Philip Rivers Anyone?

[rugbyrugger23]

Some SD outlets are slinging rumors new coach and new GM could go into a rebuild mode to make their stamp on the Chargers organization. And the recent years struggling, somewhat worn-out-welcome in the community, Rivers could be enticed into a trade.

1) Would Vikes want to go in this direction?

2) Would say a package of '13 1st and Ponder plus X be enough for Chargers to pull-the-trigger?

[mondry]

um, that's an insane deal for the chargers, why wouldn't they accept that?

[dead_poet]

1) Would Vikes want to go in this direction?

NO

2) Would say a package of '13 1st and Ponder plus X be enough for Chargers to pull-the-trigger?

Um...that'd be overpaying by QUITE a bit.

Here's some things to consider:

1) He'd be a stopgap.

2) He'll be 32 and the team is trying to get younger.

3) He's losing effectiveness. His arm has lost velocity and last season his job security in San Diego was questioned.

4) He has turned the ball over 47 times in his last 32 games.

5) His yards-per-attempt has decreased in each of the last four seasons.

6) On the season, he averaged just 225.3 yards per game, his worst mark since 2007.

I don't know if I'd offer up more than a second rounder. The Vikings aren't going to trade Christian Ponder. Rivers won't be wearing Purple in the foreseeable future.

[headless_norseman]

Chargers will use him like any other team he might have been traded to, a holdover for their next QB, and there isn't any franchise QB to get in this draft. Rivers stays put.

[mansquatch]

Rivers has fallen way off without Vincent Jackson. Why would we think that with our group of WR he would suddenly get his game back?

No thanks.

[jackal]

no thanks

[Pepper2Moss]

I'd be fine swapping Ponder for Rivers, but I wouldn't throw in a high draft pick. Rivers has dropped off significantly in the past 2 seasons.

[Demi]

Rivers has fallen way off without Vincent Jackson. Why would we think that with our group of WR he would suddenly get his game back?

3600 yards 26 TD 15 INT is his game now. I'll take that. Much less getting ANYTHING back. That team has been stripped on offense. Gates isn't anything near what he used to be, he lost his best receiver, their backs are garbage.

Would I give up much for him? Maybe a mid round. But I'd take him over Ponder in a second. Why would the Chargers want anything to do with Ponder? He isn't their 3 year pipe dream.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

Quite possibly the only players I have hated more than Rivers in the NFL are Drew Brees and Al Harris. I would be irate if the Vikings wasted a pick trying to acquire this clown.

[tradster]

Considering Alex Smith reportedly went for a 2nd round and a conditional mid-round, figure the value would be about right. Don't believe any GMs would give Ponder much value in a trade.

Talent wise, would make the trade but believe Rivers has 3 years and about $50 million left on his contract and that would be a deal breaker. Wouldn't leave any money left to sign Loadholt, Harvin and hopefully another receiver. Don't believe Ponder is the answer but hopefully they can find someone cheap now to create a competition, heck, I would take Colt McCoy and could probably get him for a cooler of Gatorade.

As for the person that doesn't want him because he only hates Brees and Harris more, you don't have to like a player to make your team better.

[The Breeze]

Warren Moon, Jeff George, Randall Cunningham, Brett Favre, Donovan McRibb....who am I missing? George Blanda?

I don't know what Rivers has or hasn't got left....but I'm tired of seeing this franchise pick up the discards when it comes to the QB position. The Chargers should dealt him years ago and kept Brees IMO.

no thanks

[The Breeze]

I agree. I don't want any more stop gaps. However, Rivers is only 31 years old and in his prime. Before this season, he had 4 consecutive 4,000 yds seasons. And for a guy who never really depended on arm strength, Rivers should continue to be consistant for at least 4-5 more years. As for keeping Brees over Rivers, it is easy to say that now. Brees was very good for the Chargers, but at the time most would agree he was no franchise QB, and SD drafted Rivers to be that guy.

I think with AD in his prime, we must capitalized on his best years and see just how far this train can go. I'm almost certain with the best RB in the game, and one of the most accurate passers in the league, we can be serious contenders for at least 4 years.

That's just me though.

I never even heard of Rivers before they drafted him...so, I always favored Brees. My comment on dealing one or the other is more a note of disdain for the Charger franchise....they have managed to squander some real opportunities over the last few years.

To your point: I agree that Rivers would make this club instantly better, just like nearly every one of those guys I listed above did. Still they've only made it as far as the NFCC before it was time for a new retread QB. If this was the 2010 roster I'd bite....but I'm getting to the point where I want to see more than a year or two run chasing a superbowl. I'd like to see a team that competes for a decade or more.
I don't know that Ponder will be the guy....but he's a start and they are competitive with him back there. I guess I'm laying down the purple crack and trying to learn patience these days.W hat a drag it is getting old.

[Purple bruise]

For all of you non believers and naysayers. Ponder has played a little over 1 and 1/2 seasons (the first with no camp) and got thrown into the fire with a crappy pass protecting line and zero receiver tallent. He finished his second season strong and shows a lot of promise. Rivers, playing behind the Viking's line last year and arguably the worst receiving corp in the NFL (especially after losing Harvin) would have been sacked a whole lot more times (he is one of the least mobile QBs around) and would/could not have done any better than a 10 win season and the play-offs. What did the Chargers do again? Oh yeah, the Chargers failed to improve on their 8–8 record from 2011 and missed the playoffs for a third consecutive season, resulting in Turner's firing on December 31, 2012.
Get over it the Viking's management, owner and coach has said that he has the job without question starting next year. They are not trading for Rivers, Smith, Vick, Cassel, or anyone else. This year is his year to succeed or fail. After that we will all see who was right

[ViciousBritishVike]

I definitely do not want Phillip Rivers on this team. No thanks.

Do elaborate? Not that I'm condoning the release of Ponder but when surrounded with talent, Rivers has proved to be a highly successful Quarterback. In fact, I'd go as far to say that his extraordinary 'side arm delivery' can be masterful and lead to Defenses being carved up in moments.

I still believe he has plenty of productive seasons left in the take. I'd much prefer this approach than acquiring Cassel, a player who is often ineffective and far too turnover prone. Though unfortunately, a player of Rivers calibre like wouldn't settle for the bench.

[Mothman]

Do elaborate? Not that I'm condoning the release of Ponder but when surrounded with talent, Rivers has proved to be a highly successful Quarterback. In fact, I'd go as far to say that his extraordinary 'side arm delivery' can be masterful and lead to Defenses being carved up in moments.

I still believe he has plenty of productive seasons left in the take. I'd much prefer this approach than acquiring Cassel, a player who is often ineffective and far too turnover prone. Though unfortunately, a player of Rivers calibre like wouldn't settle for the bench.

Cassel is turnover-prone (21 INTs, 9 lost fumbles in the last 2 seasons) but take a look at how turnover-prone Rivers has been in the last two seasons: in 2011 and 2012 combined, he threw 35 interceptions and lost 12 fumbles. He's played poorly the last two years and he's unlikely to be happy as a backup. He can carve defenses up when he's hot but I think he's far too immobile and mistake-prone for the Vikings to bail on developing Ponder and throw their eggs in his basket.