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Something To Believe In

I know that a lot of us on the staff here have some really varied musical tastes when it comes to some of the stuff we use to go with some of our writing. But, in this particular case, I think tonight's post-game recap has to come with a serving of extra cheese.

California cheese, mind you. . .after all, I hear that happy cows come from California.

So, here's the video. . .everything else is after the jump.

 

Star-divide

Well I see him on the TV
Preachin' 'bout the promised land
Tells me believe in Jesus
And steals the money from my hand

Some say he was a good man
But, Lord, I think he sinned

I'm sure that Donovan McNabb means really well and everything, and I'm sure he's a nice guy. However, if what Ted posted this morning during the time leading up to the game is true. . .well, he has indeed sinned. He didn't/doesn't have the commitment to this team that the coaches want, hasn't shown the willingness to do the work to improve. . .and as a result has not only "stolen" this season from the Minnesota Vikings and their fans, but has "stolen" six potential games that the team could have spent developing their quarterback of the future.

But, today, we got the polar opposite of that.

This offense just straight-up, flat-out looked better with Christian Ponder behind the controls this afternoon. Yes, you can say that Ponder got a lot of help from Adrian Peterson, who ran for 175 yards on 24 carries on the afternoon. But you know what? Peterson got a lot of help from Ponder, too. Of the 13 passes Ponder completed on the afternoon, eight of them went at least 12 yards, and overall he averaged 16.8 yards per completion.

You want to take away the big 72-yard completion to Michael Jenkins to start the game? That's fine. . .without that, he still managed 12.25 yards per completion in his debut. That's the sort of thing that will open things up for a running back to average 7.3 yards per carry.

Ponder was mobile. . .he was sacked twice on the afternoon, and lost a total of two yards on those two sacks. He showed poise. . .tell me, how great was that third down completion to Greg Camarillo when he was running all over the place?

By the end of the game, Ponder was playing on an offensive line that had two backups (after Anthony Herrera re-injured his knee, Brandon Fusco was in on the line with Joe Berger on the interior), had only three wide receiver options (the Vikings only had Camarillo, Jenkins, Devin Aromashodu, and Percy Harvin active for today's game, and Harvin didn't play most of the second half after re-injuring his ribs). . .and the guy just kept. . .on. . .fighting.

Was the completion percentage great? Heck no, it wasn't great. Were the two interceptions sort of ugly? Yeah, they sure were. But, you know. . .after listening to the Trent Dilfers of the world kill this team for making Ponder the 12th pick of the 2011 NFL Draft, and hearing that he's too short or doesn't have a strong enough arm and blah blah blah blah. . .

I loved what I saw out there today. This is a game where the Vikings were supposed to get massacred, playing without three starting defensive backs and starting a rookie quarterback for the first time. And they stayed in the game right until the end, largely because of the effort that rookie quarterback put forward.

Somewhere in Minneapolis tonight, after watching the effort the guy that his coaching future will, inevitably, be tied to put forward, he may indeed be saying something like this:

Sometimes I wish to God I didn't know now, the things I didn't know then.

Leslie Frazier thought he had a solution at quarterback when he brought in Donovan McNabb. He didn't know what McNabb was going to bring to the table wasn't going to amount to a whole hell of a lot.

The reality is that his solution at quarterback was probably standing there all along.

We're in the early stages of a rebuilding process here, folks. . .but from what we saw today, it appears as though that we might have the most important piece already covered.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is something to believe in.

Comment 88 comments  |  1 recs  | 

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Disagree

I like The Offspring and all, but I was going for the cheesy 80s inspiration vibe.

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by Christopher Gates on Oct 23, 2011 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions  

my comment totally posted before i was finished

His stats weren’t world beating, but he looked good. You could tell the team was playing better with him behind center. It was great to actually see a spiral on a football, I haven’t seen that in a while.

With a decent Oline, and perhaps a WR or two, he is going to be very good.

by FSUViking on Oct 23, 2011 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions  

HE WAS VERY GOOD FSU +7

by cali viking on Oct 23, 2011 11:59 PM CDT up reply actions  

+7

and hitting the WR on the numbers… that was nice too.

Vikings Valhalla .com

by Admiral BigGun on Oct 24, 2011 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions  

I hope its more of something to come....

