Ponder And Vikings Preview

Sunday will be the start of a new season for Christian Ponder and the Minnesota Vikings.  Ponder is coming off of his rookie season in which at times he showed great potential and at other times proved was a rookie.  He had to sit behind Donovon McNabb for the first six games then was given the starting position during week 7.

Ponder's best game statistically of his rookie campaign was against the Atlanta Falcons in week 12 when he was 17-25 for 68% with 186 yards and one TD.  He had a passer rating of 103.1 out of 158.3.  Then in week 13 he threw for a career high 381 yards against the Denver Broncos.  Last year the Vikings went 2-8 with Ponder as the starting quarterback.

Christian Ponder and the Vikings are still in the rebuilding process.  He will only have one wide reciever returning that caught over 50 passes last year and that will be Percy Harvin who caught 87 balls for 967 yards.  The Vikings signed receiver Jerome Simpson to help Harvin on the outside, but he is suspended for the first 3 games.  The team also signed two tightends in Kyle Rudolph and John Carlson to help over the middle and with blocking.  The team used their first round draft pick to sign offensive tackle Matt Kalil who will help an offensive line that gave up 49 sacks last season.

Then it all comes down to Adrian Peterson and how healthy he is and can stay.  Peterson is coming off of an ACL and MCL tear which required surgery to repair both.  He says that he is almost back to 100% but time will only tell.  He brings so much to the team and is a nightmare to opposing defenses.  If he can stay healthy he will take so much pressure off of Ponder that he will be able to develop into a better quarterback.  The game will be able to slow down because teams wont be able to blitz as much for the fear of a play action pass.

In all,  Ponder and the Vikings have a lot to work on to become a better football team.  With a little bit of help from different players, the Vikings should be able to improve their record from last season.  Its not unlikely for them to see 5 or 6 wins with improved stats.