Ponder: The Answer?

[dead_poet]

While we're on the subject, Vikings reporter and Associated press contributor Brian Hall recently wrote a piece about Ponder:

Vikings' Ponder reaches pivotal third year

Thanks for the link. I thought it was a solid take.

[Mothman]

Thanks for the link. I thought it was a solid take.

You're welcome. I thought it was a very fair, even-handed assessment.

[losperros]

You're welcome. I thought it was a very fair, even-handed assessment.

I like it, too. The article doesn't candy coat anything. Ponder has to improve and become more consistent. But there's no denying that when he was on last season, he was definitely on. It's just a matter of Ponder maturing to the point where he's that kind of QB throughout an entire season. The hot and cold stuff isn't going to be enough after the upcoming season.

As I've said before, one thing that would really help Ponder (or any QB) is to insulate the QB as much as possible. Denny Green had it right with his "QB friendly" system, which included great balance and a far better WR corps than what the Vikings presently have.

[Mothman]

Frazier expresses his confidence in Ponder and the latter's ability to keep improving. Perhaps of more interest, he also discusses the backup QB position:

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Chri ... says022213

Regarding the backup role...

Frazier said the goal is to "create competition" for the spot one way or another and bringing in a veteran backup "would be perfect" -- if that player knows he's not being brought in to unseat Ponder.

"It's got a guy that comes in and understands that Christian is our starting quarterback," Frazier said. "But, yeah, he's got to be ready to play at any given time. That's just the nature of being the backup quarterback.

"He'd have to understand his role. That would be the key. If the guy comes in and has the mindset that 'I'm going to create a problem in the locker room' because he feels he should be the starter, that would not be a good fit. It needs to be a guy understands his role and could fit our team and be ready to go at a moment's notice."

More at the link.

[dead_poet]

Brian Billick says 'Time to start holding Christian Ponder accountable'

So for the next eight-and-a-half weeks, we're going to hear a lot of analysis on what the Vikings will need to do. At present, everyone's on the same page that the Vikings' receiving corps needs help. Earlier today, we offered you 12 potential targets for the team.

Now, it's time to turn the floor over to NFL analysts Charles Davis and Brian Billick.

Billick, the former Vikings' offensive coordinator, offered this take on where the offense stands:

"I think it's time to start holding Christian Ponder accountable. But only if they give him the proper weapons. Percy Harvin is a heck of a weapon. And when he was healthy, he was a great way to go. They don't have that big shot down the field. They were hoping Jerome Simpson could be that. They don't have that. That's got to be a top priority. For me, I've got to come out with a big play weapon down the field.":

Video at link: http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 32151.html

[vikeinmontana]

so basically what many of us have been saying. ponder is entering his 3rd season. it's essentially make or break for him now. he needs to play considerablely better than he has. but if we're even attempting to be fair here, if we can't get him some good weapons it's going to be very hard. if we can bring another guy in to pair with percy i think it will be fair to completely hold ponder accountable.

he had both good and bad stretches last year. here's to having far more good than bad this season!

[Mothman]

so basically what many of us have been saying. ponder is entering his 3rd season. it's essentially make or break for him now. he needs to play considerablely better than he has. but if we're even attempting to be fair here, if we can't get him some good weapons it's going to be very hard. if we can bring another guy in to pair with percy i think it will be fair to completely hold ponder accountable.

he had both good and bad stretches last year. here's to having far more good than bad this season!

I'll second that. Ponder definitely needs better weapons. He can't be expected to produce at a considerably higher level without them.

I'm not sure why people (including Billick) keep saying it's time for Ponder to be held accountable, mainly because I don't see any compelling reason to believe he hasn't been held accountable for his play from the start. He was benched at one point in 2011 and he hasn't been given a free pass by fans or the media. I suspect when he's made mistakes, he's had to explain himself to his coaches every time. He's certainly accepted responsibility for his mistakes.

[PurpleKoolaid]

so basically what many of us have been saying. ponder is entering his 3rd season. it's essentially make or break for him now. he needs to play considerablely better than he has. but if we're even attempting to be fair here, if we can't get him some good weapons it's going to be very hard. if we can bring another guy in to pair with percy i think it will be fair to completely hold ponder accountable.

he had both good and bad stretches last year. here's to having far more good than bad this season!

Many many more bad stretches. A 200 yrd passing game really shouldnt be considered good in the NFL these days. I hope if he sucks as much as I think he will once again this year, the blame is placed where it should be, and hes history. And hopefully traded in the NFCN. I just dont think he has it. Just like Tjack didnt.

