Ponder's QBR

[hibbingviking]

vikings should have came out and said ponder and cassell would compete for the starting job. competition is good.

[Mothman]

Tomlin said the same thing in an interview from the owner's meetings.

I think he's right. It will be interesting to see how defenses adjust.

Russell has always been a throw first QB who supplements his throwing with his innate ability to feel the defense and take off when needed. Seattle was never heavy in the read option until the very later stages of the year when they wanted to add an element to the offense. Wilson had displayed strong growth and progression in his passing and they wanted to utilize his athleticism once he was able to work within their offense.

As far as height goes...It's a dead issue in my opinion. I've done a write-up regarding him before and just all the components involved in his game definitely help in offsetting his height. A quick list: An almost exagerrated overhand delivery, a deeper first drop step to give him more separation from the line on his dropbacks, plays that move the pocket to give Wilson even further separation and bigger windows, and he also was successful playing behind an NFL sized line at Wisconsin. He'll still get balls batted and what not, but he's like Drew Brees with how he uses mechanics and parts of his game to compensate for lack of height.

He's like a walking intangible too. The guys work ethic, knowledge, and leadership abilities are outstanding.

I agree with that last bit. He's a natural.

I hope I didn't give the impression that I believe his height will be a problem. I was just asking the question. Honestly, I hope it never becomes much of an issue because I think the degree to which teams let characteristics like that influence decisions gets a little crazy at times. I'm not saying it doesn't matter at all if a player is undersized, too thin, etc. I think it does, especially at very physical positions. However, sometimes a player is just a natural and is good enough to rise above physical limitations.

I'm glad Wilson has done well so far. I saw him play in a few games with Wisconsin and I was impressed with him.

[PacificNorseWest]

You didn't give that impression necessarily. I'm just confident in the fact that Wilson is one of those Drew Brees types that's just a natural like you said and excels under any circumstances.

I agree about expert player evaluators who OD on the 40 times and measurables and what not. Can the guy play football is the first question I would ask or look for an answer to.

[Mothman]

You didn't give that impression necessarily. I'm just confident in the fact that Wilson is one of those Drew Brees types that's just a natural like you said and excels under any circumstances.

I agree about expert player evaluators who OD on the 40 times and measurables and what not. Can the guy play football is the first question I would ask or look for an answer to.

Amen!

[losperros]

Amen!

Absolutely! I keep being mystified why people, even NFL team staff, put so much emphasis on a *track event* like a 40 yard dash over actual football speed. Why do we constantly see 4.6/40 linebackers run supposedly 4.4/40 RBs down from behind on the football field? Put the pads on and play the game, and you can toss the races against a stopwatch out the window. Folks, keep in mind, this is coming from someone who used to run track and definitely appreciates track technique.

Anyway, case in point. WR DeAndre Hopkins ran disappointing mid 4.5's at the combine. Not a wonder. He stood up too straight and took too many steps while running the 40. Then he goes back to Clemson, gets some pointers from coaching, and turns in a best 4.41/40 at the Pro Day. You watch Hopkins play football and it's obvious the guy can run and is a deep threat. But put him against a stopwatch and it's a different story.

[dead_poet]

Absolutely! I keep being mystified why people, even NFL team staff, put so much emphasis on a *track event* like a 40 yard dash over actual football speed. Why do we constantly see 4.6/40 linebackers run supposedly 4.4/40 RBs down from behind on the football field? Put the pads on and play the game, and you can toss the races against a stopwatch out the window. Folks, keep in mind, this is coming from someone who used to run track and definitely appreciates track technique.

Anyway, case in point. WR DeAndre Hopkins ran disappointing mid 4.5's at the combine. Not a wonder. He stood up too straight and took too many steps while running the 40. Then he goes back to Clemson, gets some pointers from coaching, and turns in a best 4.41/40 at the Pro Day. You watch Hopkins play football and it's obvious the guy can run and is a deep threat. But put him against a stopwatch and it's a different story.

Not saying you're wrong, but (as you know) the type of track makes a difference too. I, for one, wouldn't be opposed to Hopkins from what I've seen/read.

[losperros]

Not saying you're wrong, but (as you know) the type of track makes a difference too. I, for one, wouldn't be opposed to Hopkins from what I've seen/read.

