ALAMEDA –- Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater couldn’t find a downfield option, and ran left in search of a first down. He got one and slid as defenders encroached, the universal sign to hit the brakes.
St. Louis Rams safety Lamarcus Joyner kept on trucking. Joyner hit Bridgewater flush, knocking the second-year pro out cold. It was a controversial hit heard round the NFL on Sunday, one that all quarterbacks fear.
Word trickled to Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who instantly felt for his friend.
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Carr and Bridgewater were considered among the draft’s best passers, and met at several points during a months-long job interview. They formed a bond that winter and spring that remains. That’s why, when he heard about the scary hit, Carr immediately picked up his cell and sent a text.
“He texted right back away, so that was good to see that he was fine and able to do all those kind of things,” Carr said. “My heart was out for him, I prayed for him and I’m glad that he’s doing better.”
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Bridgewater is expected to play when his Vikings meet the Raiders on Sunday at O.co Coliseum. It should be a close battle, one featuring the 2014 draft class’ best passers.
NFL
That ranking isn’t based on draft status. Jacksonville took Blake Bortles first (No. 3), with Johnny Manziel ending up in Cleveland (No. 22) and the Vikings traded back into the first round for Bridgewater (No. 30). Carr had to wait a day before the Raiders snatched him up at No. 36.
Carr was courted by several teams, including the Vikings. Minnesota ended up with two picks in the first round and took Bridgewater out of Louisville. They were considering Carr.
“I spent a lot of time with them; dinners, at the combine, all those kind of things,” Carr said. “I spent a lot of time with them and all of that. It was definitely a chance that I was going to go there. But I didn’t end up there and I’m happy to be here.”
The Raiders are happy to have him. Carr has started every regular-season game since that draft. He got 16 games experience last year, and showed tremendous growth during his second season.
The Vikings are thrilled with their guy, who has thrived under coordinator (and former Raiders head coach) Norv Turner.
Both guys are playing well, but the entire NFL knows that Carr is on a roll. Here’s a look at stats for both players.
CARR: 174-of-273 passing, 63.7 completion percentage, 7.7 ypa, 2,094 yards, 19 TDs, 4 INTs, 104.3 passer rating
BRIDGEWATER:149-of-232 passing, 64.2 completion percentage, 7.2 ypa, 1,670 yards, 6 TDs, 6 INTs, 83.4 passer rating
Both guys have help. Carr has a strong offensive line and a group of young skill players. Bridgewater has the NFL’s best running back in Adrian Peterson and speedy receivers on the outside.
Both guys are accurate. Both guys are mobile. Both guys learned from rookie experience. Both guys have adapted well to the pro game.
“With Teddy, much like our quarterback, they’ve been able to surround him with some weapons,” Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio said. “Both those guys came in and played last year and both playing well now.”