Huh

[Scott K]

Great if Ponder was their guy. But the fact that they could've gotten him in the middle of the 2nd round really makes the pick questionable. I also would take Andy Dalton any day of the week over Ponder...Dalton is a pure winner. But none of this matters, the Packers are still "the cream of the crop" in the NFL

I am thinking the Lions will be giving the Pack a run for their title this year! The Vikings, will be last in the division, and for many years to come.

Welcome the new cellar dwellers, The MN Vikings!

[Hory]

The Lions will be a much improved team. However, until they decide to put a player with NFL caliber talent in their secondary...they will continue to be a .500 team at best. I also think whoever can get their hands on Da Quan Bowers during the 2nd round of the draft will surely have the biggest steal. He was predicted to be a TOP 3 pick by many, but was passed on due to a questionable knee. I remember a certain runningback wearing #28 for the Vikings that had a "questionable knee"...and even as a Packer fan I must say that gamble has paid off!

[zepman]

His knee didn't check out and some of the "professionls" have said that over 75% of the teams took him off their draft list all together(red-flagged him).

Chronic arthritis and possibly microfracture surgery is what is ahead for Bowers...too bad too, the dude can flat out play football.

[goblueM]

I'm likin all the love for the Lions in this thread, gentlemen

We're gonna have the baddest, sickest, meanest line in the NFL next year.

But don't get too down on yourselves, Ponder could turn out to be a pretty good QB. Smart, decent arm, ok pocket awareness. The big question mark is when he'll start, I think he should sit for a while. Dunno if y'all can afford that though, given the sorry state of your QBs

[Hory]

If that's an injury he can recover come or continue to play through...he could be a franchise defensive player. I think tomorrow could be an interesting day in the draft. I think quite a few teams may try to move up and get Dalton early in the 2nd round.

[Rippinlip]

I am kind of excited to see how this works out.

We need a smart quarterback, we got it.

As far as all the arguments go that he was predicted to go here or there..

So what, someone seen something they wanted and they went for it, was he our 1st choice, probably not. I would agree that Locker and Gabbert were, but they were gone.

I agree it probably will not pan out this or even next year, but most quarterback take a few years.

Meanwhile in the next couple of years while Ponder is getting experience we get some more draft picks and then pick up much needed players that don't take that long to grow, such as a DE, OL and so on.

Stating where people should go is a total gamble in the draft, the teams interview them, work them out, etc, etc.

Look at the board now, players are still there that should have been gone and Visa Versa.

I am hopeful, and a Vikings fan.

[bucketmouth64]

What has been said about Ponder is his smarts. Get him a playbook before the lockout happens again and he should be able to learn it on his own. I wonder if his football smarts are like Peyton's to a certain degree. I was hoping too for Prince/Quinn/Castanza or any other big name to be selected, but only time will tell if the front office did their homework on Ponder. As far as the Lions, they will have a their version of the Williams Wall for years to come. That front line of theirs is looking pretty good with Vandenbosch/Suh/Fairley.

[Stcloudangler]

Yeah ^^^ and against our horsebleep offensive line, we will make them look real good.

[SkunkedAgain]

Wow, a lot of anger from the Viking fans. From an outside perspective, I think that they did it right. They tried to trade down but nobody would take their pick (I presume that the asking price was too high). That would have been the right move, however, they had Ponder highest on their board for QBs remaining in the draft. Why trade down at this point when there is a chance that he won't be around later? Yeah, yeah, he was rated lower. That's by guys who AREN'T in possession of a draft pick. Those mock drafts don't mean a thing if the next team comes along and takes the guy that you believe would be the best fit for your team.

Ponder was talked about as one of the only NFL-ready QBs in the draft. That's what the Vikings needed if they didn't think that they could get a decent free agent QB. Joe Webb showed that he can win a game or two. I suspect that he'll open up the season and then give way part-way through to Ponder.

[creepworm]

At least we did not take Jamarcus Russel Jr. with the first overall pick like Carolina did.

[pikestabber]

Wow. Lots of hate today. I really like this pick and am glad Locker didn't fall to us (a bigger reach than Ponder, IMO). Ponder is smart, has great pocket presence (no happy feet), and is said to pick up on new concepts very quickly. Musgrave worked wonders with Matt Ryan, and I think he can do it here, too. Also, Ponder ran a similar style of offense to what Musgrave will implement. Overall, he is a lot more NFL ready than some taken ahead of him (namely, Newton). Check this out... Sports Science: Christian Ponder.

[Bigbartguy]

this is Ponder's girlfriend - Kacie.

