Teddy Bridgewater said he woke up Monday morning, looked in the mirror and said, “Hey, let’s go. It’s go time.” With that he was off to Pro Day at the University of Louisville’s indoor practice center.
Watching Bridgewater him perform were at least five National Football League head coaches from Oakland, Tennessee, Minnesota, Houston and Philadelphia and scouts from a number of other teams. They were also checking out safety Calvin Pryor, defensive end Marcus Smith. wide receiver Damian Copeland and linebacker Preston Brown.
Bridgewater, who has been fighting a cold over the last week, said he felt like everything went well during the session. “I think I did pretty good today,” he said. “I competed, threw the ball on time and in rhythm, kept guys running in stride and completed the football.”
The popular UofL quarterback treated the experience as another day doing the thing he loves to do best, play football. “I was relaxed. There was no pressure, no reason to feel nervous. I’m confident in myself and confident in my wide receivers, tight ends and running backs. It was just another day.”
One thing missing was the ever-present glove on his throwing hand during games over the past three seasons. “I was training in 80 degree weather in Florida. It was sunny outside. I had a great time throwing without the glove, getting a good feel for the ball, getting a good grip. I was confident in throwing without the glove.”
Teddy said he doesn’t pay attention to speculation about the order in which he could be chosen during the NFL, which is scheduled May 8-10. “It’s whatever the decision makers want,” he said. “I can’t control that. The draft can go any which way. I just continue to control what I can control. I just continue to work and try to get better.”