Possible Trade

[Loki]

What about all the reasons I stated? Would I rather have Pryor over Ponder? Yes. But I listed a few good reasons why it is not a good trade (in fact, should not be a trade at all).

Those are reasons why YOU wouldn't do it, not me. but if you insist on getting my opinions of your opinions I'll give them to you.

1.) Oakland will just release him anyways.

True statement, but it defeats the point of the trade which is to unload Ponders guaranteed contract. No sense in wasting 3 mill and then wasting more on signing Pryor.

2.) Pryor wants to START. He wont' start here.

There Isn't a single team in the NFL that would tell Pryor he's going to start. He wants a chance to compete to be the starter which he is not being given in Oakland because they have already declared Schuab the starter. Theres maybe only 3 teams that he would have a better chance to start on and I guarantee not all (if any) of them are interested.

3.) Ponder and Pryor are a wash. Pryor might be slightly better.

Agreed but AGAIN it goes back to the money, we could cut Pryor and it wouldn't hurt us, and I'll take slightly better at less money every time.

4.) I don't want this franchise to think Pryor could be our QB of the future and neglect drafting a QB this draft (actually my biggest fear).

I hear you on this, we can never underestimate Spielman over-rating QB's again after Ponder, but I think it's safe to say they're not that stupid. I don't think Pryor would have any affect on the way we drafted

6.) As someone mentioned, I'd rather just resign Freeman.

AGAIN this goes back to the money, Freeman cost 3 mill himself last year... I doubt he'd get that again but lets just say 2 mill. That means 5 mill together for one player since theres no way both make it on the 53 and they would likely sit the bench the entire year as 3rd string behind Matt Cassel and whatever QB we take in the draft. Now on the slim chance Freeman returns to his prime the 5 mill isn't a big deal but i just don't see that happening.

7.) A 6th rounder might actually be worth more than a QB who looks to be destined to be a back up. This Vikings team cannot give up draft picks as it is rebuilding.

This is the only thing I can agree with to an extent. In the right hands that 6th round pick would be more valuble, but Rick Spielman is making the pick and his history with late round picks is not very good as of late. I do think this trade would still be possible with no pick and just Ponder for Pryor straight up, since Oakland may be looking for more of a clipboard/Intelligent veteran type player and even though Ponder can't play he still has a high football IQ (just can't execute on the field). If it was up to me I'd attempt to trade straight up Ponder for Pryor and make my way up to adding the 6th if it came down to that.

[Loki]

So basically the crux of your trade is to save $3 mill dollar...? I don't know if it's a good idea to give away a 6th rounder for that. Viking's aren't too cap strap at the moment anyways. Honestly, I think Vikings could trade Ponder for a 5 or 6th rounder, then trade a 6th rounder for Pryor. That I'd be okay with (once again, so long as we don't neglect drafting a QB thinking Pryor is the future).

Yes! thats it. I mean i do like Pryor, but the main thing is just finding a way to get rid of ponder without having to pay, Pryor would just be bonus. and honestly I think if we offered Christian and a 6th rounder Oakland would say "we'll only take the 6th rounder". Really I just wanted something to talk about since Vikings news has been slow lately lol I don't really think its gunna happen.

[Loki]

and i think your also underestimating 3 mill, thats a little less than what Munnerlyn is getting and more than Harrison Smith, Sharrif Floyd, Jerome Felton, Xavier Rhodes, Cordarrelle Patterson, Kyle Rudolph, Brandon Fusco...... and thats just naming a few.

[PacificNorseWest]

Ponder as a starter is

Ponder as a backup is not so bad though. Especially as he becomes more and more of a vet. Now, I don't expect him to be a Viking beyond 2015, but I think a backup with quality on-field experience and semi-big game experience is important. And although limited, he has had some success under center.

There's a bevy of examples of Q's figuring it out late and being good to above-average later in their careers or of former starters in the backup role who thrive. I like the security of Ponder as a #2 before I do someone like Pryor.

[Mothman]

and i think your also underestimating 3 mill, thats a little less than what Munnerlyn is getting and more than Harrison Smith, Sharrif Floyd, Jerome Felton, Xavier Rhodes, Cordarrelle Patterson, Kyle Rudolph, Brandon Fusco...... and thats just naming a few.

The savings would be $3 million minus whatever they had to pay Pryor and minus a draft pick in the trade. The difference is negligible and I think the trade would actually represent a downgrade at backup QB.

