Cassell era begins...

[jackal]

I just hope it makes Ponder be the best he can be as a player and leader

[losperros]

word is that Cassel will get to compete for the starting job......

think it's true?

No. The Vikings are betting on Ponder for now. Cassel will be the backup.

[hibbingviking]

Ryan fitzpatrick would have been a better pick up. Cassell is as accurate as tim tebow.

[The Breeze]

Matt Cassell also lead the Chiefs to the playoffs in 2010 and took over the Patriots and went 11-5. He does have a track record for success, while Ponder has a track record for frustrating people.

Cassel has had many more games(years) than Ponder. Cassel was also cheered after receiving a concussion last year. That to me, represents a fair amount of frustration.

While he has been frustrating, Ponder led a team to the playoffs. A 3-13 team...not Brady's Pats. Even though it's a small sample size Ponder has had success too.

[Mothman]

Matt Cassell also lead the Chiefs to the playoffs in 2010 and took over the Patriots and went 11-5. He does have a track record for success, while Ponder has a track record for frustrating people.

If Cassell gets credit for leading the Chiefs to the playoffs in 2010, shouldn't Ponder get credit for leading the Vikings to the playoffs in his first full season as the starter?

Before anyone answers that AD led the Vikings to the playoffs, not Ponder, consider that Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones combined for over 2300 yards rushing on that 2010 Chiefs team.

[mosscarter]

aside from his season in new england, cassell has played on horrible chiefs teams. who really knows what his potential is? this is a great signing, if not for anything it will push the bum ponder to actually start living up to expectations?

[TeamChaplain]

Hey I am a Ponder fan. In fact when all the Ponder haters on here were jawjackin.. I was defending him. But this will be good competition for him. It all depends on how hungry Cassel is for a starting spot.

[dead_poet]

Hey I am a Ponder fan. In fact when all the Ponder haters on here were jawjackin.. I was defending him. But this will be good competition for him. It all depends on how hungry Cassel is for a starting spot.

I hope not very. He's not going to get it here barring an injury to Ponder. There's no controversy.

[dead_poet]

I'm told Matt Cassel's contract with #Vikings is indeed a two-year pact. Reports of $4 million a year are at least a little high.

Tom Pelissero on Twitter

[ViciousBritishVike]

Don't know if you can consider a backup QB as having his own "era" but...that's cool. Hopefully he never sees the field (especially after his awful last couple of years. In 47 starts for the Chiefs, he went 19-28 while turning the ball over 57 times).

In the meantime, given that Webb isn't going to be more than a #3, I think it can't hurt to move him to WR. Really, what do you have to lose at this point?

Unfortunately I can only echo this sentiment, it wasn't even as though he was surrounded by an exceptionally poor supporting cast. In trying to cling onto the slightest ray of hope, I think back to his production as a stand in for Brady that one season in NE but on the whole, I can only see Cassell being turned to as a last resort.

Here's to hoping Ponder continues his development. I'm far from throwing in the towel yet, people forget just how young and inexperienced he is, he's started merely one season. Perhaps he'll never be elite but with a strong running game, I think he'll continue to grow to a point where not only will he avoid causing defeats, he'll contribute to victories more so.

[Laserman]

seems like I remember alot of folks here wanting Cassell before he went to the chiefs

[ViciousBritishVike]

aside from his season in new england, cassell has played on horrible chiefs teams. who really knows what his potential is? this is a great signing, if not for anything it will push the bum ponder to actually start living up to expectations?

Define horrible?

Offensively, they've built to an extent where a QB of his perceived ability should be able to execute.

-Stable O-Line (Vets such as Albert, Lilja, Winston contributed to a top 10 unit)
-Solid running game with a healthy Jamaal Charles
-Stud receiver in Dwayne Bowe
-A Tight End in Moeaki who has been touted as the next Gonzalez on more than a few occasions, decent red zone threat

Now admittedly, without getting carried away, the above examples don't compare with the offensive juggernauts of the NFL but nevertheless, hardly a poor surrounding for a well paid import, should have thrived.

[chicagopurple]

Cassel COULD be better then Ponder....time might tell if they make it a fair competition. BUT neither guy will be able to show his ability with the current Viking Team as we have NO quality WR to throw to.....Spielman better get his #### in gear. Rookie draft choices rarely become instant stars. Next to QB, WR is the slowest position to master. We need some quality WR's via trade or free agency and I am not hearing any whispers.....

[mondry]

If Cassell gets credit for leading the Chiefs to the playoffs in 2010, shouldn't Ponder get credit for leading the Vikings to the playoffs in his first full season as the starter?

Before anyone answers that AD led the Vikings to the playoffs, not Ponder, consider that Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones combined for over 2300 yards rushing on that 2010 Chiefs team.

Don't you know when you're trying to make your argument you can conveniently ignore things that hurt your guy and things that help the other. jeeze!

[PurpleKoolaid]

We got a decent backup QB. Maybe now we can get rid of Webb to a team that needs a 3rd string, and groom our own 3rd string. Ponder has the starting job, but competition is a good thing.