Vikings @ Lions Game Day Discussion Thread -- Week 1

[Just Me]

Still dislike the 2011 #12 draft pick

Still like the 2007 #7 draft pick....

[BGM]

I was a big supporter of the Ponder draft pick initially. An athletic, intelligent person who could be groomed over a few years. But I can't see improvement. He's making the same "lucky-ish" passes he made his rookie year, and making the same legit mistakes he made his rookie year.

You know what makes me feel a bit better about the situation? The Wilfs aren't scared to make changes.

That is true! I am hoping Spielman is already working the phones looking for options.

[Demi]

And whats up with wasting a 5th round pick on this punter Loche? Or is our coaching so poor? Wasn't he one of the ok things in preseasons?

No, the issue was there in the preseason. He's terrible when asked to kick it deep. And he was in the preseason.

But on the directional short stuff he was pinning teams inside their 20 regularly. Dropping it inside the 5 etc. But on a long field he's useless...and it showed before this.

Oh, let's not forget Simpson's hold on AD's big run to start the game.

[King James]

How many more seasons are we going to sacrifice waiting on Ponder to "develop" ?!!!! How many more games we will have to lose in order for Frazier to put Desmond Bishop and Cordarrelle Patterson in as starters.

[Eli]

That is true! I am hoping Spielman is already working the phones looking for options.

Maybe the ones who should be working the phones are the Wilfs, who should be looking for other options at GM.

[Arma]

Maybe the ones who should be working the phones are the Wilfs, who should be looking for other options at GM.

I think this post just sums up how I feel about this forum. What a very overreaction post, Spielman blows it on QB pick...holy balls. End of the world. Forget his other things he's done on making this a respectable young football team. Honestly any other major Viking website I visit this is the only one with such a tunnel vision hate for Spielmen/Ponder.

I want Ponder gone too, by all means, but c'mon man.

[Demi]

Maybe the ones who should be working the phones are the Wilfs, who should be looking for other options at GM.

But he's amazing! Look at his drafts! All the talent he's acquired!

Hire a GM, give him full control, and worry about ripping off business partners and writing checks. Not making football decisions...

[BGM]

Maybe the ones who should be working the phones are the Wilfs, who should be looking for other options at GM.

That's where I vehemently disagree. The last couple drafts have been near-stellar and that is mostly thanks to Spielman. Finding a QB is a combination of blind luck, outstanding scouting and top quality coaching (or finding a guy who can transcend mediocre coaching). I think Frazier or Musgrave or someone tied their flag to Ponder and is unwilling to let go.

[BGM]

But he's amazing! Look at his drafts! All the talent he's acquired!

Really? The guy has made a bunch of great decisions, and had a couple whiffs, in the last two drafts, and you're ready to punch his ticket out of town? Your curmudgeonly pessimism is only interesting when it's backed by valid criticism.

[Eli]

That's where I vehemently disagree. The last couple drafts have been near-stellar and that is mostly thanks to Spielman.

Two drafts. The jury is still out on the latest one but so far, nothing special has come of it.

[mondry]

That's where I vehemently disagree. The last couple drafts have been near-stellar and that is mostly thanks to Spielman. Finding a QB is a combination of blind luck, outstanding scouting and top quality coaching (or finding a guy who can transcend mediocre coaching). I think Frazier or Musgrave or someone tied their flag to Ponder and is unwilling to let go.

I think they're just giving Ponder the 3 years they PLANNED to give him from the beginning. I like spielman so far, and if Ponder and musgrave keep this up I expect him to bring in a new OC, a new QB, and a new offense. Don't really see a need to blow everything up and look for a new GM just because the QB was a flop. Now if he wants to stick with Ponder and Musgrave then that's an issue.

[Demi]

Really? The guy has made a bunch of great decisions, and had a couple whiffs, in the last two drafts, and you're ready to punch his ticket out of town? Your curmudgeonly pessimism is only interesting when it's backed by valid criticism.

Oh got ya, one game in and this draft was a success. Two years in and heck that one was too! But if someone points out negatives you need to wait 3+ years to judge a draft.

[allday1991]

Oh got ya, one game in and this draft was a success. Two years in and heck that one was too! But if someone points out negatives you need to wait 3+ years to judge a draft.

Explained perfectly

[Just Me]

Oh got ya, one game in and this draft was a success. Two years in and heck that one was too! But if someone points out negatives you need to wait 3+ years to judge a draft.

Ok... So which is it? Is Harrison Smith a bust then? Or is the QB position one that totally defines a GM's talent and we can ignore the Blair Walsh's, Harrison Smith's, etc.?

[allday1991]

Ok... So which is it? Is Harrison Smith a bust then? Or is the QB position one that totally defines a GM's talent and we can ignore the Blair Walsh's, Harrison Smith's, etc.?

What he is saying is no one knows because apparently there is a three year rule when is comes to evaluating drafted players, just like us Ponder haters can label Ponder crappy till he has had three seasons, Because Ponder might magically take off in his third year and smith must start sucking by his third ... right