Ponder's been a polarizing figure, to say the least, but I think he's handled himself with class as a Viking. It sounds like he wants a chance to play and compete elsewhere and I hope he gets it. I also hope he does well.
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_272 ... =hottopics
I liked this:What a long, strange road it has been for Christian Ponder, the onetime Vikings franchise quarterback turned postscript at the dawn of the Teddy Bridgewater era.
So much potential, disappointment, upheaval and regret; Ponder has only begun to reconcile his four seasons in Minnesota.
"I didn't take full advantage of the opportunity I was given," he concluded.
The No. 12 overall pick of the 2011 draft is poised to become a free agent after playing out his rookie contract, having earned more than $10 million from the Vikings but not enough trust for the club to exercise a $9.68 million fifth-year option.
Too much baggage makes it highly unlikely Ponder and the Vikings will renew vows during the offseason, even though the team's other veteran quarterback, Matt Cassel, could be prowling for another starting job elsewhere.
A career reboot and another chance to compete for the No. 1 job is what Ponder wants. He will not find it standing in Bridgewater's shadow, although offensive coordinator Norv Turner says the 26-year-old Texan still is capable of the commanding role.
"Based on my experiences with guys who have been in that position and gotten opportunities, yeah, I think he could be," Turner said last week. "He's too talented to say that he can't be a starting guy."
Ponder sat down with the Pioneer Press this week for what amounted to an exit interview.
PP: You've competed against Teddy and Matt, and both have taken your job at different points. Still, you guys have been able to have a dynamic that seems pretty productive for all three of you. Why has it worked in that room?
CP: I think it's the personalities of all three of us. We approach this game as professionals. I've been impressed with Teddy. I know he was rated really high coming out of college. He's a guy that's come in and acted extremely humble and quiet and really wanted to learn from Matt and I. We're all friends. We like hanging out together off the field. No one's trying to stab each other in the back. We're there to help each other, and we understand this game how tough it can be as a starter. It's been a good group to be a part of.