Christian Ponder - Pro Football Rumors

Vikings Rumors: Rookies, Peterson, Ponder

May 11th, 2014 at 8:12pm CST by Ben Levine

Vikings general manager Rick Spielman was very aggressive during the draft, pulling off four trades over three days. The team started with eight picks but ended up with ten selections, including first-rounders Anthony Barr and Teddy Bridgewater. As Matt Vensel of The Minneapolis Star Tribune points out, the team only picked in three of their original draft spots. It sounds like this was all part of Spielman’s strategy:

“We thought that if we accumulated more picks, there was enough depth there to add to our roster and create competition,” said Spielman.

The team wasn’t finished adding rookies. Yesterday, the Vikings announced the signings of 15 undrafted free agents.

Let’s take a look at some more notes out of Minnesota…

Neither of the team’s first-round picks are guaranteed to start, but Barr is expected to be on the field for the team’s first defensive snap next season, Vensel mentions in another article . The writer adds that the team plans to use Barr as a strong-side linebacker in their 4-3 base defense.
Offensive coordinator Norv Turner regards Bridgewater as the most impressive rookie quarterbacks and compares him to former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion Trent Green, writes Sid Hartman of The Star Tribune.
The Vikings are looking to trade star running back Adrian Peterson sooner than later, writes Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report. “This (coming) season will be Peterson’s last with the Vikings,” an AFC general manager told Freeman. “Despite the cap hit, they’ll make some sort of move to get him off the roster.”
In regards to Christian Ponder‘s future with the team, Vensel tweets that the team wants to keep a third quarterback. The writer also adds that a trade probably isn’t an option because Ponder doesn’t have much trade value.

Vikings Rumors: Ponder, Bradford, Draft

May 6th, 2014 at 2:20pm CST by Luke Adams

Rick Spielman of the Vikings became the latest NFL general manager to speak to the media this afternoon, and ESPN.com’s Ben Goessling, Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, and Tom Pelissero of USA Today were among the reports in attendance. Spielman made a handful of interesting comments, so let’s dive right in and see what the Minnesota GM had to say (all links go to Twitter)….

The Vikings have no intention of trading Christian Ponder on draft day, per Spielman. Such a move would leave the club short-handed at quarterback, according to the GM, who says Minnesota turned down Ponder’s fifth-year option to keep its financial options open.
Spielman would “love to be active on draft day,” and has already had some calls and texts this week about potential trades. Teams have already made tentative offers for the Vikings’ second- and fourth-round picks, depending on whether their targets are available, according to the GM.
Despite rumors that the Vikings may be discussing Sam Bradford with the Rams, Spielman says his team hasn’t had any specific trade conversations with St. Louis.
Sharrif Floyd, last year’s first-round pick, drew praise from Spielman, but Floyd’s presence won’t preclude the team from drafting a pass-rushing defensive tackle this year.
The Vikings won’t reach for a quarterback with the No. 8 overall pick if one they like isn’t available. If a player they don’t want to pass on is available, they’ll draft him, but the club also would “love” to move down, says Spielman.
Spielman says he has read several mock drafts, but that writers are missing a few players the Vikings could take eighth overall.

NFC Draft Notes: Eagles, Vikings, Giants

May 3rd, 2014 at 10:12pm CST by Peter Sowards

Eagles coach Chip Kelly is on record saying how much he loves Johnny Manziel. Kelly recruited Manziel while at Oregon, but Manziel spurned Kelly’s best efforts and ended up at Texas A&M.

Is a possible reunion in order?

Andrew Kulp of The 700 Level pegs Johnny Football as the best fit for the Eagles at No. 22, citing Kelly’s affinity for the free-wheeling Texan. It’s highly unlikely that Manziel slips that far, but it sure would make for must-see TV every Sunday.

