Christian Ponder to share Vikings' first-team reps

[Mothman]

It's first team reps for everyone! From NFL.com writer Chris Wesseling:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap200000 ... tteam-reps

The Minnesota Vikings have been giving off conflicting signals regarding Christian Ponder's future with the club.

"Bridge" quarterback Matt Cassel was released and quickly re-signed. The Vikes then declined Ponder's $9.6 million fifth-year option for 2015.

General manager Rick Spielman insisted Ponder wasn't on the trade block entering the 2014 NFL Draft because the Vikings didn't want to be left with only one quarterback on the roster.

Now that first-round pick Teddy Bridgewater has joined Cassel in a quarterback competition, Ponder would seem to be the odd man out.

That's not the case.

NFL Media's Albert Breer reports Ponder will share first-team reps in offseason practices, along with Cassel and Bridgewater.

Wesseling concludes that:

With a new coaching staff in town and Bridgewater now sporting the "quarterback of the future" mantle, the only reason to devote time and resources to Ponder is to foment some semblance of value for the 2011 first-round pick.

[Demi]

Oh great, this again.
Hopefully they pick a QB a little sooner so they can get comfortable. Instead of wasting reps on players who aren't even going to be playing.

[Mothman]

I agree with that conclusion. I have maintained that I will be surprised if Ponder is still on the roster to kick off the season. Its just a dynamic I can't see benefiting anybody to have the first round pick at QB from a few short years ago sitting around as the 3rd string QB. Its nothing against Ponder, I think he would handle it like as much of a pro as anybody, but nonetheless its seems obviously to be in everyone's interest to move on, ad a late pick, and sign a developmental option as QB3, meanwhile allow ponder to take on a backup role somewhere else and start new.

I think it all depends on the coaches and players involved. Maybe I'm being naive but at this point, I don't think Ponder's draft position should be a consideration. If his attitude is fine, than if I were the new coaching staff's position, I'd be taking a "show me what you've got" approach with all 3 quarterbacks. Let the Turners work with them for a few months and see how they respond, see who stands out. The assumption is that Cassel is the most ready to play and the presumed starter, Bridgewater is the QB of the future and Ponder is expendable. That probably won't change much unless Bridgewater pulls a "Wilson" and seizes the starting job this summer. However, maybe after a few months of working with the new coaches, that picture will change. To me, there's an obvious benefit to having Ponder on the roster, especially if the Vikings decide they'd rather let Bridgewater sit for a season. He provides the team with a veteran backup who, while he's certainly had his problems, is also capable of helping the team win. You can put him on the field and still put up 20 or 30 points of offense on a good day. We've seen plenty of teams insert a backup into the lineup and struggle to score at all so to me, Ponder has value to the Vikings because he gives them some options.

Of course, he could also bring them something in a trade but I still think he's likely to be on the opening day roster.

[Eli]

Oh great, this again.

Oh, come on! It NEVER gets old.

[Mothman]

Oh, come on! It NEVER gets old.

Just like griping!

I think the approach is to be expected when you consider the situation. It makes sense for a staff to give these 3 QBs first team reps. It's the best way to assess what each of them brings to the table. Why come in and just a pick a starter from 3 QBs they've never coached before when none of them has been able to establish themselves as a quality starter in the NFL yet? Test 'em out, see what you've got...

[Mothman]

I can understand that rational, especially if they think Ponder still has a chance to develop, but to me the re-signing of Cassel and drafting of Bridgewater indicate that the Vikings have already closed the book on Ponder. If you put aside dynamics I would agree though. If one can forget all past history with him, Ponder probably provides more to the team as the #3 qb than whoever they are likely to sign to fill that position. It just strikes me as a clear win win to give Ponder an opportunity to be a 2nd stringer somewhere else and allow the vikings to get rid of a potentially negative dynamic.

That makes sense, although the only reason i can see for the dynamic to become negative is if Ponder makes himself a distraction and that seems out of character with what we've seen from him so far.

