Vikings expected to make quick strike for a quarterback

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When the NFL’s official tampering window opens this weekend, expect big deals to be discussed for big names.

Also, expect the Vikings to make a quick move for a backup quarterback.

According to Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com, the shabby performance of Joe Webb in the playoffs has made finding a veteran option behind Christian Ponder a necessity, and one the Vikings are expected to move quickly to address.

The report specifically mentions Tyler Thigpen, Matt Moore, Bruce Gradkowski, Matt Cassel and others but the Vikings want to make sure whoever comes in knows Ponder’s the guy.

“That would be the key,” Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said. “If the guy comes in and has the mindset that ‘I’m going to create a problem in the locker room’ because he feels he should be the starter, that would not be a good fit. It needs to be a guy understands his role and could fit our team and be ready to go at a moment’s notice.”

They thought that might have been Webb, but his playoff performance was so bad that replacing him might be one of the most important moves the Vikings make.

55 responses to “Vikings expected to make quick strike for a quarterback

  1. Matt Moore in purple next season making Webb move to receiver. Webb is to athletic to let him sit in the bench all season!

  2. This is ridiculous. If Ponder can’t handle the pressure of a QB competition, he should not be our QB. They treated TJack with kid gloves, too, so as to not hurt his confidence. How did that turn out?

  3. Oh so you’re looking for the overachiever that’s thinking “I’m good enough to play at a moments notice, but I’ll never be good enough to start regularly.”

  4. just make sure you keep webb as your 4th or 5th wide receiver and create some wildcat packages for him and percy…oh right, percy won’t be there…

  5. Translation: I really hope San Fran overpays me but a cellar dweller is fine as long as someone overpays me

  6. “Vikings want to make sure whoever comes in knows Ponder’s the guy.”

    We need more of those 60 yard passing performances from Ponder. Be assured if you come to the Vikings, you will ride the pines. And you better be ready to go (Start in the Playoffs) at a moments notice. No pressure.

  7. No problem with them replacing Webb as a backup, but they need to find a way to get Webb on the field and put the ball in his hands.

    Only other thing is, I don’t much care about protecting Ponder’s ego. He’ll get better if the Vikings go out and find some top-notch WRs this offseason.

    But the team doesn’t need to be afraid to challenge Ponder with competition. If he’s not the best QB on the team, then he doesn’t need to start.

  8. Some teams have the ability to develop QBs into stars, some teams need to go the FA pool every or trade for a starter.

    Its been quite a while since the Vikings have developed a great QB

  9. Vince Young could be a cheap effective short term solution at back up QB for the Vikes.

  10. They ought to give the Raiders a call about trading for their third pick.They can get Geno Smith,swap picks withnOakland and Oakland could get their second rounder as well.

  11. Not allowing the new guy to have the mindset that he is good enough to start is a mistake. Look what happened in Seattle and San Francisco last year. If the new guy is any good, it will be apparent during traning camp. Why wouldn’t you want that???

  12. Poor Joe Webb getting a bad rap… But dude doesn’t even have experience.. If you thought he would succeed in the playoffs with barely starting a few games in the NFL… That’s the coaching staff not him.. Give him more reps and help him throw the ball he isn’t that bad… Just sayin

  13. Personally, I like both Ponder and Webb. I hope they’re both given a good, long chance to develop.

    Signed,
    Every Packer fan in the world

  14. The Webb-aholoics are out in full force. If he were that good of a WR, he’d be playing WR already.

  15. Wait until you see Ponder’s arm strength in the howling outdoor breezes he’ll enjoy for two years while the new stadium is built.

    Florida boy built for outdoor MN football?

  16. gbpicksix says:Mar 6, 2013 12:19 PM

    Vince Young could be a cheap effective short term solution at back up QB for the Vikes.
    _____

    Joe Webb is Vince Young, except he’s good enough to have been in the NFL last year.

  17. what is your guys (commentors) obsession with Joe Webb??? the Joe Webb experiment is over, if he was any good at receiver they wouldn’t have moved him to QB in the first place.

    the wildcat is a fad, everyone knows it doesn’t work like it did the one year for Miami. and this point Joe Webb might be a better defensive back than an offensive player.

    The vikings need more “down the field” threats, they already have enough hope the catch and then break a big one” guys. I give Joe Webb a 2% of making the team next year at any position (which it how it should be)

  18. WOW…so many Ponder haters. I am not sure if you know this, but you will now, that Ponder was the 2nd best QB in the Month of December. THE ONLY ONE BETTER WAS PEYTON MANNING. He showed some serious promise in December. If you think, for one second, he didn’t have some serious pressure, you are clearly mistaken. The Vikings had to win every game in order to get into the playoffs, and they did!
    He lead us to a 4 game winning streak, and a playoff birth in his 2nd season. Give the dude a break, especially when he’s throwing to Michael Jenkins, Devin Aromashadu, and an injured Jerome Simpson. To be honest, the only average receiver there is Simpson, the rest are well below average.
    If we can bring Percy back and draft a starting WR, we’ll be just fine, especially with AP in the backfield.

