vikings/nfl

Prior to the season if you said Ponder in 2012 will largly be a non factor averaging 170 yards passing per game, barely 1 TD per game and a passing game that ranks dead last in the NFL, NOBODY would say give thing guy one more year starting Qb. As ESPN wrote on Ponder's 2012 campaign "it's been a huge disappointment". Fact is, 25 starts into his career and he still struggles with some basic Fundamentals. When he plays up to par of an average Qb for this league, we get excited! Ponder better be gone next year. We don't need more games to see what his capabilities are. His play at FSU was no better.

I disagree with siouxchamp; it is interesting to note that Ponder's numbers for the year in every major category are just below those of Jay Cutler, and no one would say he is an average QB. Josh Freeman crashed and burned even with Vincent Jackson to throw to; Matthew Stafford didn't get it done either. Concerning his fundamentals, he has been getting his feet planted better. I agree with the Chip; if the Vikings win and Ponder plays the way the coaches prepare him, why would you can him?

With just an average QB, the Vikings at the very least, would have wins over GB and Indianapolis, and would be 11 and 4. There is nothing in his overall body of work to say that he is a starting NFL QB. The Vikings cant come out and argue with that statement, because they have no other options. If Ponder was a free agent next year, no other NFL team would sign him to start.

Here is the Ponder v. Cutler stats. for 2012: Ponder: 62.4% completion, 2701 yards, 15 TDs, 12 Int, 78.8 rating; Cutler: 58.8% completion, 2776 yards, 18 TDs, 14 Int, 80.2 rating. I would note that Ponder LOST his go to receiver (Percy Harvin) and Cutler had Brandon Marshall.

don50: Eli Manning finiished his second season with a 77 QB rating. The Vikings have a run first team set up, so Ponder has to be viewed in that light. He has laid some eggs, but the jury is still out. And he definitely would be signed by another team. The Vikings are stuck with a second year QB but he is a smart guy who is learning all the time. At least that is my impression.

What if Ponder led the Vikings to a victory Sunday, then threw three picks in the playoff game at Lambeau Field? He's not going to leap into elite QB status, so why not beg the Seahawks to trade Matt Flynn for your No. 1 pick? Flynn could be starting for a half-dozen NFL teams, and Seattle would be wise to auction him after the season.

I could see bringing in an average veteran to back up Ponder but I don't want to see an average veteran starting for the Vikings ahead of Ponder. We went young at quarterback to the point of currently having 3 young quarterbacks. We need to develop one of them or draft another one to be that quarterback that's better than average. Seattle and Washington both look like they drafted above average quarterbacks in the 4th round this year. We could do the same. I don't know if Ponder is the one but if we end up with an average quarterback we will more than likely have a team that gives us about a .500 record on a regular basis. There's no point in looking for an average QB to start for us.

winonavike: On 3rd and 10, would you rather have Ponder or Cutler as your QB? I'd have a lot more faith that Cutler will make a play over Ponder. You cannot survive in the NFL without consistently and accurately throwing the ball downfield.

The one thing about the Cutler-vs.-Ponder comparison is that Cutler had to miss a game and a half because of injury. So yes, they do have very similar statistics, but Cutler has compiled his in six fewer quarters.

I think the vikings will win on Sunday. I think the vikings should use Gerhart and AP in the backfield together as much as possible. Gerhart is capable and it would give the defenses something to think about. While Felton is a great blocker, the defense knows he won't be running the ball. We have a great line and I would like to see Gerhart and AP together. What do you think?