Ponder Me This...
by Skol Girl on Apr 29, 2011 12:02 AM CDT
Email
PrintEven though I wasn't leaving the house to see the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, I dolled up. I wore my John Randle jersey (intended satirically because Randle was a rookie free-agent), artfully coiffed my hair, and made my eyes sparkle with some glittery purple eye shadow. With the way this off-season has been going, thanks to the lockout (at the moment, lifted!) being currently being battled in the courts, it seemed like the draft might be the last good time football fans have for awhile.
Clad in purple and looking fabulous, I parked myself on the couch and prepared to watch all the drama and pomp leading up to the Minnesota Vikings' first round draft pick. And this year's draft did not disappoint.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was booed by the crowd at Radio City Music Hall every time he took the stage, but that didn't prevent early draft picks like Von Miller (Denver Broncos) or Marcell Dareus (Buffalo Bills) from engulfing him in massive bear hugs. There were smiles as one after the next strapping guys donned team hats, shook hands with the Commissioner, and got their picture taken holding their new team jersey.
As expected, Cam Newton was snapped up first overall by the Carolina Panthers, but after that the night got a little more interesting. The Atlanta Falcons sold the farm in a massive trade with the Cleveland Browns so they could select Julio Jones with the 6th overall pick. The Titans surprised everyone taking Jake Locker, the quarterback many considered the likeliest to end up in Minnesota, with the 8th pick of the evening. Then the Jacksonville Jaguars traded with the Washington Redskins so they could nab Blaine Gabbert at pick number #10, taking another quarterback rumored to be a Vikings possibility out of the running. At 11th, the Houston Texans selected J.J. Watts, and suddenly the Vikings were on the clock. All those months of planning and speculation would come down to this.
If the title of this post isn't too much of a spoiler, join me for more after the jump.
Despite all the talk about how the Vikings, with their plethora of needs, wouldn't likely get their top-tier guys at #12, by the time they were on the clock there was still some shockingly good talent available, namely Prince Amukamara. But leave it to the Vikings, who kept us guessing all last season to bypass, not only Amukamara, but also Nick Fairley, Mike Pouncey, Anthony Castonzo, Cameron Jordan, and anyone else that seemed like a likely pick.
Congratulations, with the 12th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft Christian Ponder, the 6'2" 229 lb. quarterback out of Florida State University, is going to be a Minnesota Viking. Like the crowd at Winter Park, I'm feeling unsure about this.
When Rick Spielman appeared in front of the seriously annoyed Vikings Draft Party crowd at Winter Park some of those vocal, and ever-so-slightly inebriated fans, actually booed Spielman. That's hard to fathom because Spielman seems so likable, but the crowd at Winter Park was not in the mood for likable, they were in the mood for blood. They had just watched the Vikings pass on some incredible talent and they wanted to know why.
Watching the Winter Park Draft Party online at the time the Vikings #12 pick was announced, I saw the amazed crowd split into three camps: some cheered, some booed, and the majority just kind of scratched their heads and gaped at the screen. Apparently, the Vikings choosing Ponder in the first rounds was still puzzling the crowd when Rick Spielman showed up not long after the announcement and he got the brunt of their...well, it wasn't quite "anger", but it missed "support" by a long shot.
When asked to defend choosing Ponder, Spielman raved about the guy's football intelligence, accuracy, and leadership. Not only that, but the buzz about Ponder is that he's one of the most NFL-ready quarterbacks in this draft because he played for Florida State. Most importantly, the Vikings are convinced that Ponder can operate in Musgrave's offense, making all the plays that it will call for. Although Ponder has a history of injuries, the Vikings feel he is healthy (enough) and are really high on this guy. To see both Spielman and Coach Leslie Frazier talk about Ponder, I'd say their feelings border on "man crush."
But there was something that made me a little suspicious of all the praise Spielman was lavishing regarding Christian Ponder's intelligence. As proof that Ponder was such a smart guy, Spielman cited that Ponder had a master's degree in business administration.
Of all the things that Rick Spielman could tell me to prove that Christian Ponder is a bright guy, the fact that he has a master's degree in business administration is probably the most likely to get me to shrug like a French policeman. I'm sorry, it just doesn't impress me.
If you're going to wow me with the Ponder's intelligence tell me he's a rocket scientist or a microbiologist or a linguist specializing in dead languages. Tell me he's up for a research grant in speech therapy, or that he is a forensic psychologist. If you want me to be blown away by Ponder's intelligence tell me just about anything other than that he has an MBA.
See, I know people who have MBAs, I am a person with an MBA. We aren't all that stunningly intelligent. C'mon Spielman, tell me you can do better than that!
However, considering how many players take easy courses of study and then never bother actually graduating from college, I guess Ponder probably stands out like Lady Gaga does pretty much wherever she goes. And, maybe that's okay. Ponder doesn't have to be a savant, he just has to be smart enough to hand the football to Adrian Peterson. Wowing Rick Spielman is a bonus.
Eventually, it will all come down to deeds rather than post-draft sound bites. How will Ponder do during training camp (if we have one) when he's training with Joe Webb? Does he make it to the starting roster? How does Ponder fair if he does start? How do the Vikings fair if Ponder starts?
We'll see how thrilled Spielman, Frazier, the team, and all the fans are with Christian Ponder's football intelligence come next year's draft. Hopefully, in a year it won't be Ponder's academics were talking about, it will be his success. Heaven knows we don't need anymore draft day drama.
136 comments
|
1 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I think it was more that he finished his undergrad, then got a masters, then started working on another….then was just like oh yeah lets go get drafted…gotta be somewhat smart to be able to balance all that
by Jermaine_Wiggins_Love on Apr 29, 2011 12:11 AM CDT reply actions
Eh.
