Minnesota Quarterback Carousal Stops at Ponder
Word from the Minnesota Vikings is that Christian Ponder will start on Sunday in the Vikings game against the Dallas Cowboys. It will be the first time since October 13 that the same quarterback has started two straight weeks for the Vikings.
Ponder was named the starter by Leslie Frazier the team’s head coach for Minnesota’s road game in Dallas. Ponder started last week in Minnesota’s 44-31 loss against the Green Bay Packers.
In his game last week, Ponder was 14 for 21 for 145 yards. He ran for one touchdown. Both Frazier and Bill Musgrave the team’s offensive coordinator said Ponder did some things well and ran the offense the way they want it to be run.
This decision means Ponder has started five of the first eight games for the Vikings. The carousal of quarterbacks at Minnesota has for the moment stopped, but a subpar game from Ponder turns that carousal on once again.
Following Ponder’s fractured rib September 22, the Vikings gave the signal calling to Matt Cassel for two straight games, but then gave the job to Josh Freeman, who was signed October 7. He played a game on Monday Night versus the New York Giants on October 21 and lost.
Freeman suffered a concussion in the game and last week Ponder was put back into the starting quarterback slot against Green Bay.
All three quarterbacks are now healthy, but Frazier said that Ponder would remain the starter since he gives his team the best opportunity to win.
The Vikings will look to Ponder for a solid passing effort without making mistakes by throwing interceptions.
The running attack with Adrian Peterson will carry the offense against Dallas, as the coaches know the game will be won or lost depending upon how well the offensive line opens holes for Peterson and how well Ponder takes advantage of passing opportunities when they present themselves.
The Vikings are 1-6 on the season and four game out of first place in the NFC North. The team has scored just 163 points this season, while allowing 225. With three straight losses, the team needs to find a way to right the ship and be headed into the right direction.
Ponder is from the Dallas area and will have a number of family and friends at the game in Dallas to support him. He hopes he can have a performance in front of them to help him seal the starting job for the rest of the season.
Frazier said that Freeman was getting practice and learning the system the way a normal backup quarterback would.
Frazier added that he might play Freeman next Thursday when the Vikings play the Washington Redskins
