Vikings Message Board.Com

His leash should be watching Cassel start the third.

But he'll be given at least until the bye week.

This is actually unfortunate. Ponder should be given this full season to show us whether or not he is our man. We are not winning the Super Bowl this year, we just have too many weaknesses (LB, S, QB, OL), but if the game can finally slow down for Ponder (which unfortunately, I don't think will happen, I think he will end up in mediocrity - just good enough to start, but bad enough that you are wishing for a new starter), then we have one less hole to fill and if we could address LB and S next year, we have a team (assuming the OL gets back on track).

LA Viking wrote:This is actually unfortunate. Ponder should be given this full season to show us whether or not he is our man. We are not winning the Super Bowl this year, we just have too many weaknesses (LB, S, QB, OL), but if the game can finally slow down for Ponder (which unfortunately, I don't think will happen, I think he will end up in mediocrity - just good enough to start, but bad enough that you are wishing for a new starter), then we have one less hole to fill and if we could address LB and S next year, we have a team (assuming the OL gets back on track).

Super Bowls can be won with average, competent QB's. Super Bowls CANNOT be won with bad QB's. "They" say that 32-35 games started by a QB should tell you everything. Ponder is close to that. He hasn't shown any real improvement. Time to move on.

Though, I feel Ponder should be given a home game before he gets the axe. It's a tough situation when you're juggling with a #### OC and a #### QB. Who do you blame first?

If Ponder is really hanging on by a thread then maybe they should call Tampa Bay and see if those rumors about Freeman being on the outs have any truth to them. I saw an article earlier today that Freeman plans to ask for a trade before the October deadline. Maybe they would be interested in a one-for-one swap? Cassel could start for a couple weeks until Freeman acquaints himself with the offense.

I still don't think Ponder is in any immediate danger of losing his job. That article makes it seem like it's Frazier's decision whether or not to bench Ponder and go with Cassel, but I'm not sure that's the case.

I love Josh Freeman. I would be extatic if the Vikings would pick him up but I don't see it happenign.

PurpleMustReign wrote:I love Josh Freeman. I would be extatic if the Vikings would pick him up but I don't see it happenign.

Really, what has Freeman done? He threw for 125 yards today in a loss and 210 yards the week before.

80 PurplePride 84 wrote:Just because Ponder sucks doesn't mean Cassel doesn't.

LOL, doesn't mean he does either, does it? Did he suck when he played for NE? Or his last preseason game here? How many snaps have you seen him take with our starting O. In your mind, are we stuck with Ponder forever? Because anyone else sucks?

PurpleKoolaid wrote: LOL, doesn't mean he does either, does it? Did he suck when he played for NE? Or his last preseason game here? How many snaps have you seen him take with our starting O. In your mind, are we stuck with Ponder forever? Because anyone else sucks?

Benching Ponder now sends a clear message that the Vikings are going to move on. Do you do that, risk alienating anyone in the locker room who supports Ponder, possibly getting a worse result, and tip your hand for the draft already? Or, do you stick with Ponder, do what you can to improve his play and keep competitive, and risk alienating anyone in the locker room who is tired of Ponder at QB? It's a heck of a balancing act, but winning does make a nice balm. But who is the winner?

BGM wrote: Benching Ponder now sends a clear message that the Vikings are going to move on. Do you do that, risk alienating anyone in the locker room who supports Ponder, possibly getting a worse result, and tip your hand for the draft already? Or, do you stick with Ponder, do what you can to improve his play and keep competitive, and risk alienating anyone in the locker room who is tired of Ponder at QB? It's a heck of a balancing act, but winning does make a nice balm. But who is the winner?

I haven't given up on the season, but I have on Ponder. The good he shows is overshadowed by the bad. The pick 6 was the game. He still stares down receivers like he did his rookie year. He doesn't wait for his read progressions like other good QBs. He did actually make an audible today, but should we bite the bullet and let him play more for that? Because I think we are just waiting for bad Ponder 2 games in a row. Which, at this point, would ruin this season. After that I don't care what they do with him. They have shown me at least, they have no idea how to pick a QB, in a draft or FA.

PurpleKoolaid wrote: I haven't given up on the season, but I have on Ponder. The good he shows is overshadowed by the bad. The pick 6 was the game. He still stares down receivers like he did his rookie year. He doesn't wait for his read progressions like other good QBs. He did actually make an audible today, but should we bite the bullet and let him play more for that? Because I think we are just waiting for bad Ponder 2 games in a row. Which, at this point, would ruin this season. After that I don't care what they do with him. They have shown me at least, they have no idea how to pick a QB, in a draft or FA.

I know you have given up on him, as have many here. I see very little good that can come of keeping him starting. However, if I am the head coach, my job is to give the team the best opportunity to win. So, does benching Ponder do that? That's a very tough question to answer with any certainty. Do you stay with the devil you know or the one you have yet to face and hope he becomes a savior instead? Personally, I do think the Ponder era should end here.

I really think that we need to give him the full season, but if I were Frazier, I would probably be very close to putting in Cassel. Though, I haven't seen much from Cassel (in his limited preseason appearances) that would make me think that he is the better option, but the coaches have a much better feel for the QB edge.

It is kind of ironic/sad/funny that Ponder's backup at FSU is looking to be a pretty solid QB right off the bat.

Let Ponder finish out the season and sink us so we draft 1,2, or 3 and Draft the Alabama QB. All he does is win national championships.

Laserman wrote:Let Ponder finish out the season and sink us so we draft 1,2, or 3 and Draft the Alabama QB. All he does is win national championships.

Great, if the Vikings are playing the SEC. Wait, not sure they could win in that league.....

Raptorman wrote: Great, if the Vikings are playing the SEC. Wait, not sure they could win in that league.....

The Vikings lost by 1 point in a game where they gave up 246 kickoff&punt return yards to Devin Hester. This is not a team that is going to win less than 7 games. They could have won today, probably should have won today. That they didn't does not make them the disaster some on this board are proclaiming them to be. They are likely a good, not great team. Unfortunately, all bets are off if AD is injured and cannot play at 100%. However, if AD can indeed play, it should be remembered that he has more rushing yards in weeks 1 and 2 this year than he had in his 2000+ yard season last year if I am not mistaken. That will overcome a lot of inconsistent QB play, like last year, especially if they utilize C. Patterson in the Percy Harvin role to a greater extent than they've done so far.

CalVike wrote: The Vikings lost by 1 point in a game where they gave up 246 kickoff&punt return yards to Devin Hester. This is not a team that is going to win less than 7 games. They could have won today, probably should have won today. That they didn't does not make them the disaster some on this board are proclaiming them to be. They are likely a good, not great team. Unfortunately, all bets are off if AD is injured and cannot play at 100%. However, if AD can indeed play, it should be remembered that he has more rushing yards in weeks 1 and 2 this year than he had in his 2000+ yard season last year if I am not mistaken. That will overcome a lot of inconsistent QB play, like last year, especially if they utilize C. Patterson in the Percy Harvin role to a greater extent than they've done so far.

Thats how I see it. I wanna see Ponder play like he did in the second half for the next few games though and for the D to not take me through so many roller coaster rides.