Then, OMG we have had such SHIT, that anything looks better.
The O looks peppier, they are working harder, past some of the catched I think Armoaticshoe could of made, the rest of the WRs were working their butts off to be ready to catch the balls.
Im actually excited about next week. This may of been a check in the L column, but they looked better in that loss then they have all season. And losing by only 6 to who we did, is better then alot of teams have done this year. Good for us.

2011 Vikings, keeping the liquor industry in the green ALL YEAR LONG!

by LeeleeX on Oct 23, 2011 9:25 PM CDT reply actions  

To quote: “Leslie Frazier thought he had a solution at quarterback when he brought in Donovan McNabb. He didn’t know what McNabb was going to bring to the table wasn’t going to amount to a whole hell of a lot.”

Should anyone be surprised that Donovan McNabb is the same now as he was last season in Washington? To paraphrase every Viking fan’s favorite coach: “he is who we thought he was!”

by Bodysuit Man on Oct 23, 2011 9:26 PM CDT reply actions  

Well...

In Washington, McNabb was throwing to terrible receivers, had a running game that was less than mediocre and the offense that Shanahan runs is one of the more complicated offenses in the league.

Logic would make you think that if you give McNabb better receivers, one of the best running games in the league, a slightly better offensive line and an offensive scheme that is more similar to what he ran in Philly; he would play at a a higher level.

Which is the way it should have been… But it seems like McNabb just did not have the desire to win.

by Bjorno on Oct 23, 2011 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions  

I think the fact that Shanahan was hot to go with Rex Grossman and Door #3

over McNabb should have been ample warning. The offense was too complicated for McNabb but not for Grossman? That’s worrisome.

by Bodysuit Man on Oct 23, 2011 9:51 PM CDT up reply actions  

well, now grossman is on the bench...and the skins lost to carolina with john beck.

i think their “qb problems” are just code to mask a potentially serious coaching issue.
way to go shanahan & son, i think they need to be scrutinized and take some blame.

warcraft, you are my guitar hero !!!

by danny lloyd on Oct 24, 2011 12:54 AM CDT up reply actions  

I wouldn't say worrisome...

That just tells me that Shanahan is having some issues judging QB talent.

That and he thinks too highly of their own ideas.

by Bjorno on Oct 25, 2011 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions  

I know it's been linked somewhere else once

But here’s Tomahawk Nation’s thread about Ponder’s first start:

http://www.tomahawknation.com/2011/10/23/2508828/we-may-not-all-be-fans-of-the-nfl-but-we-are-all-fans-of-christian#comments

I’m still thumbing through it, but my favorite line so far is “he’s not rolling out to pass, he’s rolling out to live.”

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"Arguing with anonymous strangers on the Internet is a sucker's game because they almost always turn out to be—or to be indistinguishable from—self-righteous sixteen-year-olds possessing infinite amounts of free time." - Neal Stephenson, Cryptonomicon

by Christopher Gates on Oct 23, 2011 9:29 PM CDT reply actions  

TN is a good site.

I like the line about the arm strength.

by FSUViking on Oct 23, 2011 9:31 PM CDT up reply actions  

Agree 100%

And now, I must find another song for the SMR.

Bastardo!

Some people just need a high five. In the face. With a chair.

The Daily Norseman
Off Tackle Empire

by Ted Glover on Oct 23, 2011 9:36 PM CDT reply actions  

It’s got my vote

"Let's go our there, and stick our fists through their ribcages, rip our their hearts, eat them, and shit them back out on the field!!" - Blue Mountain State

by Alittlemore_cowbell on Oct 23, 2011 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions  

Question for Viking fans

Do you like the uniform tweaks over the years? I thought the throwbacks they wore today looked sharp and personally I wouldn’t mind seeing them go back to those full time.

"If only a face could talk" -- John Madden

by wibrownguy on Oct 23, 2011 9:43 PM CDT reply actions  

I don’t like the black helmets

"Let's go our there, and stick our fists through their ribcages, rip our their hearts, eat them, and shit them back out on the field!!" - Blue Mountain State

by Alittlemore_cowbell on Oct 23, 2011 9:46 PM CDT up reply actions  

They are not black... But Deep Purple.

