The Viking Age » jay glazer

Glazer: Christian Ponder “Carries Himself Like a Vet”

Dan Zinski — Mon, 23 May 2011 21:26:42 +0000

At least one well-known mainstream journalist is incredibly impressed with new Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder. Jay Glazer met young Mr. Ponder at an event and tweeted this about him:

It’s good that Ponder has a sense of humor, cause he’s going to need it, with that offensive line in front of him.

All kidding aside…it’s very heartening to hear so many good things being said about our quarterback. It seems Ponder has many of the mental tools necessary to be a successful QB in the NFL. But of course this alone doesn’t guarantee success. For Ponder to live up to being drafted #12 overall, he will need to develop a command of the game beyond that of the average signal-caller.

It’s not Ponder’s fault this pressure is being put on him – it’s Rick Spielman and Leslie Frazier’s fault. They drafted him 12, creating these high expectations.

They can take some of the pressure off Ponder, in this his rookie season, by picking up a reliable veteran to step in should he struggle. Many believe Kyle Orton will end up being this veteran.

Despite what Glazer says about the way Ponder carries himself, he is not yet an experienced NFL player. That only comes with time. I expect him to have many struggles this year if he does indeed end up the starter. That’s just reality.

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Vikings Season Review – Top 10 Stories: #6 Brett Favre Returns…Again

Dan Zinski — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:58:44 +0000

Brett Favre provided the media and fans with many a wacky day in his roughly two years as a Minnesota Viking, but few were wackier than August 4th, 2010. That morning began with reports that Favre had sent messages to several Viking teammates indicating he was set to retire from the NFL rather than return for a second season as Minnesota’s quarterback. “This is it,” Favre reportedly texted Ryan Longwell, Visanthe Shiancoe and others. By lunchtime ESPN had begun the wall-to-wall Brett Favre retirement coverage, comprised of endless tape loops, stat graphics and emotionally-overcome talking heads. Finally, after weeks of speculation, it appeared the 2010 edition of The Yearly Favre Retirement Drama had reached its resolution, and the Vikings would have to go ahead with Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels as their starting QB.

And if you were one of those who truly believed Favre was done that day, just because of a few texts and some ESPN eulogizing…I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

***

January 24th, 2010. Brett Favre leads the Minnesota Vikings to the brink of the Super Bowl, only to see the dream evaporate with one ill-advised across-the-body pass in the general direction of Sidney Rice. Instead of heading to their first Super Bowl since the glory days of the 1970s, the Vikings are going back home, also-rans once again. Instead of finishing a stellar season with a miraculous second Lombardi Trophy, Favre limps off the field and into an uncertain future.

Despite having played well through much of the second half, Favre receives a good deal of the blame for the latest in a seemingly endless string of big game failures by the Purple. Fans ask why he didn’t take advantage of a seemingly open field to scramble for yardage on the interception play, setting up Ryan Longwell for a potential game-winning field goal. In response to the criticism Favre releases a photo of his bruised thigh and ankle, illustrating just how hobbled he was after taking a number of big (and some would argue dirty) hits during the game. The ankle will remain at the center of the Favre drama throughout the summer and into the preseason.
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Brad Childress Fired as Head Coach of the Vikings

Dan Zinski — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:13:08 +0000

The tweet many a Vikings fan was waiting for has finally come across the wire. From Jay Glazer:

Breaking news: brad childress has been fired as head coach of the minnesota vikins!

By “vikins” I assume Glazer means “Vikings.” So, indeed, it appears Zygi Wilf has pulled the trigger on the embattled coach less than one year after that same coach led the team to within seconds of a Super Bowl.

Will there be rejoicing in the Vikings locker room? Will this move cause Brett Favre to re-evaluate his re-evaluation? Will Leslie Frazier now take over? And what’s next for Brad Childress? A return to offensive coordinator? Possibly a TV show where he becomes the new Dr. Phil? More to come as the confirmations, reactions etc., roll in throughout the day.

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