As training camp goes on, more reports are surfacing that the Minnesota Vikings are growing very impressed with Teddy Bridgewater. Prior to drafting the former Louisville quarterback, the Vikings were adamant that Matt Cassel would be the team's starter as they looked to avoid another Christian Ponder situation. However, Bridgewater is earning rave reviews for his performance which could signify a change under center. However, Cassel is confident that he remains the starter for 2014.
Bridgewater has taken his share of first-team reps during training camp, but Cassel stresses that is normal and does not hurt his confidence moving forward. He understands the first-round draft pick has talent and in order to capitalize off that, he must take some challenging reps at practice.
"That's normally what happens wherever I've been," Cassel said, via the Star Tribune. "The No. 2 guy, you've got to get him ready to play. He's going to get reps with the 1s and this is the time of year to do it. Competition is competition. But at the end of the day, we're teammates."
Cassel looked every bit the starting quarterback in the team's first preseason game. The Vikings got a 10-6 win over the Raiders while Cassel completed 5-of-6 passes for 62 yards and a touchdown. He did a solid job of spreading the ball out to the multiple players of Minnesota. Cordarrelle Petterson, Greg Jennings and Kyle Rudolph all recorded catches while backup running back Matt Asiata got the run in for the touchdown. Jennings thinks that style of unselfish play will make the Vikings successful in 2014.
"It was impressive," Jennings said. "That's who we see ourselves being this year. The most impressive thing was seeing how the ball was spread around. When you have variety and move guys in different positions, and make the defense adjust to what you're doing, you put yourself in positions to be successful. If we can get better at that, being unselfish, and allowing other guys to make plays within the play we make, we can be a really good football team."
In terms of fantasy football, Patterson looks poised for success and Jennings agrees. The wide receiver entered training camp with a better understanding of the offense and is currently thriving under offensive coordinator Norv Turner. Cassel certainly has the arm to help that process along and while Turner continues to praise Bridgewater, the veteran will stay put in the starting job.
