Minnesota Vikings: 5 Keys To Success In 2015

Nov 2, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) scrambles against the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 29-26. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

2. Teddy Bridgewater must improve on a solid 2014

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it will actually take quite a bit of effort and focus for quarterback Teddy Bridgwater to improve on what was a fairly impressive rookie campaign. His 2,919 yards and 14 touchdowns to go along with his 6-6 record as a starter place him as last season’s most successful rookie quarterback. He managed to do that with a struggling offensive line and an All-Pro running back that missed the entire year.

He very clearly had an excellent year for a rookie, and is projected to have an excellent career. Bleacher Report’s Lead NFL Draft Analyst Matt Miller has high hopes for Bridgewater:

He’s going to have to avoid a “sophomore slump” if he wants to lead his team to a better year than last year. Even more than that, he’s going to actually improve his game.

His numbers in 2014 were good for a rookie, but not good for a starting quarterback competing for a playoff position. He was 19th in yards per game, 15th in yards per pass attempt, had the 22nd lowest interception rate, the 11th highest completion percentage, and his total QBR of 50.16 ranked 24th in the league. Yes these are decent numbers, and numbers deserving of a starting role in the league, but not numbers that will take a team to the next level.

According to Chris Thomasson of the Pioneer Press, Bridgewater himself feels as though he has advantages this year he didn’t have last year:

"“I have more of a feel for what the coaches are trying do here, as far as game plan-wise,” Bridgewater said. “Last year, I was kind of learning my way around game plans and getting a feel for coaches Norv and Scott Turner, and what they’re asking of us. But having a year under my belt, I can see why (Norv Turner is) calling certain plays and where he wants to go with the football. … Having an understanding of the coordinator, I think I’m that far ahead this year.”"

The mental aspect of the game is certainly difficult to adjust to from college to the pros, so luckily he feels more prepared for that in 2015. He’s also continuing to better himself physically, working out with teammates regularly through the offseason. He clearly hasn’t become complacent, as we’ve seen from some quarterbacks who have had success their first year in the league.

Christian Ponder, Blaine Gabbert, EJ Manuel, and Geno Smith are just a few examples of high-drafted quarterbacks who have shown promise as a rookie but failed to show improvement the year after. In fact, quarterbacks who have decent first years and then go on to improve greatly in the future are the exception rather than the rule. ‘Good rookie numbers’ are not the same as ‘good numbers’ so if Bridgewater wants his team to progress, he must do the same.

Next: Rookies