Training Camp

[mondry]

It IS too early to worry about that. The season is a month and a half away and the players are practicing in shorts, without pads. Ponder and the other QBs need some time to settle in, get on the same page with receivers, etc. After all, the point of practicing anything is to improve. He'll get better.

The next line after the one that caused you to bang your virtual head was: "Simpson is once again shining in camp scrimmages. Ponder fits ball in tight window for 3rd down conversion". A good play!

but they weren't ALL good plays and that's where I draw the line!

[King James]

I guess we will have a better insight on how the offense progressed once they put the pads on Monday. Can't wait!!

[Mothman]

I guess we will have a better insight on how the offense progressed once they put the pads on Monday. Can't wait!!

... and then the preseason games will be just around the corner.

Jim

[losperros]

... and then the preseason games will be just around the corner.

While some might be fretting over what the offense's passing game will look like (and I'm unsure of that too), I have to admit to be equally, if not more, concerned about the defense. And I don't care what's going on in camp right now. There are major question marks throughout the D and none of them will be really answered until the regular season rolls around.

OTOH, it's refreshing to read how well Everson Griffen is doing so far. He and Sharif Floyd are part of the future of this team's aging DL.

[VikingLord]

The reports about Ponder and Cassell missing receivers are worrying, but given the changes at WR this offseason coupled with the fact that it's the first day of camp I'm not as worried. Offenses usually take longer to get in step than defense and I seem to recall it's fairly typical for offense to lag defense early in camp. I agree with Siefert that it's worrying to see a QB missing targets when the pads are off and there is no contact, but at the same time it's hard to say if those misses are caused by inaccurate throws or just lack of timing/miscommunication between receiver and QB.

The thing I am looking for with Ponder is evidence he's calmed down in the pocket and evidence that his mechanics are correct. To this point in his career Ponder has demonstrated a bad case of happy feet even in instances where there is little or no pressure, and the resulting breakdown in his mechanics, especially with his footwork, causes a large percentage of his inaccurate throws (especially his tendency to throw off his back foot which results in passes that sail high on him). When he sets his feet and goes through the proper transfer of his weight between his feet he can deliver the ball with accuracy and speed, so getting his mechanics down is going to be huge, and that's something that should be pretty apparent even early in the preseason. If he hasn't gotten that under control I won't be optimistic that he's going to still be the starting QB at this time next year. So I'm really hopeful that what we're seeing from both Ponder and Cassell just has to do with the typical challenges of timing and communication early in camp and not something more fundamental.

[Mothman]

I just can't find the early camp reports about Ponder worrying. Expecting every QB to be ultra-sharp right out of the gate just doesn't seem realistic to me and I also think we have to take human nature into account. Ponder needs to improve so he's under the microscope and every missed throw, every INT gets reported as a worrisome sign and starts fans fretting when it's really business as usual this time of year. Consider this report from the Packers first full pad practice on Saturday:

It was a big up-and-down day for cornerback James Nixon. He fumbled a kickoff return but made arguably the play of the day when he intercepted Aaron Rodgers during the passing drill.

Here's a report about an INT Brandon Smith made on the Packers first practice of camp:

http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/ ... 3669855471

Drew Brees had a less-than-ideal start to camp: A Rough First Day For Brees

Brees may have appeared the most rusty and inconsistent of the veteran players during the first practice session.

Brees threw two quick interceptions during a team scrimmage, overthrowing receiver Morgan on an interception by Lewis. Brees threw another interception right into the hands of cornerback Jabari Greer a few seconds later. Brees also fumbled the snap from center during the team drills.

Earlier in the session, Brees was also inconsistent during passing drills, often either underthrowing or throwing behind receivers.
Offenses usually take longer to get in step than defense and I seem to recall it's fairly typical for offense to lag defense early in camp. I agree with Siefert that it's worrying to see a QB missing targets when the pads are off and there is no contact, but at the same time it's hard to say if those misses are caused by inaccurate throws or just lack of timing/miscommunication between receiver and QB.

I doubt any of the above has the Saints or Packers worried about Brees or Rodgers. QBs throw INTs and miss receivers in camp. It's part of the process and we need to keep that in perspective.

[Funkytown]

Comparing Ponder to Brees and Rodgers. Ha.

I'm only kidding. Yep, even the best take a little time to get into sync. It's all part of the process. No need to worry! What good does it do?!?

[Mothman]

Comparing Ponder to Brees and Rodgers. Ha.

Now who does that sound like? Hmmm...

I'm only kidding. Yep, even the best take a little time to get into sync. It's all part of the process. No need to worry! What good does it do?!?

None at all and at this time of year, it's just wasted energy. This is the time for players to work through flaws in their game and improve so if some of the problems Ponder, Cassel or any other player had last season are still apparent, if they look a little rusty or "off" in training camp or the first few preseason games, I'm not going to fret about it. They just need to hone their games so they're sharp when the regular season begins.

[Funkytown]

Now who does that sound like? Hmmm...

You tell me.

But I agree with your points. I don't panic until things start going wrong on game day--and even then I try to keep my cool and stay rational. Doesn't always work, but dang it I try!

[Mothman]

You tell me.

But I agree with your points. I don't panic until things start going wrong on game day--and even then I try to keep my cool and stay rational. Doesn't always work, but dang it I try!

Same here! I was panicking like crazy when the Jaguars scored a TD late in the first game last season. Of course, just a few minutes later, I was celebrating.

[Funkytown]

And then our late-game magic ran out when Luck showed us what was up. Blah.

[vikeinmontana]

Now who does that sound like? Hmmm...
None at all and at this time of year, it's just wasted energy. This is the time for players to work through flaws in their game and improve so if some of the problems Ponder, Cassel or any other player had last season look a little rusty or "off" in training camp or the first few preseason games, I'm just not going to fret about it. They just need to hone their game so they're sharp when the regular season begins.

it wouldn't bother me if people were at least consistent. but do you really think if ponder had thrown 3 td's and had no picks the other day in shorts and a red jersey that people would be singing his praises and declaring he was going to have a pro-bowl year?! no chance. they would say td's are always better than picks but at this point, with players not even wearing pads it is too early say how great ponder will be. and they'd be right. we're a few days into camp and the players don't even have pads. WAY too early. that said, if the interceptions keep happening all the way through preseason and into the regular season i'll be very concerned.

[dead_poet]

Interesting.

#Vikings running an interesting formation in walkthrough. Tightends Rudolph and Carlson lining up wide, Simp/Jennings in slot.

[losperros]

Interesting.

It's difficult to picture this formation. Even so, now is the time for the Vikings to be experimenting.

[Mothman]

Interesting.

I like it! That could present matchup problems and confuse a defense.