You certainly need to be focused and motivated to do that. Smart? It is definitely a plus, but it isn’t necessarily a given. Look, I’m not saying Ponder isn’t brilliant, just that proving he’s brilliant by saying he has an MBA doesn’t really mean much to me.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Pretty fair points all
Still to get the BA in 2.5 years? Some of it is the time frame involved while balancing athletics. The BA was in Finance IIRC Not Einstein perhaps but then doubt Albert could manage a forward pass either ;-)
"Mel, yeah Mel Kiper Jr. He knows about as much about football as a Japanese space pilot." Rick Trickett
Nice write-up Skol Girl
Very well put. I admit to being disappointed – have been eagerly anticipating this draft. I’ve been a Viking fan for 40 years and hate last place. With our window of opportunity closing due to an aging roster I was hoping for a bigger splash. Tonight the rich got richer – i.e. New Orleans landing both Cameron Jordan and Mark Ingram.
I remember John Madden talking about how smart Ty Detmer was, lol.
Skol Vikes!
I'm still disappointed...
That the Vikings didn’t take one of the elite defensive players that were available when they were on the clock. I’m sure I’ll get over it, but that saying that defenses win championships is kind of ringing in my mind when I look at what Detroit did last night.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Yes
It tells me that he’s level-headed and disciplined.
That will certainly help. Then again, an offensive line would help, too.
Level-headed and disciplined?
No doubt. That isn’t the same as smart. It is a great indicator of work-ethic and commonsense though, and that might be more important than being a rocket scientist.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Wonderlic Test
Ponder scored a 37
That means he’s much smarter than the average rookie QB
I'm a rocket scientist in my spare time
But I can’t read defenses, so I’ll just have to get used to Ponder.
Rocket science is over rated
and full of constants Try something difficult like predicting the weather.
"Mel, yeah Mel Kiper Jr. He knows about as much about football as a Japanese space pilot." Rick Trickett
Not to mention
If you ever had a look at a D1 or pro play book ( I have) and your are the QB. That is a hell of a lot of stuff to be putting in your head.
I am close to finishing a masters in natural science Skol Girl. Not that big of deal. Mice to know if I was a much younger, nice lokking college QB I picked something that might have impressed some nice girls like you. Thats a compliment and not a sarcatic cut. Just wanted to point out as PA did, he finished his school work under the pressure of one of the toughest programs in the country where the fans put a lot of pressure on you. It’s not like Minnesota where losing is ," well. thats our Gophers" Your head is on the chopping block. But despite what were down years for FSU Ponder was never the figure of blame. he saved their butts from looking really sorry
AKA : Revenge4Webb
by CitrusFLViking on Apr 29, 2011 12:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Clearly, Ponder has a lot of drive.
And he may have a lot of smarts. I’m just saying that that particular example of said smarts didn’t quite do it for me.
Oh, and congratulations on finishing your master’s in natural science! Smart guys are always attractive.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Exactly
I have many former Dvision I athletes in my family, and few of them took 5 or 6 years to finish their undergrad simply because the load of school and sports was too much for them to manage.
It’s not that he finished his undergrad in 2.5 years that impresses me, it’s that he did that AND played in a Division I West Coast Offense.
Former OSU QB Craig Krenzel got a degree
in molecular genetics, and although he’s a legend in Columbus, he was terrible in the pros, so a degree isn’t everything.
"Lord I pray for the eyes of an eagle, the heart of a lion and the balls of a combat helicopter pilot."
Two master degrees, on the other hand...
… is EVERYTHING.
Formerly known as "Andersklasen."
Check out the best Twins' blog on the web: TwinsTarget.com.
by TwinsTarget on Apr 29, 2011 12:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Having two master's degrees only proves one thing to me
He’ll have plenty of job opportunities if he flunks out of the league in 3 years
Intelligence is a bonus
at the QB position. Intelligence at other positions aren’t as important.
Two master's degrees= Job Security?
In this economy? Maybe, maybe not. But considering Ponder signed in the first round of the draft he’s becoming a millionaire a few times over. Something tells me he’s not going to have to worry about finding a different job for awhile.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Didn't see this pick coming
Not a troll here, just a serious draft day nerd. Thought the Vikings would replace an aging DT in the first and draft a QB like Kaepernic in the second. Oh well, it was a reach, but this kid has tons of talent. This team is solid and will win regardless of who is behind center. Good luck tomorrow.
"We can't stop here... This is bat country."
Well...
I’m encouraging myself with the hope that the Vikings can still find quality players for both the defensive and offensive lines deeper in the draft.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
I think you should be happy with the Ponder pick
He’ll surprise a lot of people early in his career. He wont need as much developing as the QB’s that were drafted ahead of him.
Some words on Ponder
Billick — “backup”
Kurt Warner — “Lacks the skill set to be a quality starter”
Hope they’re wrong and FSUguy is right.
I'm more interested in what Mariucci and Mora Jr. had to say
They’re the ones that have coached West Coast Offenses and Quarterbacks before.
Mooch: I love this pick… he can run that offense very well.
Mora: He reminds me of.a couple guys.. Drew Brees and Joe Montana. I’ve liked this guy all along… I’ve just got a feeling about this kid. And you’ve got to have conviction to pick him at 12. And there was obviously consensus and conviction in the Minnesota Vikings building to make this pick. It was courageous and I think it’s going to pay off.
Speaking of Kurt Warner, he also said this in the same clip: The one thing that everybody talked about was that there is something about this guy. And whenever you talk about great quarterbacks… they always have that something. And you can’t put your finger on it… they just have that something… That’s one thing that you hear everybody say about him is that he’s got that something that could make him special.
From what I've read...
Ponder was expected to go between the late first round of the draft and the early second round. In the St. Paul paper today they reported that Ponder was so uncertain as to where he would go in the draft that he didn’t book a trip to Radio City Music Hall. Thought it would be too weird/assumptive to think he would go in the first round and then end up sitting in the green room unselected.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
25-40
So if the Vikings had passed on him at 12, their inability to trade down paired with their lack of a 3rd round pick to move up from 43 would’ve ruled them out of getting one of “the six” top QB’s in this draft.
I’m just glad Joe Webb won’t be starting behind center this season, he still needs a lot of work if he can become anything at the QB position.
