Second and Third Quarterback

[Eli]

After watching Cassel against the 49ers, the Vikings could do themselves a favor by grabbing a young QB off the waiver wire. And then hoping to God he can move up and become their #2. Cassel wouldn't make a lot of teams in this league as a third QB.

[Texas Vike]

After watching Cassel against the 49ers, the Vikings could do themselves a favor by grabbing a young QB off the waiver wire. And then hoping to God he can move up and become their #2. Cassel would not make a lot of teams in this league as a third QB.

He was absolutely awful tonight. I did like his "bank shot" completion though (as Collinsworth dubbed it).

[RandallioCobb18]

After watching Cassel against the 49ers, the Vikings could do themselves a favor by grabbing a young QB off the waiver wire. And then hoping to God he can move up and become their #2. Cassel wouldn't make a lot of teams in this league as a third QB.

My lord, he was pretty awful tonight. Maybe you guys should look at Graham Harrell?



LOL LOL JK JK Graham Harrell #### sucks.

[Funkytown]

I didn't catch a lot of his play, but didn't he purposely throw the ball away on 4th and 7 at the very end? I mean, I get it, the game is about over and out of reach--but why not try to make a play and keep the drive going? What's the harm in taking a risk at that point? But, either way, we are far from a quarterback controversy. Glad that talk is officially over...just until Ponder's next incomplete pass.

[The Breeze]

Cassel clearly looked out of synch. Slightly in his defense, he was throwing to the guys that the 3rd stringers usually play with. A couple of his throws looked like receivers not knowing where to be. The bank shot was all on him though.

There are going to be some decent guys getting cut, but I'd bet against Spielman pulling the trigger.

A bad night for Cassel~

[Eli]

Cassel clearly looked out of synch.

Ponder looked out of sync.

Cassel looked like he was lost.

[The Breeze]

Ponder looked out of sync.

Cassel looked like he was lost.

I thought Ponder got better toward the end of the half, and that it was good to go against their second unit in the 3rd qtr, just for the sake of timing with GJ.

His hesitation on the high throw to Burton was disheartening.....but Burton stopping on the slant was just awful, and it makes me wonder if Burton isn't part of the reason for hesitation. That has been part of the rap on him the last couple of camps.

I don't know..., the passing game is a work in progress(?). It looks a heck of a lot better in mutli receiver sets than the base formation.

[Mothman]

His hesitation on the high throw to Burton was disheartening.....but Burton stopping on the slant was just awful, and it makes me wonder if Burton isn't part of the reason for hesitation. That has been part of the rap on him the last couple of camps.

Good point and in light of the comments Jennings has made about trust, it makes sense. Last night, we saw a play where Ponder needed to trust Burton, didn't, and it ended in an incompletion. We also saw a play where he trusted Burton, was let down, and it resulted in an INT. That relationship is clearly a work-in-progress.

[The Breeze]

Good point and in light of the comments Jennings has made about trust, it makes sense. Last night, we saw a play where Ponder needed to trust Burton, didn't, and it ended in an incompletion. We also saw a play where he trusted Burton, was let down, and it resulted in an INT. That relationship is clearly a work-in-progress.

It's certainly frustrating to see in the preseason because that's when I'd think you could let things fly. Playing afraid of making mistakes is like coaching not to lose.....also, guys who flinch at going across the middle get fewer looks in the offense.
Ponder has to command the respect of these receivers.....

Burton also messed up by not motioning correctly and caused a delay of game....

That kind of stuff will get better, but how long it takes is the concern.

I hope Burton can make the team...he made a couple of good plays after screwing up, even though he was pretty rattled after the INT.

[Mothman]

It's certainly frustrating to see in the preseason because that's when I'd think you could let things fly. Playing afraid of making mistakes is like coaching not to lose.....

I agree but there's a pretty fine line between playing afraid to make mistakes and simply trying to play smart and avoid them. I don't remember all the details of that play but it's possible that Ponder hesitated and pump faked because he thought he saw a breaking defender and didn't want to throw a pick 6 on that out route. Is that playing afraid or playing smart? I don't know. As you said, you would think players could let things fly in the preseason because the games don't count but they're also trying to develop good habits so I understand a reluctance to make mistakes.

I'm really hoping Ponder will be able to develop trust and chemistry with his receivers as the season moves forward. I think it would help his game tremendously.

That kind of stuff will get better, but how long it takes is the concern.

I hope Burton can make the team...he made a couple of good plays after screwing up, even though he was pretty rattled after the INT.

It will be very interesting to see if he makes the team or if Webb does. It seems to be down to those two but maybe they'll both make the cut.

Regarding the backup QBs: I doubt Spielman will bring in someone else but I hope he keeps his eyes on the waiver wire at that position. I'd really like to see them add a QB to the roster with the potential to develop into a future starter. I don't know if MBT is that guy and Cassel is a veteran journeyman at this point. If Ponder falters this season, turning to Cassel as the starter next year doesn't seem like a good idea to me. I'm not even sure turning to him as a starter this season would be a good idea!

[The Breeze]

@Jim:

It is a fine line. Ponder's navigation of it is the key to his tenure here IMO.

[NextQuestion]

MBT might have the best arm on the roster.

[PurpleKoolaid]

Ponder looked out of sync.

Cassel looked like he was lost.

Whats even worse is he looked like he didn't care. Preseason or not, the guy didn't care. No one near him and he throws the ball away at the end of the game? We have the worst scouting and coaching staff of coaches in the NFL. Vince young looks legit next to Ponder and Cassel and Im pretty sure Young hears people talking to him that have died.

[PacificNorseWest]

MBT might have the best arm on the roster.

I think you're right.

[Mothman]

@Jim:

It is a fine line. Ponder's navigation of it is the key to his tenure here IMO.

I'm inclined to agree, which is why I mentioned the importance of chemistry and trust above. I think one of Ponder's problems might be that he has lacked trust in the players around him, often with good reason. The whole offense will be better if/when these players can all learn to trust and rely on one another. Ponder seems to have that trust with Rudolph. If the throw to Jennings in the endzone that resulted in a PI call is any indication, maybe he's developing that trust in Jennings too.