Mike Zimmer got in the face of Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater on Sunday that sparked a bit of a turnaround for the youngster.
The Minnesota Vikings were able to walk away with the 29-26 victory on Sunday against the Washington Redskins, but they may also have put the wheels in motion for a huge turnaround from rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, thanks to head coach Mike Zimmer utilizing some tough love on his first-year player.
It all began late in the first quarter when Bridgewater was tasked with completing a fourth down in Redskins territory. After facing pressure, Bridgewater threw the ball out of bounds and the scoring chance was lost.
The only thing was, when watching back on the replay, it was clear that Bridgewater had an open lane to put the ball down and get the first down himself. As Bridgewater noted after the game, Zimmer got right in his face on the sideline and let him know about it.
“Once I came over to the sideline, Coach Zimmer was right there in my face telling me to, ‘Just run it! Just run it!’ ” Bridgewater said. “I told myself: ‘What am I doing?’ I know that I have the ability to keep a play alive. I know that if something isn’t open down field I can take advantage of my legs and make a play.
“Right there, I just have to have better judgment. I should have run it. It was only two yards.”
It was a mere rookie mental mistake, which happens with all first-year players. But the scolding from Zimmer may stick in his head so much that his mistakes will cut down tremendously going forward.