More draft notes from the NFC…

The Vikings select Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley in Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press’ latest mock draft. Vikings brass could be skittish after the Christian Ponder pick didn’t work out so well, Tomasson writes.
A strong relationship between head coach and general manager is key to a team’s success in the draft room, and it appears that the Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman of the Vikings are in the process of building one, reports Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune.
The Giants will need to get as close as they can to batting 1.000 in the upcoming draft, says Tom Rock of newsday.com. After building a reputation as a draft savant — leading to two Super Bowls — general manager Jerry Reese has not had the same success in recent years.
Three players that the Giants could target at No. 12, according to the New York Daily News’ Ebenezer Samuel: North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron, Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans and Notre Dame offensive lineman Zack Martin.
If the Seahawks want to stay on top of the league, they’ll have to do more of the same — draft well. But, as The Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta writes, it’s become even more important to hit on late-round picks now that key players like safeties Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas are earning second contracts and eating up prime real estate on the salary cap.
The Bucs may have to take Manziel if he’s on the board at No. 7, writes Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. If not, Stroud thinks the team could take a QB in the second or third round, possibly offering 2013 third-round pick Mike Glennon in a trade.
The Panthers worked out Fresno State cornerback L.J. Jones, reports Aaron Wilson of National Football Post. Jones is projected as a late-round pick after being named as an All-Mountain West-Conference honorable-mention.
You can try your hand as Ted Thompson and play GM of the Packers with an online roster builder tool launched by Press-Gazette Media, spending up to $133MM and cutting the roster down to 53 players.

Vikings Do Not Exercise Ponder’s Option

May 3rd, 2014 at 2:30pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Vikings have officially decided not to exercise the fifth-year option on quarterback Christian Ponder, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN (via Twitter). Ponder, the 12th overall selection in the infamous 2011 draft class, failed to meet expectations as a Viking. He led the team to the playoffs once, although led is a strong word to describe the quarterback of a team that featured one of the most dominant offensive performances in recent memory in Adrian Peterson‘s MVP 2012 campaign.

The team was not expected to exercise this option. The fifth year would have cost the Vikings $9.686MM, according to our Fifth-Year Option Tracker. That price was far too high for a player who was not even the favorite to beat Matt Cassel out for the starting job this upcoming season.

NFC North Links: Bears, Vikings, Packers

May 3rd, 2014 at 9:46am CST by Ben Levine

It seems likely that the Bears will bring in a quarterback for some camp competition, and that player could come from the draft, writes ESPN.com’s Michael C. Wright. The writer thinks the team would only select a quarterback in the first two rounds, and he bases that off of quotes from team GM Phil Emery.

Emery has studied “developmental quarterbacks” since the 2006 Draft (Jay Cutler‘s year) and discovered that “developmental theory doesn’t hold a whole lot of water.” The research showed that since that draft, there hasn’t been a long-term starting quarterback selected later than the third-round (the 2012 draft is considered a “blip on the radar”).

Emery elaborated on his findings:

“So, to get a high-quality quarterback, you’ve got to draft them high. Most of the starters in this league come from the first and second round. So that’s where you need to take a quarterback. So when you talk about quarterback every year, they have to be somebody you truly believe will beat out the second and third quarterback that you perceive on your roster. And if not, history shows that you shouldn’t make that pick.”

Let’s take a look at some more notes from around the NFC North…

The previous Bears regime did not value safeties, but that could change under Emery, Wright mentions in the same article. Considering the increasing importance of the position and the relative lack of depth on the squad, it wouldn’t shock Wright if the team selected a safety in the first round.
It shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, but the Vikings have declined the fifth-year option on quarterback Christian Ponder, confirms FoxSports’s Alex Marvez (via Twitter).
The fifth-year option is a “key benefit” in selecting a player in the first round, and that is why the Vikings may be inclined to select a quarterback earlier than later, writes ESPN.com’s Ben Goessling.
It would be tough for the Packers to pass up Calvin Pryor if he’s sitting there at the 21st pick, writes ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky. Of course, as the writer points out, it’s unlikely the safety would fall that far.
In the same article, Demovsky expresses his belief that the Packers will select a tight end early in this year’s draft. Wide receiver could also be an option in the later rounds. The team lost receiver James Jones this offseason and likely won’t bring back tight end Jermichael Finley.

