Progress for Ponder = how many TD's this season?

[Raptorman]

Run heavy because of the lack of viable options. They spent for Jennings, developed Rudolph and Wright, drafted Patterson. Run heavy will not work forever, they have to get more balance. Ponder has to step up for at least 25 TDs, can't wait forever to see the jump.

Run heavy? I'm sorry, were do you get the idea that the Vikings are a run heavy team? They had almost and exact 50/50 split on running plays vs passing plays last season. If they do the same this year, the only thing that needs to change is the completion percentage on passing plays. Unless you go to more passing plays. And I don't think to many people around here want Ponder passing more unless he proves he can do a better job.

BTW the NFL average last year was 56% passing plays and 44% running plays.

[VikeMike]

I honestly don't care about that statistic --except when comparing TDs to number of INTs.

The best indicator if Ponder is making progress is efficiency in passing, and, obviously, wins. If they are able to consistently pass for 230-250 yards a game and, more importantly, if they are able to pass downfield with better regularity -- that will tell me if Ponder is improving. The way the Vikings offense is run, the number of TD passes may not indicate a big leap by Ponder.

I think it 25 is attainable, but I'm not concerned whether he gets the or not. How many trips to the red zone is he leading, and how many of those is ending in a TD -- running or passing?

I understand that TD passes may indicate whether or not the Vikings' ability to throw down the field has improved, but it's not the most important indicator, in my opinion.

[dkoby]

Come on you guys, we are run heavy because we have the best beast in football, umm did I say beast, I meant back. It only makes sense to give Adrian the ball and that will lower the passing stats. It is time, however for Ponder to step it up and start hitting the windows in the zones AS THEY OPEN. He now has no more excuses and he must execute the offense this year. If not, we are then looking for another rookie QB.

[JellyBean2144]

I think that CP7 can put up 20+ TDs this season. It is very possible.

[PurpleHalo]

You answered your own question with the % stat you posted. The league average 56% passing to 44% run, it is a pass happy league. It is no secret the majority of the teams success came from Adrians legs and not Ponders arm. This simply can't continue, the production much balance out.

[headless_norseman]

My question is who do you feel more comfortable with the ball when its 1st and goal from the 7? Ponder or Peterson. Right now it is Peterson, and deservedly so since he is the best player in football. So in the majority of these situations at the end of a drive we give the ball to our back. For that reason, as of today, I will say no to 25.

That's the other angle in my head when I posted and I agree with everything else you said. Exept for that last thought of yours

[headless_norseman]

It's a realistic possibility but I wouldn't expect it because, as others have pointed out, the Vikings like to run the ball and with Peterson in the backfield, when they get near the goal line they will often be looking to run it in first. Ponder's overall performance will be the best indicator of how he's progressing.
The WR corps still has numerous question marks so I wouldn't call it "set", just a group with the potential to be much better. A lot will depend on WRs remaining healthy and players like Simpson, Wright and Patterson all have as much to prove as Ponder (at their respective positions). In addition, I know I repeat this all the time but pass protection will play a huge role in the success of the passing game. There's a reason teams keep selecting offensive and defensive linemen in the first round of the draft! When blocking breaks down, the offense tends to break down.

This is where we can look at the schedule again and start wondering how many weeks it will take for the passing side to gel. I also wonder how much of the TE's will be a major part of the passing game before the WR corps starts molding.

[headless_norseman]

I honestly don't care about that statistic --except when comparing TDs to number of INTs.

The best indicator if Ponder is making progress is efficiency in passing, and, obviously, wins. If they are able to consistently pass for 230-250 yards a game and, more importantly, if they are able to pass downfield with better regularity -- that will tell me if Ponder is improving. The way the Vikings offense is run, the number of TD passes may not indicate a big leap by Ponder.

I think it 25 is attainable, but I'm not concerned whether he gets the or not. How many trips to the red zone is he leading, and how many of those is ending in a TD -- running or passing?

I understand that TD passes may indicate whether or not the Vikings' ability to throw down the field has improved, but it's not the most important indicator, in my opinion.

Can't argue with anything point you posted when I agree with them all. But the main thought that stuck in my head was someone from a few days prior making a point that you win in the NFL by throwing TD's. Hence the topic at hand for this team.

[headless_norseman]

It's also why I changed my avatar to Tommy Kramer

[dead_poet]

RE: #Vikings Ponder - most designed roll-outs last yr and QB rating a superb 104.6 but when scrambling QB Rating = 17.1 (only Vick worse)

Neil Hornsby on Twitter

[Eli]

Yeah, he's always appeared to throw well on the run. His pocket presence and field vision, on the other hand... not real impressive.

[Mothman]

Neil Hornsby on Twitter

He made several ill-advised throws for picks when scrambling so I'm not surprised his QB rating under those circumstances is low. INTs will bring it down in a hurry. The rating on designed roll-outs is impressive and encouraging.

[losperros]

I think they'll incorporate many longer passing plays into the offense this year, with some success. But his completion rate naturally falls and his TD/INT ratio goes up.

59.5%, 3200 yards, 22 TDs, 18 INTs

I'm inclined to agree if the Vikings really do incorporate "many" longer passing plays. But I'm not so sure about that anymore.

Yes, they will stretch the field from time to time but I look at this current WR corps and I see a lot of WRs that run well after the catch. Wright, Patterson, Simpson, Jennings, and even Childs (if truly healthy) can do it. Only Burton isn't good at getting YAC, but I'm not convinced he'll be on the roster when the season begins.

So is that a coincidence or are the Vikings thinking about more WCO catch and run plays? If so, that could mean a higher completion percentage and more yardage for Ponder. Just a theory.

[mansquatch]

I still think the key with Ponder is INT and completion %. Everyone is focusing on yards because they want to see more deep passes, and FWIW, I think we'll see some more stuff past 10 yards. However, I still think this team is going to play a game built on winning the take give and that, IMO, means averaging less than 1 INT per game, preferably less than 0.75 INT. I would say the biggest goal for CP in 2013 is a single digit INT total.

It would be nice to see him put up 20+ TD and I think that is possible, but if he put up 18 TD, but only had 7 or 8 INT, I'd be ecstatic. They will win a lot of games if he continues to protect the football.

On the WR being set. Moth I think there is uncertainty to some degree, but it is also pretty safe to conclude that the starting WR will be some combination of Jennings, Wright, Simpson, and Patterson. I think Childs will take up the 5th roster spot if he gets off IR. So the big question is who is #6?

By comparison, I think the defense has several far more interesting position battles going on, at least right now.

[smoothoperator]

ponders second year numbers are essentially equal to, if not a little better than, eli and matt ryan, both who had better much WRs and passing offenses. now we will just have to see how well he develops chemistry with the new guys and hope he can continue to improve as he did from his first year.