Preseason Game 1 Thoughts

[mosscarter]

how do you guys know cassel will be the backup the entire season? truth is, you don't. as someone noted he threw for 200 yards in a half and ponder hasn't done that his entire career. everyone likes to point out how ponder had no help, but neither did cassel his last two seasons either.

[Texas Vike]

how do you guys know cassel will be the backup the entire season? truth is, you don't. as someone noted he threw for 200 yards in a half and ponder hasn't done that his entire career. everyone likes to point out how ponder had no help, but neither did cassel his last two seasons either.

We don't know that he'll be the backup ALL season, but Frazier has stated in the press that Cassel will back up Ponder to begin the season. However much you wish it were different, there is no battle at the position currently.

[The Breeze]

how do you guys know cassel will be the backup the entire season? truth is, you don't. as someone noted he threw for 200 yards in a half and ponder hasn't done that his entire career. everyone likes to point out how ponder had no help, but neither did cassel his last two seasons either.

I'm pretty sure Ponder had over 220yds in the 2nd half vs the Redskins last year plus two TDs. It was a loss too.

[allday1991]

I'm pretty sure Ponder had over 220yds in the 2nd half vs the Redskins last year plus two TDs. It was a loss too.

I know Ponder is the starter and Cassel was brought in as a backup however, realistically what does Cassel have to do to prove other wise or is it literally impossibly? that Cassel could throw 250 ypg and 3 td per game in each pre-season and still not be starter?

[PurpleKoolaid]

Cassell was okay but often missed a lot of open receivers. He threw a horrible pick that was just down right bad. Bad throw, bad decision. Cassell is only here so if Ponder get's hurt our win chance doesn't go to 0% like against Green Bay in the playoffs.

Wonder if your tune will change by game 6. Ofc, if the coaches keep trying to protect Ponder and pulling him early, they may give him 7 or 8 games. But Ponder is Ponder. Average at his very best. Just like the last QB the Vikings drafted that played.

[Eli]

Ponder played exactly two downs and he's been the subject of about 3/4 of the conversation of the game. Nothing really changes.

[PurpleKoolaid]

Ponder played exactly two downs and he's been the subject of about 3/4 of the conversation of the game. Nothing really changes.

Not until we get a QB, no. And the Vikings past history with young QBs isn't that good. But if you don't think QB play is important, you are entitled to that. I think its high time the Vikes fixed the spot.

[Texas Vike]

Not until we get a QB, no. And the Vikings past history with young QBs isn't that good. But if you don't think QB play is important, you are entitled to that. I think its high time the Vikes fixed the spot.

Elaborate. What would you have them do?

[PurpleKoolaid]

Elaborate. What would you have them do?

Im not a scout, coach GM, owner etc. But I don't think Ponder is the answer. Never have. Not having a backup for the past few years, developing was a HUGE mistake as well. Some teams just don't get it. The Vikes just don't get the QB position right. Unless they basically sell the team for one. And that one proved you can take unknown WRs and make them shine.

[Hunter Morrow]

Jerome Simpson is godawful.

Last year his 3 best plays were drawing pass interference. He has cinder block hands.

I would cut Simpson and keep Burton and at this point it'd be a no-brainer.

[S197]

I think Ponder should have played another series. Dalton played multiple series and I believe Locker did as well (guys drafted at the same time as Ponder). It's not a huge deal, he'll see significantly more time in games 2 and 3. Not much to grade him on in this game other than a ball that wasn't thrown well but was still catchable.

I will say that if Burton and Webb continue to play like they did last night, I'm very much for the option of keeping them both on and just two QB's. Burton made some nice YAC, Webb showed good hands, and both displayed very good blocking. Of course its preseason where the TJack's and Audie Cole's of the world look good so you never know but it will be an interesting story to follow as the cuts get closer.

[The Breeze]

I know Ponder is the starter and Cassel was brought in as a backup however, realistically what does Cassel have to do to prove other wise or is it literally impossibly? that Cassel could throw 250 ypg and 3 td per game in each pre-season and still not be starter?

Why would you hand Cassel the starting job after a game where Ponder got two attempts?

Seriously this place is turning into P.I.S.S. central.

Cassel gets credit for looking pretty decent running the offense. His 212 yds came with the benefit of two huge YAC receptions.....it's not an important number. What is important is that he ran the offense in his first game better than JWebb ever has. Hence the team has improved itself at a key position.
If Cassel winds up starting for this team it will be due to injury or a horible start by the offense this season. You know like tons of picks and bad reads or a 2 and 6 record.

[allday1991]

Why would you hand Cassel the starting job after a game where Ponder got two attempts?

Seriously this place is turning into P.I.S.S. central.

Cassel gets credit for looking pretty decent running the offense. His 212 yds came with the benefit of two huge YAC receptions.....it's not an important number. What is important is that he ran the offense in his first game better than JWebb ever has. Hence the team has improved itself at a key position.
If Cassel winds up starting for this team it will be due to injury or a horible start by the offense this season. You know like tons of picks and bad reads or a 2 and 6 record.

I am not saying they should hand him a job, my question was IF Ponder sucks ALL pre-season, and Cassel lights it up is it possible for Cassel to start, which you answered he can with a crappy start or injury. I don't know where the P.I.S.S came from? lol its all good here cheers

[Reignman]

Why would you hand Cassel the starting job after a game where Ponder got two attempts?

Seriously this place is turning into P.I.S.S. central.

Wow, down boy. Do you work for Ponder? Are you his attack dog? I don't see anyone advocating for Cassel to start already, man you Ponder supporters are paranoid. Don't worry Frazier already handed princess the job xD. He said, don't worry your pretty little head precious, you won't to compete like everyone else. He was just asking if there was a scenario where Cassel could possibly win the job. Now calm down.

[The Breeze]

I am not saying they should hand him a job, my question was IF Ponder sucks ALL pre-season, and Cassel lights it up is it possible for Cassel to start, which you answered he can with a crappy start or injury. I don't know where the P.I.S.S came from? lol its all good here cheers

lol


I imagine the main things they are trying to do at the Qb position this preseason are : keep Ponder healthy, get Cassel up to speed in the offense, and determine whether it makes sense to keep 2 or3 QBs on the roster. If Webb makes the team and both the guys battling for 3rd QB string don't look to have some potential, they may just use two guys and have Webb be the emergency backup.

Fraizer and Co. have maintained all along that Ponder will start week 1, which means no outright competition, which has some people upset over something they can't change and leads to debates where we all sound somewhat like idiots.....or at least it feels like it.

As for Ponder playing so badly in the prseason that he loses his job? Hard to fathom since he won't even play a full game total the whole time. ~