Already to the paranoid "they're out to get him" stage.
Established QBs are getting the benefit of the doubt, and a below average Mr. BumBum isn't. Oh thoose evil media jackals are at it again! Damn the double standard of wildly inconsistent QB getting less rope during offseason practices. Can't believe they want ratings this bad to point out what EVERYONE can clearly see...except a minority segment of the homer fan base that gets delusional about anyone who wears the horns, ESPECIALLY the QB.
At least the scrub is finally out of excuses and has to put up or shut up. This purple glasses kool aid swigging love fest is repulsive...at least the media is finally seeing it.
Woohoo let's get excited, party time! Polish this turd every way we can and he'll hold us back at every stop. Give him oline, receivers, best hb in the game. And the offense will be bottlenecked by our pathetic QB. The future is bright huh?
smoothoperator wrote:ponder has a good day of practice and no one says anything. everyone just focuses on the negatives.
ponder was 8-8 during one stretch 2 days ago and I was blown away that I didn't see countless posts here about what an absolute stud he was. a hall of famer perhaps. I saw no such posts. head scratcher....
smoothoperator wrote:ponder has a good day of practice and no one says anything. everyone just focuses on the negatives.
I get your point but it is not EVERYONE. Just the usual few cynical, naysaying bashers that seem to delight at bad mouthing nearly every aspect of the team it's owner, GM and yes even the new stadium. And then have the nerve to "dog" those of us fans who are trying to stay upbeat, hopefull with a positive spin on the team realizing that this is only the second year of a rebuilding procees that far exceeded itself last year. Wierd that they do this constantly but true
Do not mistake KINDNESS for WEAKNESS!
Best to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool rather than open it and remove all doubt.
I like this article too, Jim. I also listened to the Access Vikings video that came with it.
It's obvious that the verdict is still out. Ponder needs to play in actual games to get a correct read on his progress.
OTOH, as Strib columnist Mark Craig said, Spielman's plan with Ponder was a three year one because the Vikings can't afford to still be wondering if Ponder is the guy entering into year four.
losperros wrote:I like this article too, Jim. I also listened to the Access Vikings video that came with it.
It's obvious that the verdict is still out. Ponder needs to play in actual games to get a correct read on his progress.
OTOH, as Strib columnist Mark Craig said, Spielman's plan with Ponder was a three year one because the Vikings can't afford to still be wondering if Ponder is the guy entering into year four.
No, they can't although based on what they've said and done thus far, I suspect what he'll need to do to prove to them that he's the right man for the job is different than what some numbers-focused fans and media members will feel he needs to do to establish himself. I may be wrong but I believe they're looking for leadership, consistency, good decision-making and a QB who delivers when it counts (as Ponder did in the last game of 2012). I doubt they care how far his average pass travels through the air or how his passing yardage total stacks up against other QBs at the end of the season.
I hope he's successful this season. It would be a good story and it would be good for the Vikings.
Mothman wrote:
No, they can't although based on what they've said and done thus far, I suspect what he'll need to do to prove to them that he's the right man for the job is different than what some numbers-focused fans and media members will feel he needs to do to establish himself. I may be wrong but I believe they're looking for leadership, consistency, good decision-making and a QB who delivers when it counts (as Ponder did in the last game of 2012). I doubt they care how far his average pass travels through the air or how his passing yardage total stacks up against other QBs at the end of the season.
I hope he's successful this season. It would be a good story and it would be good for the Vikings.
I agree. Actually, I think "leadership" may cover everything, given what players and coaches are saying they're looking for in Ponder's maturation. For example, I listened to AD answer some questions regarding Ponder and it appeared as if leadership came first to him, with things like consistency and decision-making being branches of that. At least, that's how I understood what Peterson was saying.
Not very long article. But a couple interesting things.
Ponder suffered a complete separation of his throwing shoulder, had surgery and spent the next three years slowly regaining the feel for all his passes — none more challenging than the downfield throws he and the Minnesota Vikings believe will be more effective this season.
"I'm getting back to how I was throwing the ball my junior year in college and getting that rotator cuff back where it's supposed to be," Ponder told USA TODAY Sports at the Vikings' training camp. "I feel like I'm throwing the ball well."
No qualifying NFL quarterback last season had a lower percentage of attempts at least 20 yards downfield (7.5%), nor a lower completion percentage on those attempts (25%) or lower average depth of target (6.8 yards) than Ponder, according to ProFootballFocus.com.
A couple of tweets as well:
Also of note in that story: #Vikings studied other teams' go balls in offseason, made changes to how receivers release at the line.
Full separation. Can take 2-3 yrs to regain feel. RT @TheValleyCat: @TomPelissero his shoulder wasbothering him last year from 2009 surgery? Do you believe him?