I don't have a problem with picking Ponder
I really don’t.
I have a problem picking him at #12. Are you telling me he wouldn’t have been there at #20? I understand that at 15 and 16 you had the Dolphins and the Redskins, but I doubt either of them would’ve taken Ponder – it seemed predestined that the Dolphins would take Pouncey, to be honest. And Ponder doesn’t fit Shanahan’s style. After that, no one needs a QB.
We could have gotten at least one more pick for that #12 spot – no one saw Prince falling that far (aside from the immortal Rick Gosselin, I guess…). Castonzo’s presence should have also encouraged teams to trade up. Same with Fairley. Hell, even Pouncey.
Come on, man. Draft for value.
According to Spielman, 20 wasn't an option
because they couldn’t get a trade partner. So now you have to ask, is he available at 43? If not, then get him if you really think he’s the guy. Screw what other people think.
"Lord I pray for the eyes of an eagle, the heart of a lion and the balls of a combat helicopter pilot."
I'll be honest
I don’t think he has the ability to say anything other than that. I’ll maintain my unevidenced but somewhat robust skepticism. It is intuitively hard to believe.
I’ll agree he’s not available at 43. Further, I think that a trade down to any first round position would have secured us either Ponder or Dalton. I suppose the Vikings did not see as much in Dalton as I did. It would be unreasonable not to label the Ponder pick a stretch, however.
I would love to eat my words.
I'll serve them to you in December ....would you prefer fried, parboiled or fricasse?
"Mel, yeah Mel Kiper Jr. He knows about as much about football as a Japanese space pilot." Rick Trickett
Why doubt it?
Who wanted to move up? You can’t just will a trade into existence. If no one wants your pick, then you don’t have many options.
My thoughts on the draft.
I will admit that I was a booster for Locker, having said that, it was really surprising that he was gone so fast. After Locker I liked Ponder and Dalton late in the first, early second.
So, while I am not dissipointed in picking Ponder, I do think that 12 was just too high. I don’t understand how there were no trade partners with both fairly and Prince sitting there?
Will the Real Thor Please Stand Up ... ?
by the Real Thor on Apr 29, 2011 7:18 AM CDT up reply actions
Maybe
The other teams knew we would reach like this lol.
They knew they didnt have to trade up, we would leave the serious talent on the board for a QB we “liked”
Im so GLAD they “liked” him, maybe they can Facebook him too!
I just think the reach at 12 is silly for this kid.
**Rupert for ProBowl 2012!**
Ted's right screw em all.
This our guy. Get on board or sit around & bitch about it. Either way the powers that be have made there choice. Is he our diamond in the rough. Well by this time next year we should an idea.
Let's hope that Ponder's deveopment ...
Validates the teams decision to take him at 12.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Exactly Arif, well put
Here is the deal. QB’s were going. They were talking trade but in that time frane (10 min) no one jumped in with an offer that gave the Vikings significant trade value. Had they benn able to auire a Swap that would have landed them Ponder Dalton or Mallet in the later part of the 1st round while gaining a late 2nd or 3rd rounder.
My guess is they were offered gargage. Proboly a 2nd next year and a 4rd and 4th. No one stepped up. It is also obvious that Ponder was not a pussy who ditched drills in the combines and showed off for sccouts whenever he could work out or interview. I think he had a few teams ready to grab him later in the 1st round and the Vikings prefered him over any of the others that would be left over. Mallet was obviously not in their plan and they felt Dalton might also be gone by 43 so tho not wantingto-they had to reach
AKA : Revenge4Webb
by CitrusFLViking on Apr 29, 2011 12:48 AM CDT up reply actions
I'll think about this some more
If we were offered future picks, I can see why (and potentially agree with) refusing those options. Future 2nd and a 3rd and 4th this year isn’t ass-blastingly bad, though.
It would be difficult to give that spot up without receiving a current 2nd round.
But Jeez, man it is so hard to believe no one wanted to jump that! Pouncey, Fairley, Amukamara, Costanzo… even Ingram and Kerrigan could have been had by interested teams.
2 things
I was hoping for from this draft.
1.) We’d get our guy
2.) We don’t embarrass ourselves
I’m not sure how to feel
Minnesota Wild 2011: Don't even bother, unless you like booing.
calm down everyone
I, like the rest of us, was shocked that we passed up some good talent, but give the guy a chance first. hell, tom brady and brett favre were taken further down in the draft then him. after such a terrible calamity last year, lets try to believe in our man leslie frazier and support the new look team!
100+
Agreed. Before we burn him in effigy let him get under center and see what he can do (assuming that he’s still a Viking come Monday).
Working on trusting the scouting.
I know that the Vikings have looked at Ponder an awful lot and so I’m going to have to believe that they know what they are doing with this choice. Apparently, Ponder was really impressive in FSU’s postseason and was awarded and MVP for his performance. That is encouraging because the mental toughness to play well in big games is important if the Vikings are going to climb out of the basement and regain dominance in the division.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
He may just end up being a star
and we’ll be talking about the genious move the Vikings made. We still might get a 1st round quality player in the 2nd round
AKA : Revenge4Webb
by CitrusFLViking on Apr 29, 2011 12:51 AM CDT reply actions
I would love that.
And if Ponder does become a star, then brace yourself for all the people who are going to claim they knew he could do it from the start ;-)
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Ponder's arm strength
This makes me feel a little better — throwing against his body while on the run, accurate, and oer 50 yards:
Beautiful throw.
I think I could watch that all day.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Most interesting part of the draft to me
that didn’t prevent early draft picks like Von Miller (Denver Broncos)… from engulfing him in massive bear hugs.
Von Miller is the one that is part of the Brady case. Miller is actually a part of the lawsuit! I really wanted to know what those two were saying to each other when they were hugging as he took the podium.
Me too.
Miller had said he was going to hug Goodell and he certainly made good on that promise. The news said the hug lasted a full ten seconds. I’m wondering whose job in the news department it is to time hugs?
