Vikings @ Packers Game Day Discussion Thread -- Week 5

[yezzir]

I completely agree.

The unknown in MBT or Harnish is MUCH more intriguing than what we KNOW in Ponder. And seriously, would either of them play any worse than Ponder? Probably not.

[Mothman]

You cannot discount the quality of the opponent. Atlanta's 2014 defense is like the Cowboys of 2013. Their defensive line and linebackers was/is abysmal, especially in pressure creation. It's not comparing apples to apples. There are too many variables. The good news for this discussion (not necessarily for the team) is that the Vikings offensive line gets the Lions next week. The Lions defensive line represents an even larger pass rushing upgrade.

Yes, and I seriously doubt the OL will perform against the Lions as effectively as they did against the Falcons.

[Purple Reign]

Ha!

I will never understand the "keep him because we're paying him" thing, at all.

Why not cut him to open up a roster spot/clear cap room? We're paying him either way!

Because cutting him does not clear cap room. His salary will still count toward the cap along with the salary of the guy they pick up to replace him.

[The Breeze]

I stopped watching after the 1st qtr. The combination of our underwhelming o-line and Christian Noodleheart was painting an all too obvious picture from the getgo.

While I can appreciate the sentiment that TB's pocket presence and presnap intelligence will help a great deal, I worry that there is a greater likelihood of him being hurt.
I've seen comments defending coach Davidson based on him mostly having late round fodder to mould into pros....meanwhile Mike Tice keeps Ryan upright and protected with TE's playing @ tackle.

09 Favre played arguably his best season ever and still got smashed on a regular basis, then ultimately knocked out in the championship game. The next season took up where the Saints left off. And despite what you want to think of the Saints tactics, the Vikings have had legitimate issues protecting ANY QB since Culpepper was here.

I think the Lions game will be a good measuring stick for where the reality is as far as our QB vs the O-line being the core issue.

[Pondering Her Percy]

Again with 'the negative posters'? If there were positives im sure the 'negative' posters would praising the Vikings. But there isn't. Rickie hasn't done us much favors either. That's not negative, its the truth. You don't have a 3rd string QB in the game that you know cant play. Yet we did. You either pick up another vet player, or you start to develop a younger player the second the OTA's start. I just cant figure you man crush on Rickie out.

I don't get where you're coming from here....

You guys act like there are stud 3rd stringers out there that we are missing on. Do you not realize how long it would take to get a guy like Harnish, MBT or whatever other bum is out there to just pick up this offense in less than a week?? Starting Ponder was the smart thing to do in this instance. He's the only one that knew the offense. Why would you put Harnish in when he's been on the team for 48 hours??? There is a reason why Harnish and others are journeymen, they aren't good and you can't expect a bad quarterback to pick up the offense in 2-3 days and perform anywhere near decent. They are simply there for emergency reasons.

We would have to eat money by releasing Ponder outright. Why not keep a guy with starting experience on the roster as a 3rd stringer? Especially when you have to pay him no matter what. I guess Spielman could have picked up someone to "develop" but the chances of anyone developing into a viable backup is as slim as it gets and in a way, is a waste of a roster spot

Trust me I can't stand Ponder just as much as anyone but as a 3rd string QB that you HAVE TO PAY, you should keep him regardless. No matter who Spielman picked up, they were never going to get the nod over Ponder in this situation. As a coach, I would have definitely started Ponder over a no name in that instance. The experience alone tells you to do that. If you really think some no name would have carried us to victory or even challenged GB, then there's a problem.

Are you going to tell me that if Kaepernick went down and Josh Johnson was hurt, the 49ers wouldn't start Gabbert over a 48 hour guy even though EVERYONE knows he sucks? No way! And he's even worse than Ponder is. Bottom line is, he has starting experience and knows the offense. They wouldn't just plug in Joe Dirt over a guy like Ponder or Gabbert that has plenty of in game experience. It's just not realistic. I'm pretty shocked some are even arguing this

[yezzir]

Because cutting him does not clear cap room. His salary will still count toward the cap along with the salary of the guy they pick up to replace him.

Whoops, thanks for clearing that up. Either way, it shouldn't matter. He's a bum on the field, get him off the team.

[dead_poet]

Want more bad news/fallout from Teddy not starting last night? The Browns claimed Rodney Smith.

[MikethePurple]

Want more bad news/fallout from Teddy not starting last night? The Browns claimed Rodney Smith.

Damn, I was worried about that. Seemed like he had shown promising potential.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

Want more bad news/fallout from Teddy not starting last night? The Browns claimed Rodney Smith.

Really? That sucks.

But hey, at least we have Zach Line back on the team. SMH.

[VikingLord]

You guys act like there are stud 3rd stringers out there that we are missing on.

I understand the point you're making and it's a valid one.

By the same token, though, you have to admit that Ponder has no future here, and while a different 3rd stringer most likely doesn't either, a small chance is bigger than no chance at all.

A lot of whether keeping Ponder makes sense comes down to whether one's viewpoint is short or long term. In the short term view, keeping Ponder makes more sense. If someone takes a longer view, ditching him ASAP makes more sense, because every day he spends on the roster is a day an alternative that might develop doesn't.

[VikingLord]

Yes, and I seriously doubt the OL will perform against the Lions as effectively as they did against the Falcons.

But if they do, does that mean... You'll admit the QB is everything in the modern NFL?

[Mothman]

But if they do, does that mean... You'll admit the QB is everything in the modern NFL?

Never!

[fiestavike]

Never!

The rules of the game today certainly have it trending in that direction. I don't think you can say the QB is everything, but he is probably more important than 10 other players combined in determining win/loss.

[Cliff]

It's going to be interesting to see how the team preforms with Teddy coming back in. I'm expecting dramatic improvement on the offensive line with Teddy, actually. A good QB is the difference between a guy like Charlie Johnson looking pretty good under Manning and looking like ... well he plays here.

The threat of the QB actually completing a pass against the blitz also can't be understated, I don't think. Keeping the defense honest through completing those kind of passes is very important and it's something Ponder is horrible at and Bridgewater excels at.

It won't be a ride without bumps for the rookie. Some of those passes that should have been INTs against Atlanta will be INTs against other teams, for example, but I expect the team to look better all around next week with Bridgewater at QB.

The team's true remaining playmakers are at WR and they need to produce for the ground game to get going. Those playmakers can't get the ball into their hands with Ponder at QB ... he just doesn't have what it takes ... and Asiata and McKinnon can't play a stacked box like Peterson did to help bail him out. Bridgewater doesn't need him to.

I don't expect to see the 11 win team we might have been with Peterson and Rudolph in ... but I do expect to see the 8-8 team that having a couple of playmakers, a seemingly solid defense, and decent QB play should produce.

[fiestavike]

The threat of the QB actually completing a pass against the blitz also can't be understated, I don't think. Keeping the defense honest through completing those kind of passes is very important and it's something Ponder is horrible at and Bridgewater excels at.

I think that fact really altered our gameplan against the Packers and prevented us from using a gameplan more similar to the one we used with greater effect against ATL.