Christian Ponder Expectations

Swaps · Joined: 28 Dec 2006 Posts: 1682 Location: SKOL!

He's the first Vikings QB taken in the first round since Daunte. Daunte excelled because he had an amazing team around him. Christian is coming into a DISASTER with 1 real WR, a very good prospect TE, the best running back in a game that is no longer dependant on a running back, NO offensive line, and a defense that isn't really helping.

If Ponder was on the 2000 team with Chris Carter, Randy Moss, Chris Walsh (i love chris walsh...) then he would've done JUST as well and Daunte, if not better. (he doesn't have those tiny hands)

Let's build a team around Ponder, THEN judge what we have.
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Frank Costello · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 11:51 am Post subject:

I'm torn as I love both Ponder and Webb. On one hand you have Ponder who can be deadly accurate with the football. Has wheels, and a great football IQ.

But gosh is Webb intriguing. He has that 'it' factor. He might not look the prettiest doing it, but he gets it done.

So really I'm fine with either, I'll leave that up to the coaching staff. Just because we used a first round pick on Ponder, doesn't mean we should waste Webb's talents if he is the better fit.
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Vikefan79 · Joined: 05 Apr 2005 Posts: 25063 Location: Atlanta

milanb · Joined: 04 Jan 2008 Posts: 5164 Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Frank Costello · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 12:03 pm Post subject:

Virginia Viking · Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 2452 Location: Unemployed in VA

ArcticNorseman · Joined: 06 Mar 2005 Posts: 1429 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska

Here's what I expect from Ponder - provided he has an offensive line & no improvements are made at WR (the Vikes sticking with Percy and Jenkins).

3,500+ yrds/60%/28 TDs/19 INTs + 3 rushing TD and 350 yrs on the ground.

For Comparison's sake, here's Eli's, Big Ben's and Aikmans 2nd yr statistics:

Eli: 2005 557/294/52.8%/3,762/6.8/235.1/24/17/75.9 QBR

Big Ben: 12 games 2005 268/168/62.7%/2,385/198.8/17/9/ 98.6 QBR

Aikman: 15 games 399/226/56.6 %/2,579/171.9/11/18/ 66.6 QBR

Given the historical perspective Ponder's situation most closely resembles that of Eli and Aikman. I'll stand my optimistic ground that if he stays healthy, Ponder will exceed these three . . . but probably not beat the best sophmore season ever :

Marino: 1984 16 games: 564/362/64.2/5,084/317.8/48/17/108.9 QBR

this providence · Joined: 28 Dec 2006 Posts: 10962 Location: Ugh.

Mine are pretty simple:

1. First and foremost; PROVE HE CAN STAY HEALTHY the entire year.

2. Show significant progression. Don't care about numbers. Just look the part at the position and not what we seen last year.

If he fails to meet both of those, they better have no qualms about using their top pick on a QB in the 2013 draft.

Nozizaki · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 6:17 pm Post subject:

I don't give one poop about Comp %, he can have Tebow numbers. I want to see a positive TD-Int Ratio and more consistent accuracy. I also want to see at least one game winning drive in the 4th quarter.

I like what I saw last year against Carolina, Atlanta and at home against the team who must not be mentioned. His accuracy is admirable on the run.

ArcticNorseman · Joined: 06 Mar 2005 Posts: 1429 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska

Whether numbers seem important or not, that's about 2/3 of how a QB is evaluated . . . case in point, Ponder's 3rd down completion percentage and red zone TDs were impressive, but his TD-Int Ratio and W-L numbers weren't.

All the other stats like yards per attempt, yards per completion, . . . yada, yada yada . . . are nice, but the guts of the discussion is will he be that guy the Vikes know will win when the chips are down and the fans will fall in love with?

He had some experience in driving comebacks, but fell short - if we were to put the blame solely on his shoulders.

The other 1/3 we all evaluate QBs on boils down to leadership, celebrity and staying healthy.

I think Ponder's smart, very smart, and he learned a few things about taking hits this year. He'll be harder to get to next year, and the year after that he'll evolve . . . be more like Brees and Rodgers as far as avoiding hits, knockdowns and sacks. We should start seeing that from him this year.

shah8 · Joined: 06 Jan 2010 Posts: 848

As I've said before, I don't seriously expect Ponder to finish the season. Thus this thread has an "And I'd like a Pony, please" element. I expect many more hopeful threads like it as we approach a horrible 2012 season. NFC North and NFC East looks to be absolutely monstrous next year. Fully expect us to pick high next year.

Anyways, instead of projections and expectations, or any numbers...

Ponder has to be able to adequately pass behind the LB in situations other than set one-read plays--from the pocket. Ponder can't stay healthy because he's not acting like he's physically talented enough to play in the NFL. I.E., that OL is getting blitzed all the time, because no DC believes that Ponder can burn them if they leave CBs on an island. Because that OL is getting blitzed all the time, Ponder is getting hit by rocketing LB/Ss instead of wrapped to the ground by the DE/DT. Not good for durability. Everyone knows this, and we'll have Webb out there for most of the season, learning on the job, so to speak.

ArcticNorseman · Joined: 06 Mar 2005 Posts: 1429 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska

dang shah . . . remind me to take you out partying sometime . . . lol.

Any number of opinions, optimistic/neutral/pessimistic, should and will be presented . . . your analysis of why you don't believe Ponder will succeed is compelling.

Quite frankly, if you look at the situations QBs go into, very few of the great ones succeeded on poorly run teams. The owners and front office always improved the personnel around the QB and as chemistry developed within the team and organization, winning happened.

The teams that win not only have very deep talent on both sides of the ball, the players have chemistry.

The attitude of a player contributes greatly to that. Ponder's exceptionally smart, and intense, but laid-back. Similar to Adrian in that regard . . . and AP could've been bitter about his knee injury -- heck he could be in the media today slinging crap about bounties. But, he's not and that says a lot about why he's respected more than just for his running ability.

The Terrell Owens', Santonio Holmes, Pacman Jones', Haynesworth's personas are the worst a team can have when trying to develop chemistry. I think the Vikes got rid of one of those problems in T-Jack.

The trick isn't so much Ponder himself, it's who the team puts around him and how they gel.

vikingsrule · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 9:25 pm Post subject:

PurpleMugen · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 11:29 pm Post subject:

husker_vikes3 · Joined: 18 Aug 2010 Posts: 7759 Location: Omaha, NE