Vikings @ 49ers Game Day Discussion Thread -- Preseason #3

[Texas Vike]

There's that phrase again! At least it's not being applied to Ponder this time.

I get where you're coming from but if a player gets hurt 3 carries into the first game of the season, the net result is the same. It would still be a waste. I'm all for a reasonably cautious approach but at some point, a player will either hold up or he won't. There's no reason to believe AD can't get through a quarter or two of preseason football without an injury so I have no problem with him playing, especially if the coaches see value in it. Plenty of superstars are seeing the field this preseason and they do every year. I understand that the games are meaningless but the coaches obviously don't feel the work is meaningless or half the starters wouldn't see the field at all during the preseason.

The only thing that scares me is that AD gets into beast mode and he delivers shots and exposes himself to unnecessary risk. He has gotten smarter about this over the years though, which is reassuring. AD did need a few games to find his full mojo last year, so I'm not totally against him playing. He's just got to be smart.

[Texas Vike]

Seifert has a nice little preview: http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_ ... ings-49ers

Christian Ponder's last rehearsal: The Vikings' starting quarterback hasn't done much to ease fans' anxiety about how he'll perform this season, throwing an interception on his second pass of the Vikings' first preseason game and going 5-for-12 for 53 yards last week in Buffalo. He'll play into the third quarter tonight, getting his most extensive work with new receivers like Greg Jennings and Cordarrelle Patterson before the season starts, and it would help Ponder to show tangible signs of progress before starting his third season.

More at link.

[HornedMessiah]

Hopefully he's right and Ponder does play into the third quarter. He needs the practice. I'm not expecting much from the offense, though. 49ers D is elite and could make it a long night for Ponder and the oline.

[Mothman]

The only thing that scares me is that AD gets into beast mode and he delivers shots and exposes himself to unnecessary risk. He has gotten smarter about this over the years though, which is reassuring. AD did need a few games to find his full mojo last year, so I'm not totally against him playing. He's just got to be smart.

I agree that he has to be smart and Frazier should remind him that it's okay to run out of bounds in the preseason. I don't worry too much about AD delivering shots because I think he's less likely to get hurt when he's initiating contact. That's one of the ways Walter Payton avoided injuries and I think it's helped AD as well. When a runner is finishing a run like that I think he tends to take less punishment by putting the defender back on his heels. It's the shots that come in low from the side that worry me.

[yezzir]

There's that phrase again! At least it's not being applied to Ponder this time.

I get where you're coming from but if a player gets hurt 3 carries into the first game of the season, the net result is the same. It would still be a waste. I'm all for a reasonably cautious approach but at some point, a player will either hold up or he won't. There's no reason to believe AD can't get through a quarter or two of preseason football without an injury so I have no problem with him playing, especially if the coaches see value in it. Plenty of superstars are seeing the field this preseason and they do every year. I understand that the games are meaningless but the coaches obviously don't feel the work is meaningless or half the starters wouldn't see the field at all during the preseason.

Getting injured in a meaningful game is much different than being hurt in a meaningless game. Hold up or he won't? I don't see this like a pitcher in a spring training game. AD is a guy who has strong, fast athletes diving at his legs to make a play and land a roster spot. The risk is MUCH greater than the reward by playing him now.

[Mothman]

Seifert has a nice little preview: http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_ ... ings-49ers
More at link.

Thanks for the link. Goessling does his job there, building this game up a little more than perhaps it deserves but there will be a lot on the line for players like Bishop and for some of the peripheral players hoping to make the team. First cuts are due on Tuesday (I think).

[PurpleKoolaid]

Kaepernick isn't going to play much. I hope AD doesn't see more then the first series. It will be a boring game. Hopefully the starting Oline and Ponder play at least the first half. They need so much work, even against the 49ers 2nd string.

I think our starting D needs to play 3 quarters. Lets the scrubs play the entire last game, but we need to see something good this game, and I don't mean the final score. No one cares about that!

[CbusVikesFan]

C'mon guys, AP will be fine. He needs to get in there for a bit. I am more worried about the O-line play and the LB's ability to make plays sans Greenway.

