Is there any player with more pressure than Ponder?

[Eli]

I think Locke is going to have some pressure

Some, I agree. The Vikings made a conscious decision to help him out, though, by eliminating much of it and cutting Kluwe (hoping to repeat last year's success with Walsh) instead of having any type of punting competition between them.

The thing about pressure is that it's only pressure if you feel it. Endless news blurbs can play a part, but that's not where the real pressure comes from. I have a gut feeling that Ponder doesn't feel it. He's smart enough to know that if he gets benched, he's still young and he'll get another chance. Hell, if Tarvaris Jackson can get a second chance to suck, Ponder will too.

[majorm]

I really don't think there is. Based on the talent on the rest of the roster and the expectations.

He has the best RB in football and now would appear to have some talent at WR that he did not have a season ago, along with a potential All-Pro at TE. The O-line is solid and the defense would appear to be better than last season. Although obviously still some question marks in the LB corps.

When I hear anyone talking about the Vikes nationally, it always seems to come down to Ponder and whether he can make enough plays in the passing game.

AD can have another amazing season. The defense can play well. Cordarelle can sparkle. But if the guy manning the most important position on the field does not peform, it could all be for naught. You just can NOT seriously contend without a solid QB. He HAS to be AT LEAST the Ponder we saw late in the season for this team to have any serious thoughts of going anywhere.

I think the rest of the roster is good enough.

[Mothman]

I really don't think there is. Based on the talent on the rest of the roster and the expectations.

He has the best RB in football and now would appear to have some talent at WR that he did not have a season ago, along with a potential All-Pro at TE. The O-line is solid and the defense would appear to be better than last season. Although obviously still some question marks in the LB corps.

When I hear anyone talking about the Vikes nationally, it always seems to come down to Ponder and whether he can make enough plays in the passing game.

Ponder's role will be important but I think one of the main reasons that reaction is common is because it's the simplest possible form of analysis and a lot of the people being asked aren't exactly paying close attention to the Vikes.

AD can have another amazing season. The defense can play well. Cordarelle can sparkle. But if the guy manning the most important position on the field does not peform, it could all be for naught. You just can NOT seriously contend without a solid QB. He HAS to be AT LEAST the Ponder we saw late in the season for this team to have any serious thoughts of going anywhere.

I think the rest of the roster is good enough.

I'm beginning to think the roster is overrated, not just because of your comments but because I'm reading a lot of high expectations for a team that, in my view, still has an awful lot to prove. I think the Vikes can compete with anyone when playing their best but if this IS a Super Bowl roster, it looks like a shaky one on paper. The depth at a number of positions appears thin (or at least untested) and there are several areas where players will have as much to prove at their respective positions as Ponder will at QB. CB, MLB, WR and G immediately spring to mind.

[majorm]

I'm beginning to think the roster is overrated, not just because of your comments but because I'm reading a lot of high expectations for a team that, in my view, still has an awful lot to prove. I think the Vikes can compete with anyone when playing their best but if this IS a Super Bowl roster, it looks like a shaky one on paper. The depth at a number of positions appears thin (or at least untested) and there are several areas where players will have as much to prove at their respective positions as Ponder will at QB. CB, MLB, WR and G immediately spring to mind.

Maybe it is. But, this is a team that went 10-6 last year, made the playoffs and by most accounts had one of the best drafts in the league. Three picks in the first 29 should make an impact. But SHOULD is my least favorite word in the english language.

While you're right that are still some other question marks on the roster, I still believe that for this team to have any aspirations beyond what they did last year, Ponder has to be good. A lot is riding on him and he will likely be the first target for irate fans and media if the team stumbles.

[Mothman]

Maybe it is. But, this is a team that went 10-6 last year, made the playoffs and by most accounts had one of the best drafts in the league. Three picks in the first 29 should make an impact. But SHOULD is my least favorite word in the english language.

LOL!
Don't get me wrong. As I said, I think the Vikes can compete with anyone but they're also just one season removed from 3-13 and improvement isn't always linear. I think they'll be good but they're a team with a lot of questions to answer.

While you're right that are still some other question marks on the roster, I still believe that for this team to have any aspirations beyond what they did last year, Ponder has to be good. A lot is riding on him and he will likely be the first target for irate fans and media if the team stumbles.

You can remove the "likely" from that statement. The table has been set for Ponder to get blasted if the team stumbles.