I like the darker colors, it makes us look more frightening.

by Bjorno on Oct 25, 2011 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions  

I wish they would wear the all purples

by Lunchpail on Oct 23, 2011 9:48 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions  

the old school uniforms

The new ones are just terrible if you ask me, especially the away set

by Grape Drank on Oct 23, 2011 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions  

i’ve always love the set we had for the like 95-2000ish are my favorites. i remember randall cunningham, CC, and randy moss light up the world with those in 98.

Eclectic fan? You don't know the half of it.

by raiden2332 on Oct 24, 2011 1:17 AM CDT up reply actions  

I hadn't thought about it until you mentioned it.

but you’re right, those were the classic uniform. I was so used to it over the years, that I really didn’t notice. That reminds me how stupid those changes to the uniform were. Change for the sake of change.

Hey, look, it’s a slightly different color of purple! Wow, do those stripes curve!?!?!?

13.

Grossman: Sup, you insulin needing bitch! The sex cannon has arrived! Now get the hell out of my locker room, you chinless mother fucker!

by Wiedmann on Oct 24, 2011 1:46 AM CDT up reply actions  

My favorite part of the second half...

Were the huge third down conversions that we had with Ponder at the helm. AMAZING throw to Cammy!!! I loved the inspiration and effort this offense displayed today. Thank the football gods who saw fit to bless us with a quarterback. He had some bad throws but some really good ones too.

From the cellar of the NFC North coming out to fight the to of the NFC North Pack hard, we looked great at times today. Considering last week we played abysmal against the other team in the bottom of the NFC North and looked strong today I am practically sold on Ponder. If he can learn from his mistakes today and push through to next week(which I totally believe he can, I mean c’mon you don’t get through the collegiate level without showing at least some bounce back) I would say we can right this ship in a year or two, instead of countless years to come, assuming we have a solid draft or two.

by nmatt71 on Oct 23, 2011 9:50 PM CDT reply actions  

What’s a… how you say… third down conversion?

Those seriously surprised me to the point I commented on it to my friend. I said, “This is a weird feeling converting on third down. I haven’t seen much of this in a loooong time. I’ve come to just accept the fact that third down is just an extension of 4th down, and we’re just going through the motions before we punt.”

We lost today, but I’ve never felt better about a loss. Ever.

by cyberuck on Oct 23, 2011 10:10 PM CDT up reply actions  

Lol

I was stunned at the clutch plays Ponder had. I am also feeling the same way, I have never been so excited after a loss before.

by nmatt71 on Oct 23, 2011 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions  

Same here

The Vikings may have lost the game, but it looks like we got verification that Christian Ponder has what it takes to be a good quarterback in the NFL. It surprises me that I feel this hopeful after a loss. Weird.

Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin

The Daily Norseman

by Skol Girl on Oct 23, 2011 11:51 PM CDT up reply actions  

well on a side note

At least we aren’t the colts… I mean 62-7 ouch

by Lunchpail on Oct 23, 2011 10:02 PM CDT via mobile reply actions  

Yeah

And my opponent inthe ff league I’m in had Brees as their qb and new Orleans D…ugh

by Spoolinup on Oct 23, 2011 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions  

i’m not your opponent, but i rolled out brew brees, john kasay, and the saints D today against my opponent. lol.

by RedHat16 on Oct 24, 2011 3:51 AM CDT up reply actions  

Pro's and Con's

Pro’s

Ponder: looked pretty sharp being able to elude the pressure most of the time, was for the most part accurate and able to make throws across his body, also saw a bit of improvement in him looking off coverages.

Peterson: Really do I need to elaborate on this?

Berger: Filled in extremely well at center, opened up huge lanes when we really needed it and handled the line very well.

DL: Put more pressure on the QB this week, even though the Packers OL isn’t that great it seemed to be an improvement.

Berrian: He was scratched, and him not being in the game is an improvement in any week.

Con’s

DB’s: Yep our depth sucks

Tackling: still a problem

Stupid Personal fouls costing us big yardage, groin kicks have no place in the game Robison.

There is hope for the future, we know that McNabb, Berrian, probably 2 if not more of our DB’s will be gone next year, throw a few coaches out on their ear as well and we might have a chance to do something significant.

by Sixmark on Oct 23, 2011 10:20 PM CDT reply actions  

Robison

I am oddly at ease with Robison’s kick. Let me say this first before I elaborate: I am never a fan of cheap shots or cheap play. However, when Robison jumped to block the field goal the tackle grabbed his foot and flipped him onto his back. Then he proceeded to walk closer to stand over him and intimidate/mock Robison.

