Vikings Message Board.Com

Webbfann wrote: You got the first part right.

Joe Berger Wow that would be something new but I heard that he played QB when he was 10 playing Pewee Football. A 6-5 310 lb. QB

King James wrote: I actually had a dream about 2 years ago about the Vikings winning the super bowl and Ponder was holding the trophy along with Peterson.

Yeah, and I've had dreams that I could climb walls like Spider-Man and fly like Superman too. Me becoming a superhero is more likely than Ponder leading a team to a Super Bowl win.

majorm wrote: Yeah, and I've had dreams that I could climb walls like Spider-Man and fly like Superman too. Me becoming a superhero is more likely than Ponder leading a team to a Super Bowl win.

I used to hold out hope, he was going to be a slow developer, sorta like Gannon. But I came to realize most of Gannons problem were arm angles. Once he got comfy in KC he rose to the top.

King James wrote: I'm not Mike Zimmer, I don't know his thought process. Just like when everbody thought Cassel would take Ponder's job this season? I mean he did but Ponder had to be damn near injured for him to lose it. I think we all agree Ponder sucks. But don't you think at the same time that our last coaching staff didn't develop him the way they should? He was just thrown in because McNabb didn't pan out. Norv Turner is a QB guru. I think he can train Ponder to be better than he has ever been. Look what he did for the Browns. I know their record doesn't say much but the Browns had a pretty good offense last year.

In all seriousness, Bill Walsh couldn't make Ponder into a serviceable QB. The guy does NOT have the physical tools. He doesn't have the arm strength. He doesn't have the pocket awareness to keep his focus downfield while he's under pressure. He just doesn't have the "uncoachable" qualities that you have to have to be a top QB in the NFL. He's had more than enough chances to show what he can and can't do. CUT HIM!!!

If he's on the roster when they go to camp, I'll be highly disappointed in Zimmer before the season even starts.

King James wrote:
I'm not Mike Zimmer, I don't know his thought process. Just like when everbody thought Cassel would take Ponder's job this season? I mean he did but Ponder had to be damn near injured for him to lose it. I think we all agree Ponder sucks. But don't you think at the same time that our last coaching staff didn't develop him the way they should? He was just thrown in because McNabb didn't pan out. Norv Turner is a QB guru. I think he can train Ponder to be better than he has ever been. Look what he did for the Browns. I know their record doesn't say much but the Browns had a pretty good offense last year.

Ponder doesn't seem to have those unteachable intangibles, combine that with a sub par NFL arm, and a propensity for getting injured. He isn't salvagable imo, unless he played a Wes Welker type role as a pass catcher. But I think they have already converted enough QBs to WR. His brain just doesn't seem to process his progressions, and the game hasn't slowed down enough for him. That usually happens by now, you can't run bootlegs on every play, an NFL QB needs to stand in pockets, and move around within. I would not even have him as a backup, too much of a mess for that even.

I would hope they tried to work with those bad habits, but he has regressed from his rookie year, sometimes that happens.

majorm wrote:In all seriousness, Bill Walsh couldn't make Ponder into a serviceable QB. The guy does NOT have the physical tools. He doesn't have the arm strength. He doesn't have the pocket awareness to keep his focus downfield while he's under pressure. He just doesn't have the "uncoachable" qualities that you have to have to be a top QB in the NFL. He's had more than enough chances to show what he can and can't do. CUT HIM!!!

If he's on the roster when they go to camp, I'll be highly disappointed in Zimmer before the season even starts.

I know you can't stand Ponder and I apologizing for nitpicking but I'm going to do it anyway.

I think Ponder has already shown that he can be a serviceable QB (ie: adequate, good enough to win some games). They won 10 games with him as a starter in 2012. Last year, in 4 of the games in which he was QB, they were leading going into the final minute of the game and then lost or tied. We can debate forever about whether the QB should have made more plays in those games or not but the fact is, in each game they had leads and were in position to win in the final minute and they couldn't get the defensive stops they needed. To me, the 10 wins in 2012, the win over Washington this season, the 4 games mentioned above, Ponder's passer rating being over 100 in two of his last 4 starts, all point to a QB who is at least serviceable, a QB who could come off the bench and help a team with a decent defense win some games.

