Vikings Message Board.Com

Eli wrote:Who knows... Norv could take one look at the guy and find him to be so hopeless that they decide it isn't even worth having him in camp. Seems unlikely, but you could be right.

That would actually make me wrong. I don't think Ponder will be cut. I was just pointing out that the possibility of cutting him had come up in this thread a few times and that was presumably why Cliff mentioned it.

Anyway...

King James wrote:I'm probably the one who who still wants Ponder to get another chance. I really hope he stays on the team. He doesn't have to be the starter but I want to see him learn off the bench. If anything he could probably be a serviceable back-up for us in the future. I want to see how he does under a new coach before they release him or let him walk.

I feel the same way. It's possible the Turners will be able to help him work past some of the issues that have plagued him in the past.

Eli wrote:We might never get that chance. I have a feeling that the Vikings won't be playing musical chairs at QB next year unless Cassel _really_ stinks it up. And if the QB they draft begins to look good in practice at some point during the season, he could very well end up second on the depth chart.

That could definitely happen but on the other hand, Cassel has shown in recent years that he can stink it up with the best of them and he's never started 16 games in a season. If Ponder stays as backup and the Vikings are sincere in their comments about giving a rookie QB a season to learn, we could easily end up seeing Ponder start for the Vikings at some point this season.

Won't that go over well?

Eli wrote: We might never get that chance. I have a feeling that the Vikings won't be playing musical chairs at QB next year unless Cassel _really_ stinks it up. And if the QB they draft begins to look good in practice at some point during the season, he could very well end up second on the depth chart.

Here is a link to a more recent interview of Mike Zimmer. http://vikingsterritory.com/2014/genera ... is-perfect

I don't know what the Vikings plan to do exactly but it seems like Zimmer is more of a letting guys compete kinda guy than just letting guys like Cassel man the starting position. I don't think the Cassel signing guarantees him a starting job, especially if we draft in the 1st round. I think if we get a guy like Bridgewater or Manzier, maybe even Bortles, then we have to start them over Cassel and Ponder.

But as I was saying. I have a feeling the starting QB is up for grabs and if Ponder magically out performs the other QBs in practice, I think he may get another shot. I mean atleast now, he has a real coach who can teach him in Norv Turner. Zimmer also talks about other things, like the changes they made to the facilities. It's worth a watch.

King James wrote:I don't know what the Vikings plan to do exactly but it seems like Zimmer is more of a letting guys compete kinda guy than just letting guys like Cassel man the starting position. I don't think the Cassel signing guarantees him a starting job, especially if we draft in the 1st round. I think if we get a guy like Bridgewater or Manzier, maybe even Bortles, then we have to start them over Cassel and Ponder.

I think most coaches do welcome a competition at the QB position in the preseason, but when that starter is decided before week one, he has the job until _he_ loses it. It has to be that way, or else you end up with the sort of confused mess exactly like the Vikings had last year.

Mothman wrote: The prospect of cutting him was mentioned twice in the first 5 posts in this thread.

Indeed, I thought you were joining in the "Lets cut him right now!" chorus.

King James wrote:Here is a link to a more recent interview of Mike Zimmer. http://vikingsterritory.com/2014/genera ... is-perfect

I just watched the interview. And, man, I still can't get over how uncomfortable Zimmer looks in a very friendly interview. I'd hate to see what happens to him when he's on the hot seat. I've speculated before: I think this is the probably the reason why he's been passed over so many times for head coaching jobs. You really have to listen to him carefully to realize that he is actually very confident in himself and in his ability to succeed in the job. I suspect it would be very easy to sit and listen to him and come away wondering whether or not he'd make a good head coach.

Eli wrote: I just watched the interview. And, man, I still can't get over how uncomfortable Zimmer looks in a very friendly interview. I'd hate to see what happens to him when he's on the hot seat. I've speculated before: I think this is the probably the reason why he's been passed over so many times for head coaching jobs. You really have to listen to him carefully to realize that he is actually very confident in himself and in his ability to succeed in the job. I suspect it would be very easy to sit and listen to him and come away wondering whether or not he'd make a good head coach.

All I can say is that when we lose some games, those presses will be interesting to watch. I think he will eventually loosen up and tell people what he wants without looking camera shy. I just hope he doesn't pull a Jerry Burns and go one a cussing frenzy at the podium.

Some people are just not comfortable with speaking publicly, especially on camera. This is probably the first time he's received this much camera time in one season. Once this season starts I think he'll get more comfortable.

I wonder how he will handle his QB decision when that time comes and it's time to open to the public. We'll he beat around the bush like Frazier did or have his starter in place before the end of the preseason.

King James wrote:I wonder how he will handle his QB decision when that time comes and it's time to open to the public. We'll he beat around the bush like Frazier did or have his starter in place before the end of the preseason.

Even with the most straightforward answers, Frazier always appeared to be sidestepping the question. It was like he couldn't help himself and was afraid that anything he said would come back to haunt him. I don't recall it ever being in much doubt last year who would be the starter at QB in week one, but yeah, Frazier never really answered the question when asked.

King James wrote:All I can say is that when we lose some games, those presses will be interesting to watch. I think he will eventually loosen up and tell people what he wants without looking camera shy. I just hope he doesn't pull a Jerry Burns and go one a cussing frenzy at the podium.

Some people are just not comfortable with speaking publicly, especially on camera. This is probably the first time he's received this much camera time in one season. Once this season starts I think he'll get more comfortable.

I wonder how he will handle his QB decision when that time comes and it's time to open to the public. We'll he beat around the bush like Frazier did or have his starter in place before the end of the preseason.

He'll have his starter in place when the season begins but then, Frazier did too.

Eli wrote: Even with the most straightforward answers, Frazier always appeared to be sidestepping the question. It was like he couldn't help himself and was afraid that anything he said would come back to haunt him. I don't recall it ever being in much doubt last year who would be the starter at QB in week one, but yeah, Frazier never really answered the question when asked.

??? He made it clear throughout the entire offseason that Ponder would be their starter going into the 2013 season. It was never in doubt.

Cliff wrote:...Say Cassel gets injured during the first game and some light switch goes off in Ponder's head ... he suddenly becomes awesome.

Then it'd be worth it.

Mothman wrote: ??? He made it clear throughout the entire offseason that Ponder would be their starter going into the 2013 season. It was never in doubt.

Correct. This was NEVER up for debate heading into 2013. Ponder was the starter. Cassel was brought in to be the backup. Frazier never left the slightest doubt.

Mothman wrote: ??? He made it clear throughout the entire offseason that Ponder would be their starter going into the 2013 season. It was never in doubt.

I thought it was seeing as Cassel out performed Ponder every step of the way in the offseason. He may have never technically said it but by reading his body language, every time he was asked that question, it seemed like he held back what he really wanted to do/say. I don't see how it took him to the middle of the season to figure that Ponder was garbage when he's being play like garbage since he first took a snap under a Vikings helmet. I think he named Ponder starter to prevent QB controversy in the beginning

You Ponder guys really crack me up. No matter how poorly he plays you guys still have hope in him. Why??? Time and time again this guy has shown he isn't NFL talent. At his Best he has barely even been decent throwing short passes, never had a quality accuracte medium pass and has downright been terrible throwing a long pass. I don't get Ponder support. Why want a mediocre QB?

King James wrote:thought it was seeing as Cassel out performed Ponder every step of the way in the offseason. He may have never technically said it but by reading his body language, every time he was asked that question, it seemed like he held back what he really wanted to do/say.

I don't know what to tell you. There was no beating around the bush leading up to the season, as you implied, regardless of what you thought Frazier's body language was saying. He named his starter and he played him.