I agree that if they're going to not only get to the postseason but win in the postseason, Ponder has to play well but really, in that scenario, everyone needs to play well. I guess that's why I respond so often when people post about how much responsibility is on Ponder this season. He's definitely facing pressure but I think it's going to be just as important for the defense to do a better job and particularly for the secondary to step up and play well. For me, one of the low points of last season was the 73 yard, 11 minute drive the defense allowed at Green Bay during the regular season. That was overshadowed by the furor over Ponder's two terrible INTs in that game but when a defense allows the opposing team to protect a lead by consuming 11 of the first 15 minutes in the 4th quarter of a winnable game, that should set off alarm bells. The defense helped them win some games last year but it wasn't a Super Bowl caliber unit and with Winfield gone, and a pretty big question mark looming at MLB, I think that unit has every bit as much riding on it as Ponder does at QB.

Hopefully, those 3 first round picks you mentioned will make a big impact. I'm cautiously optimistic.

[RandallioCobb18]

This is Ponder's last year of his 4-year contract, if he loses his starting spot he's done as a Viking. as for being a backup, if he is cut by the Vikings that'll mean that he really played like the crap version of himself in the 2013 season, and most of the league recognized last year, that Ponder is not a NFL quarterback and I think would be the end of Ponder in the NFL. He hasn't shown enough flashes of incredible potential to this point to warrant someone overlooking the bad side. I believe if Ponder doesn't bring it in 2013 his NFL career is over.

I somewhat agree, I think that if Ponder doesnt step it up this year, he will have a very difficult time finding a starting job elsewhere, but I dont think it will signify the end of the guys career, if T-Jack can find a job as a back up, im sure Ponder can also.

[Mothman]

This is Ponder's last year of his 4-year contract, if he loses his starting spot he's done as a Viking.

He was drafted in 2011. This is the third year of his contract.

He hasn't shown enough flashes of incredible potential to this point to warrant someone overlooking the bad side. I believe if Ponder doesn't bring it in 2013 his NFL career is over.

Perhaps it would be the end of his career as a starter but as RandallioCobb18 indicated, Ponder could probably find work as an NFL backup. His NFL career isn't riding on this season but the nature of his career might be...

[losperros]

I'm beginning to think the roster is overrated, not just because of your comments but because I'm reading a lot of high expectations for a team that, in my view, still has an awful lot to prove. I think the Vikes can compete with anyone when playing their best but if this IS a Super Bowl roster, it looks like a shaky one on paper. The depth at a number of positions appears thin (or at least untested) and there are several areas where players will have as much to prove at their respective positions as Ponder will at QB. CB, MLB, WR and G immediately spring to mind.

You're not alone in feeling that way, Jim. I believe the current roster has a lot of unproven talent, including all three of the R1 draft picks. None of them have played even one down in pro ball.

Ponder certainly has some things to prove. My biggest concern about him is whether or not he can stay healthy throughout the season. Heck, for that matter, I could say the same thing about Greg Jennings. You can add Jerome Simpson to that list (among other questions I have about him).

The OL should be better. Hopefully, they'll be more consistent with their pass blocking. I have some questions about the DL, what with K-Will getting older and Floyd being a rookie. And no one knows for certain how the MLB position will pan out.

The starting CBs also have big questions. Here's one: who are the starting CBs? I assume it's Cook and Rhodes. But again, health becomes an issue. Cook has problems remaining unscathed during an entire season.

[Purple bruise]

This is Ponder's last year of his 4-year contract, if he loses his starting spot he's done as a Viking. as for being a backup, if he is cut by the Vikings that'll mean that he really played like the crap version of himself in the 2013 season, and most of the league recognized last year, that Ponder is not a NFL quarterback and I think would be the end of Ponder in the NFL. He hasn't shown enough flashes of incredible potential to this point to warrant someone overlooking the bad side. I believe if Ponder doesn't bring it in 2013 his NFL career is over.

Sorry Jim you beat me to it. You are a little confused there my Favre fan. Ponder signed a 4 year contract in 2011 with a team option for a 5th year. His career would be over after this year if he "doesn't bring it". I guess you do not follow other's careers. How many chances has Tjoke had so far, or Cassell, or Jeff Garcia, David Gerrard, Vince Young, Rosenfells,etc. etc.

[hibbingviking]

ponder should show huge improvement in his 3rd year. I know some think he needs more time, but at some point you have to realize you cant make chicken salad out of chicken sh!t.

[Mothman]

You're not alone in feeling that way, Jim. I believe the current roster has a lot of unproven talent, including all three of the R1 draft picks. None of them have played even one down in pro ball.

Ponder certainly has some things to prove. My biggest concern about him is whether or not he can stay healthy throughout the season. Heck, for that matter, I could say the same thing about Greg Jennings. You can add Jerome Simpson to that list (among other questions I have about him).

The OL should be better. Hopefully, they'll be more consistent with their pass blocking. I have some questions about the DL, what with K-Will getting older and Floyd being a rookie. And no one knows for certain how the MLB position will pan out.

The starting CBs also have big questions. Here's one: who are the starting CBs?

