Vikings Message Board.Com

BGM wrote: Gads, I have always detested that quote. Most of the great teachers I had over the course of my life were experts, or near-experts, in what they were teaching. They all could "do" to one degree or another, but they had IMMENSE teaching talent and a desire to pass on their knowledge. I see Ponder in the same light. He watches film, he practices well, he has never been in the news for missing meetings nor for not giving his all to prepare. He has a wealth of knowledge, but for some reason, has not been able to perform. Maybe his talent truly lies in passing along that knowledge.

If you want proof of the different talent it takes to be a great player vs. a great coach, look at how many journeyman players have become excellent coaches, while superstars have pretty much been "meh".

nightowl wrote:I don't really believe that either. That was thrown out there as pure sarcasm at Ponder's on field struggles. I just forgot the lol smiley. I have tremendous respect for teachers and coaches, I'm personally in a position where I'm training, coaching and teaching a team of people. I know it's very difficult. Believe me there was no real disrespect meant.

losperros wrote:
I think you're right on target, as is Brian's post. Ponder is an intelligent man who I believe comprehends the game of pro football but simply can't be a star on the field. I have no problem envisioning him as being a source of knowledge for a rookie player. Who knows? He could end up being a position coach or more.

"He just tells me that everything isn't going to be perfect," Bridgewater said. "You're going to have some throws that get away from you. You're going to have some days where you're off. It's all about having a short-term memory. Forgetting the previous game, forgetting the previous play and move on to the next."

Ponder said he tells Bridgewater to "keep chugging away" and "keep your head up." Ponder said it's not just rookies who struggle in the NFL playing a very tough position.

mansquatch wrote:You guys are projecting yourselves into a situation you do not perfectly understand. None of us perfectly understand it unless someone in here has played pro ball before and we do not know it.

Ponder's issues are not physical at all. It is purely his head during that three to five seconds between when the ball snaps until he delivers the pass on game day. For whatever the reason(s) he just loses it in that time frame when it really matters. I'm sure he knows exactly what he is supposed to do and how he is supposed to think and everything else. For some reason, he just can't do it during those three to five seconds.

I do not think that inability, which is only a liability in the NFL, precludes him from having something positive to offer on the sideline. But maybe I'm wrong.

DKSweets wrote:My immediate reaction:
But seriously, I'm sure he gives decent advice. As BGM pointed out, many players who were never able to put it together on the field became good coaches.

I like that Bear meme.

Demi wrote:
I was onto you all along!