That explanation being said two wrongs never make a right but Robison is a competitor. Emotions were obviously running high and said emotions got the best of him. He will be fined and I am assuming he will publicly apologize and we can all make our ways past this overall minor incident in a very big game between two bitter opponents that have a long history against each other.

by nmatt71 on Oct 23, 2011 10:33 PM CDT up reply actions  

On top of it

Odds are that kickoff the penalty was enforced on would have been a touchback anyways.

by Mebera on Oct 23, 2011 10:47 PM CDT up reply actions  

"stupid personal fouls costing us big yardage"

He hit the reason for why Robison did it (still stupid, but slightly justifiable) and I went after the big yardage.

Try that roughing the passer for worst one. >.<

by Mebera on Oct 24, 2011 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions  

nice song choice...

And at least we aren’t the Colts. We look like a Super Bowl contender in comparison…

Loved seeing Ponder today. My husband and I thought we were looking at a different team. Defense seems to need some work, but we were also playing an undefeated team. We put up a great fight against the Packers.

by em112000 on Oct 23, 2011 10:20 PM CDT reply actions  

speaking of, seriously 2 of 4 teams from the 09 championship round have 1 win between them? how the mighty have fallen eh…

by RedHat16 on Oct 24, 2011 3:53 AM CDT up reply actions  

I feel bad for the turf monster residing underneath the Metrodome. He’s typically McNabb’s favorite target, but Ponder didn’t look for him once today.

Ponder was so much better than McNabb, that I don’t even care if he was under 50% completion percentage. He threw with more accuracy and timing than McNabb ever has, or Jackson for that matter. The man actually converted third downs through the air. I don’t have McNabb’s stats in front of me, but I know his 3rd down stats were awful, whereas Ponder made some great throws on 3rd down. The one to Camarillo was an NFL play that a Vikings’ QB hasn’t made since Favre in ’09. The instincts and awareness to find Camarillo, then the accuracy to put it right on him…awesome.

If I had to hear one more time how good McNabb’s numbers were last week, I was going to vomit. His completions were never true, and he took the meekest safety I’ve ever seen. Ponder’s got a long ways to go, obviously, but I love the feel for the game that he showed today. And he actually looked downfield! McNabb was so allergic to throwing downfield that I thought maybe the NFL had banned passes traveling over 20 yards in the air. It was a huge mistake to ever waste 6 games on that guy, and I’m glad that Frazier finally understood that. I can live with Ponder throwing INTs in which the DB undercuts the route, because those are throws he’ll learn to make. But I cannot live with McNabb continually forcing Shiancoe to the ground on a 5 yard rollout. His skills, whatever he once had, are gone.

by frank_grimes on Oct 23, 2011 10:22 PM CDT reply actions  

Totally agree about McNabb

That safety did look terrible. It definitely was the worst looking safety ever. I mean even the safety that Stafford had when Jared Allen was chasing him and he ran out the side of the endzone was more lively. Stafford was running away to save his life and to possibly make a play, whereas Donovan went all fetal and I’m almost positive when the pile cleared he was still sucking his thumb.

by nmatt71 on Oct 23, 2011 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions  

I stand corrected

Upon further research it was indeed Orlovsky. It popped into my head and I felt like making a comparison. Should have looked it up. My bad. It had happened kindly recently and I assumed it was Stafford. Well I guess I just rediscovered why you don’t assume(aside from the whole you part on this one this one was all me, lol).

by nmatt71 on Oct 23, 2011 11:33 PM CDT up reply actions  

still though, wrong qb aside, you are correct lol. that saftey, at least the detroit qb was trying to escape the pressure..

by RedHat16 on Oct 24, 2011 3:55 AM CDT up reply actions  

I haven't seen a pass like that

Since Webb to Harvin on a 3rd down in the Eagles game last year. I think it’s pretty safe to say that if Ponder ever goes down, we’ll have a competent backup in Webb.

