Jun 11, 2013; Eden Prairie, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) passes in drills at the Minnesota Vikings minicamp at Winter Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Reports on Christian Ponder have been mixed all through OTAs and into the beginning of minicamp. Terms like “spotty” keep being thrown out there to describe Ponder’s performance thus far in drills and long-time observers like Judd Zulgad are openly questioning Ponder’s footwork and sharpness. Zulgad said of Ponder:

Watching Christian Ponder out there, the footwork didn’t look great. The passes didn’t look all that sharp. You know what’s not there? Crispness/ There’s not a sharpness. At times you would expect things to look second nature to Ponder. … That’s not what we’re seeing so far.

Adam Schefter got in on the act by tweeting the following rather ominous report:

Christian Ponder is Vikings starter. Yet some believe Matt Cassel is good enough to challenge for starting job this year.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 18, 2013

The Pondermaniacs certainly have a response for these naysayers. YO IT’S ONLY OTAS AND MINICAMP! OUR GUY WILL BE READY TO ROCK BY THE SEASON!

Fair enough. But at the same time, you can’t help being at least a tad concerned. If you have an objective, rational bone in your body. We’re into Ponder’s third year now and he’s still struggling with footwork? He still looks like he’s not very sharp? The game still isn’t slowing down for him even in minicamp practices when everything should be relatively easy?

Sorry Pondermaniacs but things do not look good for your guy. You had better hope he is just strugging to shake off the offseason rust. You better hope the footwork thing gets sorted out. Because this year the Vikes have a legit #2 option in Matt Cassel.

This isn’t to say I think Ponder should be yanked at the first sign of trouble. I still believe the same way I believed last year during Ponder’s struggles. You are invested in this guy so you might as well leave him out there, even if he isn’t getting it done.

That really hasn’t changed in my mind. You are still invested in Ponder as the starter and you should still leave him out there until you have no choice. That’s why I’m not really buying the whole “Cassel could challenge Ponder” line. That feels more like made-up media drama than anything. Let’s stir up a quarterback controversy for the sake of hits!

A QB controversy would be good entertainment and certainly great for business around these parts, but I don’t believe one exists. Ponder is the starter no matter what happens in minicamp or regular camp or preseason. And I think he’ll be given plenty of leeway during the season too.

Bottom line: Rick Spielman drafted Ponder. A big chunk of his credibility as a GM is tied up in Ponder. So he’s going to make sure Ponder has a chance to prove himself. He didn’t spend all that dough on Greg Jennings just cause he likes Jennings’ mentoring ability. That was all about making Ponder better.

Will Ponder respond? Will he validate his GM and silence his doubters? We’re a long long way from knowing that. But the early reports are not promising.

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Dec 23, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen (69) warms up against the Houston Texans before the game at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to the Purple People Podcast for the week of May 27th, 2013!

Hosted by Adam Carlson and Kyle West!

This week, we answer a question from a social media, talk about the Jared Allen’s recent comments, the future of the Defensive End position, compare Ponder and Favre, AND MORE!

Join the active discussions in our official Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/PurplePeoplePodcast

Or on Twitter at:
@PurplePeoplePod (Official Page)
@AstroLounge101 (Kyle West)
@BigRedMasheen (Adam Carlson)

Nov 24, 2012; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Rodney Smith (84) runs the ball during the second half of the game against the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium. Gators defeated the Seminoles 37-26. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

For 4 years, Rodney Smith was a Wide Receiver for the Florida State Seminoles.  He entered the 2013 NFL Draft hoping that his dreams would come true and be drafted by an NFL team.  Sadly, Draft weekend came and left.  Rodney Smith was not one of the players who was selected.

Even though Smith never put up huge numbers at FSU, there are a lot of very interesting things about him.  Here are five reasons why the Vikings should be exited about this young player:

1) Smith is a big target.  Vikings.com lists him as being 6’6″, but in reality, he is closer to 6’4″.  When you combine his height with his nearly 35 inch arm length, he will tower over most opposing Cornerbacks in the NFL.

2) His long legs allow him to make huge strides down the football field and gobble up yards quickly.  He is athletic enough to be elusive after the catch.

3) Smith is very consistent and reliable target for Quarterbacks.  At FSU, he had a catch in 30 straight games.

4) He shows excellent body control when adjusting for catches or throwing blocks.  His small frame allows him to be pushed around a bit, but the effort is there.

Oct 13, 2012; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Rodney Smith (84) during the first half of the game against the Boston College Eagles at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

5) As a 2-year teammate of Vikings Quarterback Christian Ponder at Florida State, they are familiar with each other’s tendencies both on and off the field.

Rodney Smith might not be ready for the 53 man roster this year, as he still needs to adjust to the NFL.  He will need to add some bulk to his frame and work on his technique in order to be effective in the league.  If the Vikings keep him as the 5th Wide Receiver on the roster or are able to hide him away on the practice squad, they may have found a gem that they can develop into a big time player.