Leslie Frazier was noncommittal last night about who he will start at quarterback next Sunday when the Vikings play the Green Bay Packers at Mall of America Field, but the guess here is rookie Christian Ponder will make his first NFL start.
Ponder played in his first regular season game last night when he took over for Donovan McNabb early in the fourth quarter with the Vikings trailing the Chicago Bears 39-10. Although he didn’t produce any points, Ponder passed for 99 yards and was often accurate throwing the ball despite an aggressive Bears pass rush. He completed 9 of 17 passes and showed exceptional awareness in the pocket and the speed to elude tacklers.
After the game Frazier was asked on KFAN Radio about the decision to bring Ponder into the game and the possibility of him starting against Green Bay. “The reason we put him in ─ whatever the score was at the time ─ I just felt like, you know what, let’s take a look at him,” Frazier said. “And as far as next week is concerned, we’ll sit down as a staff and we’ll talk about things on Monday.”
Ponder injected some life into an offense that has often been struggling through six games for the 1-5 Vikings. At 23, his arm and legs look lively compared with the 34-year-old McNabb who had an okay night completing 19 of 24 passes for 177 yards.
What’s the point in continuing with McNabb who is near the end of his career? The Vikings look like a lock to finish last in the NFC North where with less than half the season gone they are looking up at the 6-0 Packers, 5-1 Detroit and 3-3 Bears.
The time to prepare for 2012 can start next Sunday with Ponder. The Vikings have numerous issues that don’t even include the quarterback position but there are assets including Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin, Jared Allen, Kevin Williams and Chad Greenway to build around. It looks like it’s time to find out if Ponder can be one of those assets this season or next.
The Vikings have lost 15 of their last 22 regular season games dating back to last season. The fan base is restless and the presence of Ponder on the field Sunday at home against the hated Packers will give Vikings fans something to cheer about.
At least for awhile.