Thread: Vikings 1st Draft Pick Makes You Ponder

Originally Posted by "i_bleed_purple" #1096032

last pass was -5 yard line to the 35. I could throw that.


That first pass was nice though. 55 yard ball on the run.

Can we agree though that he doesn't have a rocket. He's not a guy who's going to toss up a hail mary from 70 yards out.

He just needs to make up for it with smarts and accuracy.

One thing does worry me. A description I heard of him "A poor man's Chad Pennington"

Why?
Chad is the most accurate Qb in NFL history (based on comp%).
His arm strength was sapped due to shoulder surgeries and even that is overstated.

Chad Pennington would have been a 12-year starter in the NFL with multiple Pro Bowls if it had not been for injuries. And he had a pretty good arm before the injuries also.

If Ponder is Pennington, we will be all right. Especially if he ducks the multiple serious shoulder injuries.

Originally Posted by "HEY" #1096037

Originally Posted by "i_bleed_purple" #1096032

One thing does worry me. A description I heard of him "A poor man's Chad Pennington"

I read that too. I also found this, another more in-depth comparison to Pennington:

Player Comparison: Chad Pennington. Recently, Pennington's long, mostly average NFL career likely came to an end on a basketball court when he blew out his knee. Injuries plagued him during his 11 seasons in the league, just like they have bothered Ponder in college. It might be premature to expect Ponder to match Pennington's accuracy at the NFL level where he completed almost two of every three passes out of 2,471 he tossed, but that is what he will try to emulate. Both players are smart, and Ponder should have a steady, if not spectacular run as Pennington did.

In some ways I don't like the comparison because Pennington has been plagued by injuries his whole career and has a decent arm at best.

On the other hand, a comparison to Pennington when he's healthy is a huge compliment. Pennington could have been a Hall of Famer if he had stayed healthy throughout his career. He is extremely smart and accurate. Plus, he's a good team mate, has a good character, and plays though. All of the same could be said about Ponder. Oh yeah... and it doesn't hurt that Pennington is statistically the most accurate QB in NFL history.

The thing I'm the most afraid of is whether Ponder will stay healthy. I said the same about Adrian Peterson and he proved everyone wrong which is pretty amazing seeing how this guy plays. It's funny how Peterson actually is less injured in the NFL than he was in college.

Some insight to Ponder's injury.
1) The first shoulder dislocation was his fault. He threw a pick and got mad and tried to lay the guy out.....bad decision and one that he won't make again.

2) Bursa Sac injury. Not a big deal. Needed to be drained and he still played thru the pain.. throwing 20tds and 8 ints. F'n great if you ask me.

Originally Posted by "i_bleed_purple" #1096032

last pass was -5 yard line to the 35. I could throw that.


That first pass was nice though. 55 yard ball on the run.

Can we agree though that he doesn't have a rocket. He's not a guy who's going to toss up a hail mary from 70 yards out.

He just needs to make up for it with smarts and accuracy.

One thing does worry me. A description I heard of him "A poor man's Chad Pennington"

Chad Pennington controlled the game and was the most accurate QB I have ever seen. I think Ponder is just as accurate and his first couple seasons will be a lot of controlling the pace of the game. Like I said if we're getting back to the run game, expect to see our defense improve a whole lot. Of course it is highly dependent on how efficient the offense is.

Originally Posted by "HEY" #1096037

Originally Posted by "i_bleed_purple" #1096032

One thing does worry me. A description I heard of him "A poor man's Chad Pennington"

I read that too. I also found this, another more in-depth comparison to Pennington:

Player Comparison: Chad Pennington. Recently, Pennington's long, mostly average NFL career likely came to an end on a basketball court when he blew out his knee. Injuries plagued him during his 11 seasons in the league, just like they have bothered Ponder in college. It might be premature to expect Ponder to match Pennington's accuracy at the NFL level where he completed almost two of every three passes out of 2,471 he tossed, but that is what he will try to emulate. Both players are smart, and Ponder should have a steady, if not spectacular run as Pennington did.

In some ways I don't like the comparison because Pennington has been plagued by injuries his whole career and has a decent arm at best.

On the other hand, a comparison to Pennington when he's healthy is a huge compliment. Pennington could have been a Hall of Famer if he had stayed healthy throughout his career. He is extremely smart and accurate. Plus, he's a good team mate, has a good character, and plays though. All of the same could be said about Ponder. Oh yeah... and it doesn't hurt that Pennington is statistically the most accurate QB in NFL history.

The thing I'm the most afraid of is whether Ponder will stay healthy. I said the same about Adrian Peterson and he proved everyone wrong which is pretty amazing seeing how this guy plays. It's funny how Peterson actually is less injured in the NFL than he was in college.

+1 excellent post and finally someone sees what I've always seen in Chad Pennington. A great player no doubt.

Originally Posted by "b_sandhar_29" #1096176

Originally Posted by "HEY" #1096037

Originally Posted by "i_bleed_purple" #1096032

One thing does worry me. A description I heard of him "A poor man's Chad Pennington"

I read that too. I also found this, another more in-depth comparison to Pennington:

Player Comparison: Chad Pennington. Recently, Pennington's long, mostly average NFL career likely came to an end on a basketball court when he blew out his knee. Injuries plagued him during his 11 seasons in the league, just like they have bothered Ponder in college. It might be premature to expect Ponder to match Pennington's accuracy at the NFL level where he completed almost two of every three passes out of 2,471 he tossed, but that is what he will try to emulate. Both players are smart, and Ponder should have a steady, if not spectacular run as Pennington did.

In some ways I don't like the comparison because Pennington has been plagued by injuries his whole career and has a decent arm at best.

On the other hand, a comparison to Pennington when he's healthy is a huge compliment. Pennington could have been a Hall of Famer if he had stayed healthy throughout his career. He is extremely smart and accurate. Plus, he's a good team mate, has a good character, and plays though. All of the same could be said about Ponder. Oh yeah... and it doesn't hurt that Pennington is statistically the most accurate QB in NFL history.

The thing I'm the most afraid of is whether Ponder will stay healthy. I said the same about Adrian Peterson and he proved everyone wrong which is pretty amazing seeing how this guy plays. It's funny how Peterson actually is less injured in the NFL than he was in college.

+1 excellent post and finally someone sees what I've always seen in Chad Pennington. A great player no doubt.

Definitely a good player, unfortunately he could never stay on the field. Dude was made of dry twigs and cold elastic bands.

Or he played behind a line similar to what we have had around here for too many years after he was drafted.

Originally Posted by "Purple Floyd" #1096198

Or he played behind a line similar to what we have had around here for too many years after he was drafted.

Don't say that, our line is fantastic. Anyone who speaks ill of our line will be stoned in the streets.

Originally Posted by "i_bleed_purple" #1096210

Originally Posted by "Purple Floyd" #1096198

Or he played behind a line similar to what we have had around here for too many years after he was drafted.

Don't say that, our line is fantastic. Anyone who speaks ill of our line will be stoned in the streets.

Jehova Jehova Jehova.

Originally Posted by "Purple Floyd" #1096212

Originally Posted by "i_bleed_purple" #1096210

Originally Posted by "Purple Floyd" #1096198

Or he played behind a line similar to what we have had around here for too many years after he was drafted.

Don't say that, our line is fantastic. Anyone who speaks ill of our line will be stoned in the streets.

Jehova Jehova Jehova.

All right, no one is to stone anyone until I blow this whistle. Even... and I want to make this absolutely clear... even if they do say, "Jehovah. "