[lyzarde]

Is this for real?

[dkoby]

Doesn't this actually require Oakland to WANT Ponder? Who want's Ponder??

I'm betting Speilman already made those 31 phone calls and found no interest, hence why he's still on the team.

[Eli]

Doesn't this actually require Oakland to WANT Ponder? Who want's Ponder??

I think that's the idea behind adding the 6th round draft pick. You'd have to sweeten the deal to get anyone to take him off your hands. It's never going to happen, though.

Like someone said above, I'm sure Oakland would much rather just take the 6th rounder for Pryor and leave the failed FSU QB as the Vikings' headache.

[headless_norseman]

Yes! thats it. I mean i do like Pryor, but the main thing is just finding a way to get rid of ponder without having to pay, Pryor would just be bonus. and honestly I think if we offered Christian and a 6th rounder Oakland would say "we'll only take the 6th rounder". Really I just wanted something to talk about since Vikings news has been slow lately lol I don't really think its gunna happen.

Chances are Pponder is our backup, if he learns Norv's system fast enough, and until we trade him part way through the season, making room for our next draftee.

[S197]

Is this for real?

[PurpleKoolaid]

It's kind of funny listening to some of the posters here comparing the worst QBs in the NFL to Ponder, when a few years ago, people were slamming Demi and I for picking on Ponder. But now that everyones doing it, and he had his "3" years, its ok. And Demi and I are once again fans. I also felt the same way about Fraizer when a lot of you were wanting him to be COTY. Guess what. Rickie boy isn't that good either. He is a very good salesman, I will give him that. And whoever he picks/reaches for as QB is this years draft, I am betting will be a bust too. Everyone hits a few picks. Even Childress. Rickie has been around the draft board ALOT with us, and has not amazed me at all. So its time to star making the excuse's for him about now guys. Im guessing Carr or JFB. And im guess NFL busts for both.

[dead_poet]

It's kind of funny listening to some of the posters here comparing the worst QBs in the NFL to Ponder, when a few years ago, people were slamming Demi and I for picking on Ponder. But now that everyones doing it, and he had his "3" years, its ok. And Demi and I are once again fans. I also felt the same way about Fraizer when a lot of you were wanting him to be COTY. Guess what. Rickie boy isn't that good either. He is a very good salesman, I will give him that. And whoever he picks/reaches for as QB is this years draft, I am betting will be a bust too. Everyone hits a few picks. Even Childress. Rickie has been around the draft board ALOT with us, and has not amazed me at all. So its time to star making the excuse's for him about now guys. Im guessing Carr or JFB. And im guess NFL busts for both.

[Texas Vike]

It's kind of funny listening to some of the posters here comparing the worst QBs in the NFL to Ponder, when a few years ago, people were slamming Demi and I for picking on Ponder. But now that everyones doing it, and he had his "3" years, its ok. And Demi and I are once again fans. I also felt the same way about Fraizer when a lot of you were wanting him to be COTY. Guess what. Rickie boy isn't that good either. He is a very good salesman, I will give him that. And whoever he picks/reaches for as QB is this years draft, I am betting will be a bust too. Everyone hits a few picks. Even Childress. Rickie has been around the draft board ALOT with us, and has not amazed me at all. So its time to star making the excuse's for him about now guys. Im guessing Carr or JFB. And im guess NFL busts for both.

The beauty of naysaying is that the inherent difficulty of success in the NFL makes you right most of the time.

[Mothman]

The beauty of naysaying is that the inherent difficulty of success in the NFL makes you right most of the time.

Well said. I'm not sure if I like your response better or dead_poet's visual reply but I enjoyed them both.

Some fans are bigger fans of complaining than of anything else.

[PurpleKoolaid]

Its being realistic over being homers. Which do you define as the better fan Jim? Some blindly think management knows what its doing. Others, the coaching staff. I believe you were wrong on both accounts. If fact I remember asking you specifically what makes a good HC. And why should Fraizer get COTY last year. And if im not mistaken, not one of your arguments paned out. And both the QB and HC are gone. I am a pessimist/realist, I admit that. I am also right more times then wrong. But if you guys in your little group get off on thinking your superior to the 'negative' crowd, pat yourselves on the back, and more power to you. Because neither of us will get anything we want till we find that QB. And a real competent GM.