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Being an FSU graduate who graduated recently
Our Business School is top 100 in the nation, he finished that in 2.5 years. I was no where near close doing that. He also got that MBA and was working on a SECOND masters all while playing QB for a D1 school with a historic program such as FSU’s and he had to learn a complicated pro-style system.
Yeah I would say that wow’s the hell out of me. FSU is always in the top 10 party schools of the nation. So he also manage to do all of that while being in a top 5 party school WHO’S Girl to Guy Ratio has got to be 2 to 1. Tallahasse is an extremely fun town and this kid did all of that in that environment. It is a significant feat by any standards.
by FSUViking on Apr 29, 2011 1:17 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
You forgot to mention that he had to deal with a coaching change as well
that had to have been as hard on the players as it was on many FSU fans I know.
Yeah
I didn’t even mention that either.
Bowden is still a legend in Tallahassee. Although Jimbo did pretty well for his 1st true season as HC. You like Green going to the Bengals?
I like that he was a top 5 pick.
I think that there are better situations he could have ended up in, but he will succeed. He is a special player with a great attitude so I’m glad he will be torching teams from the AFC rather than another NFC team.
Don't stress, Vikings fans.
I’ve watched Ponder and barracked against him for four years as a fan of the U. But I gotta admit, kid’s got some real talent.
No, he doesn’t have an absolute cannon for an arm – but he has great mechanics and puts enough zip on his throws for them to be catchable. His accuracy is top notch, he makes quick decisions and releases the ball quickly and he can extend plays with his feet.
Someday you will find me, caught beneath the landslide, in a champagne supernova in the sky.
This day will be when the Raiders win a Super Bowl in my lifetime.
Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/_SLS_
Glad for the shot of optimism.
With the way people have been reacting to this selection, you’d think the Vikings had scraped the bottom of the barrel. Seriously, just read some of the reactions on the Vikings official site. Last night most of them were, and I quote, “WTF.” Refreshing to hear a rebuttal.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Well at least you looked Fabulous!
I wasn’t feeling fabulous after the pick, but after pondering it for a while I feel much better about it. I like him as a starter over Webb right now for sure.
Wow I think we’ll have to throw a pun tax on that name or something I can see it getting really old really quick!
It's a lot easier to love the Vikings when they win...
Pun Tax! Brilliant.
Clever idea—I like it. I like it a lot. I think I wouldn’t have been so thrown by this pick if it wasn’t for the fact that some of the players still available weren’t such immediate stars. For as much as a surprise as it was that the Vikings selected Ponder, I want to like him because it beats the hell out of thinking the Vikings pissed away a #12 pick. And, I think I will like him. He seems to have a lot to like.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
A lot to like...
yes, but will you have a crush on him like you have on Aaron Rodgers?
"Believe me Delmar, woman is the most fiendish instrument of torture ever devised to bedevil the days of man."
Good question
He isn’t a bad looking guy (over 6’ always helps), but when he was talking to one of the local television stations I thought he looked kind of like Sly Stallone, the way he was sort of talking out of the side of his mouth—and then I started giggling waiting for him to say Adrian. I don’t know if I can develop a crush on him now. We’ll see.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
About the MBA thing
Getting any degree is not hard. I’m a chemical engineer, and i could tell you stories about the group of dummies i am a part of. All getting a degree shows is that a person is motivated enough to see a long-term commitment to completion. Earning a degree also proves that a person has demonstrated the capability to learn.
Now, about Mr. Ponder MBA:
The guy clearly had other things going in college besides only academics. Yet he managed to get his bachelor’s degree and a MBA during his years of NCAA eligibility.
What does that say?
a) Not only did he manage to earn a degree is an athlete, something not many of the players selected on Thursday can claim, he also managed to exceed the goals of most student/athletes by getting a MBA.
b) He knows how to manage his time. This shows responsibility and work ethic. What normally takes regular students ~5.5 years to accomplish, he did in 4.
c) He understands the value of money. This is a surprisingly unique trait amongst professional athletes. It would seem like a logical conclusion that he makes the connection between hard work and learning → performance → money.
I’m not saying, I’m just sayin’.
Football is not
The dam debate or speech club.. and yes you have to beable to have some mental ability to grasp an NFL play book and ctach reads but honestly Its about play.
Yes Dalton was my pick but as much as I wanted to go Dalton Im not foolish enough to go at #12 and teh way it was going we could have waited. Now many can flame me but this draft year is huge to the Vikings and QB or no QB its going to determine a very large picture for the future.
To jump at Ponder or any QB inn this draft at #12 was in it will be seen to be a huge mistake on the Vikes part. ANd yes I will be bold enough to say I know enoughof the game to see it. Hell the dam crowd at the draft party saw it. And a wonderful reminder. When Tjack was picked in his interview he stated He himself was surprized to go where he did. Last night Ponder himself was no where to be found as he himself did not xpect to go that early. My point self awareness is a key factor. Had the went Dalton at #12 i would have been happy but absolutely shocked as they did not need to reach. My anticipation of this draft was we would see a FO dedicated to filling the O line Dline and the pass protection with some impact players before the QB. This pick at #12 looks almost desperate.
The fututre will only reveal it. Ponders Injuries are of huge concerns does anyone who has read the history on his injuries treuly believe they wont appear again in the NFL.
Note: Read the elbow history that will come to haunt us.
And as goofy as it may sound, it starts out on a shit note:
He’s going to know about the crowds response at Winter Park. Talk about making an up hill battle early. Unless the Vikings FO some how has some sort of knowledge other great football scouts , coach’s, analysts dont have.
Ponder at #12 is a joke. Sorry if your a Ponder fan but facts are facts and the future will show it.
@}-----You've been Touched-----{@
I agree 110%
I liked Dalton too, but would have been peeved as hell if they had picked him at 12.
I dont even know if I would of been happy with mallet at 12 and i have local love for him…
Its not WHO they picked thats ticking people off so much, its WHEN they picked him.
I know a few of you are die hard Ponder guys, thats cool, FREAKIN GRATZ im jealous im not as happy as you are this morning, however the facts remain.