[PurpleKoolaid]

I love how Ponder gets 1.5 seasons under his belt with arguably the worst WR's (minus Harvin, so basically 1 full season with 1 good WR) in the league and we dismiss him as done, no good, never going to be the guy. Give the dude a chance. Alex Smith is the talk of the day like he is worth 2nd round pick, after he was one of the worst QB's in the league from 2005-2010. He has two seasons at his CEILING, and it was barely better than Ponder, and he had a way better team around him!

Look at Smith's Stats, he was barely ever above 60% before Harbaugh.
http://www.nfl.com/player/alexsmith/2506340/careerstats

And here is Ponder for his career, looks a lot better than a guy a lot of people here wanted on the team.
http://www.nfl.com/player/christianpond ... areerstats

Here is a highlight video of Ponder. Looks like a lot more than a few good throws to me. The kid has a chance to be an exceptional QB, he just needs some decent WR's around him. Is he ever going to be an Elite QB? no, but can he be our starter until the Elite QB is available in the draft? yes, he can and during that time, we can build this team and make it the best walk-in situation for that Franchise QB we all desire.

We have sooo many holes in this team that a replacement for Ponder is the least of our worries, especially with this crumby QB class in this year's draft. We need CB(3), SS, OG(2-3), RT, DT(2), ILB(2), OLB(2), WR(3-4). Thats what we need to focus on. I dont understand what the rush is to replace a QB that we have not seen the ceiling of, with another QB at their ceiling which is barely if at all, better than Ponder.

You say you hope he sucks as much as you think he will once again, but all you are doing is focusing on everything he did wrong. His completion % last season was 62 %. He Had 7, I repeat 7 games above 65% completion this year, 5 games above 70%. This kid could be all we need to be a playoff contender until our RG3, Wilson, Luck shows up.

You say 200 yard passing games shouldn't be considered good. I don't think you understand the type of team we are. WE ARE A RUN FIRST OFFENSE. That means we run and run and run, and THEN pass when we need to. So when you run for 100-200 yards + pass for 150-300 yards, that is a typical game for us. We have the best RB in the NFL and our team is centered around him, and thats the way it is going to be .

So your argument of him being a good QB, is we have a good RB? That makes sense...

And comparing him to Smith does nothing for me.....wasnt he replaced last year by a kid that got them to the SB? Im excited the Vikes had the sense not to go after him.

And my point was, I think he sucks, he panics early he has happy feet, he makes idiotic plays. Yeah he can make an occasional raninbow pass, and habe someone like PH pad his stats for the first have of the season, but he simply isnt a deep thret. None at all. There are 9 friggin defenders in the box and he cant find a WR (yeah yeah its the WRs fault...even when they are open). A cmpetent QB would have a field day here. Thats why I hope hes gone. Not cause i like to bash him, because I think hes holding this team back. And Im tired of us not having a competent QB.

Thats why I want a guard so bad. It is one thing that I think will help Ponder more then anything. And if Ponder still sucks, hes gone. And maybe Spielman. Im guessing the WIlfs wont let this project drag out as long as the Childress Tjoke one.

[PacificNorseWest]

Not sure how many of you went to see a game live this past season, but I live in Seattle, so I don't get too many opportunities to see the Vikings live. I went when they were in town and let me tell you...Separation? There was none. There were definitely some questionable throws, but there's so much that goes into that that I don't even want to begin going down that road. Bottom line...I have to side with mrc here. Some people talk about Ponder like he's been in the League for 5 years already. Last year was his first full season as a starter and aside from a 5 game stretch in the middle of the season, Ponder actually played some extremely efficient and effective football.


We shouldn't act like the league has to be cookie cutter and the offensive formula to win a Championship has to remain consistent from season to season. The Vikings don't need a 400 yard passer every week to win when they have arguably the greatest running back of all-time. Their formula for getting the W can be different than the Patriots (who haven't ever won a title since they've had such a great offense) and all it takes, from what we see now, is a consistently efficient quarterback and at least one more weapon to stretch the field.

[OJVIKE]

just heard on NFL network that matt cassel could end up here...noooooooooooooo.

[Arma]

just heard on NFL network that matt cassel could end up here...noooooooooooooo.

How's that a bad thing? He'd be a perfect backup.

[OJVIKE]

How's that a bad thing? He'd be a perfect backup.

it would start a qb controversy

[Arma]

it would start a qb controversy

That's a stupid reason to not pick up a valuable QB. Ponder is our starter...there is no controversy.

[Purple bruise]

just heard on NFL network that matt cassel could end up here...noooooooooooooo.

Here is the link.http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100000 ... or-vikings Rapoport cautions not to rule out the Vikings as competition for Cassel's services. Although head coach Leslie Frazier has maintained that Christian Ponder is his quarterback, the Vikings are on the lookout for a veteran to "teach" and "push" the young starter.
With 30 turnovers in his last 30 games, it's fair to ask exactly what Cassel would be teaching Ponder.