Maybe we'll be ok - looks like our draft pick is already a winner?

[Stcloudangler]

My oh My, sho am fine.

[soldoncass]

I'm only surprised by the #12 spot for picking Ponder....not that we took him. I like him. Since the Vikes couldn't find a trade partner for a trade down, they had to take him when they could. All the reports I've heard say Washington was going to take him at #16. Our coaches and Ponder will do their best to help the offense, now the OL, and WR will be addressed, as well as the DL, and depth at other D positions. I forgot about TE....they'll take one somewhere. The excitement continues.

[FISHINGURU]

The best way to draft a QB is by looking at their GF's. Ponder wins hands down.

Redskins were talking about taking him with their next pick in the mid teens. There's no saying which QB in the draft will be the best, don't fall for the analysts ranking systems they are so full of turds. Guys like Montana, Bree's, Brady,ect, were all gonna be junk. Ryan Leaf and company were gonna be sure fire studs, LMMFAO.

Another thing is why would you want to draft a QB that doesn't fit your system and pass on a guy that does?

I say throw this kid to the wolves day 1 and see what he has. It will end up being a genius pick or will get Frazier and Spielman fired. I can't argue with Spielmans 1st round picks look at what we've the past few years with them.

They definitely let their nuts hang in the draft room this year so far.

Now we need to get Stefen Wisniewski next here in the 2nd round. Might as well go O-line heavy now to protect the new investment and get AP rollin.

Do a google search for Christian Ponders girlfriend!!

[WyoChris]

Producing a solid quarterback in the next few years is the only way this team will be any good.

Joe Webb is not the answer. An aging QB to fill in for a year or two (McNabb) is not the answer. I think Ponder is better than most people think, but he hasn't had the publicity that other QBs have had..... because his team hasn't been in the spotlight. There are a lot of good players out there, but people don't know about them because they aren't on top ranked teams.... and often are not surrounded be talented teammates/ an O-line. People think Cam Newton and Nick Fairly were the best prospects out there..... just because millions of people watched the BCS championhip game and saw them play. Fairly may be OK, but Cam Newton is the most overrated player in the draft...... it will be obvious after a few seasons.

Ponder's girlfriend is gorgeous

[archerystud]

Ponder's girlfriend is gorgeous

+1

[thatoneguy]

Vikings will regret not taking Fairly or an OT in round one, and Mallett in round 2. The Pats got the steal of the draft taking Mallett in the 3rd.

[koonie]

Highly doubt the Vikings will regret passing on Fairley. He's got problem child written all over him.

I wasn't really happy with the Ponder pick. But 80% of the responses in this thread are from people that have never even seen Ponder play. It's so obvious it's kind of funny. I think Musgrave will put Ponder in an offense very well suited to his skills. I'd also be willing to bet the zbs will be scrapped for a man blocking scheme which suits our oline much better. Pass pro will be better and you'll see an offense that's much "quicker".

[zepman]

Vikings will regret not taking Fairly or an OT in round one, and Mallett in round 2. The Pats got the steal of the draft taking Mallett in the 3rd.

Fairley/Mallett is alot sexier than Ponder/Rudolph but only time will tell how this will play out.

I would take option #1 in a heartbeat given the chance.

Out of their 7 picks tomorrow they really need to find at least 2 guys who will be relevant next year.

[WyoChris]

You can never have a thread without a poor, non-factual based opinion, from zepman. He keeps things interesting to say the least.

[zepman]

That's why it's called an opinion...especially any thread involving NFL draft speculation. Nobody knows anything for at least three + years...it's ALL opinion based.

I deal with facts and reality 5 days a week...glad to keep things interesting for someone who obviously knows all the "facts".

Keep the facts coming Wyo....

[pinkfloyd4ever]

I hope the picks pan out, but I feel the same as others, a QB and TE, when other picks could have had a solid impact on opening day, whenever that is. DET, CHI, and GB are loading up, I think a long season for the Tikes

[zamboni]

At least we did not take Jamarcus Russel Jr. with the first overall pick like Carolina did.

I wholeheartedly agree. WORST pick of this years draft. They just drafted Claussen, and Matt Moore has looked good a couple times. Think they would have gone for a top O Lineman to keep their existing QBs healthy and help with their outstanding running game.

[zamboni]

Vikings will regret not taking Fairly or an OT in round one, and Mallett in round 2. The Pats got the steal of the draft taking Mallett in the 3rd.

Hate Bellichik all you guys want, guy is one of the most all time brilliant football minds the sport has ever seen.