Ponder

[Rippinlip]

I still haven't given up on Ponder, but how much do we have to blame on a Quarterback coach?

Does Craig Johnson know how to help create a quarterback?

Have we taken Ponder and "dumbed" the system down so bad, that he has no choice?

DO they tell Christian, ______ is your primary receiver and you get it to him!

Is that why he tries to make some of these terrible throws?

I just have a difficult time believing that he is not doing what he is coached, taught and told to do.

I am just wondering if we could have wrecked RG3 or Andrew Luck?

Still looking for the bright side of Christian.

[Scott K]

I guess you cant teach arm strength, and by his 30 yard passes, that look like my 30 yard passes, it tells me he isnt the QB of the future. He may be a decent back up someday for a team, but IMO, Webb is 3x the QB Ponder is.

[TR21HP]

It's not just Ponders lack of zip on the ball. He has regressed from early in the season, his mechanics are poor, his decision making is poor and his recognition and perception of the offense is poor. Granted he has as poor a set of receivers in the nfl as there is but he is getting plenty of time to throw and is panicking in the pocket. Honestly if Webb was better than Ponder he would be starting. Webb's arm strength may be better but his accuracy is terrible. I'm afraid the Vikes are going to have to spend their top pick in next years draft on a Q.B. because what they presently have at 1,2 and 3 are not capable of leading this or any other team period.

[Rich Lindgren]

i agree with TR21HP i think that Ponder is just an overall poor quarterback. if i were Leslie Frazier i would consider picking up a new quarterback in this years draft. maybe Collin Klein or Geno Smith?

[MUSKY18]

I say forget the draft. Look into getting Smith or Flynn, possibly have to give up a 2nd rounder to get them. Smith is in Harbaugh's dog house it seems and they will probably be looking to get rid of him anyways. Flynn has become a backup because of how well Wilson is playing. Seattle has the QB of the future. Plus if they have to give up a 2nd rounder for one of them, we can always get that draft choice back when Percy decides he wants out of MN and demands to be traded.

[countyline]

Flynn has become a backup because of how well Wilson is playing.

Ummmm........He has always been a back up. Once they saw him through balls to Seattle WR's, they new they had been duked. System QB in Greenbay.

The dude got beat out by a rookie that many said would never start in the NFL.

Flynn would be no up grade.

[TR21HP]

Harvin will get the Vikes the high draft pick to secure a Q.B. Free agent wise, there's really nothing out there to persue. It is funny how the NFL owners reward a backup Q.B. for a game or two then the media comes in, pumps up the player and he gets a big contract. It takes more than skill and potential to make it in the NFL.From what I've heard in interviews with Russell, Tannehill, Luck and RG3 they have that drive and leadership quality that enables them to succeed in anything they may want to do in life.

[meerkat]

On NBC Sports talk last night, the host said Ponder couldn't play dead in a cowboy movie....

Listening to Leslie in the press conference after the Bears game,, Do you think he actually believes in what he says??? if he does it just tells you how bad he thinks of Ponder...

[EBass]

I'd like to have Alex Smith. He has a chip on his shoulder and something to prove.

[thatoneguy]

Harvin will get the Vikes the high draft pick to secure a Q.B. Free agent wise, there's really nothing out there to persue. It is funny how the NFL owners reward a backup Q.B. for a game or two then the media comes in, pumps up the player and he gets a big contract. It takes more than skill and potential to make it in the NFL.From what I've heard in interviews with Russell, Tannehill, Luck and RG3 they have that drive and leadership quality that enables them to succeed in anything they may want to do in life.

Flacco is definitely worth taking a look at. He's not a top-tier elite QB, but he would be a vast improvement, particularly with his ability to throw the deep ball. Of course then they need to sign a WR for him to throw to. Hmmmmmm...I bet Larry Fitzgerald is about ready to jump off the sinking ship that is the Arizona Cardinals.

[countyline]

Flacco???? He is worth the look but do you really think Baltimore will let him go??? Come on! Only way would involve a AP trade to get the franchise QB this team needs.

Frtiz? No way ARI trades him.

Time for this team to dismantle everything and rebuild. Complete blow up of the team is needed.

Allen.... Trade the dude while he is worth something.

[schmitty3]

Time for this team to dismantle everything and rebuild. Complete blow up of the team is needed.

LOL

[ted4887]

I believe Joe Flacco is a FA after this season, meaning no trade would be necessary. I do think that if the chance to negotiate with Flacco came up, it would be seriously worth sitting down and doing. At that point though, we'd also need WR's. I'm not sure what the talent pool is like at the receiver position in this years draft though. How many superstar WR's are going to be available? Ziggy has proven to me that he is willing to spend the money. Hopefully they can get something done to improve the QB and WR spots this offseason. The Christian Ponder experiment has failed.

