Vikings' Christian Ponder open to trade, but maximizing time

[Eli]

If someone's starter or backup gets injured in the next 3 weeks I think the Vikings will move Ponder for a 6th or 7th and just sign a 3rd QB to the PS after final cuts.

That's certainly a best case scenario. I'm sure the Vikings would be ecstatic to get anything at all for Ponder at this point.

[jackal]

That's certainly a best case scenario. I'm sure the Vikings would be ecstatic to get anything at all for Ponder at this point.

I doubt there isn't undrafted guys somewhere that would be better than ponder

[soflavike]

What more could he have done to make the roster than throw for 180 and run for 30 more in the one half he played? Most of what I've read has him making the team, if they keep 3 qbs.

But if he doesn't, and it makes PB unhappy, by all means bring him back here.

I watched Webb play in that game and he looked damned good. Made some great throws, short, wide, and deep. Ran well, too. Everybody keys in on that awful playoff game at Lambeau. The guy is better than that. A lot better.

[Texas Vike]

I finally got around to watching the second half of the OAK game and boy did Ponder look poor. He missed easy passes and continues to make the same mistake of holding onto the ball too long. I don't know about him maximizing his time. It seems more like he's counting the days.

[Webbfann]

I watched Webb play in that game and he looked damned good. Made some great throws, short, wide, and deep. Ran well, too. Everybody keys in on that awful playoff game at Lambeau. The guy is better than that. A lot better.

I'm not surprised.

http://www.catscratchreader.com/2014/8/ ... ve-preview

Another surprise from last week was the play of 4th string QB Joe Webb. The 4th year man from UAB nearly brought the team back to a win had it not been for an unfortunate pass deflection off WR Marcus Lucas that turned into an interception. After Blanchard's terrible play in the second quarter, Head Coach Ron Rivera elected to bring Webb in, who immediately channeled his inner Cam Newton, running for first downs, trucking tacklers, and throwing fast balls to his wideouts. Webb would form solid chemistry with WR Tavarres King, and would hit TE Brandon Williams for a late TD.

[Mothman]

I finally got around to watching the second half of the OAK game and boy did Ponder look poor. He missed easy passes and continues to make the same mistake of holding onto the ball too long. I don't know about him maximizing his time. It seems more like he's counting the days.

It was definitely a lackluster performance. Hopefully, all of the Vikings backups on offense will play better tonight. Overall, I didn't think they had a very effective first preseason game.

I watched Webb play in that game and he looked damned good. Made some great throws, short, wide, and deep. Ran well, too. Everybody keys in on that awful playoff game at Lambeau. The guy is better than that. A lot better.

He can be better but I think he needs to develop his game. When Webb can escape the pocket and improvise, he's very dangerous. When he's playing against second and third stringers in the preseason, his superior athleticism stands out and again, he makes plays. However, when he's faced with a team that game plans for him and/or can keep him contained in the pocket and make him throw, he seems like too much of a "one read" QB that lacks the necessary accuracy. Athletically, he's a serious talent. If he can develop as a passer, he could be quite good.

I wish him well with the Panthers. Webb always seemed like a player with a great attitude.

[Texas Vike]

It was definitely a lackluster performance. Hopefully, all of the Vikings backups on offense will play better tonight. Overall, I didn't think they had a very effective first preseason game.

You're right that we seem to lack depth. Ponder's woes were mostly attributable to his own poor performance, though. He had easy throws that he just missed by a long shot. I think it's great that he has a daughter now and is in a good spot in his personal life. But professionally, I don't see the light coming on. I doubt that anyone offers us anything in a trade if he continues like this.

He may not get much playing time tonight. Sounds like Cassel will get the first half and I would guess Teddy will get at least a quarter.

[Mothman]

You're right that we seem to lack depth. Ponder's woes were mostly attributable to his own poor performance, though. He had easy throws that he just missed by a long shot. I think it's great that he has a daughter now and is in a good spot in his personal life. But professionally, I don't see the light coming on. I doubt that anyone offers us anything in a trade if he continues like this.

