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Christian Ponder | Quarterback

Team: Minnesota Vikings
Age / DOB:  (25) / 2/25/1988
Ht / Wt:  6'2' / 229
College: Florida State
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

GM Rick Spielman gives Christian Ponder "just as much credit for getting us in the playoffs" as Adrian Peterson.
Spielman was referring specifically to Ponder's play when the Vikings won their final four games of the regular season. During that time, he completed 60.6 percent of his passes and threw just one interception, but averaged a mere 157.5 yards per game and totaled four passing scores. These comments are another case of Spielman trying to pump up Ponder's confidence. He's ready to ride or die with his 2011 No. 12 overall pick. May 8 - 12:42 PM
Source: NFL.com

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Player News

Date:
Christian Ponder - QB - Vikings

Vikings RE Jared Allen says Christian Ponder has to be "THE guy" this season.

"Adrian (Peterson) can carry this team so far; our defense can carry this team so far," Allen said. "You know, you look at teams that historically win championships, and they have consistent play from the quarterback position. I thought the last four games of the year (Ponder) did a great job. You should kind of have things down in your third year." Ponder is entering his third season out of Florida State, and he's averaged a pitiful 6.2 YPA on 774 passes.
Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press
May 3 - 10:39 AM
Christian Ponder - QB - Vikings

Christian Ponder revealed that he underwent an MRI on his right elbow several weeks after the season when his triceps bruise "flared up" again.

Ponder says he's fine now, but it's a reminder for a player who's struggled with throwing-arm injuries since Florida State. Ponder was unable to play in the Wild Card round of the playoffs due to a right triceps bruise that essentially "shut down" his entire arm. He had multiple shoulder surgeries in college.
Source: Ben Goessling on Twitter
May 1 - 1:00 PM
Christian Ponder - QB - Vikings

ESPN 1500 Twin Cities suggests the Vikings won't hesitate to make changes at quarterback if Christian Ponder reverts to "the kind of protracted slump he almost didn't escape" last season.

Ponder is the unquestioned starter going into training camp, but it wouldn't be surprising if Matt Cassel gets on the field at some point. The Vikings continue to say they haven't given up on Ponder as a franchise quarterback and that his starting job will only be vulnerable if he struggles with injuries this season.
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities
Apr 20 - 9:29 PM
Christian Ponder - QB - Vikings

Coach Leslie Frazier reiterated that "Christian Ponder is our starting quarterback."

The Vikings have made it crystal clear that Matt Cassel was brought in to be a strict backup. "Matt knows that, he knew it when we went through the acquisition," Frazier said. "He knows that he's coming in to provide insurance for us. If something were to happen to Christian injury-wise, we have a quality backup that can step in and do a great job for us."
Related: Matt Cassel
Source: Associated Press
Mar 19 - 8:36 AM
Christian Ponder - QB - Vikings

ESPN's Kevin Seifert says Christian Ponder's starting job will only be vulnerable if he "regresses or otherwise struggles" early this season.

Seifert is a former Vikings beat writer. Contrary to some earlier speculation, free agent Matt Cassel was not brought in for a training camp battle. Instead, he'll work behind Ponder and be at the ready. If Cassel turns out to be a better option in 2013, the Vikings are going to be in even more trouble than they already are.
Related: Matt Cassel
Source: ESPN.com
Mar 14 - 9:16 PM
Christian Ponder - QB - Vikings

Christian Ponder (triceps) has resumed throwing.

Ponder missed the Wild Card playoff loss to the Packers after taking a direct shot on his throwing arm during Week 17. He expects to be ready for OTAs. Ponder is likely praying that the Vikings can lock up free agent Greg Jennings as his top-two wideouts right now are Jerome Simpson and Jarius Wright.
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities
Mar 14 - 11:23 AM
Christian Ponder - QB - Vikings

Two sources tell Yahoo Sports that the "straw that broke the Vikings' back" with Percy Harvin was Harvin "bemoaning" the fact that Christian Ponder is a poor starting quarterback.

Harvin believed Ponder was "not good enough." Harvin's complaints about GM Rick Spielman's handpicked franchise quarterback expedited his way out of town, despite Ponder's consistent ability to get him the football. Before his 2012 year-ending injury, Harvin was on pace for 111 receptions, and his game reached new heights the season before after Ponder replaced Donovan McNabb. Seattle must not be worried about Harvin throwing Russell Wilson under the bus.
Related: Seahawks
Source: Yahoo Sports
Mar 11 - 5:12 PM
Christian Ponder - QB - Vikings

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier told ESPN's Chris Mortensen that Christian Ponder will not face competition for his starting job in 2013 camp.

