Christian Ponder Could Be Odd Man Out for Vikings
On the surface, it’s certainly unfair to him after only one season, but people are starting to question if Christian Ponder is the future Quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings. Even more unfair to Ponder, is that the majority of this, has nothing to do with his on-field performance. These questions are being stirred because of the fact that the Vikings hold the 3rd pick in the draft, and a chance to land Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III.
Last week, the rumors that Minnesota would entertain drafting Luck or Griffin, got some credibility, as Vikings GM Rick Spielman acknowledged it would be under consideration. To that I say, why wouldn’t it be? Sure it’s not what Christian Ponder wants to hear, but beyond that, the Vikings are stupid to not weigh all their options.
There is no question that Ponder showed potential in his first season. The team seemed to respond to him after he took over for Donovan McNabb mid-season. He looked like a rookie Quarterback should, left you smiling at times, and shaking your head at others. It seems clear that given an opportunity over time, that Ponder could be a good NFL Quarterback.
The question then becomes, is good, good enough? Say what you want about Ponder, he is not in the same a class as Andrew Luck or RG3. Maybe over time, he gets to their class, but in the eyes of talent evaluators everywhere, Luck and RG3 are on the next level.
Many Vikings fans want to draft Justin Blackmon, which would give Ponder a clear number one option for years to come. This is definitely a realistic option, and should be under equal consideration. However, the most important position in the NFL is quarterback. Elite QB’s don’t just come around every year. The Vikings have a chance that presents itself to a franchise, maybe once every fifteen years.
At the end of the day, the NFL is a business. Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III are highly marketable, franchise players. Taking either one, would certainly not be a step back for Minnesota on the field, and it’s a step up, off the field. Nothing is set in stone in Minnesota, and during a rebuild, all options have to be considered. Christian Ponder could hear his name called again this year on Draft day, only this time, it may be because he’s been traded.
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Rick Speilman also said that there is alot of confidence in Christian Ponder from within the Vikings facility. The interest in Griffin (Luck will be gone about 20 minutes before we make our pick) is nothing more then leverage to try ransom a team like Washington Miami or Seattle to jump into the three spot. Which is the smart move. Winning is as profitable a good QB. And I dont know if you watched any of the Vikings games but if we draft RGIII he will be playing with the same oline that gave Ponder less then 1 second to throw on several occasions. (Tom Pelissaro did an article on this in December) He will have to throw to the same WRs that get no seperation. And a secondary on the other side of the ball that gets torched up and down the field. Speilman is hoping for a big trade so we can address our real issues. And if you really did any research you would know that draft analysts say the Vikings NEED to address LT and CB early. They also say the Vikes need to target WR DT LB RG and at least one safety. Its a good thing Spielman is our GM and not Andrew Fisher cause you would have us sitting in the basement of the NFL all over again.
I agree totally with you Mack. Also the only people questioning Ponder’s future with the Vikings is you,Andrew.
ok, vikings are not going to get rid of ponder that easily, not unless they can get a mid to early 1st rounder for him. THe only way i see this happening is if we draft RG3, and trade ponder to say miami. We can then get the second top LT, that is the only way i could see this happening, and it just seems way too much of a long shot. Ponder had some bad moments, but he had some realy good throws last season, in that atlanta game he was on FIRE. just watch the highlights, he hit some throws that just dazzled, give him a decent o-line before you turn on him, half a season is not enough time, and that new o-line will also help our best weapon, ADP