The New Orleans Saints gave the starting nod to backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in their first preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings, and he didn’t disappoint. Bridgewater stood tall in the face of an intense Vikings pass rush and consistently put the ball where his receivers could get reel it in with minimal adjustments. But his best work came in the final two minutes following a fumble recovery by Saints linebacker Vince Biegel.
Bridgewater started off by hitting rookie wide receiver Cyril Grayson Jr., a former LSU Tigers track star, on a big gain from his own 20-yard line. Bridgewater put the ball in the perfect spot along Grayson’s outside shoulder and made it as easy for the inexperienced wideout as possible, moving the ball into Vikings territory:
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1160000225496317953
Bridgewater and the Saints closed out the drive with a touchdown, closing the Vikings lead to 14-12 before halftime. He moved the offense 64 yards in just six plays, striking third-year tight end Dan Arnold short of the goal line and letting Arnold stretch out into the end zone for a score. The two-point conversion attempt that followed was dropped by veteran running back Jacquizz Rodgers after Bridgewater put the ball on both of Rodgers’ hands at the goal-line.
Things were far from perfect — the backup offensive line was a sieve, seldom keeping Bridgewater clean — but there was plenty to be encouraged by in the first half. If this is a sign of things to come for Bridgewater, the Saints offense might be in good hands when Drew Brees decides it’s time to step away. It’s early, but Bridgewater should walk away from this series and the first half as a whole feeling positive.
