Vikings blogger to fans: Ponder and Cassel suck, but don't panic

[Fat Elvis]

http://thevikingage.com/2013/07/29/c...gling-in-camp/

What is going on with the Vikings’ quarterbacks so far in Mankato? Well I’m glad you asked. By most accounts the top 2 QBs, Christian Ponder and Matt Cassel…let’s just say they aren’t doing so hot. At least according to the reporters covering camp.

What specifically is going wrong with Ponder? Accuracy issues seem to be plaguing him so far. Ponder looks especially bad on his deep balls according to observers. Those pesky mechanical issues seem to be cropping up again for the #1 QB.

Luckily for Ponder, the backup Matt Cassel isn’t doing much better. We know Cassel has had problems turning the ball over in recent years. If his experience thus far at Mankato is any indication, that is still going to be a problem. He is getting picked off on a regular basis.

But here’s the bright side for everyone to focus on. IT’S ONLY FREAKING CAMP. It doesn’t really matter right now if Christian Ponder looks terrible throwing the deep ball or if Matt Cassel is overthrowing receivers and getting picked. There’s a reason you have camp. It’s to smooth those things out before the real games start.

People are naturally going to zero in on these accounts of the quarterbacks’ struggles and use them to reinforce their own pre-existing positions. Those who hate Ponder will hold up his tough couple days at camp as more evidence that he is not the man. And those who support Ponder will simply point out that Cassel hasn’t looked much better. Each side will be equally dopey.

But aren’t I forgetting someone? What about McLeod Bethel-Thompson? Maybe HE’S the answer at quarterback. Hey, you can always find someone to latch onto in camp. MBT has a big arm. He’s always going to look good in non-contact drills. Let’s at least put the pads on before we make up our minds to elevate the #3 QB to the starter position?

Bottom line here: It’s the first weekend of practice. I don’t need to tell everyone it’s way too early to panic. Let’s not bash Ponder on the basis of a couple bad practice sessions. Let’s wait until the season starts THEN bash him. That’s how you do it.

Sorry Vikes. It's time to panic.

[Coogs]

We know Cassel has had problems turning the ball over in recent years. If his experience thus far at Mankato is any indication, that is still going to be a problem. He is getting picked off on a regular basis.

Reporter: "Gus. How would you grade your first week of camp?"

Gus: "I graded out perfect."

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Crossbars all across Mankato have filed assault charges against him.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by RunKC

It still pisses me off that this guy has millions of dollars in the bank for being such a shitty player.

Peeholi!

Trust Process!

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Lil Vikey is Lovin Every Minute Of It

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by PGM

Lil Vikey is Lovin Every Minute Of It

[The Franchise]

You're ****ing right I cheered his concussion. I'd do it again if I had to.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

You're ****ing right I cheered his concussion. I'd do it again if I had to.

I'd have swerved in traffic to cause it if I could have...

[Coogs]

Gus getting injured was the only way we were ever going to have a change at QB. I really didn't cheer, 'cause I was at home by myself watching the game. But at the same damn time, I did say something along the lines of "Finally, a change at QB!"

Now if I would have been at the stadium, it probably would have been interpreted as "cheering Gus's injury".

[COchief]

I get the feeling I'll be hanging around the Vikes boards a lot this season posting 2010 Cassel stats (how many of those 27 tds were one yard swing passes on 1st down? And who ordered those plays to be called? Peeoli?) to get them pumped for Kasl. I posted a lot of awesome Grbitch stats on the Baltimore Sun after he rolled that way.

The higher you can bring them up, the further they'll fall. Dickmove? Hell yeah, but we're Chiefs fans and need to spread the suffering around a bit.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Well let's see; this thread is about a useless POS and it's started by Fat Elvis, so it definitely needs some spice.

Yep, this thread is as good a place as any:

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/9526266/geno-smith-outplaying-mark-sanchez-first-week-new-york-jets-training-camp

U R Welcome.

[RippedmyFlesh]

Originally Posted by COchief

I get the feeling I'll be hanging around the Vikes boards a lot this season posting 2010 Cassel stats (how many of those 27 tds were one yard swing passes on 1st down? And who ordered those plays to be called? Peeoli?) to get them pumped for Kasl. I posted a lot of awesome Grbitch stats on the Baltimore Sun after he rolled that way.

The higher you can bring them up, the further they'll fall. Dickmove? Hell yeah, but we're Chiefs fans and need to spread the suffering around a bit.

So basically like the AS posters here?

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by RippedmyFlesh

So basically like the AS posters here?

I don't know man, that's like picking on the special kid at school. Either that, or we are usually just happy to let a player go.

[Beef Supreme]

So ... panic?

[Fat Elvis]

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

Well let's see; this thread is about a useless POS and it's started by Fat Elvis, so it definitely needs some spice.

Yep, this thread is as good a place as any:

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/9526266/geno-smith-outplaying-mark-sanchez-first-week-new-york-jets-training-camp

U R Welcome.

I was on the Geno bandwagon last year. Early. Long before you. Go check the original Geno bandwagon thread; post #14. I still thought the Chiefs were going to draft him 1.1 even after they signed ASmith.

The K-State and Syracuse games gave me pause for concern, but when reports that he would just stay on his cell phone during visits came out, I didn't think he was that hot of a prospect. Unlike others, I didn't think he interviewed very well on the radio/tv. He's not exactly a very charismatic guy like you want to see in a QB.

I'd still take him over Buttchin.

[Rasputin]

"Matt Cassel is overthrowing receivers and getting picked"



They need to understand that when Matt Cassel is overthrowing his receivers and getting picked he is only bringing his "A" game.