There was so much talent on that board at 12, a reach for a QB then seemed off, and WAY on the desperate side.
**Rupert for ProBowl 2012!**
Absolutely
This Pick at #12 no way. Most here will talk themselves into it and doll it all up so it looks good. But no way. The crowds reaction and the buzz on this reach around the NFL ? No way is Spielman and LF some guru’s that only they can see something here. What a joke. Yeah yah support things and all but yah dont support foolishness. I can not believe after all the carp we went through last year…again the Vikes gotta toss themselves into the WTF catagory again. This is huge red flag for the future. And yeah yeah everyone can flame me here …so be it but, I’ll be around to say I frikin told yah so. When they announced this I absolutely felt the bottom drop out. Nobody is going to convince me this pick at #12. And fact is read it all over blogs, to make it look good you have to do alot of painting it up to accept it as we got our guy. In all the years of being a fan this pick because the meaningful year for the vikes just behooves me. Unless they pull some magic out of the air, this pick will be the one that haunts the future of this team. And magic is just an illusion.
@}-----You've been Touched-----{@
You sound entirely bitter.
Who cares how the crowd reacted? Pretty sure the Jags fans reacted the same over Alualu. I don’t mean to be rude if the next comment comes out that way but realistically I can’t imagine many people in Minnesota are particularly clued into a southern team like FSU. I mean that from a general populace standpoint.
Go watch the multiple videos posted on the guy. The dude is a beast of a QB. There is no reason to “paint” the pick, we were ABSOLUTELY DESPERATE on QB and they truly liked the guy, had it been Dalton, I’m sure you among others would be doing the “painting”.
End of the day, we are both entitled to our seperate opinions but just because you are pissed doesn’t mean it wasn’t the right pick.
Ok so
Since youre an FSU guy we should all just lay back and be ok with this since you, the FSU guy says its ok?
Im sure Vel is bitter, im bitter, ALOT of people are bitter this morning.
You got your pick, gratz, seriously, thats really good for YOU. But for the team and all the people that are ticked off this morning, that blows the donkey hard….
**Rupert for ProBowl 2012!**
Not at all. If you don’t like him, thats fine, have your opinion, I have mine, but If the pick had been a different QB, I wouldn’t be coming on here absolutely bashing the guy. If your college football fan you know the guy is good, I know Dalton was good. I thought between the two, the Vikings may have liked Dalton more but I was clearly wrong.
You’re attacking Ponder and the fact that people, like myself, actually like the pick. It is great that you don’t agree and I don’t agree and about half of the scouting community is split but when you see something in a guy, you take him. EVEN If you go and take Prince there, clearly other teams were concerned with him aswell which is why he fell to the Giants. Fairley perhaps was seen as lazy. If you bring Prince in, does it signal to Chris Cook that they think he a terrible pick, are you going to be installing confidence in him? I guess you could use the same logic with Webb but Webb was originally drafted as a WR and worked his way into the QB job, Cook was drafted to be a CB.
Have you read what ive written?
Im attacking the PICK not Ponder himself…does he have issues, Yes!
What QB pick didnt? Seriously,. every single one had an issue…
Im unhappy with the PICK not who the picked.
Quit acting like im insulting your brother seriously.
I realize you went to the same school, again gratz on the pick.
Its not so much WHO they picked but WHO they didnt pick that was sitting on the board at the 12 spot.
**Rupert for ProBowl 2012!**
Your
talking to someone that follows collage ball avidly and honstly as I was saying in the live discussion last night during the draft Dalton in the 2nd. Would I be bummed had the jumped no but yes I would of been wtf with who was on the board at #12. And Dalton needs no painting.
@}-----You've been Touched-----{@
Exactly
and I’ll be honest VT. I thought the Vikings had Dalton perhaps a bit higher than Ponder just based on what I read and such.
I guess I was trying to say, it isn’t as if we were in the 2nd taking a legitimate 4/5th round pick like Tavaris. The guy was a projected round 1 last year.
I didn’t mean to sound rude or anything. I just think people need to take a deep breath and realize that yeah he may have been taken a little before they wanted, but couldn’t find anyone to go down and were worried about Washington or Miami.
His elbow injury was caused after about 4 weeks of trying to play through it
It was a freak sort of hit and accident so I don’t think there is anyway that it comes back. Read up on the injury.
Anyone can be injured in the NFL. Do I honestly think he will be a china doll, hell no, the dude is a tough competitor.
Facts are facts and if you provide them then fine, but you’re making bold statements without any support to the reasoning behind them.
Isnt that what youre doing?
Making bold statements and hoping them to be true?
NONE of us know what will happen, we are all making BOLD statements and hoping them to be true.
REACHING for this kid at 12 with that kind of D talent was a BAD choice.
And it has ZERO to do with Ponder…
As I said above, it could of been a QB i actually liked and it would have been a BAD move.
Its not as much Ponder people are PEEVED about as much as it is the QB at 12 when there was huge talent on the board.
Im sure you and I can go all day back and forth on the uh huh nu uh of this crap.
But picking a QB that was schedule to go 2nd round maybe at 12th is a REACH.
Can he stay healthy, who knows! I dont even factor that into my ticked off part of this pick….Playing thru and injury TBH is silly if youre that young. Old guys do it because they are old guys and may not be there next season…young guy ruin themselves doing that.
**Rupert for ProBowl 2012!**
Everyone has said
we need a QB and it is our number one need. The Draft is very deep on defensive talent, they can still easily get a very good Defensive lineman. By the time we end up picking the QB pool could very well be dried up.
THE GUY WAS A 1ST ROUND PICK LAST YEAR. I don’t give a hoot what he was projected this year. Locker was projected as a 1st last year too. They both went in the 1st round. Obviously the scouts were wrong and the teams felt strong enough about the body of work both players gave.
Even with Quinn, Fairley, Prince still there. How would we then addressed QB at 43? We have no third and would’ve had to trade future picks. We got Ponder cheaper than what we might had to give up moving back into the 1st.
