tmscr wrote:
Again, I'm not absolving him totally. I just saw Bears blitzing right through the line all half. You see how the Bears handled our pressure? McCown was hardly touched for most of the game.
The problem with that and the reason it's more of a Ponder problem than a line problem is because there's very little downside in blitzing him. Either he eats the sack or he tucks it down and tries to run. Elite QB's like Rodgers and Brees beat the blitz by deciphering where it's coming from and throwing into the vacated spaces and completing passes behind it. Ponder obviously can't do that so again, very little downside in bringing more rushers than we can block. On top of that, Cassel's release is quicker and the time before the ball leaves his hand is around 2.3 to 2.4 seconds, while Ponder is usually clocked in the 2.8 to 2.9 second range.
It's not a coincidence that once cassel came in the line suddenly looks way better, holes for AP look way bigger, etc, etc.
mondry wrote:
The problem with that and the reason it's more of a Ponder problem than a line problem is because there's very little downside in blitzing him. Either he eats the sack or he tucks it down and tries to run. Elite QB's like Rodgers and Brees beat the blitz by deciphering where it's coming from and throwing into the vacated spaces and completing passes behind it. Ponder obviously can't do that so again, very little downside in bringing more rushers than we can block. On top of that, Cassel's release is quicker and the time before the ball leaves his hand is around 2.3 to 2.4 seconds, while Ponder is usually clocked in the 2.8 to 2.9 second range.
It's not a coincidence that once cassel came in the line suddenly looks way better, holes for AP look way bigger, etc, etc.
Ponder was sacked 3 times, Cassel was sacked twice but had a bunch of batted passes. I can't find the hurried and hit stats. I would be interested in seeing them if anyone can find them.
maembe wrote:Was anyone else a little bit excited to have won for all intents and purposes, but then still end up with an L for better draft position?
Me. I was satisfied that the Vikes played a decent game, challenging the Bears and "winning it" on Walsh's first OT FG, but then getting the benefit of the L as far as draft status goes. I'm sold that, had this team completely "sucked for Luck", we would be at the top of the division now even with this defense.
S197 wrote:
And Jennings became relevant. All coincidence I'm sure.
What's with that? I don't understand how Ponder seems to only have chemistry w/ Jerome Simpson and Rudy. Jennings DISAPPEARS when Ponder's playing. Cassel steps in and suddenly Jennings looks great.
Simpson has the speed to get by guys and look open so ponder throws it. With Jennings, I think it's all timing and ponder doesn't have the ability to hit those windows.
Crax wrote:Simpson has the speed to get by guys and look open so ponder throws it. With Jennings, I think it's all timing and ponder doesn't have the ability to hit those windows.
Interesting take; I bet that is a big part of it.
Seems to me that Ponder builds up a certain trust w/ guys too. I know he and Rudy worked together a lot early on and Ponder was willing to throw much riskier throws his way than to other guys. It's such a noticeable difference between Cassel and Ponder.
Simpson is a #1 WR. Jennings is used to a big arm, and Cassel has it. Ponder has a pee wee arm. But even if he does have a concussion, he will still start next week.
PurpleKoolaid wrote:Simpson is a #1 WR. Jennings is used to a big arm, and Cassel has it. Ponder has a pee wee arm. But even if he does have a concussion, he will still start next week.
A #1 WR?! Maybe if you put him on the depth chart as one...but in no way does he measure up to other #1s.
"The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it." ~Thucydides
If Simpson isn't the Vikings #1 receiver, then they don't have one. Which is probably much closer to the truth. He has 0 TDs on the year and only 36 receptions. Of course, the Vikings only have 11 receiving TDs total this season.
Eli wrote:If Simpson isn't the Vikings #1 receiver, then they don't have one. Which is probably much closer to the truth. He has 0 TDs on the year and only 36 receptions. Of course, the Vikings only have 11 receiving TDs total this season.
Like I said, he may be the #1 WR on the depth chart...that doesn't make him #1 quality.
"The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it." ~Thucydides
thatguy wrote:
Like I said, he may be the #1 WR on the depth chart...that doesn't make him #1 quality.
And yet the Vikings are NOT hurting for WR talent. How does that work?? They have three good receivers in Simpson, Jennings and Wright and a guy who might one day become a decent receiver in Patterson.
Eli wrote:
And yet the Vikings are NOT hurting for WR talent. How does that work?? They have three good receivers in Simpson, Jennings and Wright and a guy who might one day become a decent receiver in Patterson.
We aren't hurting at WR. We don't need a megatron to be successful in our passing game. What we need is a group of really good solid receivers. Our group is the type that none of them are great but all of them are good. That puts a lot of pressure on a d to have to cover them all well and not just worry about one Guy. I think a really good QB could beat defenses on a regular basis with this crew. At this point Patterson is the weak link but there is no reason to think he won't improve.
I'm not saying we completely ignore the position but I actually think aside from the RB the WR position is our best stocked position and the least of our worries at the present.
