The Ponder Bashing Needs To Stop

Aug 9, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) drops back and looks to the pass the ball in the first quarter against the Houston Texans at the Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Vikings fans are itching to see the team’s first unit play.  They want to see the great Adrian Peterson in action.  They want to see the newly acquired Greg Jennings make some catches.  And they want to see the electrifying rookies take the field.  Sadly, we will have to wait to see more of the first team action.  Strangely, a lot of the attention created by the team’s first preseason game against the Houston Texans involves Quarterback Christian Ponder.

The decision to play him for only one drive was made by the coaching staff.  Even though the drive didn’t last long and ended with an interception that was tipped off Wide Receiver Jerome Simpson’s hands, the team felt comfortable enough with their decision not to alter it.

Aug 9, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) looks on during pre game before a game against the Houston Texans at the Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

So why are all these other analysts making a big deal about his playing time in this preseason game?  Is one more drive during a preseason game going to turn Christian Ponder into the second coming of Dan Marino?  No.  Ponder is still developing as a Quarterback in the NFL and has made steps each season so far to show that he has been making progress toward becoming what the organization needs to be.

Nearly every media outlet is saying that this is a “make-or-break” year for Christian Ponder.  Although he has had a handful of bad games last year, we saw games where he took over and brought the team to victory on several occasions last year when Adrian Peterson was struggling.  Throwing in the towel on a developing Quarterback and hoping to get a Tom Brady type player out of the draft is unrealistic.  Patience is important when watching a player develop and many fans don’t seem to have that.

Christian didn’t get much playing time in the first preseason game.  Big whoop.  Have faith in the team’s decisions.  We’ll see plenty more of him in the second and third games.  And the regular season.  And maybe even the playoffs, which is where this team with Christian Ponder as their Quarterback were last year.