LOL! That sums it up pretty well. I assume it's Cook and Rhodes too. But as you said, health becomes an issue. Even if health isn't an issue, it's possible experience will be an issue in the secondary. I'm hopeful that rhodes can step in and make an impact.

The Vikes play in a division where the 3 QBs on their division rivals threw for almost 12,300 yards last year and yet we don't know with certainty who the team's starting CBs will be this season. Regardless of who they are, not one of them will have played an entire season as an NFL starter going into this one. Ponder's just one of the big question marks on this team.

By the way, regarding the issue of Ponder and pressure: I think it depends on what kind of pressure we're talking about. I don't think there are many players in the NFL who will face more pressure from fans and the media than Ponder will this season but I'm not sure his situation is as dire as some believe. As HornedMessiah wrote early in this thread, Ponder is Spielman's guy. He's going to get every chance to succeed.

[mondry]

You're not alone in feeling that way, Jim. I believe the current roster has a lot of unproven talent, including all three of the R1 draft picks. None of them have played even one down in pro ball.

Ponder certainly has some things to prove. My biggest concern about him is whether or not he can stay healthy throughout the season. Heck, for that matter, I could say the same thing about Greg Jennings. You can add Jerome Simpson to that list (among other questions I have about him).

The OL should be better. Hopefully, they'll be more consistent with their pass blocking. I have some questions about the DL, what with K-Will getting older and Floyd being a rookie. And no one knows for certain how the MLB position will pan out.

The starting CBs also have big questions. Here's one: who are the starting CBs? I assume it's Cook and Rhodes. But again, health becomes an issue. Cook has problems remaining unscathed during an entire season.

Well I'm glad you guys are here to keep my expectations in check but for the most part I don't really share the same concerns. I do agree though that the roster seems to be a tad over rated when we have threads comparing it to teams like 98 and 09.

CB - who are the starters? Hopefully the same ones as last year + rhodes - a part time winfield.

MLB - I'd be concerned here if our starter last year wasn't Brinkley. They made zero effort what so ever to retain him and probably for good reason. So I agree the position isn't locked down or anything but at least compared to last year it's not a huge deal for me.

WR - Let's look at the facts, we lost Harvin and really had no one you could consider a #1 or perhaps even a #2 WR but they managed. A lot has to go wrong at this position for it to be equal to last year's group. Jennings + Patterson + healthy simpson + second year of wright + healthy / motivated carlson - Jenkins - Harvin (who we played some of our better ball without anyway)

G - Same group as last year, so I feel safe in saying they'll be average again.

QB - I think the late season playoff run showed that Ponder is improving and going in the right direction. One of the biggest things imo anyway is that losing Harvin forced Musgrave to change it up and pass a little more down field. Ponder didn't crumble in this time period, which if he was going to (again) it'd be when added pressure was put on him to throw down field a bit more. Instead he did well, connecting with Jarius Wright and making the most out of guys like Jenkins and a hobbled Simpson. My point is I think musgrave learned a lot about his QB / offense, that when forced, maybe we don't have to treat the whole thing like a baby. I think a lot of his critics are going to be pleasantly surprised this year.

As far as injuries go well yeah but that is always an issue for any team with expectations. The team that wins the superbowl is one that is usually left relatively in tact by the time they get there. If we lost Harrison Smith or Matt Kalil we'd probably be screwed.

[Mothman]

Well I'm glad you guys are here to keep my expectations in check but for the most part I don't really share the same concerns. I do agree though that the roster seems to be a tad over rated when we have threads comparing it to teams like 98 and 09.

CB - who are the starters? Hopefully the same ones as last year + rhodes - a part time winfield.

MLB - I'd be concerned here if our starter last year wasn't Brinkley. They made zero effort what so ever to retain him and probably for good reason. So I agree the position isn't locked down or anything but at least compared to last year it's not a huge deal for me.

WR - Let's look at the facts, we lost Harvin and really had no one you could consider a #1 or perhaps even a #2 WR but they managed. A lot has to go wrong at this position for it to be equal to last year's group. Jennings + Patterson + healthy simpson + second year of wright + healthy / motivated carlson - Jenkins - Harvin (who we played some of our better ball without anyway)

G - Same group as last year, so I feel safe in saying they'll be average again.

QB - I think the late season playoff run showed that Ponder is improving and going in the right direction. One of the biggest things imo anyway is that losing Harvin forced Musgrave to change it up and pass a little more down field. Ponder didn't crumble in this time period, which if he was going to (again) it'd be when added pressure was put on him to throw down field a bit more. Instead he did well, connecting with Jarius Wright and making the most out of guys like Jenkins and a hobbled Simpson. My point is I think musgrave learned a lot about his QB / offense, that when forced, maybe we don't have to treat the whole thing like a baby. I think a lot of his critics are going to be pleasantly surprised this year.

