Christian Ponder’s Elbow a Concern As We Near Game Time

Dec 30, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) throws a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Packers 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

As I write this we are a little over seven hours away from kickoff. The major concern for fans right now is procuring enough alcohol and food to make it through the evening. I myself have a healthy supply of beer ready in the fridge. Number two on the list of fan concerns – and this is rapidly becoming a major concern if you listen to certain Twin Cities media people – is the state of Christian Ponder’s throwing elbow.

Ponder as you know was limited all week in practice and is officially listed as questionable for the game. So is he going to play or will the Vikings be forced to go with Joe Webb at QB? Well let me say this. I know of no reputable media figure who thinks Ponder will miss this game. Yes Ponder’s elbow is bruised up and sore and yes he had problems getting loose in practice during the week. But is this reason for us to be concerned that Ponder won’t get on the field at all?

I say no. And most media figures say no. But there is one guy out there who is willing to go against the grain and say he that he believes there’s a good chance Ponder will miss this game. And that person is Paul Charchian. Noted ranting media hack and newly-minted purveyor of unnecessary pre-game hysteria.

Yeah I said it. Charch is trading in hystericalism. This is pure Twitter attention-grabbing. Well it worked Charchian. We’re talking about what you said. Charch tweeted, “Ponder downgraded and did very little practice in a short week. My gut says that we see Webb, very possibly as the starter.”

His gut says. No word on what his brain says but I can guess. “I think I’ll tweet that Ponder might not play. That should get me some retweets!”

What a fraud this guy is.

But let’s put Charchian’s self-serving lunacy aside for a second. Is there legit reason for us to be concerned about Ponder? Of course there is. He was limited in practice all week. So clearly something is up with that elbow. But I believe Ponder will tough it out no matter what. He will go out there and give it his all. And we won’t see Joe Webb for even one play unless Ponder gets totally blown up on the field and physically can’t continue.

My gut and my brain tell me Ponder will make it through the whole game. Will he be effective? We’ll just have to wait and see.

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