Leslie Frazier says he could bench Christian Ponder: Why won’t he?
The Vikings were able to fend off the Chicago Bears and keep their playoff hopes alive, but their Week 14 victory isn’t what’s making headlines; Adrian Peterson’s quest for 2,000 yards isn’t either. Instead, the media and fans are growling just a little louder about Christian Ponder’s role as the team’s starting quarterback.
Head coach Leslie Frazier has addressed Ponder’s status in recent weeks. According to a report from the Twin Cities Pioneer Press, Frazier stated that the decision on whether or not to start Ponder was essentially up to him. He reiterated by telling the media that the Vikings’ management has given him the go-ahead on roster decisions in general. So why hasn’t he benched Ponder yet?
Unfortunately for Frazier, it’s not as simple as watching Ponder play poorly and then pulling him from the game. Although his comments may suggest it’s that easy, there is no doubt an immense pressure from his higher-ups in the Vikings’ organization. Christian Ponder was the team’s number one draft pick in 2011 as the 12th overall choice. While the expectation to perform at a high level is on Ponder, the pressure to not look incompetent is on the Vikings’ front office. If they, or Frazier, decide to bench Ponder this week they might look foolish for not doing so earlier. However, if they choose not to bench him this year, they will look even more foolish when the Vikings end up missing the playoffs again.
Leslie Frazier knows what’s at stake. Remember when former Vikings’ head coach Brad Childress released Randy Moss without running it by team owner Zygi Wilf? Leslie Frazier does too, and he also wants to keep his job. Maybe Frazier is “allowed” to make the call on Ponder, but it’s impossible to understand why he hasn’t done so yet unless there are other factors involved.
Even with Adrian Peterson’s Herculean performances, the team’s offense can not win big games without at least a little help from the passing game. Leslie Frazier has a big decision to make, and his team’s winning record has nothing to do with good quarterback play. With very little to lose, he should do the right thing and bench Christian Ponder.
He has to go ASAP!!!(PONDER) He is NOT a NFL QB and never will be. Put Joe Webb in and let us see what he can do? Webb should have started all this year. and the vikings should have never drafted ponder in the 1st place.
webb is a failure, and ruined the vikings chance at a QB you still woudl have hated. stfu until you use your brain.
Your a dumb ass!!
no you are, seriously are we going to do this. your a child.
Comp% TD Int Fum Rating
62.6 14 12 3 78.3
54.9 18 18 9 74.5
Check these stat lines, which would you say is the better NFL QB? Have you considered that the Vikings problem is playcalling and junk receivers, and not QB? (Hint: One is Christian Ponder and one is Andrew Luck)
why would you bench ponder holy shit, its the coach and the recievers. fucking fair weather fans all over the place in this state. just REMEMBER WEBB IS THE ONLY REASON WE DONT HAVE RG3 that pile of shit /
It’s Ponder’s second year already! Why hasn’t he taken the Viking’s to the Super Bowl?????? Damn it …we need it now now NOW! Check out Aaron Rodgers second year stats…he sat on the bench behind Brett baby and played in two games..same thing his third year….check out Brett’s full second year stats..Brett sucked much worse than Ponder. 19 tds and 24 ints. Give the guy a break. Look at the play calling.
Yep, you guys are right, play calling is what gives Ponder happy feet after about half a second in the pocket. Play calling is what makes him throw into triple coverage. Play calling is what causes him to throw lame duck passes 5 yards behind his receivers. Play calling is what forces him to stare his receivers down and lead the DBs straight to interceptions. Yep. Play calling it is. Coaching is a little easier to buy, but at the end of the day Ponder is so far over his head it isn’t funny. Keeping him in the game is doing nothing for his psyche. Its doing nothing for his ability. Its doing a lot to turn him into a headcase. Cut your losses, look once again to free agency, move on from both Ponder and Frasier.
you obviously are a packers fan, and since we are actually in the playoff hunt, WHICH NO REAL VIKINGS FAN EVER THOUGHT WE WOULD BE…. you need to stfu. most vikings fans gave themselves 3-5 wins this year. because as we all know great QB’s need time to grow and learn the NFL game. now if you would stfu and stop being either a packers fan or a fan weather fan. the vikings can go out and beat the rams WITH PONDER.
I think AP should command a seven figure bonus if only for having to take on 10-men-in-the-box challenges every single Sunday and still (somehow) average over 120 yards rushing per game….after tearing his ACL to shreds 11 months ago, no less…..Unbelievable!!..Peterson shouldn’t only be “in” the conversation for MVP—he “IS” the conversation about Most-Valuable-Player as far as I’m concerned. His accomplishments are all the more staggering considering the ball and chain Adrian drags around every weekend in the form of that overpaid gas bag Christian Ponder…How can a quarterback have the best running back in the NFL at his disposal every game and be so inept at play action passes–not even ATTEMPTING them as often as you’d think–with the second coming of Earl Campbell in the Vikings’ backfield????
End,
Clifford
Santa Monica
Ponder is the worst QB in the league. Is arm is jello. No zip that other qbs in the league have. His passes look like they are floating through the air. He is scared of staying in the pocket for more than a few seconds. Most of the Vikings losses are due to his incompetence. He throws interceptions on simple 5 yard swing passes. Im sorry to say Joe Webb is not much better but I would still play him over Ponder any day. Receivers only need a split second to be open to catch a pass. Watch Brady or Rodgers, or the Mannings thread passes into tight coverage. DB’s can see Ponders 30 mph passes coming a mile away and by then its too late.
or how about an offenseive line that admitts they suck at passer protection. you get back their and see what you can do. im glad you at least said joe webb sucks. but to compare ponder to probably the 3 best qb’s in the league,. come on man. thats like saying obama is a good president.