As far as injuries go well yeah but that is always an issue for any team with expectations. The team that wins the superbowl is one that is usually left relatively in tact by the time they get there. If we lost Harrison Smith or Matt Kalil we'd probably be screwed.

We might be just as screwed if we lose a starting CB. The scars of 2011 are still pretty fresh and I never want to see a Vikings defenses with coverage that poor again!

It may all work out just fine. My point was that there are question marks on defense every bit as significant as those at QB and there are some significant questions at other positions on offense as well. I get what you said about MLB and CB compared to last year but if the Vikes want to win postseason games, they need to be better than last year. I'm excited about this season and I feel good about the team's chances to make the playoffs and win when they get there. However, I get the feeling some fans view this as a Super Bowl-worthy roster that just needs their QB to step up. I think it will take more than that. Amidst all the focus on Ponder, it's easy to forget how much growing the defense needs to do as well. For example, in addition to that 11 minute drive I mentioned earlier, the defense had a slump of their own that coincided with Ponder's mid-season slump and the poor play of the OL in that stretch. They allowed 4 straight 100+ yard rushing performances (by individuals) against WASH, ARI, TB and SEA and gave up over 100 yards rushing in 6 out of 7 games. They lost 5 of those games.

[losperros]

We might be just as screwed if we lose a starting CB. The scars of 2011 are still pretty fresh and I never want to see a Vikings defenses with coverage that poor again!

It may all work out just fine. My point was that there are question marks on defense every bit as significant as those at QB and there are some significant questions at other positions on offense as well. I get what you said about MLB and CB compared to last year but if the Vikes want to win postseason games, they need to be better than last year. I'm excited about this season and I feel good about the team's chances to make the playoffs and win when they get there. However, I get the feeling some fans view this as a Super Bowl-worthy roster that just needs their QB to step up. I think it will take more than that. Amidst all the focus on Ponder, it's easy to forget how much growing the defense needs to do as well. For example, in addition to that 11 minute drive I mentioned earlier, the defense had a slump of their own that coincided with Ponder's mid-season slump and the poor play of the OL in that stretch. They allowed 4 straight 100+ yard rushing performances (by individuals) against WASH, ARI, TB and SEA and gave up over 100 yards rushing in 6 out of 7 games. They lost 5 of those games.

Good points and well said.

Regarding the notion that injuries are "always an issue for any team with expectations," it's a greater worry for some teams than others. Unfortunately, it's a big time concern right now for the Vikings. Ponder (the starting QB), Jennings (the #1 WR), and Cook (the #1 CB) really need to stay healthy for the Vikings to compete, and their recent track record regarding injuries doesn't inspire confidence.

[mondry]

We might be just as screwed if we lose a starting CB. The scars of 2011 are still pretty fresh and I never want to see a Vikings defenses with coverage that poor again!

It may all work out just fine. My point was that there are question marks on defense every bit as significant as those at QB and there are some significant questions at other positions on offense as well. I get what you said about MLB and CB compared to last year but if the Vikes want to win postseason games, they need to be better than last year. I'm excited about this season and I feel good about the team's chances to make the playoffs and win when they get there. However, I get the feeling some fans view this as a Super Bowl-worthy roster that just needs their QB to step up. I think it will take more than that. Amidst all the focus on Ponder, it's easy to forget how much growing the defense needs to do as well. For example, in addition to that 11 minute drive I mentioned earlier, the defense had a slump of their own that coincided with Ponder's mid-season slump and the poor play of the OL in that stretch. They allowed 4 straight 100+ yard rushing performances (by individuals) against WASH, ARI, TB and SEA and gave up over 100 yards rushing in 6 out of 7 games. They lost 5 of those games.

Possibly, Injuries usually don't help, that's for sure!

I'm not going to try and argue that they don't need to be better, you always want to be better. I just wonder if they might have been good enough for a playoff win if Ponder was able to play that game at 100%. We just don't know how much better they really need to be, but they did beat that same exact team just a week earlier. *shrug*

Yeah I remember those games, and the defense I'll give is, when your offense can't move the ball, your D is on the field a lot and wears down. We won it against Washington, their rushing yardage came off of a 1 big play but against Arizona we lost time of possession 35:05 to 24:55, against TB we lost it 37:45 to 22:15, against Seattle we lost it 36:00 to 24:00. Those are gigantic discrepancies, and sure you can argue the defense can get itself off the field too but at some point your defensive line and LB's are getting tired.

The other thing is, look at who those rushers were. Marshawn Lynch #3 in the league, Doug Martin #5. Alfred Morris #2 (of course it was RG3 who broke 100, though ONE 73 yard run helps with that), Howling - well nothing special there I suppose.

Hopefully the offense can do it's part and the defense gets better!