New QB Christian Ponder intends to earn the respect of Vikings fans and his teammates

Stupid vikings ownership needs to either change its colors to black and yellow or go back to wearing purple when they used to win superbowls. Stupid vikings

From this article I see the method in the Viking's apparent madness with this pick.

If his game matches his attitude and confidence we may have a good one. I never heard these kind of leadership statements coming out of T-Jack's mouth

While I still think we could have picked Ponder in the #24 to top of R2 range, I did not know the FSU offense has similar terminology to Musgrave's offense. Reduces the learning curve and IF the now "on again" lockout ever gets resolved, maybe we can see how Ponder, Webb, and a FA veteran battle it out for the starting job.

Not sure how big of a need TE was, given our needs at LT, RG, C, WR, DT, DE, OLB, CB, and FS. We passed on a lot of good players to grab Rudolph, who was the consensus #1 TE. Was tough watching R3 without a pick and nothing to show for giving it up... Tomorrow is another day

IUVikes1 wrote:

While I still think we could have picked Ponder in the #24 to top of R2 range, I did not know the FSU offense has similar terminology to Musgrave's offense. Reduces the learning curve and IF the now "on again" lockout ever gets resolved, maybe we can see how Ponder, Webb, and a FA veteran battle it out for the starting job.
Not sure how big of a need TE was, given our needs at LT, RG, C, WR, DT, DE, OLB, CB, and FS. We passed on a lot of good players to grab Rudolph, who was the consensus #1 TE. Was tough watching R3 without a pick and nothing to show for giving it up... Tomorrow is another day

Musgrave wants to use 2 TE sets, something that should benefit Ponder - short passing routes and more blocking up front.

Dugan, Shiancoe and Kleinsasser are all between 7 and 13 years in the league, and ALL THREE are free agents after this season.

This was a PERFECT pick.

Christian is saying all the right things. I hope they get dome FA's to help protect this young QB.
They have to face the Lions,Bears,pretty good defenses twice a year. Work hard and good luck.

Here is the problem Vikings fans are having with this draft selection. Most worship at the church of the NFL on Sundays and are going to very uncomfortable chanting "Christian! Christian!" when he throws a touchdown pass.

To McNabb or not McNabb.....that is the question. Whether it's smarter to throw a rook into the fire, or have him carry a clipboard for 1-2 years.....many questions to Ponder.

I'm just glad we won't see or hear anything about Jackson anymore. That guy was horrible. Wilf's biggest mistake was letting Tomlin leave, he should have pre-emptively fired Childress and hired Tomlin. In interviews you could see that Tomlin was a leader, a motivator while Childress came across as a cross between a paranoid coach and a buffoon. Remember how lame the 2 minute drills were after years of being the head coach? Thank God Childress is gone.

Again if the vikings bring in a veterern to start instead of Ponder or Webb they will just have ruined this team in the long run if they do this I will bet you what happen to Childress will happen to them so go ahead Frazier make the move and we'll see how long you be coaching because I will have no faith at all in the vikings being any good for many years., Veterern = dismise to this team

gas wrote:

Again if the vikings bring in a veterern to start instead of Ponder or Webb they will just have ruined this team in the long run if they do this I will bet you what happen to Childress will happen to them so go ahead Frazier make the move and we'll see how long you be coaching because I will have no faith at all in the vikings being any good for many years., Veterern = dismise to this team

I just read that they would like to bring in a veteran QB which leads me to the question of why reach for Ponder at #12?

So I wonder what's going to happen to that 5 year old lemon of a QB. Like an old automobile that never worked the way it was supposed to, do they keep him, but put him up on blocks and let him rust away like an abandoned car, or do they try to trade him for something more useful, or....just call the tow truck and ship him to the junkyard.