That said, Ponder looked a lot better than his stats showed today. And were we over 50% on 3rd downs for once?

by Mebera on Oct 23, 2011 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions  

Lots of things to feel good about even though we lost

This was one exciting game and it was because we have a QB who has heart, and he inspired a team that looked liked it was ready to crumble after last week. Maybe now all the suck for Luck talk will stop and we can see who wants to be on this team going forward. I can hardly wait for the SMR.
SKOL!

by nmvikesfan on Oct 23, 2011 10:22 PM CDT reply actions  

ahhh

Time to get a new jersey such a joyous occasion

by Lunchpail on Oct 23, 2011 10:29 PM CDT via mobile reply actions  

Dirt and Cumulus Clouds

Zero catches, zero attempts

Those two stats are a breath of fresh air.

by Jepp The Viking on Oct 23, 2011 10:29 PM CDT reply actions  

I don't get it.

"Show me a hero, and I will write you a tragedy." - F. Scott Fitzgerald

by abba7 on Oct 23, 2011 10:33 PM CDT up reply actions  

Dammit

I get it now. Ponder looked way more accurate than his predecessor. It sure is more fun watching someone giving his all than just gathering a paycheck.

"Show me a hero, and I will write you a tragedy." - F. Scott Fitzgerald

by abba7 on Oct 23, 2011 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions  

So how amped do you think McNabb is

now that he gets to ride the bench and collect a check for a second season. He did get plenty of TV time on the sidelines as a cheerleader though, maybe it’s a new calling for him.

by Sixmark on Oct 23, 2011 10:38 PM CDT up reply actions  

I'll Get Flamed for This, but Here Goes....

13/32, 219 yds, 2 TDs, 2 INTs.

Am I the only one who’s not bowing down to Ponder yet? If you read the comments, you’d think he had a helluva lot more than 13 completions. McNabb has had better numbers than that and he gets pitchforks and torches.

Ponder bounced passes, floated passes, and his deep throws were off target rainbows.

Don’t get me wrong, I think McNabb is done and would rather have Ponder or Webb in there at this point, but with all of 13 completions in a loss, I think it’s way too early to crown Ponder as QB for life.

by JasonAve6413 on Oct 23, 2011 10:37 PM CDT reply actions  

It was his first freakin game!

McNabb is supposed to be a seasoned vet! I thought the kid showed some poise, and he moves around the pocket REALLY well. He’ll get better

"Show me a hero, and I will write you a tragedy." - F. Scott Fitzgerald

by abba7 on Oct 23, 2011 10:40 PM CDT up reply actions  

Plus

He brings a spark back to the offense that McNabb doesn’t. They will fight for him because he keeps fighting. There is not stat for that.

by suns_shine on Oct 23, 2011 11:01 PM CDT up reply actions  

AND

on his first pick HE made the stop… his hustle alone deserves the credit

by Lunchpail on Oct 23, 2011 11:12 PM CDT up reply actions  

jasonave

you are right, 13 completions are nothing to write home about, less the 50% completion %, and 2 picks. but its the way those stats were accumulated that make ppl excited about the future. and, in my opinion, rightly so.

by RedHat16 on Oct 24, 2011 3:57 AM CDT up reply actions  

No flaming involved

I think the biggest reason Ponder’s play impressed everyone is that our coaching staff did not make play calls like he was a rookie quarterback.

Normally with a rookie quarterback there are slants and screens galore all game long. But I only remember one screen pass in this game. He wasn’t throwing just slant routes. In fact it seemed almost like the coaches weren’t afraid to call any play to in their playbook. It seemed as if they completely handed Ponder the keys to the offense and went for it all.

by nmatt71 on Oct 23, 2011 11:41 PM CDT up reply actions  

However I will agree the number in the completion column does leave a little to be desired.

But he made some very solid throws and stepped up in very key moments. There were some throws I’m sure he wants back(hell we all want those back) but he was very accurate for most of the night. Some of his throws were off but in a few weeks I feel his timing will be much better with his WRs(mostly Aromashadu, he seemed to be the only guy he couldn’t hit in stride. Probably not used to DA’s speed yet) and after some more gametime and experience he could possibly be game changing quarterback.

I mean despite two interceptions he, with a lot of help from Adrian Peterson, still kept us pretty close in a game where we were “supposed” to be blown out.

by nmatt71 on Oct 23, 2011 11:53 PM CDT up reply actions  

no, you're not the only one....
jasonave said: “Am I the only one who’s not bowing down to Ponder yet? If you read the comments, you’d think he had a helluva lot more than 13 completions.”

