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NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock was not fond of Teddy Bridgewater's long anticipated pro day outing, calling it "average at best". Similar concerns were raised all over the Twittersphere as reports of fluttering balls and accuracy issues raced through the internet. Ever more interesting was Bridgewater's loss of six pounds since the combine, where he weighed in at a perhaps overly svelte 214 pounds. Bridgewater weighed 208 today, and ran an okay 4.78.
Bridgewater's ideal weight is about 220. Lost weight in Florida during training. Recently dealt with a cold in Louisville before pro day.
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
Teddy Bridgewater's first 40 run. #NFL Texans&src=hash">#Texans https://t.co/T7sgdd2Aul
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
A full contingent from the Texans was of course on hand to watch the averageness live for themselves.
#Texans GM Rick Smith standing about five yards away from 40 run. Watched Bridgewater up close.
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
Smith watching everyone run up close, joined by #Texans scout taking notes. O'Brien a couple rows behind Smith. #NFL
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
After his single 40 yard dash, Bridgewater proceeded to the throwing portion of his workout without the gloves he has worn since high school. Take it away, Brian T.Smith.
Teddy Bridgewater is throwing. No gloves. On target. #NFL #Texans https://t.co/iBnDeICXSK
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
O'Brien, Smith standing together in first row while Bridgewater throws. Sharp thus far. Quick release clearly evident. #Texans #NFL
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
First miss for Bridgewater. Faked handoff, rolled right, threw high.
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
Teddy Bridgewater in action. #NFL #Texans https://t.co/cS2EP32VJ4
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
Bridgewater continues to look sharp. One excellent deep left out. Slight flutter to ball at times and occasionally throwing high. #Texans
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
Bridgewater bullet. #Texans #NFL https://t.co/y883aZTDlW
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
Two overthrows by Bridgewater thus far. Left and right sidelines.
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
Twenty-five yarder. https://t.co/DidLHznsbF
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
Three misses thus far for the glove-less Bridgewater. Last was thrown low. Applause for best balls.
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
Overthrow on right out. Fourth miss for Bridgewater. #Texans #NFL https://t.co/ik88gDGihj
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
Miss No. 5. Followed heavily fluttering ball. Six total misses for Bridgewater. #Texans #NFL https://t.co/zx0MGfKNDt
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
Bridgewater's become less sharp. Seventh miss on overthrown deep ball down left hash. #NFL #Texans
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
TD for Bridgewater in red zone. May be an issue for #Texans. #NFL https://t.co/fSqFR1Ezps
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
No way around it. Bridgewater fell off during second half of initial session. Looking solid again on end-zone throws. #NFL #Texans
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
Final throw for Teddy Bridgewater. Ended with a TD. #NFL #Texans https://t.co/jp86MrYEW4
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
@bigfatdrunk About 10 misses/drops during two sessions.
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
Teddy Bridgewater acknowledged his accuracy was "nowhere near" where he wanted it be as a "perfectionist." #NFL #Texans
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
Teddy Bridgewater didn't use gloves during pre-pro day training in Florida. Said he just stayed with what was working.
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
Well...mostly working.
#Texans GM Rick Smith said he was impressed by Louisville's overall pro day. Only part of puzzle for specific players, though.
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
#Texans' Smith specifically praised Charlie Strong for how prepared Louisville's players were.
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
Despite Bridgewater's uncharacteristic shakiness without his gloves, the Texans would still be wise to consider the former Louisville Cardinal with the first overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft. After all, if wearing gloves is all it takes to unlock his full passing potential, I do not necessarily consider that a "major issue". If Bridgewater showed these issues with his gloves, however, I would be a bit more concerned. The Texans have not had any opportunities to meet extensively with Bridgewater outside of their allotted fifteen minutes at the scouting combine February, but they reportedly do have something schedule "soon".
Bridgewater said he has "something set up soon" with #Texans. Only met with one team in Louisville before pro day. #NFL
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 17, 2014
Considering that Teddy Bridgewater's maturity, intelligence, and work ethic are easily his biggest selling points, he likely would benefit from such a meeting far more than he ever could benefit from several dozen scripted throws. We shall see if Bridgewater's averageness in the spotlight today negatively affect his draft position on May 8th, when this long, arduous debate will finally come to an end.