They're more likely to just sign him off the waiver wire or as a free agent.

He's reportedly getting very few reps in practice because the new practice rules don't leave much time for the third string. It's been a long fall over the past 12 months and it has to be a difficult situation for him. If ever a player needed a change of scenery, it's Ponder.

He may not get much playing time tonight. Sounds like Cassel will get the first half and I would guess Teddy will get at least a quarter.

Yes, if not most of the second half... I'm guessing Ponder will get a couple of series in the 4th quarter.

[Texas Vike]

They're more likely to just sign him off the waiver wire or as a free agent.

He's reportedly getting very few reps in practice because the new practice rules don't leave much time for the third string. It's been a long fall over the past 12 months and it has to be a difficult situation for him. If ever a player needed a change of scenery, it's Ponder.
Yes, if not most of the second half... I'm guessing Ponder will get a couple of series in the 4th quarter.

I thought the new coaching staff would be at least sufficient "change of scenery" for him to show something. But, yes, he definitely needs to move on.

[Mothman]

I thought the new coaching staff would be at least sufficient "change of scenery" for him to show something. But, yes, he definitely needs to move on.

Well, he's only had a few series to show something so far so he may still do so. If I remember correctly, he threw a couple of nice passes to start his game last Friday and then it rapidly went bad. He'll probably get some playing time tonight and next week and assuming the Vikes keep him at least until the end of the preseason, he may get a lot of playing time in that 4th game. He still has an opportunity to show better but he needs to come out and throw the ball with more authority!

[sonicology]

It's been a long fall over the past 12 months and it has to be a difficult situation for him. If ever a player needed a change of scenery, it's Ponder.

Agreed.

I almost dread seeing posts from the Vikings pop up in my facebook feed now because no matter the subject the top reply is always some guy moaning about Ponder.

Q. Will Kyle Rudolph have a break-out season?
A. Ponder sucks! 56 people like this.

Q. Can AP break 2000 yards rushing again?
A. Ponder sucks! 94 people like this.

Q. How many games will the Vikings win this season?
A. Ponder sucks! 165 people like this.

The fans need to get over Ponder and move on, yes he's been a disappointment but at least he seems to have handled the situation with a lot more professionalism and aplomb than our supporters.

[Mothman]

Agreed.

I almost dread seeing posts from the Vikings pop up in my facebook feed now because no matter the subject the top reply is always some guy moaning about Ponder.

Q. Will Kyle Rudolph have a break-out season?
A. Ponder sucks! 56 people like this.

Q. Can AP break 2000 yards rushing again?
A. Ponder sucks! 94 people like this.

Q. How many games will the Vikings win this season?
A. Ponder sucks! 165 people like this.

The fans need to get over Ponder and move on, yes he's been a disappointment but at least he seems to have handled the situation with a lot more professionalism and aplomb than our supporters.

Well said!

[Mothman]

Ben Goessling speculates about a Ponder trade and whether the Vikes might decide his roster spot is best given to a player at another position:

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_ ... he-way-out

[Demi]

His roster spot would be better filled by a jugs machine...
Probably be harder for a defense to read...and wouldn't have to worry about happy feet!

[dead_poet]

Zimmer was asked about offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s comments from yesterday when Turner said he was “very disappointed” with Vikings fans booing Christian Ponder.

“Norv can say whatever he wants. I think Christian deserves to be treated like a Viking,” he said.

And while Zimmer isn’t yet disclosing his plan for playing time in Saturday’s preseason game against the Chiefs, he did said that there is a possibility that Ponder, whom the coaching staff all but said would make the 53-man roster out of camp, could play in Saturday night’s game.

“I still like a lot of things that he does. His athletic ability. His intelligence. The way he throws it,” Zimmer said. “I keep seeing [people say] he doesn’t have a good arm. That’s wrong, too. He’s got a good arm. He throws the ball beautifully. He just didn’t make as many plays during OTAs as some of the other guys did.”

http://blog.startribune.com/sports/acce ... used-today