Why is Ponder still on the team???

[Funkytown]

This really is the answer to the OP's original question. Who exactly are we going to cut Ponder for? Given that he can play (at a back-up level) in the NFL, why cut a 'proven' back-up? We might end up with another Josh Freeman...

A semi-retired Kyle Orton? Nah, jk. Keeping Ponder makes sense...I think..ish lol

[tnvikesfan]

I would have much rather seen us find a Webb or MBT, someone with some talent that COULD be coached up. Neither one of those two ever got a serious shot at contending. The old regime was majorly barn blind, causing us to be in this situation. Neither Webb nor MBT ever got a fair shake IMO, and the team has suffered at the QB position because of it.

I understand the math, to a point. However, the 'fan math' doesn't add up. Do they honestly think that Ponder will be trade bait even for teams with injury needs? All any coach has to do is look at his continued bad performance and decisions, then say 'look guys, we're in a tough situation, but I really think we have a better shot to go with our UDFA crew than the proven loser'.

Remember, a blind squirrel will find a nut occasionally too. Just because Ponder did have minimal success before doesn't negate his poor performance overall.

And why is there not a 4th QB in the hunt? Surely there is an UDFA who has a brain and an arm that wants a shot.

[J. Kapp 11]

Obviously you weren't at the Browns game last year .. The fans wanted to hang him that day ...

I was at the Browns game, and you're not telling the whole story.

The fans wanted to hang him because he basically quit. The entire offense was completely lifeless, especially in the second half, and it was because of Christian Ponder. Not only was he bad, he would come back to the bench after every 3-and-out with the look of someone who just wanted to sit on the sideline and eat orange slices. He was pouting and brooding, and the offense followed his lead. I was 24 rows above the Vikings bench, close enough see it plain as day ... Christian Ponder gave up.

Don't blame the fans for letting Christian Ponder know what they thought of his pathetic effort.

[Funkytown]

Webb and MBT both suck.

MBT has been cut by like 5 different teams. How many chances does he need?

Webb can't throw, his only redeeming quality is his athleticism.

I'm tired of hearing from people that they "never got a fair shake" and this doesn't have anything to do with Ponder. I guess John David Booty never got a fair shake either.

Ponder is our 3rd stringer and barring injury(ies) will be on the sidelines in street clothes most, if not all, of the regular season and then ties will be cut. They do have a developmental QB, his name is Teddy Bridgewater. You'd like to have at least one vet backup. Remember when our backups were Webb and MBT? Gross.

As for Ponder not having value if another team suffers an injury, again biases getting in the way, for the 1000th time, if BLAINE FREAKIN GABBERT was traded for a 6th round pick, we could get at least something for Ponder.

People act as if Ponder is the worst QB in the history of the NFL and actually become offended that he is even alive. This tells me people don't pay attention to much of the NFL outside of the Vikings, do you know how many atrocious backups there are out there? Let alone 3rd stringers.

This might sound like a Ponder defense post, but it's not, I don't want Ponder starting as much as the next guy, but I'm tired of the hyperbole and "Poor MBT and Webb!!11!" posts.

[joe h]

Rather they used his roster spot on another position and put an ufa on the ps. Anytime a team starts looking at the 3rd string option, the season is lost.

[Just Me]

A semi-retired Kyle Orton? Nah, jk. Keeping Ponder makes sense...I think..ish lol

I know the 'hesitation'. I don't think anyone is really optimistic that Ponder will morph into a good QB. But is does makes sense...ish...sort of...to keep him...for now...maybe.

[Cliff]

Well ... otherwise you cut Ponder, pay him for nothing, and then pick up another QB who very likely isn't any better and pay him too. Meanwhile, at least Ponder is familiar with the receivers and has been through training camp, practices, etc.

He's two QB injuries away from being the team starter though ... he'll almost certainly not see the field this year ... so why even worry about it?

[Mothman]

I was at the Browns game, and you're not telling the whole story.

