Oct 7, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) comes onto the field to start the game with the Tennessee Titans at the Metrodome. The Vikings win 30-7. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-US PRESSWIRE
The Minnesota Vikings are getting ready to hit the bulk of their schedule and with eight games in the books, it looks as if the Vikings need one thing to improve…the passing game. The Running game was not as big a worry as the passing for most people and Adrian has proven that we don’t need to worry. The defense was also in question. Particularly, the secondary was a glaring problem for the team, however with rookies Josh Robinson and Harrison Smith making an immediate impact, we may see a brighter light at the end of the tunnel. Robinson takes the stress off of Winfield and Harrison has changed the way the defense plays. Smith brings an aggressiveness that the secondary was missing. Although we may not have the best secondary, at least it feels exciting to see if they can make a play on the ball.
Offensively, the passing game needs to be better. Personally, I think we have talented enough receivers to make some plays and the O-line will only get stronger the longer they play together. The success of the team falls on the shoulders of Christian Ponder. Ponder has shown potential of becoming a good quarterback, but at the first sign of a mistake Ponder has seems to have taken a step back. Technically, this is Ponder’s first FULL season(last season’s lockout) so I like the progress he has made thus far, but i lack to see the will to drive a team to victory. Im not saying he is acting like Cam Newton at all, but i like to see fire in a quarterback when the pressure is on. As i said earlier the Vikings are entering the rough part of their schedule and if this team plans on making a run at the division or even a wild card spot they will need a better arial attack. We all know about the interceptions he has thrown in the last few games and we all know that there is time to make corrections as well. As long as progress is made from now until the end of the season then fans won’t be so critical once the season is over. The bottom line is the expectations are there now and it is time for him to start smoothing out his game. The Vikings have the capability to make some noise later this season if the passing game can balance out the run heavy attack.