Why I think Ponder needs to sit a game

[Mothman]

Again, I agree with most of what you say. But, today's game is a QB/coaching league. IF those aspects suck, that usually means your defense is on the field WAY more than they should be in order for a team to be successful. Fatigue and frustration among defensive players is real.

It happens but I'm not buying that as an excuse for this year's Vikings defense. The Vikings offense simply hasn't been so ineffective this season that the defense should get off the hook that easily.

You keep saying it's a QB/coaching league but as far as I can tell, that's just rhetoric with very little bearing on the discussion. However, even if I accept that it's a QB/coaching league, what bearing does that have on the Vikings situation? If it's a QB league, how is benching Ponder for one of the worst QBs in the NFL over the past two seasons supposed to solve anything?

I don't want to look up the numbers right now because I'm eating a beautiful steak, but look up how many points our defense and special teams have scored this year compared to other teams' -- and we are still 0-2.

Yes, because the Vikes have allowed 65 points. The 14 the defense and special teams scored on Sunday isn't enough to make up for that.

Ponder gave up 6 of those 65 points. Who gave up the rest? The defense has allowed an average of 440 yards and 29 points per game. That's not winning football and even if fatigue is a factor, it's not enough of a factor to excuse those numbers. they've been put in some bad positions but 440 yards per game speaks for itself.

A QB/HC/OC have to be able to stay on the field and at least manage a game somewhat sufficiently. And they haven't done that.

They did it in Chicago. Time of possession was almost dead even so that excuse doesn't apply (and TOP is an indication of both offensive and defensive performance anyway). It's not just an offense's responsibility to stay on the field and sustain drives, it's also a defense's responsibility to get OFF the field. When it comes to Ponder, the mantra of this Vikings fan base during the offseason and going back to last year has been "no excuses" yet when it comes to the Vikings defense, I see excuse after excuse made for poor performances and letdowns that cost the team games.

They are among the worst passing offenses in the league, hence the 0-2 record. It's a QB/OC league now.

The Vikings are ranked #20 in the NFL in passing after 2 week, closer to the bottom than the top but not among the league's worst. They're actually ahead of the 2-0 Pats and Seahawks.

[yezzir]

It happens but I'm not buying that as an excuse for this year's Vikings defense. The Vikings offense simply hasn't been so ineffective this season that the defense should get off the hook that easily.

You keep saying it's a QB/coaching league but as far as I can tell, that's just rhetoric with very little bearing on the discussion. However, even if I accept that it's a QB/coaching league, what bearing does that have on the Vikings situation? If it's a QB league, how is benching Ponder for one of the worst QBs in the NFL over the past two seasons supposed to solve anything?
Yes, because the Vikes have allowed 65 points. The 14 the defense and special teams scored on Sunday isn't enough to make up for that.

Ponder gave up 6 of those 65 points. Who gave up the rest? The defense has allowed an average of 440 yards and 29 points per game. That's not winning football and even if fatigue is a factor, it's not enough of a factor to excuse those numbers. they've been put in some bad positions but 440 yards per game speaks for itself.
They did it in Chicago. Time of possession was almost dead even so that excuse doesn't apply (and TOP is an indication of both offensive and defensive performance anyway). It's not just an offense's responsibility to stay on the field and sustain drives, it's also a defense's responsibility to get OFF the field. When it comes to Ponder, the mantra of this Vikings fan base during the offseason and going back to last year has been "no excuses" yet when it comes to the Vikings defense, I see excuse after excuse made for poor performances and letdowns that cost the team games.


The Vikings are ranked #20 in the NFL in passing after 2 week, closer to the bottom than the top but not among the league's worst. They're actually ahead of the 2-0 Pats and Seahawks.

I've said a few times that I wouldn't bench Ponder yet. I'm suggesting they open up the playbook for him and see what he can do. Hiding his flaws while at the same time proving he can't do much with his strengths is unacceptable in my opinion. If I had the power, I would tell Ponder that it's do or die time. Here are the plays. You have open receivers, so get them the ball. No more excuses.

Getting off the field as a defense is a lot easier in the 1st half. When you are on the field every 3 minutes throughout 4 quarters, fatigue and frustration set in.

[Mothman]

I've said a few times that I wouldn't bench Ponder yet. I'm suggesting they open up the playbook for him and see what he can do. Hiding his flaws while at the same time proving he can't do much with his strengths is unacceptable in my opinion. If I had the power, I would tell Ponder that it's do or die time. Here are the plays. You have open receivers, so get them the ball. No more excuses.

Not that phrase...

I think they have opened up the playbook this year (as reflected in his increased 8.0 yards per attempt average), although I expressed a sentiment similar to what you wrote above just yesterday. In fact, maybe we're talking about the same thing because I'd like to see them put a game in his hands from the start. In other words, establish Ponder and the passing game and then establish peterson and the run instead of going about it the other way.

I agree and some fo that happened at Detroit but the defense also put themselves behind the eightball by not getting off the field effectively enough in the first half. Detroit's first two possessions in that game alone consumed about 10 minutes. The defense has been starting games by giving up scoring drives. They're failing to get off the field from the start, before the offense ever takes the field. Against the Bears, the Vikes offense only had one 3-and-out possession in the entire game (that was the INT by jennings for a TD). In fact, they held the ball for about 18 minutes in the second half. The defense played well most of the half but still collapsed down the stretch. That wasn't fatigue.

[PacificNorseWest]

Minnesota Vikings: In 2012, Christian Ponder had just 269 passing yards from deep passes, which was second-lowest in the league. In 2013 he already has 151 passing yards on deep passes, which is fourth in the league.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2 ... -week-2-2/

[mondry]

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2 ... -week-2-2/

damnnnnnnnn Ponder is a top 5 deep passer! Told yall he only needed some legit WR threats!

[Reignman]

damnnnnnnnn Ponder is a top 5 deep passer! Told yall he only needed some legit WR threats!

Most of his deep passes have been to Simpson. You know, that guy that was on our team last year lol.

[mondry]

Most of his deep passes have been to Simpson. You know, that guy that was on our team last year lol.

hahaha, i almost edited this to add in "healthy" cause i figured someone might try to go there! oops!