Mortensen recently spoke to Frazier, who said Ponder is locked in for 2013. "Leslie Frazier said, 'Go look at his games in December,'" Mort relayed. "There were a couple of games in December where they saw the Christian Ponder they drafted. ... They really believe Ponder will continue to get better. He is the starter going into the season. They expect nothing to change that. No competition." The Vikings will try to upgrade on backup Joe Webb, but it now seems doubtful that they'd seriously pursue Matt Moore, who is free agency's top quarterback.
Feb 13 - 4:21 PM
Christian Ponder - QB - Vikings

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune stresses the Vikings will not be looking for a quarterback to compete with Christian Ponder this offseason.

Minnesota will look to upgrade on Joe Webb as the No. 2 to Ponder, though, and the Tribune points to veteran free-agent backups Matt Moore, Derek Anderson, David Carr, and Jason Campbell. The belief is that Webb could be pushed down the depth chart to No. 3, and the Vikings could use him all over the field as an "athlete." One thing seems certain: GM Rick Spielman will be scouring the market.
Related: Joe Webb
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Jan 21 - 9:35 AM
Christian Ponder - QB - Vikings

Coach Leslie Frazier confirmed Tuesday that Christian Ponder has a stranglehold on the Vikings' quarterback job for 2013.

"He's our starter," said Frazier. While Ponder enjoyed an impressive start and an acceptable finish, he also had stretches of ineptitude. He showed enough progress over the course of the season to please the Vikings coaches, however. The front office will have to upgrade on the backup situation following Joe Webb's epic fail in the season-ending playoff loss.
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities
Jan 8 - 1:45 PM
Christian Ponder - QB - Vikings

Christian Ponder's triceps on his throwing arm was "shut down" to the point that Ponder couldn't even lob a soccer ball the day after his Week 17 injury.

Ponder's triceps were severely bruised, causing swelling in his elbow. He had "no strength" in his arm during pre-game workouts ahead of Saturday night's Wild Card Round loss to Green Bay. Ponder's arm was still "yellowed" as of Monday, with purple streaks extending from his armpit to elbow. Ponder is finally able to raise a football to chest level, but he clearly had no chance of playing against the Packers. "I think it's something that will heal up," he said. "No surgery or anything. Just giving it some time and it will get there."
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities
Jan 7 - 2:00 PM
Christian Ponder - QB - Vikings

According to coach Leslie Frazier, Christian Ponder couldn't play in Saturday night's Wild Card loss because he didn't have full range of motion in his throwing arm and the elbow was "tight" and "swollen."

Before Saturday night, Ponder had never missed a start through two NFL seasons while often playing at less than 100 percent, so it's hard to criticize him for sitting out this one. As to whether Ponder is salvageable after a mostly-rough second year, we'd lean toward cautiously saying yes because he has legit arm talent, and is athletic and smart. He's going to have to overcome a tendency to look at the pass rush rather than receivers downfield, however, and the Vikings are going to have to give him someone worth throwing to on the perimeter. Ponder will turn 25 in February and he still has a long way to go.
Jan 5 - 11:33 PM
Christian Ponder - QB - Vikings

Christian Ponder (elbow) is inactive for Saturday night's Wild Card game against the Packers.

Ponder's elbow bursitis simply didn't improve. Joe Webb, a dual-threat former sixth-round pick out of UAB, will get the start at quarterback at Lambeau Field. It's hard to say how the change will affect Minnesota's offense, but OC Bill Musgrave knew this was a possibility because Webb took all of the first-team reps during the week. It will be interesting to see whether Musgrave incorporates zone-read plays, taking a page out of the Redskins, Seahawks, and Panthers' book.
Jan 5 - 6:30 PM
Christian Ponder - QB - Vikings

FOX Sports' Jay Glazer reports that Vikings players haven't been told whether Christian Ponder (elbow) or Joe Webb will start Saturday night's Wild Card game versus the Packers.

Ponder is dealing with elbow bursitis in his throwing arm, and beat writer Tom Pelissero says it "only goes away with rest." Joe Webb took all of the first-team practice reps this week while Ponder received mostly "mental reps." Glazer adds that a decision will be made shortly after the coaches and quarterbacks arrive at the stadium Saturday night. Ponder is still expected to start, but it's not out of the realm of possibility that we see some of Webb.
Source: Jay Glazer on Twitter
Jan 5 - 3:23 PM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Christian Ponder
2Matt Cassel
3McLeod Bethel-Thompson
4James Vandenberg
RB1Adrian Peterson
2Toby Gerhart
3Matt Asiata
4Joe Banyard
5Jerodis Williams
GLB1Adrian Peterson
2Toby Gerhart
3RB1Adrian Peterson
2Toby Gerhart
FB1Jerome Felton
2Zach Line
WR11Greg Jennings
2Jarius Wright
3Joe Webb
4Greg Childs
5Chris Summers
WR21Jerome Simpson
2Cordarrelle Patterson
3Stephen Burton
4Rodney Smith
5Erik Highsmith
WR31Cordarrelle Patterson
TE1Kyle Rudolph
2John Carlson
3Rhett Ellison
4Chase Ford
5Colin Anderson
K1Blair Walsh