Getty ImagesVikings quarterback Christian Ponder got a left tackle in the draft, it looks like he will have his top wide receiver in camp and Adrian Peterson shouldn’t be far behind, which means the biggest thing left to work on is himself.
For Ponder, part of that process includes gaining weight. Ponder played at 212 pounds last season and he’s tipping the scales at 233 as minicamp comes to an end. He’d like to be right around 230 when training camp starts.
“I’ve gotten bigger. I’m stronger. I’ll try to keep my flexibility,” Ponder said. “There’s a lot of different things we can do flexibility-wise with the yoga. Just trying to keep my body in the right condition and getting stronger.”
Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com suggests the reason for the weight gain is to avoid a repeat of the beating Ponder took last season, although the Vikings surely hope Matt Kalil helps in that department as well. Ponder also needs to do a better job of recognizing defenses, something he said that he feels he’s improved at a lot over the course of the offseason work.
If that doesn’t work out for him, at least he’s better equipped to cushion the fall.
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Defenses were stunned to see Ponder suddenly levitate above the pile, sitting calmly in a lotus position, smiling beatifically down upon them.
I like Ponder but I have hard time believing he will be anything more than an average QB. They really reached when drafting him.
Hey, being buff worked out for Brady Quinn. Why not?
Next off season Chris plans to grow a few inches taller.
Last line should read, “If that doesn’t work out for him, at least Joe Webb the better QB can cushion his fall”
OR the weight will help when he gets thrown under the bus by Percy Harvin…
If you’re in a fantasy football keeper league, you’re going to want to get this guy.
Hey, I put on 20 pounds over the offseason too!
McNabb, the curse that keeps on giving.
Watch out for this kid. People don’t realize that he showed a ton of promise his rookie season while playing with virtually nothing. They just look at the team’s record and automatically assume that he sucked. Expect a lot of improvement.
I’m a big Florida state fan and have followed all players over the years. Cp7 just might be the strongest qb in the NFL. Once he puts it all together he’s got a chance to be a good one.
Quarterbacks are getting bigger and bigger every year. Half the one’s coming out of college are 6-4- 6-5, and 230-240. I guess you have to be bigger as a QB now days, the D-lines are bulking up too, gotta be able to absorb the big hit.
Enough with the Joe Webb talk, he can not pass. Didn’t you see the Bears game where they figured out if you pressure him in the pocket he can not hit the target at all. If he could pass well the Vikings would start him, it would be a no brainier. The sad part is he isnt a great passer and can’t catch well either. When teams aren’t prepared for Webb though he does a decent job.
If Ponder plays bad this year and repeats his 1-8 performance looks like the Vikings will be looking for a new QB again and a new GM since he is Spielmans boy.
I hardly believe he only added 20LBS. Google his first start and tell me he doesn’t have the body frame of a slightly overdeveloped 16 year old lady-gymnast.