We also need D
We have serious holes on our D, BIG ones from last years pick as well.
Addressing it in the 2nd round was a better choice.
Last year, great, thats really nice.
This is a REACH, im sorry I dont agree with you. Keep copy pasting your responces, but im not going to suddenly agree that this is a good pick, sorry.
**Rupert for ProBowl 2012!**
Defense is deep this year
We’ll find a great pick and player in the second round, as well as a potential future starter in the 4th depending on what we take. I’d even be happy if we can trade back in the 2nd to get a 3rd or 4th. We just need more young players.
I'm
I honestly could care less if you agree with me or not. If we are sitting here three years from now and he is the guy, everyone is going to feel like shit they they were in a pitchfork fit. By the same token, if he flames out it is going to be “I told you so”.
I will be the first to admit it Ponder doesn’t work out. I’m a Nole fan and a Vikings fan, if something isn’t working for either one of my teams, I want my team to move on, cut the losses and get on with business.
End of the day, for good or for bad, we addressed QB and life can move on. Towards the end of last year our D actually started playing pretty well, minus the horrible bears game, but I would bet that is because Frazier was made the HC and gay our DC a green light to do what he wanted.
Given that Frazier is Defensively minded, don’t you think he probably thinks he could get a guy later in the draft, who he can either groom or build into the player he wants? They obviously felt Ponder was worth a 1st and were very worried about trading back up from 43 and since absolutely no one called them to trade, they stuck to their board and drafted him. Mayock and all the other talking heads always say stick to your board, and the Vikings did that.
Give Ponder and the TOA chance because from where I’m sitting they’ve done a pretty great job of drafting the past few drafts. Being able to get 2 Offensive Rookie of the Year players within a few years of one another has to signal that they have atleast a pretty good idea about what they are doing.
lol,
the gay in the middle of the post is ment to be gave* Haha, only just caught that spelling mistake.
HAHA
I got so busy laughing I was having trouble reading the rest of this post HAHHAHHA
It was needed!
ANd yes we have to give him a chance, and im willing to give him a chance, I have no choice lol.
I love my team, but I wish they had gone somewhere else at 12 and QB isnt what im talking about.
**Rupert for ProBowl 2012!**
Agreed
We all are entitled to our own opinions. I can 100% see why people think with the talent that was there how and why we should’ve or could’ve gone a different way. I mean It isn’t a stretch to understand why but I think we were in an almost unique situation where we had 1 position that was leaps and bounds above the others in terms of need. Can you call it a reach, Yes. Can you call it a need pick? Absolutely. Can you call it a bad pick based on our needs? I don’t think you can in the slightest.
QB's are such a crapshoot
You can’t possibly know how good this guy will be exactly. Drafts are funny because people like you. If he sucks next year, he’s a bad pick. If he wins rookie of the year, he’s a steal. You’ll change your tune regardless based on how he performs over the next 3 years. Why not remain positive about it and help his chances? There’s a city that’s known for coming down HARD on it’s QB’s from it’s fanbase to it’s media. That city is Chicago, IL….how many successful QB’s have you seen in that organization? There’s a reason young talent fails in such an environment…..negativity and pressure.
Anyway, the Vikings had to make this pick. You’re not a scout, you don’t know football as well as they do, they picked the best talent at a position they not only needed to fill….the absolutely HAD to fill it. As great as you claim Dalton to be, why is he still available going into the second round? You could make the same argument that Dalton isn’t worthy of the 12th pick as much as Ponder with your logic.
There’s no guarantee he’d be there at 43rd, you don’t risk it, you take it, especially when the only QB on your depth chart is a Wide Receiver drafted in the 7th round who had ONE good game against a defense that couldn’t stop anybody last year.
Injuries are a concern, I’ll give you that, but the same reports came out on Peterson and Harvin, and despite harvin’s migranes he’s still the steal of that draft. How many injury reports were out on Stafford as #1 overall two years ago? How many games has he played in two years? More like how many games has he missed….
Moral of the story: YOU DONT KNOW
If he wins rookie of the year....
Hes not a steal, hes a good pick at 12….
Winning Rookie of the year from the 2nd 3rd 4th round is a STEAL.
**Rupert for ProBowl 2012!**
I look at it
as the 4th QB taken in the draft. That’s a steal if he wins ROY over those 3
2 of those three
Have JaMarcus Russel or bust written on the tight end :P
**Rupert for ProBowl 2012!**
as i never said
take Dalton at #12. I always thought trade back or wait its not the guy its the spot.
@}-----You've been Touched-----{@
Trading back clearly wasn't an option
If it was, they would’ve done it.
Let’s say you wait, and they all get picked…..Dalton, Mallet, Ponder, all PROJECTED to be gone before the 43rd pick. Then what? Joe Webb is still your starting QB.
Unacceptable. Do Minnesotan’s understand football? I’d put football knowledge on the same level of understanding the tax revenue benefits of having a local NFL franchise…
Funny way of showing it
Vikings staff had him rated high on their boards and felt he was a no-brainer. I’d trust their judgement over yours.
Cause they are always right....
ALWAYS….
**Rupert for ProBowl 2012!**
The no brainer is
I call no one out on smarts or personaly attack anyone. You commented on Knowledge and yes I have plenty and will stand up and speak. I never have a never will be PC. Nor do I post to please the mass. I dont need to.
I have every right as you do to an opin. I dont call your knowledge into question for it. You know me from hide nor hair. Football is definately not rocket science. And as far as trust Im not asking you to trust me. I have an opinion is all.
@}-----You've been Touched-----{@
Your logic sucks
you can have your opinion and say “I don’t think he’ll be that good”
Fine.
Your argument is they should have traded down or waited. That’s bad logic. I’m criticising you mental reasoning, not your opinion.
Im calling you a Pot Not a Kettle...sheesh!
Okie :)
**Rupert for ProBowl 2012!**
Yeah, yahoo = NFL scouts
Everyone over at Yahoo has actually played an avg of 6 seasons in the NFL, not to mention won countless superbowls and developed young quarterbacks into the hall of fame.
