Adrian Peterson is arguably the best player in the NFL. If you want to say Peyton Manning I am fine with that, but the said two are in a class of their own while the rest stares in awe.
The Minnesota Vikings are indebted to Peterson and his freakish athleticism. If no. 28 is out of the lineup they become a strong contender in the MAC conference.
The reason: poor quarterback play.
Courtesy: CBS Sports
Peterson’s career in Minnesota has been full of video game-like numbers but marred by lackluster team play. Christian Ponder, the current starter, has been below average since being selected 12th in the 2011 NFL draft. His play has been criticized and deservingly so.
Since being named the starter, Ponder has thrown 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions to go along with a completion percentage of 59%. With Peterson in the backfield I am certain that a junior varsity quarterback in Podunk, Texas could do better.
Ponder’s status with the team has always been unwavering because of unworthy backups and the Vikings unwillingness to look for a quarterback that could orchestrate a professional offense. A rib injury to Ponder caused the Florida State product to miss this past weekend’s contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The majority of Viking’s fans were actually excited. That’s when you know your team is in shambles.
While the injury sidelined Ponder, his backup, Matt Cassel, got his first taste of playing time in the 2013 season. A long-time backup, Cassel never started in his entire college career while at the University of Southern California. Despite that glaring fact, the New England Patriots drafted him in the seventh round in 2005.
Cassel played sparingly until a season-ending injury struck Tom Brady in 2008. Cassel played exceptional while leading the Patriots to an 11-5 record. His success resonated around the NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs made a trade to acquire the first-year starter. He spent four seasons in KC before he was released.
Similar to his first time starting in New England, Cassel made a splash and led the Vikings to their first win of the season. To create the perfect storm of a quarterback controversy, Peterson was asked if Cassel should be the quarterback and Peterson responded, “What do you think?”
Sure his quote is open-ended, maybe he’s shooting down the always-looking-for-a-problem reporter or he’s vouching for the guy who just led the team to a victory. The additional quotes squash the debate:
“[Cassel] is more vocal,” Peterson said, “so he was out there and he was saying it to us in the huddle and you could see guys buying into it and keeping the huddle together. And that is all you can ask for from any player, especially in the quarterback position.”
While Cassel’s play has pressed me to write this and for Peterson to speak openly about the back-up’s play, head coach Leslie Frazier is not entertained nor contemplating the move…for now.
“I don’t think there will be much discussion about that,” Frazier said of Ponder and the job.
This discussion will continue and will grow if Ponder is unable to put together a string of successful performances. In a “win-now” league, draft status and salary is of minimal importance. Of the utmost importance is which player gives the team the best chance to win.
Ponder has never been a superstar. Similar to his draft-class-buddy Blaine Gabbert, both benefitted greatly from a lackluster quarterback class and teams with glaring needs for a signal caller. While at Florida State, Ponder was not an All-American or a player worthy of individual accolades. In every sense of the word, he was a game-manager.
In the NFL game-managers are not welcomed. The quarterback position is the face of the franchise and needs to be inhabited by a player that can make plays and lead the franchise to a Super Bowl. It doesn’t take very long to comprehend that Ponder is not that man.
The selection of Ponder drew criticism from many. Viewed as a reach, the Vikings were left with three quarterbacks on the board: Ponder, Andy Dalton and Colin Kaepernick. While Ponder was a mid-first round pick, both Dalton and Kaepernick were early second round picks. Playing the “I told you so” card is easy when you’re on the outside looking in but many had a higher grade on Dalton over Ponder.
Trent Dilfer, a Super Bowl winning quarterback turned analyst, was not in agreement with the Vikings decision to choose Ponder in 2011. Dilfer voiced his opinion of the selection via Colin Cowherd’s radio show:
“His drop, his arm speed, everything about him … it’s one tempo,” Dilfer said. “He has to play at the 7-on-7 tempo. The drop has to be rhythmical. The receivers have to be open. The ball goes one speed. The pocket has to be nice. Any time he’s asked to quicken that up or there’s people around him, his accuracy is awful.”
Dilfer also added, “the great quarterbacks are as accurate going to [options] two, three and four as they are when you go to one. … Christian Ponder, as soon as you get to two or three, the ball is dirting. It’s high. It’s all over the place. OK? He plays with a lot of anxiety. Do you want your quarterback in the NFL to play with a lot of anxiety?”
While Dilfer wasn’t the best quarterback during his playing days, he does run the most elite quarterback camp in the country for high school signal callers. He’s helped mold some of the best college and NFL products in the country including: Andrew Luck, E.J. Manuel, Tahj Boyd, Aaron Murray and Teddy Bridgewater.
Expectations of Ponder are sky-high in thanks to the Vikings taking a high chance on him back in 2011. Most early selections are not provided the luxury of working with the best running back in the game and a stout defense. It’s worth noting that his receiving core has been below average for most of his career. But, with the addition of Greg Jennings and 2013 first round pick Cordarrelle Patterson, the options are there.
Despite the weapons the results have been stagnant. As the starter Ponder is 0-3 and has thrown 2 touchdowns to five interceptions. In a league that expects immediate results, the 25-year-old needs to perform now or he could find himself in Josh Freeman land.
Cassel’s performance sure didn’t help Ponder and when your eventual Hall of Fame running back pledges his support for the backup, you better act hastily. Ponder is not now, nor has ever been a franchise quarterback. Urgency led to the Vikings selecting Ponder and if presented the opportunity to have a do-over, best believe the Vikings would in an instant.
