5 questions: Ponder looking to improve on last week's strong performance
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – There’s been a momentary stop in the carousel of Minnesota
Vikings quarterbacks this season, and Christian Ponder is the lead horse.
With a short week of
preparation and an improved performance in Sunday’s loss at Dallas, Ponder will
start Thursday night’s home game against the Washington Redskins. Ponder, who
went 25-of-37 passing for 236 yards, one touchdown and an interception on Sunday,
will start his third straight game, the second time in nine games this season
he’ll start three in a row.
Coach Leslie Frazier and
general manager Rick Spielman have said winning each game is the only
consideration in selecting between Ponder and Josh Freeman, who was signed to
potentially take Ponder’s place as the starter.
Ponder, according to
Frazier and Spielman, has the chance to take the job and never let it go.
“Well, Christian knows
from me that we want him to succeed,” Frazier said Tuesday, four days after
Spielman met with reporters and said he’d have no issues with Ponder securing
the job through his play on the field.
As the starting
quarterback, Ponder returned to the podium for a weekly press conference. Here
are five responses from Ponder’s meeting with reporters on Tuesday:
1. What are the
challenges of trying to digest the game plan in two days?
PONDER: Yeah, you want as many days to prepare, but its equal playing
field. We’re fortunate that we’re at home and we don’t have to travel. There’s
got to be a lot of focus today, a lot of studying off the field in preparation
and more studying tomorrow and everything. But there’s going to be a lot to
cover today, a lot of thinking going on and I think guys are prepared for that.
Again, the walk-through, we went basically through our whole install and went
out to walk-through and guys were pretty focused, which was good to see.”
2. In terms of looking
long-term, how optimistic are you that you can be the Vikings franchise quarterback moving forward?
PONDER: Yeah, I know I can. Obviously my play will determine that on the
field and I have to play better. But again, my future right now is this game
and hopefully once I have a good game Thursday, that will play out itself. I
understand that we have eight games left in this regular season to do so.
3. Coach Frazier said
you have no reason to look over your shoulder when it comes to Josh. But how do
you approach that whole situation knowing that there’s a guy they want to
evaluate right behind you?
4. Since you are pretty
good on your feet, is it difficult to always think pass-first or has that been
one of the bigger adjustments for you just to make sure you’re patient enough?
5. Why do you think you
can be that guy (a franchise quarterback) in Minnesota?
PONDER: I think I fully trust in my ability and everything that’s going
on. I believe we made the playoffs last year. Obviously, this year has been a
little tougher, but I believe in what I can do and expect things will work
out.”
