The bottom line on Christian Ponder as our QB

[PurpleMustReign]

We can break down individual games and plays till the cows come home, but it all boils down to a bottom line.

1st thing we need to remember. The QB position is the most important and has the most control over the entire team and the outcome of the games, than any other position.

2nd thing we need to remember. This team went 10-6 last season. In that span, the offensive line and defense played generally well, and Adrian and Percy were off the charts. I hope everyone can generally agree with that assessment.

However Christian Ponder was not good. We can point out all the stats to break that down, but generally speaking, 2012 was another "learning year" for Ponder, and no one would say he is the one most responsible for us being in the playoffs. Even though we won 10 games, I don't think anyone would claim that Ponder had 10 good games. If he did, Adrian might not have won the MVP. We have to remember that.

So the bottom line on 2012, is the team played well enough all-around, that despite a "learning" QB, we went 10-6 and a wild card team. So where do you go from there? Considering the biggest weakness was the passing game for 2012, logically for the Vikings to take that next step, the QB play has to take the next step as well.

FF to 2013. We're 0-3, and in all 3 games they were close (10, 1, 4) Now let's pretend the Vikings D held off these last minute drives and we're 2-1. Would you really be that confident in this team with Ponder? Would those two defensive stops suddenly make our passing attack lethal? Would Cutler missing the endzone last week suddenly put Christian Ponder on a clear path to the Super Bowl? Heck no. 3-0 or 2-1, would make us the 2012 Vikings all over again. Winning games DESPITE, not because of our QB, and that's a formula that does not last, and it would be a matter of time before Ponder's play cost us games, just like last year, and we would be the weakest team in the playoffs once again. If your bar is two inches from the ground, then you would be very happy. But if you actually want to be a top team, capable of winning the SB, this is not good enough.

Focusing on the o-line and defense, (while legitimate as for determining the elements of these first three games), is ignoring the real problem. The absolute bottom line is, whether we are 3-0 or 0-3, the Vikings cannot take that next step until the QB play improves. All of these temporary issues with the o-line and defense (and let me remind you how many points scored and turnovers forced by this D too), would be minor issues if the QB was simply playing better. If we got better production out of the QB, THE most important position on the field, then the Vikings would be 3-0. A tightened defense or o-line would be a Band-Aid to the real problem, and that's the bottom line.

What is the over/under on number of Ponder threads? Couple hundred?

[allday1991]

What is the over/under on number of Ponder threads? Couple hundred?

Do you prefer to talk about our 4th and 5th string WR then? Or our 3rd and 4th stringer cbs? They're not as big as a difference maker in games as a quarterback is in football.

[TheFoxInDetox]

What is the over/under on number of Ponder threads? Couple hundred?

No offense, we are all frustrated here, but if you don't like Christian Ponder threads then just don't click on them.

[mondry]

I would say the bottom line on Ponder is honestly his accuracy and ability to put the ball out there on time. He typically sports a semi decent completion rate but a lot of the problem is that while these balls are completed, they leave almost zero room for YAC. Most of the time the WR's have to slow down or even sit down in the spot waiting for the ball to get there, some times they have to reach behind them or make great adjustments, others they have to leave their feet diving for the ball.

Once the pass is thrown, there is usually enough time in the meantime for the defender to close any separation the WR may have gotten and make a tackle because Ponder doesn't anticipate throws, instead he MAKES SURE the receiver is actually open before throwing which eats into the amount of time the receiver actually IS open if that makes sense. As a WR you can't really juke or break a tackle when you're focused on catching the ball and securing it as a guy hits you immediately after.

I said I wanted to see Ponder with some better weapons and in his 3rd year but it hasn't helped him at all. He's still stupid and thinking too much which is a bad combo. It's clear as day though that he can't play the game manager role very well.

[Hunter Morrow]

He's godawful. Somebody like Carson Palmer or Alex Smith would both have been upgrades.
Every year there are 2 or 3 guys we could get and we pass on them because some utter turd is "our guy."

You don't even have the age excuse with Alex Smith, he's only 18 months older than Ponder.

But "Ponder's our guy." Why? How is he our guy? We're not even getting league average play out of him.
I can think of 5 backups that I'd start over him.

The only thing that could change it this year is if we totally tail spin and finish the season out like, 4-9 or worse in a stacked draft class at the
QB position this year. Who knows, maybe management just falls in love with a top 5 QB.