….but if you don’t gush over him, the ponderphiles will call you a blasphemer. and then re-circumcise you
with a dull, rusty piece of metal and make you wear florida state nipple pasties ;).

ponder: 13-32 / 219yards / 40.6% / 6.8ypp / 2 sacks / 2 tds / 2 ints / 59.2 qbr <<< not quite h.o.f. yet, imo.

i see some good things, like i saw in joe webb when he got his first start last year.

warcraft, you are my guitar hero !!!

by danny lloyd on Oct 24, 2011 12:07 AM CDT up reply actions  

damn Danny were not going to draft Luck you have to move on brother enjoy the QB we have now he did show a lot of promise hell he had a chance to win the game not to bad against the almighty FUDGE :)

by cali viking on Oct 24, 2011 12:10 AM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

i'm just not going to gush over today's performance, that is all.

he did some good things….i want to see him play some more before annointing him anything.

warcraft, you are my guitar hero !!!

by danny lloyd on Oct 24, 2011 12:22 AM CDT up reply actions  

Of course danny I agree lets see what he has but it is very promising IMOP!!!

by cali viking on Oct 24, 2011 12:49 AM CDT up reply actions  

Yeah he had a promising game..

I personally really liked what I saw. You have to put the level of competition into play, too. He converted 9 of 16 third downs (more than McNabb did all year? hahaha) and only took TWO sacks for a net loss of -2 yards. Plus, a lot of his incompletions were deep chucks or throwing the ball away when he had pressure in his face.

I loved what I saw out of the kid. And while you’re right, it isn’t right to anoint the kid after one game, I thought he did awesome.

"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain

SKOL VIKINGS!

by Landonio on Oct 24, 2011 5:41 AM CDT up reply actions  

The power of hope

I know many Viking fans have said this, but may an outside voice will help explain why a stat line like Ponder put up can be exciting for a Viking fan.

1. He looked like he could grow into a franchise QB.
He may not be there yet, but it’s an arms race in the NFL right now, and if you don’t have a QB then your offense is sure out of luck. That’s what been Vikings football for copule years now (with exception of 2009) and worse yet there really wasn’t a QB on the roster that looked to be able to grow into the QB for a long period of time before Ponder. Ponder threw enough key throws and opened enough running lanes for there to be hope that he can grow into more.

2. The promise of tomorrow.
Turning around the identity of a franchise is kinda like breaking a life crippling addiction insofar as you have to hit rock bottom. Well if the offense can continue to move the ball like they did Sunday, then rock bottom should be Chicago and the Vikings can start climbing out of the bottom of the NFC North for future years.

3. The Future is now…..ish.
The Vikes haven’t been playoff contenders for at least a week, probably a couple weeks now. As a result the team should peak at some of their younger players and show the fans what the future of this team will look like. Not fun for vets, but that’s life in the NFL. Ponder showed enough to get people excited and let people know that the future should be better than the present.

by PackApologist on Oct 24, 2011 4:04 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions  

Well yes and no

Sure, fine “first game” whatever is a fine argument.

But also, 12 of his 13 completions were for first downs or scores. He makes them count. Given that his Yards per Attempt in this game was just about league average in a pass-happy year (although I hear that this week was tougher for QBs than weeks 1-5), I think that’s great. Generally speaking, yards per completion and completion percentage don’t matter. It’s yards per attempt. He did well in that category.

The reason it seemed like he had more completions than he did was because he made them count. He moved the chains.

We were booing McNabb when we were up 21 points at the half. The reason? He had nothing to do with those points. We’re excited about Christian Ponder because he played a huge role in those points.

by Arif Hasan on Oct 24, 2011 12:18 AM CDT up reply actions  

The stats don't tell the whole story

He looked a lot better than that statline implies.

13.

Grossman: Sup, you insulin needing bitch! The sex cannon has arrived! Now get the hell out of my locker room, you chinless mother fucker!

by Wiedmann on Oct 24, 2011 1:54 AM CDT up reply actions  

This

This is a classic situation where you had to watch the game to appreciate the performance. The picks were bad, rookie mistakes. However, Ponder made some very accurate and difficult throws, moved very well, and ran very well. After this game, I think it is clear that Ponder is no bust. Here’s to looking forward to when Cutler is considered the worst QB in the NFC North!

by Ben T on Oct 24, 2011 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions  

and how many of those were smart decision making to throw the ball away

instead of taking a loss on the play? You have to take into account the entire scope of what today was, a ROOKIE making his first start, who got the job done when it mattered for the most part.

