Browns @ Vikings Game Day Discussion Thread -- Week 3

[ranskal]

Is Ranskal just a troll? For some reason I cant block him, either on IE, Chrome or Firefox. Was this option removed?

You're a troll! Block me because i disagree with your "professional" assessment of the game? Go ahead!

I am not saying Ponder is a stud QB or doesn't have issues...all I am saying is he did not lose this game. He played well enough to win, whether you like it or not. He is a game manager and that is all he will ever be. The last 2 games, he left his defense with a lead and only 1 possession left and they couldn't make a stop. Would I like to see him throw for 400 yards every week and put up 35 points? Of course, but guess what, this team isn't designed for that.

Sorry for not agreeing with you...

[Demi]

He played well enough to win

Come on. You went a little far there. He missed a half dozen wide open receivers. Threw inaccurate passes on a number of others. Scrambled from no pressure. He makes a throw or two and we win. He couldn't. And didn't.

[ranskal]

Come on. You went a little far there.

I guess scoring more points than the opponents isn't enough. Maybe he could play defense too.

[BGM]

Are we honestly bickering over who was at fault again? Seriously... this was a top to bottom loss. Special teams, hello? If they don't blow that fake FG, this is a win. If the defense shows up for more than a half, this is a win. If Ponder throws half as well as he runs, this is a win. If Harrison Smith doesn't get beat by that feint inside and covers the TE, this is a win. If AD were Superman, this is a win. If Ponder doesn't overthrow Webb in the end zone, this is a win. If Webb lays out for that overthrown pass in the end zone, this is a win. If the OL actually blocks, this is a win. If the DL gets consistent pressure, this is a win.

This was a horrific game.

[BGM]

Come on. You went a little far there. He missed a half dozen wide open receivers. Threw inaccurate passes on a number of others. Scrambled from no pressure. He makes a throw or two and we win. He couldn't. And didn't.

He scored 2 TDs on the ground. So, yeah. He did actually play well enough to win. But not well enough.

Oh, and for those who continually ask for downfield throws, you had your fill today. Ponder is NOT a consistent downfield threat,, that is obvious. He can pull off one or two a game, to exploit coverage, but this is a ball control offense. They'd best start playing like one. But then, there's the issue of the OL...

[King James]

I guess scoring more points than the opponents isn't enough. Maybe he could play defense too.

He should try because QB is definitely not his strong suit.

[Demi]

I guess scoring more points than the opponents isn't enough. Maybe he could play defense too.

Or he could hit a wide open Webb in the end zone and...WE WIN! Or Jennings on a big late game third down to ice the game on an out he was open on...and Ponder throws the ball...OUT OF BOUNDS.

The spineless jelly fish earth worm has as many rushing TDs this year as passing. And even his passing TD was thrown to a defender.

[Raptorman]

You guys know what the winning percentage is for a team that scores 27 points is over the last 10 years. It's 83.9%. For the Vikings the last 10 years it's 82.3%. So, if you score 27 points, you should win. Of course if you score 32 points a game, it goes up to 92.3%.....so it's all on Ponder because he can't get the offense to 32 points a game.

Yes he missed some throws, yes he had an interception. Just what if the D held on the last Browns drive, would Ponder get any credit for the win? I doubt it. Not here.

[John_Viveiros]

Here's what I think: our starting QB is less accurate than Cleveland's 3rd string guy. Look at these two plays:


That's Webb, open by 4 yards, and he's overthrown.


That's Cameron, pretty well-covered. Yet Hoyer manages to find the spot to place the ball.

Now, one could chalk the obvious disparity up to bad luck. But this is what I'm seeing every game. Open receivers, and Ponder can't get them the ball.

[purpletinted66]

That's Webb, open by 4 yards, and he's overthrown.

And that's with the benefit of gigantic bright white hands to land the ball in - you gotta be kidding me.

[yezzir]

Here's what I think: our starting QB is less accurate than Cleveland's 3rd string guy. Look at these two plays:


That's Webb, open by 4 yards, and he's overthrown.


That's Cameron, pretty well-covered. Yet Hoyer manages to find the spot to place the ball.

Now, one could chalk the obvious disparity up to bad luck. But this is what I'm seeing every game. Open receivers, and Ponder can't get them the ball.

Nice post my friend. Ponder could have under-thrown Webb and it would have been a TD.

P.S. To the posts I see about Webb doing a bad job here...he is a 1st year WR trying to catch a poorly thrown ball. Ponder is a 3rd year NFL QB making a simple pass uncatchable.

[PurpleKoolaid]

I still have a hard time believing a TE beat us on the exact same play, 2 weeks in a row, with seconds left in the game. Fraizer and Williams should be shown the door. And then draft D players next year. Well after we pick Terry.

[Just Me]

P.S. To the posts I see about Webb doing a bad job here...he is a 1st year WR trying to catch a poorly thrown ball. Ponder is a 3rd year NFL QB making a simple pass uncatchable.

You know, I try to be objective and give Ponder the benefit of the doubt, but your summary of this play is spot on. I can't argue with the comparison (sadly). I really would like Ponder to succeed, but each week it appears that he's 'inconsistent' (see his first pass of the game which was a great pass). We simply can't succeed with a QB that has as much of a chance of making a poorly executed play as he does of making a well executed play. I wish it was different, but it's not...

[Delaqure]

Lets face it this team is really out of sorts from top to bottom. We have scored enough points to win, but can't. Ponder's inaccuracy did cost us points as well as Peterson's fumble. The special teams gave away points again and the defense didn't make the stop when it had to. We were out coached again and outplayed again. No one has risen to the occasion. Ponder had his opportunities and didn't deliver.

Yet as I have said in a different thread I believe we need to let him play out the season. Take off all the restraints and let him play. This is the sink or swim season let him.

[Reignman]

Lets review ...

Prediction: Vikes - 41 Browns 13

Vikings got this.

Vikes 33- Brownies 10

I don't know if our team "QB" is capable of putting up those kind of points, but we will win.

my prediction is something like MN 16 CLE 13 in a snooze fest.

42-17

Anyway, I have a feeling we will win today. We need to win today. I just hope the team doesn't 'play down' to Cleveland. I doubt they will - this is the NFL after all.

I'm pretty optimistic the Vikings will get their first win of the season today. Skol Vikings!

it won't be a blowout, it'll be a blowout shutout. It'll be our first shutout in 327 games

You folks should keep your day job xD.

If we don't win, someone better get me out of jail. True story.

Did someone bail you out? <insert tasteless soap joke here>

I am waiting for the preemptive strike by the naysayers. It will go something like this, "God it was only the crummy Browns, how could they have not won then it will be the crappy Steelers, etc. etc.". What were they saying last season when they beat the crappy Texans, Packers, 49ers

Ohhhh so close ... but it was postemptive and I was going to say something understandable. I don't know what "how could they have not won then it will be the crappy Steelers" means.

Today will not be an easy win like everyone thinks. Cleveland's defense is actually really good. Offensively though? Hard to say. The only person on the team I see beating us is Jordan Cameron. I fear Greenway and Henderson will be torched in coverage by Cameron.

Holy balls, Nostradamus is that you?

Kudos to the rest of you ...

Let me "predict" (for the purposes of discussion) what this board will be like if the Vikes win this game on a last second FG. The sky will be falling.

If we lose, it is on our defense.

Im actually not too confident they will pull a win out

IMO anything less than a 10+ point win will not bode well for the rest of the year.

yea but when has that stopped us from "playing not to lose"?