That and an itchy finger on the stopwatch, which presented some interesting but inaccurate times at the last combine. The NFL Network actually proved that several players were timed faster than they actually ran by visually super-imposing some other players who clocked slower times on the runs, as if they were all running together. It ended up that a couple times player A would clock faster even though player B physically finished the 40 first. That's' one reason why electronic timing would probably be the best way to go.

As for Hopkins, from what I've seen of him on the field, he looks very good. I wouldn't be opposed at all to the Vikings picking him. Then again, I probably won't complain about any pick they make, given the amount of needs the team has.

[losperros]

... and yet they're still easier to move than all those Brad Childress hoodies you convinced me to invest in.

You still have those too?

At least tell me you got rid of the Kick #### Offense labeled socks.

[dead_poet]

That's' one reason why electronic timing would probably be the best way to go.

I can't believe I didn't know this, but I thought the combine WAS electronically timed. I just looked it up and if what I'm reading is correct, it's partial electronic timing (started by hand, finished electronically). Here's one thing I didn't read: are the runners able to start themselves or are they told to "go"? The only reason I ask is because I'm wondering why the entire thing isn't done electronically. Perhaps they're measuring reaction time? Then again, that can also likely be calculated electronically. I'm not sure the advantage of partial electronic timing.

It's interesting to see that of the top 11 40 times have been selected by the Oakland Raiders (not surprising considering these were all selected during the Al Davis era).

[ViciousBritishVike]

Been there since NC State. It just had to be Seattle though. Smh.

Depending on levels of success/playoff encounters, our history with the 'Hawks could make for a good rivalry.

Man I want to crush them so bad, fingers crossed that they are forced to deal with the same Percy related issues that haunted us, still think that in the long run, we got the better end of the deal. All comes down to how those vital picks are spent though.

[mansquatch]

The qoute Gruden made about the draft and LB really rings true. London Flethcer is probably going to Canton and his pro day would have been a joke by today's standards.

Same reason you find pro bowlers in the late rounds. Combine stats are part of the equation, not the whole thing. Likewise, off field issues are part of it, but not the whole thing. Ray Lewis was harldy a saint but you sure wanted him on your sideline come Sunday...

[losperros]

I can't believe I didn't know this, but I thought the combine WAS electronically timed. I just looked it up and if what I'm reading is correct, it's partial electronic timing (started by hand, finished electronically). Here's one thing I didn't read: are the runners able to start themselves or are they told to "go"? The only reason I ask is because I'm wondering why the entire thing isn't done electronically. Perhaps they're measuring reaction time? Then again, that can also likely be calculated electronically. I'm not sure the advantage of partial electronic timing.

There is little advantage to partial electronic timing, which I didn't realize was being used. It doesn't make sense to me. Electronic timing is usually started by a switch mat or an infrared beam at the starting block. It's stopped when the runner passes through an infrared beam at the end of the dash. I'm not sure I understand why the combine starts it by hand since the person doing it could be fast or slow on the draw.

[Laserman]

Hard to really analyze Ponder's Skill as a QB without a valid WR who can get open to throw to. Hopefully we get a freak of WR in the draft and we shall see

[ViciousBritishVike]

Hard to really analyze Ponder's Skill as a QB without a valid WR who can get open to throw to. Hopefully we get a freak of WR in the draft and we shall see

I believe when healthy, Jennings is more than capable of this but as you addressed, hopefully we'll acquire an additional viable threat at WR in the draft. I'm thinking perhaps a versatile threat, dependable hands that Ponder can rely on in the short to intermediate game.

A primarily slot orientated guy is crucial as a compliment to Greg.

[RandallioCobb18]

I believe when healthy, Jennings is more than capable of this but as you addressed, hopefully we'll acquire an additional viable threat at WR in the draft. I'm thinking perhaps a versatile threat, dependable hands that Ponder can rely on in the short to intermediate game.

A primarily slot orientated guy is crucial as a compliment to Greg.

Greg is fantastic at playing the slot, unless he's going to be taking a more outside the numbers roll in your offense? (Which he also excells at.)

Tavon Austin is the guy I have pegged for the Vikes, I could see the Bears snagging him in the first round as well.