NFL.com: Frazier, Ponder Vikings return unlikely

[Mothman]

On a related note:

The headlines isn't news but...

Leslie Frazier, Christian Ponder Vikings return unlikely

The end appears to be near for Leslie Frazier and the Minnesota Vikings.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday on NFL Network's "NFL GameDay Morning" that the prospects of Frazier returning in 2014 are said to be "grim," according to team sources and sources familiar with ownership's thinking.

Frazier is well-liked by ownership, but it's unlikely to be enough to dissuade the 3-9-1 Vikings from going in another direction after the season. Rapoport has been told Minnesota will target a young coach -- likely a current NFL assistant -- with "star power."

That's bad news for veteran coaches looking for a big chair. Former Bears coach Lovie Smith should get a call, according to Rapoport, but the team is less likely to target a current NFL head coach or college coach.

Rapoport reports Vikings general manager Rick Spielman will be back next year, according to sources familiar with the thinking of the team's brass.

The report also says Ponder and Freeman aren't in the team's future plans and Cassel will likely go into training camp as the presumed starter.

[CbusVikesFan]

Jay Gruden anyone?

[S197]

“@RapSheet: On #Viking QBs: We’re told Matt Cassel has the best chance of the 3-headed monster to return. Josh Freeman gone, Christian Ponder shopped”

I don't think this surprises anyone. He's also saying Peterson will not be traded, they want him to open the new stadium.

[Webbfann]

The report also says Ponder and Freeman aren't in the team's future plans and Cassel will likely go into training camp as the presumed starter.

King Cassel.

[joe h]

Why bring Freeman in, and why not give his 2m to Winfield for one last season? We had a competent backup, what we have always lacked was defense. Just one of many what was Spielman thinking.

[Captain]

Why are people stuck on the $2 million. Its a ton of money to us, but its like pocket change in the NFL especially at the QB position

[Reignman]

Best rumors I've heard in a long time. I'm already starting to feel optimistic about next year.

[soflavike]

Spielman must be a helluva politician to have convinced the team's ownership that he wasn't part of the problem. That being said, I would agree that Frazier & Co, Ponder and Freeman are no longer in our future plans.

[tnvikesfan]

I think the jury is still out re Spielman. He's brought in some talent and filled some key positions this year. Of course, he didn't fix EVERYTHING, but I doubt he has carte blanche. As far as him being in control of Frazier & Co, I don't know if that's his call or the Wilfs. My guess is it's the Wilfs because they seem pretty inept when it comes to football. Who'd'a thunk it?

I still don't know WTH they were thinking with Freeman, that much money blown when they had MBT in a toast season. Play the kid and see what you got. Must have been some serious snake oil that day.

[tmscr]

I don't know if Frazier should get the boot. The team has fought hard and been very competitive, even against some tough teams. Think about the backbreaking losses the team has had this year. Teams with poor leadership at the HC position would probably roll over and embarrass themselves. The vikings went into a little tailspin for several games amidst all the QB drama, but starting with the Dallas game, they've battled all the way to the end. I wish Frazier would show a little more emotion, but if the players are playing hard, I wouldn't be so quick to boot him out.

[mosscarter]

the reason frazier needs to go is because cassell should have been starting all season. we might have won 7 games with one of the worst defenses in the nfl. as far as spielman goes, his last 5 picks look pretty good to me.

[tmscr]

the reason frazier needs to go is because cassell should have been starting all season. we might have won 7 games with one of the worst defenses in the nfl. as far as spielman goes, his last 5 picks look pretty good to me.

It's easy to blame Ponder starting on Frazier. You don't think he takes his cues from upstairs? Did he absolutely want to sign Freeman? Ponder was always going to get the benefit of the doubt as the first round pick and the playoff year last season. They made the switch after three games, 2 of which they could have won if the defense made a stop in the final minute. Lots of teams would wait MUCH longer than that.

[VikingPaul73]

I don't know if Frazier should get the boot. The team has fought hard and been very competitive, even against some tough teams. Think about the backbreaking losses the team has had this year. Teams with poor leadership at the HC position would probably roll over and embarrass themselves. The vikings went into a little tailspin for several games amidst all the QB drama, but starting with the Dallas game, they've battled all the way to the end. I wish Frazier would show a little more emotion, but if the players are playing hard, I wouldn't be so quick to boot him out.

I agree and you bring up some good points. But isn't it Frazier who caused all of that drama? Or at least allowed the drama to occur? I guess we'll never know who was calling the shots, but the decision to start Freeman against the Giants was a complete and utter disaster. That decision should be reason enought to at least question Frazier's judgement. The Vikings as Freeman were a complete and utter laughing stock that night.

In another post, Mothman brought up some excellent points on the younger players and their development (Rhodes, Patterson, Cole). But Frazier's complete reluctance to start Cassel is just mind boggling to me.

[tmscr]

I agree and you bring up some good points. But isn't it Frazier who caused all of that drama? Or at least allowed the drama to occur? I guess we'll never know who was calling the shots, but the decision to start Freeman against the Giants was a complete and utter disaster. That decision should be reason enought to at least question Frazier's judgement. The Vikings as Freeman were a complete and utter laughing stock that night.

In another post, Mothman brought up some excellent points on the younger players and their development (Rhodes, Patterson, Cole). But his complete reluctance to start Cassel is just mind boggling to me.

I said a while back whoever pushed for Freeman to start needs to have their job reevaluated. However, I don't know who that is/was. Maybe it was Frazier, maybe it was Spielman, maybe it was a combination of both, or maybe it was neither. There's no way a guy who hasn't been seen in weeks should have started 2 months ago. Terrible decision. Remember, Frazier is probably going to have to say/do whatever he's told. He's not Bill Parcells. Dealing with the QB is a delicate thing.

[Mothman]

I agree and you bring up some good points. But isn't it Frazier who caused all of that drama? Or at least allowed the drama to occur? I guess we'll never know who was calling the shots, but the decision to start Freeman against the Giants was a complete and utter disaster. That decision should be reason enought to at least question Frazier's judgement. The Vikings as Freeman were a complete and utter laughing stock that night.

It's certainly reason to question Frazier's judgment but internally, the Vikings will know who made that call. If it was Frazier, it's a big strike against him. If he started Freeman to satisfy someone higher up the chain of command, then they aren't likely to hold it against him when evaluating him.

In another post, Mothman brought up some excellent points on the younger players and their development (Rhodes, Patterson, Cole). But Frazier's complete reluctance to start Cassel is just mind boggling to me.

Well, it hasn't been complete reluctance. He started him against Carolina even after Ponder was cleared to play and he's been starting him lately, even though Ponder is healthy.

I think Frazier, and/or Spielman wanted to give Ponder every chance to provide them with some real return on the investment of time and effort they put into him and it simply didn't work out. The "he gives us the best chance to win" talk was probably little more than coachspeak for "this is the guy I'm starting". I've seen other coaches trot out the same line repeatedly when a highly-drafted QB project begins to turn sour but the team refuses to give up hope that it will pan out.

By the way, thank you for the kind words.It's reassuring to know I make a good point once in a while!