Ask any coach in the league if they would rather have mice stats or a QB who gets the job done and they will take a workhorse every time. Ponder proved to be a big step in the right direction.

Ponder made throws that veteran QB’s can’t make today, he eluded the pressure without having to look at who was chasing him. These are things that a person cannot coach, they are natural ability, the only way for him to go from here is up, and that’s a pretty good upside.

by Sixmark on Oct 23, 2011 10:44 PM CDT reply actions  

A quarterback trying to make something happen...

Is going to throw some picks. Brett Favre held just about every good record a quarterback could want, but he also held a record for interceptions too. At least Ponder has shown he’s willing to take a chance on making something happen.

I like Ponder’s poise in the way he came back from those interceptions and didn’t get intimidated about throwing in the direction of Charles Woodson. Tom Pelissero may have said it best, he said that Ponder doesn’t play scared. Clearly, he feels the pressure, but Ponder wasn’t going to let Woodson’s presence dictate where he was going with the play. It’s kind of gutsy and is nice to see.

Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin

The Daily Norseman

by Skol Girl on Oct 24, 2011 12:04 AM CDT up reply actions  

here here!

sold my mcnabb jersey for 25 bucks online and cutting my losses, may the ponder era be the greatest in viking history!

by A's Crazy on Oct 23, 2011 11:42 PM CDT reply actions   1 recs

Holy crap

How the heck did you get $25 for a McNabb Jersey?

13.

Grossman: Sup, you insulin needing bitch! The sex cannon has arrived! Now get the hell out of my locker room, you chinless mother fucker!

by Wiedmann on Oct 24, 2011 1:55 AM CDT up reply actions  

Probably sold it

to one of McNabb’s relatives.

"Three-pointer from the parking lot...YES! The Golden Griff!"

by Dr. Dunkenstein on Oct 24, 2011 7:34 AM CDT up reply actions  

I dunno

You see how his mom left partway through the Bears game?

They might be disgusted as well. If I was related to McNabb, I would just pretend his career ended in 2009. It kind of did, anyway.

by Arif Hasan on Oct 24, 2011 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions  

We have a QB

We have a QB! A QB that won’t need a walker in 5 years! WE HAVE A QB! Granted, he’s still a little rough around the edges but there was some throws in there that were just amazing.

by muffin man on Oct 23, 2011 11:52 PM CDT reply actions  

Ponder vs Newton next week will be fun to watch

Newton is my fantasy QB and Ponder is my favorite QB. I expect a very high scoring game next week

by RaysOfHope on Oct 23, 2011 11:55 PM CDT via mobile reply actions  

Great, great game for Ponder today.

Just watched all of the offensive drives with Ponder, and while he did have some “rookie plays” (his two picks to Woodson were the primary culprits), he had a great day. Getting 16 yards a pop on the completion percentage, converting 8 first downs with his legs/arm, and doing a FANTASTIC job of keeping the drives alive/Aaron Rodgers off the field. The offense looked completely revitalized with Berrian and McNabb off the field, and I think our team is only going to come together more under Ponder as we move along. Heck, we might go 3-13, but with a solid draft or two this team could be looking at some serious contention. I loved what I saw out of the kid tonight.

And for once, we have a quarterback for the future. It feels great.

"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain

SKOL VIKINGS!

by Landonio on Oct 24, 2011 12:07 AM CDT reply actions  

Clerly the spark............................

………………..the spark this team needed! I really thought this may have been the most inspired team-wide effort of the year. I thought Ponder was great!

by Marooned Pirate on Oct 24, 2011 8:46 AM CDT reply actions  

Yeah the stats aren't the full story.

The picks? They’re picks. Those will be the #1 thing to improve on and I hope and think Ponder can improve on that. The completion %? That stat is misleading. I remember seeing a lot of incompletions and throw-aways on 1st and 2nd downs but 3rd downs were often huge completions of 10+ yards. Plus at the end of the game we were taking all those shots down the field which will continue to be bad until we get a WR built for that type of throw.

by Crosseyes on Oct 24, 2011 10:45 AM CDT reply actions   1 recs

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