[MUSKY18]

Flacco will be a FA after the season is done. I think it will be pretty hard to lure him away from the Ravens tho. With that team he is winning and unless he is THAT greedy to take big money to play for a sub .500 team, can't see it happening. I think the best bet is still for Alex Smith. The 49'ers want to get rid of him and I bet they hang a sign on his back that reads "3rd rounder OBO"

[LABS4ME]

Without any help at WR, Smith or Flacco will only be marginally better than Ponder. If you have no weapons and wide out guys who are either hurt or cannot catch the ball, it does not matter how good of an arm you have.

Ponder has zero confidence now as a QB because he has no one to throw to. He also has a HORRIBLE Off Coord. who's play calling is terrible! He showed some pocket presence and confidence early season when he had Harvin, Rudolph and still believed in Simpson, Jenkins and Carlson... do you really think the 1st 6 games were a fluke? He literally does not believe he can complete a pass any longer... Much like Mason Crosby kicking field goals... it gets in your head! Not that you do not have the talent it takes, but your mind begins to override your talent. I'd lay a wager if the Vikings had Harvin, Rudolph, Carlson and another 'true' bonafide talented wide out for the entire season, Ponder's numbers would be a LOT better and this discussion would be mute.

Good Luck with either Smith or Flacco... neither will solve the Viking's woes!

[meerkat]

How soon people forget, in the beginning of the season Ponder was throwing 2-3 yard passes to Harvin and then Harvin would run with it for additional 10 or more yards. all the passing yards came after the catch. Ponder has never or will ever be a proficient passer. I've seen at least 5 times in the past 2 games where Ponder vastly under threw a wide open receiver. This garbage about not having receivers is just an excuse.

[countyline]

Flacco will be a FA after the season is done. I think it will be pretty hard to lure him away from the Ravens tho. With that team he is winning and unless he is THAT greedy to take big money to play for a sub .500 team, can't see it happening. I think the best bet is still for Alex Smith. The 49'ers want to get rid of him and I bet they hang a sign on his back that reads "3rd rounder OBO"

Flacco wont even hit the market. He will have a new deal in place well before free agency even begins. Name me a team that has let a franchise QB go after their first contract is up. Especially one that was a dropped pass away from the SB!!

The 49ers can afford to keep smith with his current contract price as a back up. After Sunday nights game Smith may be back in as the starter.

[Scott K]

Right!

I just dont understand why coaching doesnt now utilize the TE, and FB for short dump passes.

Or even 4 WR sets, so the other defense cant stack the box with 9 guys. Even if you kow Peterson is getting the ball, you still need to have someone covering the WR on the outsides.

[countyline]

Right!

I just dont understand why coaching doesnt now utilize the TE, and FB for short dump passes.

Or even 4 WR sets, so the other defense cant stack the box with 9 guys. Even if you kow Peterson is getting the ball, you still need to have someone covering the WR on the outsides.

Rudolph's targets are in the upper half of TE's. Carlson well I dont know about that guy.

Dumping off to the FB? Why are they not dumping off to Peterson more??????

The four WR set is worth a talk! Maybe the only way Peterson gets to 2000+.

[zepman]

How soon people forget, in the beginning of the season Ponder was throwing 2-3 yard passes to Harvin and then Harvin would run with it for additional 10 or more yards. all the passing yards came after the catch. Ponder has never or will ever be a proficient passer. I've seen at least 5 times in the past 2 games where Ponder vastly under threw a wide open receiver. This garbage about not having receivers is just an excuse.

+1 and dead on.

[LABS4ME]

And Alex Smith is not known for his arm... Montana lived and made a great career on spoon fedpasses under 10 yards. But he had weapons. Put any other starting QB on that pathetic team and it still will only go as far as Peterson takes them. The lack of WR is not an excuse... With the exception of Harvin, Name one that would even be the #3 on any of the contending teams. Not sure any would even make any other team. Musgrave s almost a more viable excuse then the WR though... He should immediately be fired at the end of the season.

[countyline]

Rick Spielman should be getting a lot of heat. Coaches can only do so much with what is givin to them.

[mrklean]

they should just run the read option he cant throw at least try and get AP to 2000+ yards

[JackPineGuy]

ya theres a bunch a guys that would be great in mn, cousins,tiebow or alex smith would be ideal. id favor smith because of expiernce!

The vick thing is funny. I think thats were id draw the line. maybe that would be the only way id stop watching the vikes. I thought vick was going to be a huge comeback sucsess story after prison and returning to the nfl. Boy was i wrong. He is just plain awfull. i think he blew it.

[JAfish]

Ponder is doing fine with absolutely no deep threat on the field. His job is to manage the game with short passes without throwing interceptions while handing the ball off to AP. That is giving them the best chance to win each week. Had the Vikes signed Marshall instead of Simpson, it may have been a different story. Simpson and Carlson are showing signs of getting healthy at the right time and you never know about Percy, should they make the playoffs.