Or maybe, the Vikings office is what does this for a living, actually played in the NFL, and coached young QB’s into solid starters.
The fact
We havent had a YOUNG QB coached into anything since 80 what? Someone posted something a few weeks back and i tried my damndest to find it and count, it listed the QBs weve had for the past 20 odd years….Most of them were in their late 30s+ I think.
I dont think playing discredit the expert is the best way to go here though.
Yahoo has been quoted as much for this kid as against him im sure.
You are obviously pro Ponder, gratz on the selection, MANY of us are not, but im sure that wont stop you from posting again about how great he is and how wrong we are :) so Enjoy!
**Rupert for ProBowl 2012!**
Paint it how you want
as of today besides the Locker pick its the most questionable one of the draft.
@}-----You've been Touched-----{@
Maybe
Ponder has embarrassing photos of Frazier and Schpiel-man…
You mean
Like the one of Spiel going to the podium announcing our 1st round pick?
Thats rather embarrasing…
**Rupert for ProBowl 2012!**
7th Round WR as our QB
is much more embarrasing
From a Lions fan
I don’t like this pick for you guys. If it was up to me, the pick would have been Fairley to pair with Kevin Williams and Jared Allen….that would have been a helluva of a combo. Mike Pouncey would’ve worked too, but whats done is done. Hope Ponder is a moderate success for you guys.
Oh, and tell him to get a very good life insurance. Suh and Fairley don’t like QBs very much…
House of Spears | My Detroit Lions/NFL Blog
Enjoyed Your Blog...as well as "Ponder This"
Drunkensuperman
April 29, 2011
I enjoyed "Ponder me this" which led me to read and comment on your blog BTW. NOW…Back to the Draft…After listening to Adam Scheffter on The B.S. Report before the draft, when asked who his favorite quarterback? he said " I keep hearing great things about Christian Ponder". I also have heard that Christian Ponder is the equivelant to Chad Pennington. Smart, competitive, injurt prone(I threw this part in), and not the strongest arm. Mel Kiper Jr. repeated the same thing on Mike and Mike saying "If he turns into Pennington is it really a reach" (raised a Viking fan and Jets fan, I am aware that every season Pennington started at least 8 games, he made the playoffs). I wanted Prince Amukamara and not Fairley or Ponder. However if they wanted Ponder all along I am glad they did not trade down because they would have lost him as well as the other guys they didnt draft in this spot. I would like to add that 3 years ago I wanted the Vikings to go get D. Mcnabb. I am not as sure about that stance currently. I like Marc Bulger although not sure of his availabilty, only mention his name because I hear the Cardinals want him, so why not us? I would like a veteran to school Ponder, which is why I do not want Kevin Kolb unless we plan on keeping the current system he ran in Philly, which also is the same system we ran last year not to mention it’s also what McNabb ran in Philly if we get him(when Childress was his O.C.). Successful QBs stay that way because they don’t have to learn a new system every year.And why a lot of career back-ups have been having success lately because familiarity with these complex offenses gives them an edge over these rookies. We see how changing playbooks has worked out for so many young QBs thru the years, and veterans alike, including Brett Farve in NY. As well as Mcnabb in WA. Well I have been up for 24 hours, probably should get some rest now…. Need to be up in time to prepare for second guessing the Vikings pick tonight j/k. Looking forward to future reading of your blog, I always enjoy creative and inciteful writing, a talent that eludes me personally. Especially on no sleep…..Later from DS…….TO VIKINGS WAR ROOM…….Upgrade the DEFENSE.!!!!!
by Drunkensuperman_ on Apr 29, 2011 9:02 AM CDT reply actions
Skol Girl needs to remember who she is comparing
Of all the things that Rick Spielman could tell me to prove that Christian Ponder is a bright guy, the fact that he has a master’s degree in business administration is probably the most likely to get me to shrug like a French policeman. I’m sorry, it just doesn’t impress me.
For points mentioned before, finishing undergrad in 2.5 years, as well as doing so WHILE playing Divison I football (which is no easy task to manage both) should be considered as impressive, you hae to compare him to other college players, NOT ourselves. We are nothing like these athletes, their lives will forever be much different from ours.
As for intelligence, if you dig a little deeper in your research you’ll find Ponder scored a Wonderlic test of 37 (where the NFL Rookie QB average score is 25). That should say plenty as to intelligence, despite how much water you think the Wonderlic holds.
The guy knows and understand how to run our offense, he posts almost a 70% completion percentage over 3 years for a D1 team (not D1-A, see T Jackson), and has shown strong leadership for his team.
The Vikings had no choice but to take this guy as their quarterback. When you can’t trade down for more picks and it was too costly to trade up to get Gabbert, you take the QB you like best instead of hoping he’s there 32 picks later. This guy will be better than people think, only because the offense won’t rest on his shoulders, he has some of the best possible weapons at his disposal, but I think you’ll find this guy as a leader regardless. I’m excited for this pick.
Problem is not the player its where he was picked!
There was not any other QB’s drafted in the first. Several other teams managed to trade down after Minny and get something. Bottom line, we panicked.
by NorthPoleNorseman on Apr 29, 2011 9:18 AM CDT reply actions
Dude, they tried to trade down
They came out and told us that, they tried to trade down all day, what are they supposed to do if no one will trade picks??
It’s so funny with you logic, because if we waited and all the QB’s are taken before the 43rd pick then you guys are still up in arms about not getting a QB when we had the chance.
You’re probably the same type of viking fan who claims Joe Webb is a sufficient starter in the NFL
NOT SMART?????
the guy got his MBA in 2.5 years???? AND STARTED A SECOND ONE i am just letting you know that in the world of college football…. that is rocket science
keep drinking the kool-aid.