Up to this point, he's struggled with the mental aspects of the game more than anything else and as erratic and frustrating as his performances have been, I won't have a problem with it if Spielman and Zimmer decide to keep him on the roster next year as a backup. If they can put 2 better QBs and a worthy developmental QB on the roster instead, I'll be fine with that too (as long as we don't end up with a scenario like Cassel, Schaub and a 7th round rookie) but Ponder's not incompetent. He actually has value and who knows? It's even possible that a new QB coach and an experienced OC like Turner could help him improve.

The Vikings have a lot of work to do so if they choose to keep Ponder and put their cap money to use elsewhere, I won't be disappointed in them because I don't think it would be an unreasonable choice.

Having said all of that, the best thing for Ponder would probably be to play elsewhere. He strikes me as the classic case of a player who really needs a change of scenery.

Go back and listen to Zimmer's press conference (for his hiring). He makes a statement about not 'judging any player' before he's had a chance to work with them because he's not sure how they've been coached (my paraphrase, but that was the gist of his statement). He wasn't making that statement about the QB position specifically, it was just players in general. But....I am preparing myself to accept the possibility that all 3 of our QBs are in Camp this year (hopefully with some other options). I'm not excited about that, but I'm mentally preparing myself, just in case...

Mothman wrote:Having said all of that, the best thing for Ponder would probably be to play elsewhere. He strikes me as the classic case of a player who really needs a change of scenery.

I agree. I also agree that he's likely to be a adequate backup but I think the fanbase has reached a point where he won't ever get a fair shake here. I don't mean VMB, I mean the fans in the stands, as soon as he has a 3-and-out, the boo's will fly. It would take a rather tremendous turnaround for him to earn back the respect of the fans in Minnesota and I don't know if that's possible for someone whose upside appears to be "serviceable" at best.

I would be okay with a high pick rookie, Cassel, Ponder roster but it's probably best for all party's interests if they part ways. I think his level of talent is one in which they can find a similar player with equal skill set who is "not Ponder."

I doubt new coaches start a draft QB from Day 1. They are probably going to want to start a bit safe with a veteran, to make sure the wheels don't come off before the wagon gets rolling. But who knows...Zimmer's tendencies as a head coach are a blank slate.

Eli wrote:Damn, I hope Joe Webb isn't even on the roster next year. Great kid, but enough is enough.

Yeah, it will be a little sad to see him go, but right now, we cant keep him just because hes a great guy who can block.

S197 wrote: I agree. I also agree that he's likely to be a adequate backup but I think the fanbase has reached a point where he won't ever get a fair shake here. I don't mean VMB, I mean the fans in the stands, as soon as he has a 3-and-out, the boo's will fly. It would take a rather tremendous turnaround for him to earn back the respect of the fans in Minnesota and I don't know if that's possible for someone whose upside appears to be "serviceable" at best.

I would be okay with a high pick rookie, Cassel, Ponder roster but it's probably best for all party's interests if they part ways. I think his level of talent is one in which they can find a similar player with equal skill set who is "not Ponder."

Well said!

Demi wrote: Cassel has a player option, if he wants he can become a free agent. If he has trade value, he might have free agent value...and decide to see what he can get.

Very true I was thinking they signed him to a two contrct.
I had forgot about his option Cassel could void the deal or the Vikings could release him with no further salary-cap hit.

I believe that David Fales will be there with our 4th round pick, with the 1st,2nd and two 3rd's the Vikes either go all D or with the 1st they take the BEST talent available A.K.A Sammy Watkins or Mike Evans. Matt Cassel starts next year with David Fales learning to be the Future. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUMehlpx3NI

PurpleKoolaid wrote: Yeah, it will be a little sad to see him go, but right now, we cant keep him just because hes a great guy who can block.

Well in all (any?) fairness you have to give him the opportunity to do something other than block before you can write him off as unable to do anything but block. He can catch the ball, if you throw it to him. If you look at highlights from his first couple years he can also run with the ball damn well. Now tell me how many chances he got this year to do either of those, let alone both of those on the same play.
I think he will get a chance to show what he can do now that the clowns have left the building, whether it be here or somewhere else.

Ponder as an adequate backup?

Oh my goodness some people will never give up. Like the TJoke fans thinking all he needed was a real shot somewhere and a change of scenery.