NFC North Notes: Ponder, Packers, Robinson

May 1st, 2014 at 6:53pm CST by Luke Adams

Former MVP Adrian Peterson says he’s on board with new coordinator Norv Turner‘s plan to change his role and the offense — if it means the Vikings are playing in January, writes Tom Pelissero of USA Today. “My rushing yards might not be up to par, but it’s not about that,” Peterson said. “It’s all about winning. I’m trying to win a championship, so if that (means) taking less of a pounding and being more productive in the pass game, I’m all-in for it.” Tonight’s look at the NFC North:

While the Vikings aren’t expected to exercise their fifth-year option on Christian Ponder, the team has yet to make its decision one way or the other, writes Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The deadline to pick up that option is tomorrow night at 11:00 central time, and considering Ponder is currently second on Minnesota’s QB depth chart, I’d be pretty surprised to see the club lock in the 26-year-old at a $9.686MM salary for 2015 — even though it wouldn’t be fully guaranteed.
Packers GM Ted Thompson didn’t exactly drop a ton of newsworthy nuggets during his conversation with local media today, but he addressed a few notable topics, including the signing of Julius Peppers, the team’s draft focus, and what he looks for in safety prospects. Mike Vandermause of PackersNews.com has the details and quotes from Thompson.
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press takes an in-depth look at Penn State wide receiver Allen Robinson, who participated in the Lions‘ local prospect day and recently had a private workout with the Bears. According to Birkett, Robinson also visited the Colts and Broncos.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

The Vikings’ Quarterback Situation

April 26th, 2014 at 9:50pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Vikings will not have to take a signal caller with their first-round pick in order to come away with their quarterback of the future, writes Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. Tomasson hopes to remind the hometown team that Drew Brees (second round), Russell Wilson (third round), and Tom Brady (sixth round) all achieved their Super Bowl rings and elite status without being drafted in the first round.

That could be a comforting feeling, considering the ghost of Christian Ponder still haunts the Minnesota football fans, writes Tomasson in a separate piece. It may not be Ponder’s ghost so much as his physical presence on the roster that would make fans and front office executives nervous. Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert, and Ponder came off the board during a run of quarterbacks in the 2011 draft, and all three players look to have been bad picks.

All three of those franchise are picking in the top eleven picks only three drafts later. Because of this, the Vikings could be smart to wait until the second round or later if they are not perfectly certain with the eighth overall pick.

The Vikings’ second-round pick will come at 40th overall. They also have two third-round picks, in addition to a selection in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.

“Among those who could be available to the Vikings between the second and fourth rounds are Pittsburgh’s Tom Savage, Alabama’s A.J. McCarron, LSU’s Zach Mettenberger, Eastern Illinois’ Jimmy Garoppolo, Georgia’s Aaron Murray and San Jose State’s David Fales,” writes Tomasson.

The team did sign Matt Cassel to the largest contract of any free agent quarterback this offseason, so the urgency to take a player at the position is not at an dangerous level, although the team is expected to bring a quarterback in somewhere in the draft. Tomasson writes that even if they wanted to wait until very late, viable options will still be available, including Wyoming’s Brett Smith, Virginia Tech’s Logan Thomas, Miami’s Stephen Morris, Clemson’s Tajh Boyd, Cornell’s Jeff Mathews, Ball State’s Keith Wenning and North Carolina’s Bryn Renner.

In the meantime, the Vikings could use their higher draft picks to strengthen other areas of the roster. While Ponder and Cassel will not provide any quick fixes, competency and consistency will be a huge improvement. With a strong running game in place, and usable pieces at receiver and on defense, a focus on trying to improve the roster across the board and good efforts from players already on the team such as Adrian Peterson, Cordarrelle Patterson, Greg Jennings, and Harrison Smith could bring about another playoff run like the one the team experienced in 2012.

NFC Notes: Will Hill, Julio Jones, Vikings

April 22nd, 2014 at 10:50am CST by Luke Adams

We rounded up several NFC West notes earlier this morning, but there are plenty more items to pass along from around the rest of the conference. Let’s dive in and check out the latest….

Giants safety Will Hill is facing another drug-related suspension and plans to appeal the results in hopes of avoiding a lengthy absence. However, as Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News writes, Hill is likely “done” with the Giants regardless of the appeal’s outcome, since the club is “livid” at the 24-year-old’s continued drug issues.
Speaking to reporters today, including ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure (Twitter link), Falcons head coach Mike Smith indicated Julio Jones “is going to be an Atlanta Falcon for a long, long, long time.” Smith didn’t specifically address Jones’ fifth-year option, but I imagine the only way that won’t be exercised is if Atlanta reaches a longer-term agreement with Jones before the May 3 deadline.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) adds offensive tackle Greg Robinson to the list of prospects visiting the Falcons this week.
A source tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link) that Blake Bortles won’t be visiting or working out for the Vikings. It’s hard to know how to interpret the report — if it’s Bortles’ decision, he may be confident he’ll be drafted before the Vikings pick at No. 8. If it’s Minnesota’s decision, perhaps the team simply knows all it needs to after watching Bortles and meeting with him at his Pro Day.
Speaking of Vikings quarterbacks, Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune, with the help of cap expert Joel Corry, explains why the club’s decision on Christian Ponder‘s fifth-year option isn’t as simple as it may seem on the surface.
We heard yesterday that Kareem Martin has visited the Vikings, and Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link) says the Cowboys and Panthers will also be hosting the UNC defensive end.
The Lions invited five tryout players to minicamp, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (via Twitter): Kevin Matthews (C), Sherman Carter (G), Josh Jenkins (G), Cordaro Howard (T), and Jordan Thompson (TE).