[Mothman]

Getting injured in a meaningful game is much different than being hurt in a meaningless game.

I guess to me injured is injured. It's bad news no matter when it happens and since there's risk of injury every time a player takes the field (even in practice), I think it's possible to be overly cautious about it.

Hold up or he won't? I don't see this like a pitcher in a spring training game. AD is a guy who has strong, fast athletes diving at his legs to make a play and land a roster spot.

The odds are that when he's in the game, he'll be playing against starters, not players on the bubble for a roster spot.

The risk is MUCH greater than the reward by playing him now.

I guess that's where we differ. I think the risk is always there. If the coaching staff feels AD and/or the team will benefit from the work, I have no problem with him playing in a preseason game. As I see it, that's just a part of every NFL player's job and they need to get through it healthy just like they need to get through practice healthy.

[PurpleKoolaid]

C'mon guys, AP will be fine. He needs to get in there for a bit. I am more worried about the O-line play and the LB's ability to make plays sans Greenway.

What reason does he 'need' to be in there? Did Rogers need to be in his 3rd game? OFC not. AD is the Vikes offense if you hadn't noticed. He is also as close to a god as we will ever see play football. He doesn't need it. Now Ponder may need the attention on AD and not on him, but don't you think its time Ponder grows up? I mean the kid is married and all....

[PurpleKoolaid]

I agree that he has to be smart and Frazier should remind him that it's okay to run out of bounds in the preseason. I don't worry too much about AD delivering shots because I think he's less likely to get hurt when he's initiating contact. That's one of the ways Walter Payton avoided injuries and I think it's helped AD as well. When a runner is finishing a run like that I think he tends to take less punishment by putting the defender back on his heels. It's the shots that come in low from the side that worry me.

Has he shown something that makes you think that he needs to work on his game? He needs work on blocking and catching balls, neither of which the Vikes will risk in a preseason game. He doesn't need work on rushing.

[S197]

Hoping to see improved blitz recognition/pickup from the offensive line and better pocket presence from Ponder against a very good defense. We really haven't gotten a good look at Jennings yet either so hopefully we'll see something there too. This will also be an important game for bubble players like Webb, Line, Felder, Mauti, etc.

One of the reasons I'd like to see AD take a few series is the new rule where offensive players cannot lead with their helmet. Haven't watched a lot of preseason outside of Vikings games so curious to see how much this penalty gets called. AD does tend to lead with his head at times with his aggressive running style. If they're going to flag him for it, best to do it now so he can get used to the new rule.

[yezzir]

I guess to me injured is injured. It's bad news no matter when it happens and since there's risk of injury every time a player takes the field (even in practice), I think it's possible to be overly cautious about it.
The odds are that when he's in the game, he'll be playing against starters, not players on the bubble for a roster spot.
I guess that's where we differ. I think the risk is always there. If the coaching staff feels AD and/or the team will benefit from the work, I have no problem with him playing in a preseason game. As I see it, that's just a part of every NFL player's job and they need to get through it healthy just like they need to get through practice healthy.

Finally we disagree completely.

Skol

[Mothman]

Has he shown something that makes you think that he needs to work on his game? He needs work on blocking and catching balls, neither of which the Vikes will risk in a preseason game.

They won't risk blocking?

He needs work on blitz recognition and pickup and having him in there to possibly do a bit of that might not be a bad idea. However, it may not be about Peterson himself needing the work as much as it is about getting the starting offense work together. NFL players also talk about the need to to just get out there, get into a game with real hitting and start getting a feel for the season. That's probably not necessary but some of them seem to think it matters and maybe AD is one of those guys.

I just don't see why it's a big deal. I've seen a lot of complaints on the forum this offseason about the coaches supposedly "coddling" Ponder yet people don't want AD to even take the field! I get that absolutely nobody wants to see him injured but he's a football player. Let him play a little football!

Finally we disagree completely.

Skol

Skol! Enjoy the game and let's hope nobody gets injured.

[Mothman]

Can't see why people are arguing when everyone from Spielman to AD himself has said he's going to play. But carry on I guess

We're not arguing about whether he will play, we're arguing about whether he should play. However, as you pointed out, the discussion is moot because he's going to play.