First drive key for Vikings?

[dead_poet]

I found this interesting.

1, The first drive: It’s baby steps, but given the state of this offense, especially without Percy Harvin, offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave deserves a lot of credit for giving Ponder an early script that has been tremendously successful during the team’s current three-game winning streak. In the first drives against Chicago, St. Louis and Houston, Ponder has looked decisive, confident and all the other things he lacks far too often. He’s 7 of 7 for 111 yards, one rushing touchdown and one passing touchdown. The other drive ended with Adrian Peterson rushing for a touchdown. The Vikings never trailed after those touchdowns.

http://www.startribune.com/blogs/56735627.html

[Mothman]

Thanks for the link. I was going to mention this dynamic a couple days go and I forgot to do it. I didn't know Ponder's numbers were so good on those 3 opening drives but I was going to say that Musgrave must be doing a good job of scripting plays or preparing for opponents because in 3 straight games, scoring drives on the first possession have been important keys to Vikes victories.

They need to get off to a fast start again on Sunday.

Jim

[S197]

I think the first drive for the defense is also key. Over the last two seasons Rodgers has come out on fire on their first drive.

[Demi]

Didn't we have the same thing with Childress? Opening drive they'd look competent. After that whether it's play calling or head case QBs the passing game just falls apart entirely. Either Ponder doesn't have the head for it, or Musgrave doesn't. There has to be a reason everything clicks when the plays are preplanned and focused on leading up to it and looks so anemic afterwards.

Musgrave has improved as the season has gone on, maybe with a better quarterback we'd manage an average passing game!

[jayryp81]

Didn't we have the same thing with Childress? Opening drive they'd look competent. After that whether it's play calling or head case QBs the passing game just falls apart entirely. Either Ponder doesn't have the head for it, or Musgrave doesn't. There has to be a reason everything clicks when the plays are preplanned and focused on leading up to it and looks so anemic afterwards.

Musgrave has improved as the season has gone on, maybe with a better quarterback we'd manage an average passing game!

The problem i have with these (first drive successes that make Ponder look good) is that they are all scripted plays with Ponder simply executing and not reading any coverages. Then later in the game when he has to read the defense, well....he can't

[Purple bruise]

Starting to smell like another "Ponder Jacking" even though he has been exceptional with a lot of key first drives

[dead_poet]

The problem i have with these (first drive successes that make Ponder look good) is that they are all scripted plays with Ponder simply executing and not reading any coverages. Then later in the game when he has to read the defense, well....he can't

Are you kidding? Quarterbacks read defenses/coverages every play. Even Christian Ponder.

[Purple bruise]

This Vikings offense has been one of the NFL’s best at registering early scores . They rank 3rd in the NFL with 48 points scored on opening drives and 3rd in TDs scored with 6. The Vikings have been especially adept on opening drives, scoring TDs on the first offensive series in each of the last 3 games – all wins