Second and Third Quarterback

[DK Sweets]

I think regardless of whether Burton was the first or last read in the progression...when the QB looks your way with the ball above his shoulder, you stick your mitts up.

[Mothman]

I have a different perspective of the Burton INT. I'm probably wrong but just wanted see anyone else had the same reaction.

Should that passed have been thrown in the first place? I wouldn't rush so quickly in blaming Burton just because of Collinsworth's comments. When Ponder was asked about that play he called it a miscommunication. Burton actually slowed down even before the pass and his hands were down like he wasn't even expecting the pass. It just looked like Burton wasn't or shouldn't have been the primary target, especially with that LB near the play. I don't know, just watching the replay makes me think it was more than just a WR not completing his route.

I think Collinsworth had it right. Burton was clearly running a slant and he just held up on the route. Ponder's comment that it was a miscommunication was probably an effort to give Burton a break and not throw his teammate under a bus. I can't think of a good reason for Burton to do what he did on that play and whether he was the primary read or not, he has to be ready to catch the ball.

[PurpleKoolaid]

I think Collinsworth had it right. Burton was clearly running a slant and he just held up on the route. Ponder's comment that it was a miscommunication was probably an effort to give Burton a break and not throw his teammate under a bus. I can't think of a good reason for Burton to do what he did on that play and whether he was the primary read or not, he has to be ready to catch the ball.

We agree, Jim. I believe the sky is falling (or the heat is finally getting to me).

[Mothman]

We agree, Jim. I believe the sky is falling (or the heat is finally getting to me).

LOL! The apocalypse may be at hand.

[Rus]

It's kind of amazing how bad Cassell has gotten over the years. Seems like he was really just a product of Bill Belichick's system and not much more.

There are a lot of guys on the waiver wire that could be had...unfortunately, I feel like the Vikings are being awfully headstrong about having a veteran backup presence for Ponder's sake. At least Cassell seems like a good guy...but man, what a lousy quarterback. Unfortunately, there's nothing I can see currently on the waiver wire that resembles a quarterback with more than a few years of NFL experience (even as a backup). That is healthy enough to be relied upon if Ponder goes down as well. Maybe in a couple weeks or so we'll see that happen, but unless Cassell just outright retires, gets hurt, or gets himself in trouble with the law, it's pretty doubtful that the Vikings will cut him.

Well, if everything falls apart this season, there are some really good quarterbacks in next year's draft. (Bridgewater and Hogan...maybe Boyd if the Vikings decide to give up and run an option.)

[Eli]

It's kind of amazing how bad Cassell has gotten over the years. Seems like he was really just a product of Bill Belichick's system and not much more.

There are a lot of guys on the waiver wire that could be had...unfortunately, I feel like the Vikings are being awfully headstrong about having a veteran backup presence for Ponder's sake.

Headstrong, perhaps, but I think "conservative" is more correct.

I look at all the player movement that many other teams have had in the last month, while the Vikings had virtually none. Yeah, this team became a contender and squeaked into the playoffs last year, but it isn't a team that's strongly established personnel-wise. They have some young players, who, quite frankly, won't even be in the league in two years. Their approach seems to reflect the very personality of Leslie Frazier. He's not headstrong, he just moves very slowly and very cautiously on things.

[DarthBrooks]

He's tanned, rested and ready. Jamarcus Russell for QB.

[PurpleHalo]

Why didn't this team bring in Ryan Fitzpatrick, he's better than any QB on this teams roster. Guranteed playoffs if he was starting, currently there is no assurance of that happening.

[Demi]

He's tanned, rested and ready. Jamarcus Russell for QB.

Ponder's QB rating through his first 26 starts? 77.1
Russell's QB rating his second season? 77.1
oOooOOooo
Russell improved more from his first season to his second than Ponder did. Wooow!


cherry pickin' like Ponder apologists and single game performances baby!

[dead_poet]

Ponder's QB rating through his first 26 starts? 77.1
Russell's QB rating his second season? 77.1
oOooOOooo
Russell improved more from his first season to his second than Ponder did. Wooow!


cherry pickin' like Ponder apologists and single game performances baby!

Pretty sure all this proves is that nobody really knows how a quarterback's career is going to turn out, particularly after only a couple of seasons.

[Reignman]

Ponder's QB rating through his first 26 starts? 77.1
Russell's QB rating his second season? 77.1
oOooOOooo
Russell improved more from his first season to his second than Ponder did. Wooow!


cherry pickin' like Ponder apologists and single game performances baby!

Blasphemy! Demi, how dare you compare the chosen one to Jamarcus. But "cherry pickin", that's the phrase I've been searching for, thanks.

[TheCoolerOne]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 79161.html

Amusing article, I guess. Just something that doesn't have to do with Ponder as well.

[Funkytown]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 79161.html

Amusing article, I guess. Just something that doesn't have to do with Ponder as well.

McLeod Bethel-Thompson is usually the last Vikings player to leave the field after practice. As players and coaches stream into the locker room, Bethel-Thompson stays behind to throw passes to anyone willing to catch them. He’s also one of the first players to arrive at Winter Park every morning and among the last to leave.

“He’s one of those guys you would refer to as a gym rat,” offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said.

Bethel-Thompson, the No. 3 quarterback, has a simple explanation: “I’ve got to get better.”

“I’m so happy and so lucky and so blessed to be able to play this game that I would still be playing if I was in the Arena League making $200 a week,” he said. “If Coach told me I had to run a mountain to be the starter, I’d go run a mountain.”

Love.

Rooting for this guy tonight!

[Mothman]

Love.

Rooting for this guy tonight!

I am too. You have to admire a player with a great attitude like that.

[The Breeze]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 79161.html

Amusing article, I guess. Just something that doesn't have to do with Ponder as well.

MBT is the kind of guy you want on your team, especially @ at QB. Whether he has the ability or not remains to be seen.