The fans wanted to hang him because he basically quit. The entire offense was completely lifeless, especially in the second half, and it was because of Christian Ponder. Not only was he bad, he would come back to the bench after every 3-and-out with the look of someone who just wanted to sit on the sideline and eat orange slices. He was pouting and brooding, and the offense followed his lead. I was 24 rows above the Vikings bench, close enough see it plain as day ... Christian Ponder gave up.

Don't blame the fans for letting Christian Ponder know what they thought of his pathetic effort.

Ironically, that effort came in a game where he was the most productive player on offense, led the Vikes to 27 points, scored 2 TDs and played most of the game with a rib injury (which kept him out the next week). He certainly didn't have a great game but it sure looked to me like he was trying when he was ON the field. I didn't see him give up.

I mean no offense but criticism about "pouting and brooding" always suggests confirmation bias to me. It's such a subjective evaluation, especially from the stands. Who can really tell what's going on in a player's head when he's on the sidelines? Maybe Ponder wasn't pouting. Maybe he was thinking "Man, this rib injury really hurts but I need to stay focused because this game isn't over". Maybe he was thinking about what he was going to have for dinner. There's absolutely no way to know.

What I get from your post and Jackal's is that the home crowd turned on their starting QB instead of supporting him in a game in which the team had a legitimate chance to win, a chance due, in part, to that QB's effort.

As for the talk about MBT and Webb earlier in the thread, they've become a little like the Godwin's Law of Vikings QB discussions.

Well ... otherwise you cut Ponder, pay him for nothing, and then pick up another QB who very likely isn't any better and pay him too. Meanwhile, at least Ponder is familiar with the receivers and has been through training camp, practices, etc.

He's two QB injuries away from being the team starter though ... he'll almost certainly not see the field this year ... so why even worry about it?

Habit? Who knows? Ponder-related angst and criticism always seem to be near the top of the menu.

[PurpleMustReign]

[indianation65]

Why is he still here? Three seasons in, Ponder is considered an experienced veteran. There is nothing coaches cling to more than experience and the label of "veteran."

...wisdom

[vikeinmontana]

This might sound like a Ponder defense post, but it's not, I don't want Ponder starting as much as the next guy, but I'm tired of the hyperbole and "Poor MBT and Webb!!11!" posts.

too late. you're clearly a ponder apologist...

[Knoxx]

I hold Ponder no ill will. He was a reach and I think the coaches that we had also failed him. We'll have to see if our new coaching staff is the dream team people think they are. I certainly hope they are but I'm not holding my breath. Who knows maybe they can salvage him into a long term backup or trade bait.

[soflavike]

I don't hate Ponder. I'm sure he's a nice guy and gave it his best. I think all of us were rooting for him to succeed, especially after the McNabb fiasco that preceded Ponder's run as the Vikings starter. At this point, he has shown us what he is capable of, and it isn't good enough. 3rd string is fine for him, I guess, but if we can get a draft pick for him or a decent player to fill a bigger need, I'll take that deal.

[720pete]

I don't hate Ponder. I'm sure he's a nice guy and gave it his best. I think all of us were rooting for him to succeed, especially after the McNabb fiasco that preceded Ponder's run as the Vikings starter. At this point, he has shown us what he is capable of, and it isn't good enough. 3rd string is fine for him, I guess, but if we can get a draft pick for him or a decent player to fill a bigger need, I'll take that deal.

Why did Bridgewater have to pick #5. Makes me superstitious.

[S197]

Just to throw a different angle out there (we got too much agreeing in this thread )

Assuming Ponder struggles in the preseason and a trade cannot be made before the final roster cuts, the Vikings cut Ponder and use McKinnon as the emergency 3rd QB. Looking at the log jam at S and LB, I think it's much more likely one of the guys on the bubble at that position see the field than the #3 QB. Cutting him frees up a roster spot for one "bubble" player.

I realize there is zero chance of this happening but just food for thought. If they were going to go this route, it would probably be wise to grab a rookie #4 QB and stash him on the practice squad. It would be a rather large calculated gamble but it's pretty rare to have to go to your #3 guy for any significant amount of time, I can't recall the last time (excluding the whole Freeman fiasco).