Christian Ponder

[Skol12]

WTF!!!

That is the only statement that I could begin this post with. I have never been high on Ponder, but I will admit I started to have some faith after the week three win over San Fran and boy was that a mistake. Since his good start Ponder has morphed into Blaine Gabbert. He looks skittish, lost, nervous, and just plain awful. When he is on the field, he looks like a deer caught in the headlights it is as if everything is moving too fast for him which is fine for a rookie but he has over a full season of starts.

Ponder has a great running game, outstanding TE's, an average OL (replace Loadholt and Johnson and I will say good), and at wr we have a great balance in Harvin as a slot/explosive, Jenkins for possession, and Simpsonin the flanker role. I believe if we replaced Jenkins with a STUD wide out(Dwayne Bowe comes to mind) we would have a top 5 offense up there with Green bay, Atlanta, Houston, New England and those powerhouses. Our limitation can only be Ponder I wanted to like him I tried an then I REALLY tried but he just keeps letting me down. His supporters will say its only his second year which is true, but that is the only reason for optimism because he hasn't shown any on the field. There is a chance Musgrave could be a part of the problem, his play calling is god awful and he doesn't seem to call plays that will allow Ponder to really get the ball down field, but Ponder has also shown inability to throw short and intermediate routes.

I feel like I should put a disclaimer to begin this paragraph: I am not saying Ponder is done and we should draft a new quarterback but I am going to say my opinion. I am afraid to say we may be stuck with the next Alex Smith, a semi-bust but every year he just barely shows enough to keep him around for another year and not spend a pick on a new quarterback. I think the Vikings do need certain positions(#1 Wr, OG, DT, LB) bad enough to where there is no chance of getting another quarterback in the first 4 rounds of the draft this year so Ponder will be the guy next year too but what if he doesn't show any ability to lead this team into the playoffs?

[Fran the Man]

I'm with you Skol. The first 3 games of the season and I thought we had our QB. Now, I'm not too sure. He's definately the weakest link on our offense.
We play a really poor pass defense tonight, so I'm curious to see how Ponder does. If he stinks it up tonight, that won't do much for his confidence.
I agree that we need a deep threat, as Simpson can't seem to stay on the field.