...would we be just as optimistic/excited about this next season? Do we think that Ponder is going to succeed because we actually think he is the real deal...or is it because we are Vikings fans and that is what we are supposed to want? Before the draft, I hadn't paid much attention to Ponder. Personally, I was hoping the Vikings would go for Andy Dalton. After the initial shock of Ponder being picked, I immediately wondered if he was the right choice. On this site I know there were quite a few people who were, at first, skeptical of Ponder. After a few days, though, I more than willingly jumped onto the Ponder bandwagon. And now in general, it seems as if most of us here see Ponder as being the next best thing since sliced bread and we're more than happy to overlook any concerns those biased hacks mainstream writers bring up about him, like his injury history or perceived inability to throw deep passes. But If we had drafted:

Cam Newton, would we ignore his apparent character issues? or

Jacker Locker, would we push aside his horrific completion percentage? or what about

Blaine Gabbert, would we set aside that fact that he is relatively inexperienced?

or what if we hadn't drafted any quarterback? would we be just as excited about Webb or whichever free agent that may come our way?

As fans, I think we often confuse what we want to happen with what is actually more likely to happen. It seems to me that perhaps due to the summer heat, the lack of football, or maybe a combination of the two, we are beginning to suffer from a disease called offseasonal delusionalis (yeah, I just made that up) This disease most commonly affects football fans of all ages during the months of June, July, and August but thankfully, most cases disappear about halfway into October . Symptoms of this strange pestilence include, but certainly are not limited too,

• Having visions of A.P. rushing for 2,500+ yards next season.
• Daydreams of the Vikings beating the Packers twice, with the score  being 49-0 both times.
• Hallucinations of Ponder leading the Vikings to not one, not two, but 5 Superbowl Victories during his illustrious career.
• A firm belief that the Vikings will somehow manage to make it to the playoffs this season.

I don't know about you guys, but I definitely have some, if not all, of those symptoms. Thankfully though, there is a cure.  Just repeat the following phrases three times, twice in a row (if this doesn't make sense then you have a very bad case and should have someone do this to you after reading each line).

• Ponder is a rookie. He will make mistakes, lots and lots of mistakes.
• The Vikings will be lucky if they reach 8-8.
• Peterson is good but there are other running backs as good as him.

After doing this, repeat the next two phrases once to settle down nicely.

• Hey, At least we aren't the 2008 Lions.
• This will be the first season without Childress.

Alright! you're cured, and ready to go back to the rest of the internet with a better grasp of reality.

But, in all seriousness, is all the excitement around Ponder just the delusional optimism that comes every off-season? Something to think about...

edit/clarification: It seemed obvious to me but the part from "it seems to me" to "better grasp of reality" is supposed to be semi-serious/tongue-in-cheek. Take it as such. All I'm saying is we need to be realistic with our exceptions.