No doubt in Minnesota: Christian Ponder is Vikings’ quarterback

[Big Bid'Ness]

Fromrofootballtalk

The Minnesota Vikings spent the 12th overall pick in last year’s NFL draft on Christian Ponder with the idea that he’s going to be their franchise quarterback for years to come, and nothing that happened in Ponder’s rookie season will change that.

Rick Spielman, who was recently promoted to General Manager of the Vikings, confirmed on today’s PFT Live that the Vikings still view Ponder as their No. 1 quarterback.

“He’s going to be our starting quarterback when everyone is back for OTAs,” Spielman said of Ponder.

That matches what Ponder said on today’s Dan Patrick Show: He’s been assured that the Vikings will use the third overall pick in the NFL draft on a position other than quarterback.

“I talked to our G.M. yesterday, and we had some conversations about who we’re thinking about drafting, and we’ll see,” Ponder said. “I kind of have an idea.”

Baylor’s Robert Griffin III may be available with the third overall pick, but if he is, the Vikings will pass or trade down. They view Ponder as their guy.

 

[Elite]

Ponder sucks

 

[Rice18]

Ponder sucks

A.E. told me to ask you now that the Jets suck who is your team.

Also, I have no way to judge any QB we have until we get a halfway decent Oline.

 

[kam.]

A.E. told me to ask you now that the Jets suck who is your team.

How are yall even talking shit? Don't yall have the 3rd pick in the fucking draft?

 

[Rice18]

How are yall even talking shit? Don't yall have the 3rd pick in the fucking draft?

1. I am not the one talking shit.
2. He calls himself a vikings fan, yet doesn't watch a complete game unless they are on when the jets are not. Then gives out stuff like "Ponder sucks" when if you watched the vikings at all this year you would know that you can't even rate ponder till we have a half-way decent line.

 

[Elite]

1. I am not the one talking shit.
2. He calls himself a vikings fan, yet doesn't watch a complete game unless they are on when the jets are not. Then gives out stuff like "Ponder sucks" when if you watched the vikings at all this year you would know that you can't even rate ponder till we have a half-way decent line.

The Vikings are my second favorite team, whereas the Jets are my favorite team.

Why would I watch my second favorite team over my favorite team?

 

[.infamous]

I've seen the Vikings enough times this year to tell yea their o-line is that great but Ponder still needs a looooooottt of work. But this year he has ota, training camps and shit, so that might help him out for next season. Although if Ponder starts out bad next season, I could definitely see the Vikings moving to Webb for the rest of the season.

 

[Mooche]

I love the people writing off Ponder already..

Give the kid a chance. Seriously. It goes for all these young quarterbacks this year as a whole. Just because Ponder, Gabbert, etc. aren't putting up Cam-esque numbers doesn't mean that they will be flops. Do I think every one of these signal callers will be studs? No. But don't give up on them yet.

As for Ponder, the offense as a whole for the Vikings is in complete shambles. Charlie Johnson is an absolute terrible LT as I know from his days with the Colts and on the other side Loadholt is a load of garbage. Harvin is only his real weapon in the passing game, and by the end of the year Aromashodu was getting a lot of snaps. That speaks volumes.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

some QBs just take a few years to get it right. I agree -- there's no reason for people to be writing him off already. I usually give a QB 3-4 years to get it right.

No reason to doubt Ponder already or draft someone else at QB. Like infamous said, the kid has a ton of work -- and with a good O-Line, he can really learn to make better and quicker reads in the pocket and not be under pressure constantly.

 

[BwareDWare94]

Ponder looked very good outside of his interceptions. People look at that INT stat and just assume he looked flustered out there. That is not the case. He showed command of the offense and great leadership. He also showed a willingness to run for first downs, and that's something that even some quarterbacks in the upper tier don't do (Tony Romo, Eli, Rivers, etc). He's a good quarterback with a strong arm and plenty of mobility. His upside is much greater than Joe Webb's, who had multiple opportunities to win the game against Chicago on Sunday. Also, don't forget that had Joe Webb scored and the Vikings had taken the lead, Jared Allen would have more than likely secured the single season sack record because Chicago would have had to pass in the fourth quarter. But when Joe Webb can't beat Josh McCown, we know that Christian Ponder is the better of the two.

 

[vikesfan]

I love the people writing off Ponder already..

Give the kid a chance. Seriously. It goes for all these young quarterbacks this year as a whole. Just because Ponder, Gabbert, etc. aren't putting up Cam-esque numbers doesn't mean that they will be flops. Do I think every one of these signal callers will be studs? No. But don't give up on them yet.

As for Ponder, the offense as a whole for the Vikings is in complete shambles. Charlie Johnson is an absolute terrible LT as I know from his days with the Colts and on the other side Loadholt is a load of garbage. Harvin is only his real weapon in the passing game, and by the end of the year Aromashodu was getting a lot of snaps. That speaks volumes.

+1

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

Ponder will be fine, he'll be especially happy when they draft Blackmon. I like Ponder and he'll get better, the Vikings as a whole were just really bad, you can't place much of the blame on Ponder for their struggles. Once he gets a team built around him he will be a good QB.

 

[Elite]

I thought Ponder was trash before the draft, nothing has changed my opinion

 

[elcheato]

I wasn't a huge fan either. If they suck again they can just take Barkley next year

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

I thought Ponder was trash before the draft, nothing has changed my opinion

If I were you, I'd be more worried about finding your replacement for Sanchez.

I want to see what Ponder can do when he actually has some help. Generally when you are playing on a team that is hurting in about every area, there's a good chance it might make you look pretty bad as well. The offensive line wasn't very good, Peterson couldn't stay healthy, didn't have a ton of options at WR aside from Harvin. I'll be curious to see what he can do with an improved offensive line, another play maker or two and a healthy Peterson. Plus, it would be beneficial for them if they improved that secondary because it will be hard to win games with that atrocious secondary. Need to get some injured players back and add a few guys. Minnesota will be strong in a few years.

 

[Elite]

If I were you, I'd be more worried about finding your replacement for Sanchez.

I want to see what Ponder can do when he actually has some help. Generally when you are playing on a team that is hurting in about every area, there's a good chance it might make you look pretty bad as well. The offensive line wasn't very good, Peterson couldn't stay healthy, didn't have a ton of options at WR aside from Harvin. I'll be curious to see what he can do with an improved offensive line, another play maker or two and a healthy Peterson. Plus, it would be beneficial for them if they improved that secondary because it will be hard to win games with that atrocious secondary. Need to get some injured players back and add a few guys. Minnesota will be strong in a few years.

Remind me what Sanchez has to do with anything in this thread?

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

I also like Rudolph, he'll be good going forward. Shiancoe is alright. He's got a few guys but needs some more help.

 

[RipCity32]

Ponder's ceiling IMO is an average QB.

 

[kam.]

Never liked Ponder coming out.

I though he was overrated, and drafted way above where he should have been.

Hes made some good plays this year but mostly just dinked and dunked his way down the field and he has basically his whole career even at FSU. He'll be nothing more than a Average/Below Average QB in the league.

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

Remind me what Sanchez has to do with anything in this thread?

Cause you are saying Ponder is garbage while you were just sticking up for Sanchez a month or two ago, that just doesn't make sense. You were making excuses for his poor play, I'm pretty sure we can come up with a lot more reasons of why Ponder struggled, he had a lot of issues around him. Got to at least give Ponder a chance, he didn't have much of a chance to prove much this year. For whatever reason I liked him coming out of Florida State and I still think he'll do well, time will tell I suppose.