Ponder - Solid Choice

[zepman]

He has a much stronger arm than I thought...he had some smoke on a few of those balls tonight.

[Scott K]

He looked just like what he is, a good prospect. While I wanted him to start the season as starter to see what he has, its best to see him as the 3 stringer and learn a year or two on the bench first.

Webb looked promising as well.

[FISHINGURU]

He's looked real good with basically no practice and learning a new playbook. He almost came back to win that game, it's only preseason but that would of been a big step in the right direction. He did all the right things our guy just came a couple feet short of getting out of bounds.

Probably won't be long before he is the #2, he's already on par with or ahead of Webb IMO. That's with Webb having an extra year of experience and play time.

Hopefully we have a couple Webb packages where he has an option to run or throw it.

[SkunkedAgain]

+1 Guru

Ponder and Webb are about even right now. What I like about Ponder is that he makes plays. As a sports fan, that's about all that you can expect out of a rookie - he's got a nose for making positive plays happen. I bet that you'll know how Ponder is progressing by what McNabb decides to do this offseason. If he sticks around it's because he believes that Ponder needs another year on the bench and won't seriously contend for the starting job. If McNabb feels that Ponder is on the right track to start, Donovan would like look around for another 1-2 gig on a decent team.

[FISHINGURU]

Big preseason game coming up Thurs night for the back up QB's, Ponder gets the 1st half and Webb gets the 2nd half. If Ponder can step up here he'll earn the 2nd string Qb position. Hopefully he can throw a couple TD's, that would be sweet.

I like Webb he's decent but I think Ponder has more of a future on the team in the long run then Webb. I'd love for Webb to rip it up though because he'd be good trade bait down the road.

[SkunkedAgain]

Do you truly believe that Webb is trade bait? You rarely see a team trade for a backup QB, they just get picked up as free agents. Unless Webb is legitimate starting material (aka Matt Cassell, Kevin Kolb, Matt Flynn) then you're out of luck. I'd laugh at anyone trying to tell me that Webb was running in the pack with those boys.

More realistically Webb will be the #2 until Ponder gets his bearings in the NFL. Then either McNabb will depart and Webb will remain with the Vikings as the primary backup, or he'll leave in free agency to compete on a team with serious QB deficiencies.

[FISHINGURU]

You must not of read the "down the road" part of my post.

[PurpleFloyd]

I think Webb has shown a knack for getting the ball down the field for positive yards more than Ponder has. Of course he is a year farther into his career but I like it that he is looking to get positive yards rather than just clamming up like Jackson did. If he can be trained to look a bit longer before taking off on the run he might turn out to be something. If not he will just be a novelty.

[Scott K]

I think Webb could be a Culpepper type player. He could be good in the right scheme. Ponder? I dont know yet, i havent seen enough of him to make a ruling yet. I am excited to see the 2 young guns face off this weekend. I think they will put on a good show. It would be nice to see what both QB's can do with the starters, instead of the scrubs.

[SkunkedAgain]

You must not of read the "down the road" part of my post.

I did read that part, I just don't think that any part of the road will materialize into a trade for Webb. I'd be happy to be wrong though!

Agreed that we haven't quite seen it out of Ponder yet, but he's showing the potential for greatness. He makes plays happen an equal combination of his feet, his arm, and his brain. Except for his lack of experience at this level, I don't see him as any worse than Webb - pretty even but for different reasons.

[Jarrid Houston]

Webb will get ample playing time as a wild cat QB! Look to see him have a productive year for the purple! As far as Ponder man, he will learn a lot from the veteran Mc Nab! He will probably have a legitimate shot to be our QB some day! Need him to be a franchise type player!!

[zepman]

Do you truly believe that Webb is trade bait? You rarely see a team trade for a backup QB, they just get picked up as free agents. Unless Webb is legitimate starting material (aka Matt Cassell, Kevin Kolb, Matt Flynn) then you're out of luck. I'd laugh at anyone trying to tell me that Webb was running in the pack with those boys.

