Ponder is a downgrade from Tarvaris Jackson and had a season statistically worse than McNabb.

In their first 50 years the vikings have never drafted and developed an elite QB.

No reason to think they will now with the NFL’s worst coach.
_______

Ever heard of Fran Tarkenton? How about Daunte Culpepper, who was one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks in 2004 and an injury effectively ended his career the next year. That makes two. How many elite quarterbacks have the Packers drafted and developed in the last 50 years? I can think of one.

I’m not completely convinced on ponder yet.. I look forward to watching him this year and hope he will improve with a better offensive line to give him a little more time in the pocket.. and a full training camp to get his timing with the receivers down..

In their first 50 years the vikings have never drafted and developed an elite QB.

No reason to think they will now with the NFL’s worst coach.

“He also threw for 4000 yds, 28 tds, and 13 ints and a rating of over 93. Going out on a limb and saying he had very little to do with that record. Perhaps it was the 23rd ranked defense down from 7 the year before??”

Rodgers feasted on the Detroit Lions, that 0 – 16 team of 2008, twice. 6 TD’s, 636 yards and no INT’s with a QB rating in the upper 120′s.

The main reason that the Packer defense statistics went down was Rodgers frequent inability to sustain a drive – causing the D to have to go back out on the field.

Example – Packers at Minnesota in 2008 – Final score Packers 27 – Vikings 28…

Rodgers – 15 for 26, 142 yards, 0 TD’s

GB scoring – only 1 TD – after an INT by Woodson giving Rodgers the ball in MN territory.

1 TD on punt return by Blackmon.

1 TD on INT return by Collins.

1 FG after an INT by Williams gave Rodgers the ball in MN territory again.

1 FG after the GB defense recovered a fumble, once again in MN territory.

BTW – Rodgers was responsible for two safeties – giving up 4 points.

Rodgers only led the offense to 10 first downs in the game.

Gus Frerotte kept trying to give the game to the Packers (3 INT’s) and the Vikings lost two fumbles. 5 total turnovers for the Packer D…

Rodgers left his defense on the field for over 36 minutes and could only lead 1 TD drive on a short field provided by his defense.

Yeah, blame the defense.

thankheavenfornumberseven says:Jul 18, 2012 3:41 PM

Yeah, because a sixth-round pick from a small school who was drafted as a wide receiver is always a better quarterback prospect than a first-round pick from Florida State.

——-

Well yeah, but just because the vikings took him in the 1st round, doesn’t mean he’s 1st round talent. That’s like saying Dimitrius Underwood was 1st round talent or TJack was 2nd round talent. A 1st round draft pick from the vikes is probably most equivalent to a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick from most other NFL teams. Probably closer to a 4th or 5th round draft pick for the Packers.
__________

Yeah, the Packers are well known for their great early round picks like Justin Harrell, Mike Neal, Brian Brohm, Patrick Lee, Brandon Jackson, AJ Hawk, Terrence Murphy, Ahmad Carroll, Jamal Reynolds, and Antwan Edwards.

Yeah, because a sixth-round pick from a small school who was drafted as a wide receiver is always a better quarterback prospect than a first-round pick from Florida State.

——-

Well yeah, but just because the vikings took him in the 1st round, doesn’t mean he’s 1st round talent. That’s like saying Dimitrius Underwood was 1st round talent or TJack was 2nd round talent. A 1st round draft pick from the vikes is probably most equivalent to a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick from most other NFL teams. Probably closer to a 4th or 5th round draft pick for the Packers.

Webb has a lot of athletic ability but doesn’t hold a candle to Ponder or Rosenfels as a QB. Webb’s arm strength is mediocre, his accuracy is poor and he’s never shown the ability to do anything more than scramble.

Ponder however, looks like the real deal with food throwing accuracy a good arm and the mental ability to read defenses and make smart plays.

Frankly, I’m getting pissed off at Frasier for wasting Webb’s talent at QB when he could contribute right away as a receiver.

I want to like Ponder however I think Joe Webb is a better prospect. The Vikes will more than likely continue to develop Webb and trade him off to a team that will get him a ring.

Just sayin…..
______

Yeah, because a sixth-round pick from a small school who was drafted as a wide receiver is always a better quarterback prospect than a first-round pick from Florida State.

He also threw for 4000 yds, 28 tds, and 13 ints and a rating of over 93. Going out on a limb and saying he had very little to do with that record. Perhaps it was the 23rd ranked defense down from 7 the year before??

Of course, being publicly supportive of him is the best move now. The real question is what happens if/when he struggles again during the season. Spielman is hanging his hat on the Ponder pick and it seems like that could give Spielman and Fraiser a bit of a pass if the Vikings end the season around 6-10. If 2012 is as epically bad as 2011, Spielman and/or the Wilfs could choose to clean house.

Had the Vikings won Ponder’s first start against Green Bay (it was close), I think the media and fans would be selling as much hope as Spielman is right now.

Check your stats, son.

Ponder’s first start October 23, 2011: 40.6% completion percentage, 219 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 59.3 rating. Vikings lose 33-27 to the Packers.

Rodgers first start: 81.8%, 178 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 115.5. More importantly, the Packers defeated the Vikings 24-19.

Now, if you want to say, Rodgers didn’t start for 3 seasons, that’s fair, but that’s only because the Packers had the foresight to think about replacing their previous quarterback a few years before they did it, while the Vikings were forced to play Ponder when they had to replace…the Packers previous quarterback.

Just sayin…..

“Actually I don’t want hope. Hope is killing me. My dream is to become hopeless. When you’re hopeless, you don’t care, and when you don’t care, that indifference makes you attractive.”

I’m not going to spout off the same tired clichés about his circumstances, but the core that is being built at the salary levels will soon be ready to retake the NFC north and hold it in our frozen grasp for many years to come, just like we’ve always done.