NFL Player News

Vikings rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater received more snaps than any other quarterback during the team's three-day minicamp, reports ESPN. But it was Matt Cassel that got most of the first-team work.

Still, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said he's not afraid to start Bridgewater if he's the best man for the job. And Bridgewater feels like he's learning as he goes.

"It's amazing that I've been able to learn so much in the six weeks that I've been here," Bridgewater said. "I've just been gaining that confidence every day. Just feeling really comfortable right now and knowing that I still have room for improvement and a long way to go to be where I want to be. I'm feeling confident and comfortable right now, but I still have more to learn."

Zimmer said Bridgewater will start if he's deserving. 

"I don't know if it’s a risk," Zimmer said about playing a young quarterback. "I think with that position you have to weigh a lot of different factors: how the defense is, where you’re at in the progression of things, maybe more so at that position than when you’re talking about a safety that handles different things."

Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt said Thursday that Charlie Whitehurst will be the No. 2 quarterback for the team. The Tennessean reports that Whisenhunt made it clear that he has confidence in him. There was some belief that rookie Zach Mettenberger would have a chance to get the job.

Jake Locker is the Titans' starting quarterback. 

Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater completed 28 of 32 passes through the first two days of minicamp according to ESPN, with one of the incompletions being a drop off the hands of Jarius Wright. By comparison, Matt Cassel on Wednesday completed 5 of 14 passes with three batted down.

Bridgewater received high praise from offensive coordinator Norv Turner on Wednesday, a day after head coach Mike Zimmer said the starting quarterback job was wide open. 

Jets quarterback Geno Smith will take 70 to 75 percent of the first-team snaps at training camp next month, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg told the New York Daily News. Smith is clearly ahead of Michael Vick in the quarterback "competition."

As long as Smith doesn't flop, he'll open the season under center.

Patriots backup quarterback Ryan Mallett sported a brace on his knee during warmup drills on Wednesday, suggesting that is the reason for him missing offseason workouts. ESPN notes rookie Jimmy Garoppolo took his reps in team drills, struggling with everything from getting the snap to completing passes. 

Vikings offensive coordinator dispelled the notion that rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater didn't have a strong arm, saying Wednesday that his deep ball has been outstanding. 

"I think in the six-to-eight weeks we've had him on the field, I think he's been put in a position where's he's had to make most of the throws he would have to make," he said per the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "I think he can make all the throws he needs to make."

Per Turner, Bridgewater has already been allowed to make audibles and has been very instinctive and knows what's being asked of him. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said this week that the starting quarterback job was open heading into training camp. 

While most expect Matt Cassel to open the season as the Vikings' quarterback, coach Mike Zimmer told USA Today he won't name a starter until well into training camp.

"I want to give everybody an opportunity and make sure that it's a legitimate opportunity for all of them," Zimmer said after the team opened its mandatory minicamp Tuesday. "Then we'll start narrowing down the reps as we get going. But it won't be for a while."

Cassel will have to fend off rookie Teddy Bridgewater and former first-rounder Christian Ponder.

Texans coach Bill O'Brien named Ryan Fitzpatrick the starting quarterback, the official team website reports Tuesday.

Fitzpatrick was expected to battle rookie Tom Savage for the job in training camp, but O'Brien has apparently seen enough to trust Fitzpatrick with the role now.

"He's a guy that earned the job," O'Brien said.

Savage will now compete with Case Keenum and T.J. Yates for the No. 2 job. O'Brien said "I don't know" when asked if he will carry two or three quarterbacks on the roster this season.

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said he plans on giving all of his quarterbacks an opportunity to compete for the starting job in camp, suggesting that rookie Teddy Bridgewater could overtake veteran Matt Cassel for the gig. 

"Everybody wants to rush into things," Zimmer said according to ESPN. "I want to give everybody an opportunity and make sure it's a legitimate opportunity for all of them. And we'll start narrowing down the reps as we get going."

Cassel had taken the majority of snaps through the early OTAs with Bridgewater behind him and Christian Ponder running third string. It was previously believed that Cassel would begin the year as the starter and eventually give way for Bridgewater. 

Zimmer said he wouldn't name a starter "for a while."

If Browns linebacker Paul Kruger was making the decision on the starting quarterback for 2014, he would go with Brian Hoyer over rookie Johnny Manziel, reports NFL.com.

"In my mind, Hoyer's the guy," Kruger said during a radio interview on KFAN-AM in Utah. "Hoyer came in, won us four games, unfortunately got hurt. The guy was on fire when he was healthy and he's proven himself at a different level and has worked extremely hard."

Hoyer actually started three games before an ACL injury ended his 2013 season. As it stands coming into training camp, coach Mike Pettine said Hoyer is "securely ahead" of Manziel. But Pettine also added Hoyer's lead wasn't "insurmountable."

"You let the preseason go, see how they look and then make a decision," Kruger said. "In my mind, Hoyer has been a good leader for us and somebody who has been able to win us a few games. It's tough to say but I think the preseason will be a big deal for both of them."