How 'bout that Teddy Bridgewater?

Bridgewater... now there's a name!

Part of the process for Bridgewater has been learning how assertive he can be about what he prefers to run in a game plan. Coach Mike Zimmer said this week he has told Bridgewater throughout the season that it's fine to speak up about his preferences, but the cordial quarterback is still finding the right balance of what he can say.

"I tell him all the time, 'It's OK to do this.' And sometimes, he'll go tell me, and I'll go tell Norv [Turner, the offensive coordinator]," Zimmer said. "It's not like he's afraid to tell Norv. The thing about it is, he never wants anybody to say, 'Well, he didn't like that play,' because he likes all the plays. But there are some plays he likes better than others."

Maybe... like this one? Beauty! (Talk about precision targeting in finding your mark... The young man has fine eyesight.)*

[I]n the past two games, against Arizona and Chicago, the Vikings have hit on a steady diet of quick passes, getting Bridgewater away from defenders on rollouts and bootlegs and giving him options to unload quickly.

"[Norv Turner and quarterbacks coach Scott Turner and I] talk all the time," Bridgewater said. "I’m a guy who likes to be on the move and I’m all about rhythm, getting going early. You put the tape on, you know, [here] were naked [bootlegs] and things like that getting the ball out quick, and it’s been helping us."

If that sounds something like a thesis for how Bridgewater likes to run an offense, it's probably not an accident. The quarterback said after the Arizona game that the Vikings had found a formula that could work for them the rest of the way, while adding that the game's fateful final play -- a strip-sack from Dwight Freeney that halted the Vikings' comeback bid -- required him to hold the ball on a long-developing crossing route. If he's become more willing to speak his mind in public, it stands to reason he's getting a little more comfortable doing so during the week.

"I think it comes with experience and comes with age, and a little bit of the demeanor of the person, as well," Zimmer said. "He's a guy that wants to please all the time. He never wants to ruffle any feathers or anything like that. But he'll continue to get better at that."

"It's surprising, because we actually just had a conversation with his college coach when he was a freshman and sophomore. He was kind of the same way, and he started getting a little bit more assertive. He's a really respectful kid. He probably respects Norv's opinion as much -- it's the same with the defensive players. Not many guys have ever come up and said, 'Hey, I don't like that call, Coach,' to me, either. I think they understand. It's more about a respect kind of thing."

(That was written before last night's victory over New York.)

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* "It's an unual throwing motion -- we've highlighted that -- but he keeps. getting. the job. done."