Was Ponder a reach at 12? Could be. Would they have a chance at getting him if they traded down? No!! So they made the right choice. Some days, what the previous coach did affects your choices. The Moss trade and the failed TJ experiment come to mind. Considering Ponder's accuracy and intelligence, if you take away his injuries, he would have been the #2 QB, behind only Gabbert. I like Ponder's chances. SKOL.

like the kid i believe he has what it takes to a great starting qb in this league.

Thinking, first item is a couple visits to a real good dentist. Whoa...

Ponder: "I'm not going to try to be Brett Favre". What a relief it is to hear him say that. That comment should give the Viking Nation some serious some peace of mind.

Gen Burkhalter wrote:

<quoted text>
I just read that they would like to bring in a veteran QB which leads me to the question of why reach for Ponder at #12?

Because there will likely be no offseason workouts, he's not going to get his hands on the playbook until August or September, he's not going to be able to talk to his offensive coordinator, etc., etc., etc.

Whatever wrote:

<quoted text>
Musgrave wants to use 2 TE sets, something that should benefit Ponder - short passing routes and more blocking up front.
Dugan, Shiancoe and Kleinsasser are all between 7 and 13 years in the league, and ALL THREE are free agents after this season.
This was a PERFECT pick.

This is scary, Las Vegas wonder - but you're dead-on right for a second time. Outstanding pick and for all the reasons you mentioned. It would be nice if Rudolph was a stellar blocker (book on him is, as you know, very low grades here), but that can change of course and his skills as an offensive weapon are scary good (drops nothing thrown his way). Kleinsasser is no offensive threat - purely a blocker, and Dugan very situational, so that leaves Shank - things to think about for the guy you refuted with your post. VERY solid pick.

TheMaster wrote:

I'm just glad we won't see or hear anything about Jackson anymore. That guy was horrible. Wilf's biggest mistake was letting Tomlin leave, he should have pre-emptively fired Childress and hired Tomlin. In interviews you could see that Tomlin was a leader, a motivator while Childress came across as a cross between a paranoid coach and a buffoon. Remember how lame the 2 minute drills were after years of being the head coach? Thank God Childress is gone.

Yes. What a refreshing change in attitude from a dud like Jackson, who when asked 2 years ago about the prospect of starting, said, "I'm really not ready yet." Even if true, you don't say that to the media and fans - total imbecile. Confidence lost right then and there. With Ponder, you have the exact opposite - he's already clamoring to start.

Was Mike Shanahan Planning To Pick Ponder at #16?
Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News is considered one of the most connected sports writers and has historically had the most accurate mock drafts. In fact this year's mock draft was also the most accurate:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/nfl-draft/20...
Because this, his mock drafts have become very popular. Gosselin created quite a stir when he predicted Mike Shanahan and the Redskins would pick Christian Ponder with the 10th overall pick:
http://www.hogshaven.com/2011/4/28/2138905/ri...
http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/20...
What really happened was the Redskins traded back to pick 16 and the Vikings picked Ponder with the 12th pick. When Rick Spielman, head of the Vikings scouting department and drafting program, was asked about their attempt to trade back he said that the reason they were unsuccessful in trading back is because they weren't willing to trade back further than #16 and risk losing Ponder. Those picking between numbers 13 and 15 were unwilling partners
At # 16 the Redskins picked a defensive end. Trading from #10 to #16 to pick up a defensive end makes no sense because the Houston Texans were also in the market for a defensive end at pick #11. Furthermore, the Redskins did not pick a quarterback in the draft and appear to be screwed if they are unable to retain McNabb. This could have been the same situation we would be in.

Start him or not? Good case for both. Rogers...Brady...Steve Young...good to sit him right. Manning...Big Ben...Ryan...Flaco...the other Manning...first year starters...Not sure about Montana,did he start his first season? How bout Elway? Either way He will be good or not good and success come's either way. I say support the guy and give him a chance if your a true Vikings fan your with them in sickness and in health! cough cough....still a bit sick from last year sorry....but I'm still here Vikes! Go get em Ponder! Whenever you get your chance!