The Vikings Thread

[BobNystromOwnsU]

Jkidd, so you really think they are going to dump Ponder?

I don't. he will get a longer leash because of where he got drafted. sad too, because they aren't a bad team for as young as they are. They can at least compete, but not with him in there.

Have you noticed the last 3 weeks at the end of the first half?

Against the Cards, he had a pass intercepted after he threw up a hail mary deep in his own end, and it was picked off.

He did the same thing against the Bucs but it didn't get picked off.

Last weekend he threw a 1 yard pass in bounds to let the clock keep running, and Musgrave called that run to Toby after that.

The fact he didn't learn form that, and he did it 2 more weeks speaks volumes about what he is.

[JKidd]

The season is still long from over, but the way I see it, given the harshness of the schedule, that's a lot of suffering for the Vikings and Ponder.

I still think the team can compete if they can get up on the teams early, and pound the ball, but the fact of getting up on a team and staying there is a distant thought given how poorly Ponder has been leading the offense.

Do I think they'll dump Ponder if they don't win a game the rest of the way? Hard to say, really. I think a lot of it will depend on where they finish, and how a couple other teams - Buffalo and St Louis - finish out. There are some HUGE top end QBs coming out of college this upcoming season... Landry Jones (OU), Matt Barkley (USC), Geno Smith (WVU), Tajh Boyd (CLEM), Aaron Murray (UGA) and Collin Klein (KSU).

Do the Vikings see any of them as franchise QBs? Do I?

I don't see Barkley or Jones as NFL caliber QBs. Both are too fragile mentally, and Barkley maybe the most overrated of all QBs in college.

Geno Smith is one hell of a hybrid kind of player. But, we seen this with Pat White... does it translate to NFL style offenses? Not really. Although he does have a hell of an arm. It's just a matter of how many throws can he complete from under center? And can he truly go through a pass progression?

Tajh Boyd... same situation as Geno, IMO.

Collin Klein... is he the next Tim Tebow or Eric Crouch? Or is he going to be a dual threat like Cam Newton in the first season - where he's going to do it all?

Aaron Murray... appears to be solid as an NFL ready QB. Imagine two UGA quarterbacks in the North division (Matthew Stafford in Detroit being the other). Tyler Wilson in Arkansas appears to be a darkhorse. EJ Manuel in FSU is another option.

I think there are good options out there... and much better, at the college level, than Christian Ponder was.

[BobNystromOwnsU]

Our team is officially bi-polar. And AD is not human.

[JKidd]

Bi-Polar is an understatement.

And Peterson... I don't know what the **** they put into his knee, but it's clearly given him beastish properties far beyond what he was before. Over 100 yards up on the 2nd rusher, and almost 300 over the 3rd place rusher. Averaging almost 113 a game and almost 6 a carry. The guy is just insane.

I was thrilled to see the defense finally step up and stop the run for a change. That was relieving considering how badly they were gashed the previous few weeks. Seeing Megatron snatch a dozen balls for over 200 yards was crazy, considering he was bracketed all game with Harrison and Winfield. But, it was all in the losing effort for the Lions so oh well.

The best thing, IMO, was seeing the defense force the Lions off the field almost every time a 3rd down came up. I think Detroit only converted one or two 3rd downs all game long. Just a huge win for the team when your defense does that.

[BobNystromOwnsU]

[kwnger1371]

The true test is coming up with the pack and Bears twice and texans once. if they struggle like I think they will they might end up winning maybe 1 to 2 games. Ponder has to be better and constant which is hard for him unless it is throwing picks and forcing the ball. AP is just a beast that better get ready to carry the load and hopefully the call his number a lot. It is sad to say but if Cutler is out for any length of time that gives us a better chance but the Bears D is out of this world this year. I have faith just don't know if they will be able to get it done with this back end of the teams they go up against.

[JKidd]

Is it over yet?

[JKidd]

Brutal, brutal, brutal game by Ponder.

This stare down one receiver, and run if he's not open is almost impossible to watch.

There is no progressions from him. He stares down a single receiver, and if he's not open, he bolts.

And when he does "progress" through his reads, he throws the ball late (which is what happened on the third pick).

Just pathetic quarterback play. It's amazing how easy the QB play can undo 200+ yards of rushing by AP.

[bustoff]

Boy the cRams gave you guys a scare. AP cut thru them like a hot knife thru butter. I don't know what was worse for the Rams, the O-line or Bradford. Most likely both....

[JKidd]

Beast:
-An animal, esp. a large or dangerous four-footed one.
-A domestic animal, esp. a bovine farm animal.
-#28 in purple

That is all.

[BobNystromOwnsU]

I hope Adrian Peterson is this anemic every season.

And I will never doubt him again. I never had the slightest idea this would happen. the better o-line has helped him greatly. Too bad he doesn't have a qb.

[JKidd]

9 ****ing yards.

Imagine if AP started the season like he finished, he could have probably hit 2200 yards this year.

Onto Green Bay for a date in the cold at Lambeau Field.

Tough beating the same team twice in a row, should be fun to see how Christian plays while under the Lambeau lights.

[BobNystromOwnsU]

That was one amazing game.

Screw Pam Oliver for her ambush interview of AD after the game.

[BobNystromOwnsU]

Two Vikes Packers games in 6 days, and ND in the championship Monday. I may not make it through this.

[JKidd]

Loved the Vikings first round yesterday.

DT Sharif Floyd out of Florida. This was a potential top 10 pick at the start of the year, but fell because teams started doubling him, and his role changed to more of a blocker eater to let the UF backers run free. I'll take it.

CB Xavier Rhodes out of Florida State is a GREAT PICK. A big corner, 6'2, who has blazing speed (sub 4.4 40), amazing ball instincts and even better - the guy can tackle. I have no idea how he fell this far, but, the guy has potential to be a shutdown corner if he learns the 5 yard contact rule and properly baits quarterbacks.

WR Cordarrelle Patterson from Tennessee is a decent pick. Decent size, good speed, but not a solid route runner at all. All the physical tools though, which is something you have to like.

Great draft which addressed some HUGE holes.