. They just don’t seem like the go together. Turner wants to see the ball driven deep, and Bridgewater can’t make those throws.

Turner has been in the league forever, and he’s long been a strong proponent of have his wide receivers consistently challenge defenses with vertical routes. Vincent Jackson, Josh Gordon and Malcom Floyd in recent years. Back in the ‘90s with Henry Ellard, Michael Irvin and Alvin Harper.

But Bridgewater doesn’t have the gun to make those throws, and he also seems to play with an Alex Smith temperament – more focused on avoiding mistakes, rather than giving his wide receivers a chance to perhaps make a big play even when partially covered.

Typically with Turner, you see lots of wide receivers averaging 16-plus yards per catch. With the Vikings last year, their wide receivers (not tight ends or running backs – just the wide receivers) averaged only 12.9.

No way will Bridgewater be a top-20 quarterback on my draft board this year.

WIDE RECEIVERS IN NORV TURNER OFFENSES
YearTeamRecYardsAvgTD
2000Washington1492,16914.611
2001San Diego1702,61315.411
2002Miami1251,74514.06
2003Miami1191,71014.413
2004Oakland1652,62215.919
2005Oakland1892,69614.316
2006San Francisco1111,59814.47
2007San Diego1131,55513.88
2008San Diego1312,14816.416
2009San Diego1532,37615.513
2010San Diego1512,57117.015
2011San Diego1482,56617.317
2012San Diego1422,03714.315
2013Cleveland1882,67514.213
2014Minnesota1732,32613.412
2015Minnesota1481,91612.96

—Ian Allan

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