  19. “The report specifically mentions Tyler Thigpen, Matt Moore, Bruce Gradkowski, Matt Cassel and others”

    Seriously, the big names they include are Tyler Thigpen and Bruce Gradkowski? Man there is some serious issues with the Vikings front office.

    Out of those names, I would pursue Matt Moore. He fits the offensive scheme, from what I’ve seen, more and is a lot like Ponder (skillset wise).

  20. Joe Webb will be cut most likely… Yeah the guy is a phenomenal athlete, but that doesn’t mean he’s automatically a MUST keep on the roster. He’s not a WR, can’t catch & poor route runner, and we’ve all seen what he’s like at QB.
    Seems like a good guy, but if he can’t play there’s no need to keep him around.

  21. The Vikings are playing this like the Jets did with Sanchez, not saying it will turn out like the Jets situation did, but I am saying this is not the team you want to mimic.

  22. Moore and Cassell have already had better seasons than Ponder has ever had – so if they want a guy who isn’t going to create any competition, it looks like the Vikings are going to be gettin’ Thiggy wit it.

  23. Sheesh, I certainly hope whomever they acquire gives competition to Ponder. If not, what’s the point?

    It’s painfully obvious that he’s just not that good..

    I’m sick of crossing my fingers every game for an “average” performance from Ponder. Then he gets praised if he goes over 150 yards passing. What a joke..

  24. And the critics say, oh, I see so thats why Shanny took Cousins in the 4th round. That was a steal he should’ve gone no later than the 2nd…as a matter of fact Cleveland should’ve picked him instead of Weeden…Cousins could very likely have a Brady type career…bide his time and then here son the keys are yours now.

  25. Get the o-line to cut down on the penalties, and get some legit receivers. Ponder will be fine.

  26. Phase 1: 2012 get ponder protection so he can develop into a qb.

    Phase 2: 2013 give ponder some targets to throw to.

    This is what the vikes did and will continue to do. They are building a team for the future. They had 6 rookies who contributed to a 10-6 record along with a qb who was in his first full year. Give the team credit they got to the playoffs! Ponder will continue to get better plus hes a texas boy who played college in florida…

  27. So a backup QB that’s not good enough to beat out Ponder for the job? Scratch Vince Young, David Garrard, and Matt Moore off the list. Heck, scratch Matt Cassel too. I’m starting to think Jawalrus is the guy their looking for.

  28. The Vikings haven’t been able to develop a QB since Culpepper — and that’s being generous. Their plan is to snatch up Aaron Rogers after he tearfully retires from GB.

  29. Matt Cassel? I don’t mind that one if he comes cheap. There is a chance, however small, that Cassel is actually good and the Chiefs made him look bad.

    Thigpen or Gradkowski…meh. Honestly I’d rather take a flyer on like a 5th rounder and let him battle it out with Webb and MBT. Sure Webb isn’t good but neither are those guys.

  30. Matt Moore is far and away the cream of that crop. Fins want him back and are prepared to pay accordingly. Considering Moore is presently the 3rd best QB in the AFCEast, and better than Ponder, don’t see him going anywhere that he can’t legitimately compete for the starting job.

  31. jabeus says: Mar 6, 2013 1:04 PM

    what is your guys (commentors) obsession with Joe Webb??? the Joe Webb experiment is over, if he was any good at receiver they wouldn’t have moved him to QB in the first place.
    _____________

    What is the Vikings obsession with Webb?

    Why are they keeping a guy that can’t play QB or WR the reasons they drafted him.

    What good is he to them?

  32. Yeah right. Tony Dungy still feels Joe Webb gives the Vikings a better chance of beating the Packers than Christian Ponder.

  33. I guess this helps explain why they didn’t extend Frazier’s contract.

    Good luck trying to recruit a free agent QB after this announcement.

  34. I remember Ponder’s 63 yard bomb. It was November 4 against Seattle when he threw for 63 yards – FOR THE ENTIRE GAME.

    I give AP a ton of credit, but a lot of his success is due to Ponder being the worst QB in the league.

  35. “Vikings want to make sure whoever comes in knows Ponder’s the guy.”

    Sweet music to the GM’s of the other 31 teams. Ponder is the guy only if you want to settle for a noodle armed QB that can’t throw 20 yards down field.

    All these bubble screens and play action roll outs designed to throw to the tight end 5 yards downfield is so predictable that 2013 will never be as successful as 2012. 5-11 sounds right.

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