Vikings Beat Analyzes Draft’s Top QBs

April 19th, 2014 at 7:16pm CST by Peter Sowards

With just two quarterbacks currently under contract, the Minnesota Vikings most likely will come away from the 2014 NFL Draft with at least one new signal caller. Matt Cassel recently signed a two-year deal with the club, and Christian Ponder is under club control for at least one more season, but neither are franchise quarterbacks. In separate pieces for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Matt Vensel and Mark Craig break down the potential fits of the consensus top-three throwers: Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel, Central Florida’s Blake Bortles and Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater.

Vensel separates his thorough profile of Manziel into sections, analyzing Johnny Football’s dazzling play-making ability, his smallish stature, the rock star persona and other potential choices at the position Minnesota may make. Thanks to Michael Vick and other mobile quarterbacks who have had success in the league, Vensel contends that general manager Rick Spielman will have to reconsider the future of the position, which in the past has relied upon the tall, statuesque passers.

Craig looks in depth at Bortles and Bridgewater, speaking to David Gibbs, the University of Houston defensive coordinator who faced the two quarterbacks in consecutive weeks last season.

“I think they’re both going to be good NFL quarterbacks. How good? I’m not a quarterback guru,” Gibbs said. “But neither one of them is going to be a bust. They’re safe picks. In my opinion, because of the way they’ve been trained and coached, you’re not going to get a Ryan Leaf. You’re not going to get JaMarcus Russell. You’re not going to get a guy who just can’t play.”

Gibbs likes Bortles upside, but said he’s more prone to force a throw, whereas Bridgewater is content to check down on third-and-20 rather then turn the ball over.

For Manziel, Gibbs is reticent to give his full endorsement: “I do see him as a risk. And I don’t know him personally. I’m just watching him. He’s doing all of this stuff in college. What’s he going to do when he gets to pro football? You know the lifestyle changes. He’s saying all the right things now, and he should. He’s smart. But I don’t know about him.”

Extra Points: Clausen, Quinn, Ponder

April 18th, 2014 at 1:28pm CST by Luke Adams

Former second-round pick Jimmy Clausen hasn’t played in an NFL regular-season game since his rookie year in 2010, but having undergone shoulder surgery last September, the 26-year-old feels like he’s healthy and ready to contribute somewhere. Clausen tells Tom Pelissero of USA Today that he’s looking for an opportunity to compete for a No. 2 job, then hopes to work his way up from there.

“I’m still really young,” Clausen said. “I’m going into my fifth year in the league. I feel great. This is probably right now the healthiest I’ve been since my junior year in college, to be honest with you.”

As the former Notre Dame signal-caller continues to look for NFL work, let’s check out a few other Good Friday updates from around the league….

Although the team has yet to do so, the Rams will exercise Robert Quinn‘s fifth-year option by next month’s deadline, tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Quinn, like fellow defense end Muhammad Wilkerson, should be in line for a 2015 salary of $6.969MM.
Meanwhile, Master Tesfatsion of the Star Tribune takes a look at Christian Ponder‘s potential fifth-year option, which seems unlikely to be picked up by the Vikings.
Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio today, Montreal Alouettes GM Jim Popp said newly-signed receiver Chad Johnson simply “wanted to be part of a team again,” and isn’t angling to make an NFL comeback (Twitter link).
North Dakota State quarterback Brock Jensen worked out for the Packers and could be a fit for the club, writes Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com.
Five NFL teams have visited Wyoming to work out quarterback Brett Smith, according to Gil Brandt of NFL.com, who says (via Twitter) that Smith is a likely late-round pick if he’s drafted at all.