Jimmy Johnsons chart is not law. Other teams traded down afterwards therefore our price/ panic was just to high.
by NorthPoleNorseman on Apr 29, 2011 9:52 AM CDT reply actions
When you dont have a 3rd
It has to be a good deal, otherwise your gimping yourself even more by giving value away.
not gimping
If u say drop down and only get let’s say a fourth or a third next year and still get Ponder. I know, I know, absolutely no team was willing to move up after our pick. If u buy that I have a bridge to sell u.
by NorthPoleNorseman on Apr 29, 2011 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions
Who says that isn't true
You think every team is in the market of giving up picks to move up like Atlanta?
Your team has to be in a special position to be able to sacrafice future starters to take one starter earlier than your turn allows. There was a lot of parity last season in the NFL. Many teams are looking to rebuild their rosters at multiple positions. You don’t trade up for picks in that scenario.
Im pretty sure
Atlanta may of given up the rights to call themselves the Falcons…
I wouldnt of been shocked if the teams had to change names for that trade….
I am still i shock they sold the farm to trade up like that.
I sincerly hope that kid turns out to be outstanding.
**Rupert for ProBowl 2012!**
It makes sense
Atlanta is in a position to win the superbowl next year. Their franchise has never done so, they will be going for it all. The Vikings did the same with Jared Allen a few years ago (just not as many picks). Julio Jones is a stud and he’ll be lined up across the field from Roddy White in a power offense.
Falcons are stacked, they’ll be a huge contender this season. I like the move.
To make this pick...
I can only imagine that the Vikes had Ponder rated significantly higher than Dalton and that they had ruled out Mallett entirely. Because if Ponder and Dalton were rated close together on their board, I have to believe they would have rolled the dice that one of them would be there at pick #43 (and it probably would have been Ponder). This move is a definite head-scratcher.
"Believe me Delmar, woman is the most fiendish instrument of torture ever devised to bedevil the days of man."
There are still a bunch of QB needy teams before us at 43.
by FSUViking on Apr 29, 2011 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
True
We can never know what would have happened. However, if Mallett and Dalton both end up being picked before #43, then I will probably agree that the Vikings had no choice but to swallow hard and pick Ponder at #12.
"Believe me Delmar, woman is the most fiendish instrument of torture ever devised to bedevil the days of man."
I remember when the Eagles fans booed Mc Nabb as there choice. If he turns out to be half as good the fans will love him. I also felt that the Vikes needed to draft an offenseive line mem or a defense tackle. Just hope Farley is a bust.
If Ponder turns out to he half as good as McNabb
then maybe the Vikings should have just signed McNabb this year and burned that pick somewhere else?
McNabb will cost a draft pick
keep that in mind when you wish for a washed up QB with injury history and has age going against him.
Nah
We got ourselves a young QB with injury history YAY!!!
TBH I didnt even know about his injury history being as much as it was until the two main pro ponder people, you being one of them, kept saying how it wasnt a big deal, over and over and over and….thats funny :)
**Rupert for ProBowl 2012!**
More upside
than a 30 something Vet who would have to do exactly what Ponder has to do, come in and learn the system.
Injury History as much as it is? You mean a total of three seperate things? 1) Legitimate Shoulder injury being made during a tackle by Ponder. 2) An injury he tried to play through much of the season but ultimately made it worse and 3) A concussion in one bowl game. Not exactly like the dude is sitting out week after week.
You called people idiots...
Among other things…Thats NOT constructive criticism…..idiot.
**Rupert for ProBowl 2012!**
i dont care how smart HE is
the viks front office are idiots. they could have got him, mallet, dalton in the 2nd round and taken any talent defensive player left on the board.
Instead of course we get two mediorce players at best in the 1st two rounds. No offense to Ponder, he just isn’t a top 15 pick IMO. But what do I, the experts, or any other team in the league know for that matter.
Um how could we have gotten him and Dalton in the 2nd round?
Did you see qb’s were taking left to right?! Don’t dare call my front office idiots and the players haven’t even played yet!!!
☠★☪My dream, is to see the Minnesota Vi♛s win a superbowl. USA- the land were dreams come true. ☀ ツ This is our ۩۩house۩
by UnBannedVikingholic on Apr 30, 2011 8:17 AM CDT up reply actions
9 Minutes Of Christian Ponder Highlights
So after watching these great highlights, I notice two things.
First how many of his highlights came with the score tied or down by a touchdown. So he does well in pressure and big games situations. Second thing I noticed is, look how many throws were either bullets in tight spaces, passes to spots that only his reciever could get it, and MOST IMPORTANT look how many throws were put where the reciever could catch it in stride and create after the catch. Its truely awesome. Oh and one more thing this guy has some freaking mobility… Damn…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCuu6UyO3B0&feature=related
by Drunkensuperman_ on Apr 30, 2011 9:06 AM CDT reply actions
I Liked The Ponder Pick
I’m in the minority because he was my top QB choice from the beginning although I would have preferred him in the second round but that wasn’t going to happen. Ponder isn’t a sexy choice is doesn’t have a cannon arm isn’t a running QB “although he has mobility” he was kinda like a lunch pail type who just does his job. My guess is after reading all the Joe Webb posts from last week on this board that unless we got Cam Newton then nobody was going to be all that happy, even if we drafted Locker people would have complained. I think the front office and coaches did their due diligence and they liked Ponder so that is good enough for me . Someone posted that we passed on some “sure stars” on defense to take Ponder but anyone who follows football knows there are NO sure draft prospects "Mandarich, Leaf, Akili Smith, and on and on " the draft is a crap shoot , that’s the bottom line none of us “experts” knows more than the coaches who make their living evaluating these guys “Chilldress being the exception that proves the rule” so if our staff likes the guy we need to back him untill he proves to be a bust.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Daily Norseman
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Former high-school star Brian Banks does serious time on trumped-up charge, now hopes for an NFL shot
- Former ‘idiot kicker’ Mike Vanderjagt in trouble after accosting junior-high heckler
- Adrian Peterson blows teammates away in footraces; appears to be on the mend
- UPDATE: Charlie Sheen didn’t buy Lawrence Taylor’s Super Bowl ring
- Alex Smith gets blown up by Jon Beason over Cam Newton comments
