Ughhh....

[PacificNorseWest]

Magic number my ####. There's no such thing. Rich Gannon never passed for more than 2400 yards and 16 TD's in his first 11 years in the leauge (58 starts). He goes to Oakland and ends up winning MVP.

He also averaged 5.2 yards/attempt in those 11 years. Ponder is at 6.3 in three seasons. It's usually the impatience of a franchise that pushes out a QB.

Not saying Ponder is the answer at all, but I don't buy some of the surefire numbers these guys rollout and think they have it all figured out.

[Eli]

Now THAT sounds like a great idea. Give Ponder 11 years to prove himself. Watch Adrian Peterson shrivel into a little prune while waiting for the Vikings to see another Super Bowl.

Some QBs have that late-career resurgence. And it's fun to watch. But there's a reason why teams give up on them in the interim. Because they mostly suck.

[PacificNorseWest]

Not the point.

If anything it attests to the fact that there are plenty late-blooomers who do VERY well in the NFL. It's just a shame Christian was drafted so high because he's no doubt unworthy of that spot. Unfortunately, if he ever raises his level of play, it's probably not in a Vikings uni.

[Captain]

And the thread "Ponder has rib injury. Does this open the door..." is what? Or "Is it Ponder or the O-line?"

A title that says "Ughhh...." doesn't suggest to you that someone is a upset that it appears Ponder will start on Sunday? I think it does. And if so, why not put in another thread? Seems like a little too hinged on the QB position. Nothing conversational about this post in my opinion. It can be lumped in with all the others.

Its because he's an easy and clear target. god forbid someone point out other flaws in the team and they get labeled Ponder supporters.

[UKno1VIKING]

Magic number my ####. There's no such thing. Rich Gannon never passed for more than 2400 yards and 16 TD's in his first 11 years in the leauge (58 starts). He goes to Oakland and ends up winning MVP.

He also averaged 5.2 yards/attempt in those 11 years. Ponder is at 6.3 in three seasons. It's usually the impatience of a franchise that pushes out a QB.

Not saying Ponder is the answer at all, but I don't buy some of the surefire numbers these guys rollout and think they have it all figured out.

Oh good only 8 seasons till we trade him then..........

[PacificNorseWest]

It wasn't until his 4th team that he put up those numbers. Point is, for those struggling to grasp, there is no magic number. Some players can jump right in and have some success all while dealing with the learning curve. It can be masked a few ways, but either way a learning curve always happens at some point.

Others take lots of lumps early and end up being serviceable to good to great QB's in the NFL. Others flame out entirely. There's not formula or potion that anyone has to determine it.

The problem the Vikings face is that Ponder's value isn't that of a top 15 QB. Usually it's those that you expect to jump right in and have some success. Ponder was never that guy and it's hurting this team, but it doesn't mean he won't be very good down the road. That's all.

[purpletinted66]

No, because the long term success of this team does indeed hinge on the ability of its QB.

This was a thread started to discuss who's going to be the starting QB this week in the light of a recent injury to the incumbent starter. I feel that if the starter can go, he should go. A minor injury shouldn't be used as an excuse to put in a QB who the coaching staff doesn't feel is as capable. And only by playing the best QB on the team will the geniuses running the team realize just how dire the situation is.

as curly said "if at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking until you do succeed."

[NextQuestion]

Gannon's QB coach in Oakland? Jim Harbaugh

[mosscarter]

ponder will be on the bench the rest of his career after this season, which is where he should be. he doesn't have the arm or pocket awareness to succeed. i want to see what patterson can do with a real offensive coordinator and qb.

[PurpleHalo]

30 is the magic number? I'd like to read about that. Do you have a link?

If he suits up, it will be Ponder's 30th start on Sunday.

Honestly I think you can tell before 30 starts in most cases, you see flashes. And we did see that in 2011, but he has regressed for whatever reason.