Ponder, Newton and Dalton

[Mothman]

There were lots of comparisons between Christian Ponder, Cam Newton and Andy Dalton last season. The latter 2 players each played a full 16 game season in 2011. Ponder appeared in 11 games last year (he came in late at Chicago in relief of McNabb) and started 10, although as we know, he was unable to complete a few of them. Together, let's say the late appearance at CHI and the missed time in a few games evens out to about 10 games worth of playing time in 2011.

Anyway, now that Ponder just completed his 16th start, I thought it would be fun to compare his stats after 16 games to those of Newton and Dalton after their first 16 games. I've also included this year's stats.

Christian Ponder
2011:
11 appearances, 10 starts:
13 TDs, 13 INTs
1853 yards
54.3 %
70.1 rating

2012:
6 games
8 TDs, 4 INTs
1434 yards
68.6%
92.4 rating

Combined: 21 TDs, 17 INTs and 3287 yards passing. 60.3 % and 79.5 rating.

The difference in completion percentage and QB rating from last season to this one is impressive.


Cam Newton 2011:
16 games
21 TDs, 17 INTs
4051 yards
60%
84.5 rating

2012:
5 games
4 TDs, 5 INTs
1154 yards
58.8%
80.9 rating


Andy Dalton 2011:
16 games
20 TDs, 13 INTs
3398 yards
58.1%
80.4 rating

2012:
6 games
12 TDs, 9 INTs
1726 yards
66%
91.7 rating

[VikeMike]

Even leaving Newton and Dalton out of it, it's encouraging to see Ponder's uptick in the stats department. Newton is an entirely different type of quarterback. But, I appreciate your point. Sure, Ponder has had some bad moments, like any second-year inexperienced QB will (even elite QBs do), but I see a gradual improvement -- and it shows up in this year's stats.

[PurpleMustReign]

But but... Ponder sucks, and so does Frasier. And so does Spielman!

[PsyDanny]

But but... Ponder sucks, and so does Frasier. And so does Spielman!

Everybody sucks.

[PurpleMustReign]

Everybody sucks.

Jim sucks.

[Mothman]

Jim sucks.

[PsyDanny]

Jim sucks.

Jim is somebody; hence, part of everybody.

Mothman is also pretty cool. But he still sucks.

[FailedtoOpen]

Stats like these give me hope...but game tapes do not It isn't all by any means, but the lack of deep passing really leaves me unsatisfied.

After Moss left New England they totally reworked their game plan on offense and were a much more dink and dunk type of team. They didn't really have the type of players to be a big threat team so they worked with what they had and nobody (with any sensibility) knocked Brady for it.

[Infinity]

Stop giving ponder crap. He's better than newton and dalton so far this year.

[Demi]

At least we're past comparing him to Manning, Joe Montana, etc his rookie season.

Now we're comparing him to Dalton and Newton

Wonder what next year will bring.

[Cliff]

At least we're past comparing him to Manning, Joe Montana, etc his rookie season.

Now we're comparing him to Dalton and Newton

Wonder what next year will bring.

Comparing him to other QBs in his draft class is absurd?

[PurpleMustReign]

Wonder what next year will bring.

Shaquille O'Neal, Venus Williams, and Buck Showalter.

[DarthBrooks]

Which one looks better in a dress?

[DarthBrooks]

Trick question. The answer is Ricky Williams.

[S197]

Those stats are nice but they don't really tell the true story of how phenomenal Newton was as a rookie. Yes, he had 21TD's, but those were only passing TD's. The guy also ran for over 700 yards and another 14 rushing TD's. Just look at the records he set:

Rookie Records
Most passing yards by a rookie in a game (432)
Most passing yards by a rookie in a season (4,051)
First rookie in NFL history to pass for more than 400 yards in back to back games
First rookie in NFL history to throw for 10 touchdowns and run for 10 touchdowns in a season.
First rookie quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards in a season.
Third most pass TDs (21) in a rookie season.
Most total touchdowns by a rookie NFL player: 35 (21 pass, 14 rush).
Most rushing yards by a rookie quarterback: 706
Most rushing touchdowns in a single season by a quarterback: 14
Along with Andy Dalton, the two make the first pair of rookie QB's to make the Pro Bowl

NFL Records
Most passing yards by a quarterback in debut game (422)
Most passing yards by a quarterback in first two games (854)
First quarterback in NFL history to pass for more than 400 yards in first career start
Sixth quarterback to throw for 400+ yards in back to back games
First quarterback in NFL history to pass for more than 400 yards in first two career starts
Fastest player to throw for 1,000 yards
First player in NFL history with at least five rushing touchdowns and five passing touchdowns in his first five games
Most rushing touchdowns in single season by a quarterback (14)
Second player in NFL history with 20+ pass TDs and 10+ rush TDs in a season
First player in NFL history with 4,000+ pass yards and 10+ rush TDs in a season.
First player in NFL history with 4,000+ pass yards and 500+ rush yards in a season.
Had a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown in the same game eight times, tying the NFL single-season record

Newton was never a pure passer so to cherry pick a few stats to try and give Ponder a semblance of being in the same tier at this point in his career as Newton is disingenuous. I know a lot of people don't like Newton but it's hard to argue with what he's done so far on the field.