I can't see any way that Ponder is or wants to be back with the Vikings after his contract expires, so honestly I don't even see any point in developing him.

If they develop him further he could bring more in trade but as I mentioned earlier, I think a lot depends on how they feel about Bridgewater and what's best for him. If they decide it's really best for him to sit this season, that changes Ponder's value to the team considerably because for all practical purposes, that would make him the #2 QB.

[King James]

Just when people think Ponder is out, he gets yet another chance!!!! I'm actually happy for him. I really want to see him develop. I know that sounds cliche but you never know what happen now under a new coach. I don't know how much Norv can actually do help Ponder. It seems like Ponder's problem is more mental than physical. I don't know how you can train a person to not rattle under pressure. I think that usually comes with instinct. Same as with reading through his progressions. That's just something I think that comes natural and only the player himself can really train his mind to look at other options during a play. Most overall he just doesn't look confident on the field. I don't know how Norv Turner is going to teach that either, because that comes with the territory of making a series of great plays.

But we will see what the almighty great QB Whisperer, *sarcasm* Norv Turner can do with him.

[Mothman]

The trouble is just that this is the last year of his contract, so unless they are going to trade him after a solid pre-season outing I still don't think it makes a whole lot of sense to develop him.

As far as how they view Bridgewater, I think you make a fair point if they expect to "protect" him for a year and groom him for the following season.

If I had to bet money though, I still think he's traded for a 5th or 6th round pick and replaced with a young camp cut from another squad, but we will see!

Yes, and it should be an interesting sub-plot to the summer and pre-season.

[Just Me]

One aspect of this situation that seems to be overlooked at the present time is the fact that Zimmer has stated (words to the effect) that he has no "friends" here and people need to earn their starting jobs. IOW I see this as nothing more Zimmer being true to his word by allowing all QBs (at least initially) a chance to compete for the starting spot. If he excluded any QB from those 1st team reps he can't be realistically giving the QBs an "even playing field" (pardon the pun) for the competition. I don't see Ponder as winning this spot, but I think it would be disingenuous of Zimmer to not allow Ponder (or Bridgewater or whomever) 1st team reps if the "starter" has a chance to "earn his spot."

If he didn't allow 1st team reps for all the QBs, I believe that would diminish his credibility with the team - something a new coach can ill-afford...

[The Breeze]

I seriously doubt there is much of a market for Ponder as he is not the missing piece for anyone and he will be a FA next season.

Maybe some team would part with a draft pick for a backup QB.

[Webbfann]

I'm not really worried about Ponder getting to compete. The only person who could possibly declare Ponder the winner of a QB competition between him, Cassel and Bridgewater lives in Tampa Bay Florida now.

[Demi]

I'm not really worried about Ponder getting to compete. The only person who could possibly declare Ponder the winner of a QB competition between him, Cassel and Bridgewater lives in Tampa Bay Florida now.

And even he likely did it with pressure from the front office and ownership. Hopefully this coaching staff isn't feeling the same.

Let's hope this ends before it matters. Unlike the TJoke garbage when he kept getting snaps over quarterbacks clearly better than he was. Maybe we can finally have the best QB on the roster starting? Hm? Crazy idea...

[headless_norseman]

The trouble is just that this is the last year of his contract, so unless they are going to trade him after a solid pre-season outing I still don't think it makes a whole lot of sense to develop him.

He's worth a lot more devolped than where his value resides now.

[Funkytown]

Ponder still offers higher upside than the average NFL backup. Former offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave is now the Eagles quarterbacks coach. Former quarterbacks coach Craig Johnson is now the Giants running backs coach.

Potential landing spots: Saints, Packers, Panthers, Falcons

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap200000 ... candidates

The Packers or Saints? Just when I thought things couldn't get any uglier for him. Ick.

All NFC teams, though. Score!

[joe h]

They will never get back this years salary, regardless if he is just traded or cut. The best we can hope for is a late round garbage pick and a fraction of his salary, otherwise he is sitting deactivated as our number 3 for most of the season.