More realistically Webb will be the #2 until Ponder gets his bearings in the NFL. Then either McNabb will depart and Webb will remain with the Vikings as the primary backup, or he'll leave in free agency to compete on a team with serious QB deficiencies.

Webb is already worth more than what we got him for. He's put up some unbelievable plays on tape and you only need one team to see a value in that.

Teams trade for back-up qb's all the time...not saying Webb's worth a ton right now but if he continues to improve the Vikes will definately have options down the road.

I still think he has a shot at being better than Ponder.

[flipper]

They are both very talented players. I wonder if the Vikings will be able to utilize their talent. I can't see both of them staying with the team for the long term.

[PurpleFloyd]

I think Webb could be a Culpepper type player. He could be good in the right scheme. Ponder? I dont know yet, i havent seen enough of him to make a ruling yet. I am excited to see the 2 young guns face off this weekend. I think they will put on a good show. It would be nice to see what both QB's can do with the starters, instead of the scrubs.

He reminds me of Cunningham in many ways. I hope he develops into a solid player but Ponder is really making a case for keeping Webb on the Bench.

For a change I am excited and optimistic for both young QB's.

[Scott K]

I think Webb looked much better on the feild.

[FISHINGURU]

I like Ponder as a QB more then Webb. All things considered Ponder has been real good so far.

[zepman]

I think Webb could be a Culpepper type player. He could be good in the right scheme. Ponder? I dont know yet, i havent seen enough of him to make a ruling yet. I am excited to see the 2 young guns face off this weekend. I think they will put on a good show. It would be nice to see what both QB's can do with the starters, instead of the scrubs.

Just an observation here...Watching highlights tonight on ESPN and Webb and Cam Newton are basically the same player. Newton may be more refined as a passer (we'll have to see) but Carolina invested 50+ million in the guy and Webb is basically playing for the league minimum.

[zepman]

I like Ponder as a QB more then Webb. All things considered Ponder has been real good so far.

I agree on Ponder but don't think he's shown enough to overtake Webb. For the 1st time in a long time the Vikes seem to have a solid GROUP of QB's that seem to have the future in mind.

I hope McNabb stays another year...regardless of how he plays this year...It seems like he's taken these two young guys under his wing.

[LMITOUT]

Just an observation here...Watching highlights tonight on ESPN and Webb and Cam Newton are basically the same player.

BAAAA HAHAHAHA!

[SkunkedAgain]

I'll grant you that Webb has far exceeded anyone's expectations, but that shouldn't be confused with being a true NFL caliber QB. I won't compare him to Cam Newton since Newton has not been in the NFL much longer than a month.

We can agree to disagree, but IMO Webb is no better than a Tavaris Jackson QB who has great athletic ability and can make plays, but not on a consistent basis and not strong enough in all categories of the position to be an effective winner for a team that wants to be good.

I'll bend over and kiss my own wrinkled behind if the Vikings ever get anything more than a case of beer for Webb in a trade

[zepman]

LMIT, you must have a much higher take on Newton than I do then.

Size and speed are comparable...both players bios are almost identical.. "big, athletic qb's who can make plays with their feet but need work in the pocket.

Completion percentages for both this pre-season:

Newton 42%

Webb 58.6%

I thought it was a fair comparison...

[ANYFISH2]

I may not be a scout, but I really haven't seen Ponder do anything this preseason to say he is going to turn into something above average. I shouldn't have anyway, he is a rookie! I guess he must look really good in light of the young QB's we have had in recent past. To me he looks like a good rookie! I am very glad we have a band aid for this season in McNabb, no way we win more than 5 games with Ponder. He will be a (our) starter soon, I am just glad we don't have to throw him to the wolves this year.

I wouldn't write Webb off as just a "athletic" QB either, he really looks like he can command an offense, never really scares me when he drops to pass, he's confident and in control when on the field. He may have a future in the NFL as a QB yet.