Saturday May 25, 2013
Dan Wiederer began covering the Vikings in 2011, enthusiastically delivering insight on the team across the Star Tribune's print and digital products. Prior to joining the Access Vikings team, he spent seven seasons covering ACC basketball at The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer. He also covered the Chicago Bears in 2003 and 2004. Follow him on Twitter @StribDW.
Mark Craig has covered football and the NFL the past 20 years, including the Browns from 1991-95 and the Vikings and the NFL since 2003. Since 2008, Craig has served as one of the 44 Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors. He can be followed on Twitter at @markcraignfl.
Posts about Quarterbacks
Quarterback snapshot: How well can the Christian Ponder-Matt Cassel tandem function?
Posted by: Dan Wiederer Updated: April 18, 2013 - 8:37 AM
As the NFL Draft approaches, the Access Vikings team is taking a position-by-position look at what will be available, offering insight and analysis on top draft prospects both through print and via daily “Access Vikings: The Show” videos. In addition, here on the blog, we’ll give you a brief review of how the Vikings are set up at each position heading into the draft.
Today’s snapshot: Quarterbacks
Current starter: Christian Ponder
Reserves under contract: Matt Cassel, Joe Webb, McLeod Bethel-Thompson
Biggest offseason move: When the inevitable finally occurred and Matt Cassel was released by the Chiefs on March 14, the Vikings quickly pounced. They had put out a “Help Wanted” ad for a back-up quarterback and saw a guy in Cassel whom they trusted to assume that role with professionalism and comfort. Cassel was given a two-year deal that could be worth up to $7.4 million. But there is also a fine-print provision within the soon-to-be 31-year-old’s contract that would allow him to opt out of the 2014 portion of things shortly after next season ended.
In essence, both Cassel and the Vikings have given themselves a safety net. For the Vikings, if it’s determined at any point in 2013 or at season’s end that Christian Ponder is not the long-term answer at quarterback, Cassel’s presence would provide a bridge as the organization searches for its next solution at the position. And Cassel himself could be an option there.
But if Ponder excels in 2013 and locks down the role as the starter with no signs of relenting it, then Cassel could weigh his alternatives and have the option to seek a starting role elsewhere.
Level of draft need: None. Heading into the season, Ponder is the undisputed starter. Cassel owns the back-up role. With so many other needs, using a pick on a quarterback next week seems impractical.
You should know: Vikings coach Leslie Frazier feels very strongly about what Cassel will bring to the team at practice and in meetings. Here’s an exchange Frazier had with the Star Tribune at the NFL’s annual meetings in Phoenix last month …
Before the offseason heated up, you guys made it very clear that Christian is the starter. The opening was for a back-up. Matt had experience as a back-up in college behind Carson Palmer, behind Matt Leinart. He gets to New England and backs up Tom Brady. What was your feel for his understanding of that role?
Frazier: “You sense that he gets it. In my conversations with him, he made that very clear. He understands the needs for a back-up and how the back-up should conduct himself. That was great to hear. That was such a big part of us consummating this deal -- that he would understand his role and then understand the importance of a back-up handling that role the correct way. He made it very clear to me that he understood that. He’s experienced this league as a starter, he’s experienced this as a back-up. So to me, it was hey let’s get the deal done.”
And obviously he has 2008. Brady gets hurt early in the first game and just like that, he’s got the controls the rest of the season for the Patriots.
Frazier: “Exactly. And we talked about that. And we talked about his time in Kansas City when he was a starter and how his back-ups handled themselves. I like that he’s been on both ends of it. He knows the importance of that role and how to handle it.”
So what can he do with Christian so they are working in tandem and obviously the back-up is at least helping your starter to grow and develop?
Frazier: “Matt’s experience will help Christian. Being in that meeting room and being able to see things, being able to point things out. Christian hasn’t really had that per se since he became our starter. He hasn’t had that veteran back-up who might see some things that the coaches might not see. Or to speak from a players’ perspective. That’ll be big. And I think Matt’s practice habits, the way he prepares are a big deal. All those same things he learned from Tom Brady, Matt will now be able to instill some of those values with our young quarterbacks. We talked about that. He noted a lot of the things he learned from Tom. He took those to Kansas City and now he’ll bring that to our situation in Kansas City. Some of the things he explained to me about his relationship with Tom and watching how he prepared, Matt felt it really helped him. And I think that’ll help Christian now as well.”
One more thing: With Ponder, the Vikings will be looking for more consistency and signs of growth in 2013. The excuse of being a young player with limited experience is no longer valid. Ponder has 26 starts under his belt and now must prove to be reliable week after week after week. To be clear, he won’t ever be asked to be the superstar of this offense. Not so long as Adrian Peterson is whizzing around the backfield. But Ponder will again be asked to be efficient, to cut down on costly errors. That again means avoiding drive-killing sacks and game-turning turnovers.
It’s hard for the Vikings to know which Ponder will show up more often in 2013. Will it be the guy who failed to throw for 100 yards in three contests last season, the guy who had a rating below 60 on five occasions, the guy who torpedoed the team’s upset bid at Lambeau Field in Week 13 by going seven consecutive possessions without a completion while also throwing two brutal red zone interceptions in the second half? Or will Ponder ride the momentum and confidence he built in the final four weeks of the regular season into Year 3? During that stretch, he helped the Vikings’ surge into the playoffs with four straight wins by taking only five sacks and turning the ball over just twice. He helped the team score on its opening possession in all four games (three TDs, one field goal) and the Vikings never trailed thereafter in any of those wins. And in the season finale against Green Bay, Ponder threw for 234 yards and three scores while posting a career-best rating of 120.2. Under the brightest of lights with the pressure at its peak. That’s the guy General Manager Rick Spielman believes will show up more often in 2013.
The worst-case scenario for the Vikings is that Ponder struggles enough to indicate he might never be the team’s long-term answer yet displays enough signs of promise to convince the coaching staff and front office that he still needs just a little more time to get over the hump.
The hope in 2013 is that one way or the other, Ponder proves what he is once and for all.
Lastly, on a side note, there has been speculation that Joe Webb may face a conversion back to receiver in 2013. But when asked on multiple occasions last month about a possible position change for Webb, Frazier said his mindset was to take Webb to training camp as a quarterback, asking him to compete for the team’s No. 3 job.
Could that change? Perhaps. Would the Vikings be better off trying to get Webb on the field in some way with his speed and athleticism rather than stashing him down the depth chart at QB? Maybe. But again, Frazier has said directly that he’d prefer not to have Webb change positions.
“I’m not thinking that way, as we speak,” he had said. “I’m seeing Joe as a quarterback. Things may change. But I see him as a quarterback and I see him coming in and competing for a position.”
Sylvester Williams a Viking? So says the latest mock draft from ESPN's Todd McShay
Posted by: Dan Wiederer Updated: March 6, 2013 - 12:29 PMUnderstand this much: The Access Vikings team never put a whole lot of stock in mock drafts. Especially mock drafts that are formed and updated before free agency begins. As we all know, when the free agent market opens next week, the needs of many teams will change as they add new pieces and reconfigure their depth charts.
But we at Access Vikings also understand the incredible popularity of mock drafts. So we see it as our obligation to share with you the latest projections of ESPN's Todd McShay.
McShay has updated his 2013 mock draft for a third time. And this time he has the Vikings scooping up North Carolina defensive tackle Sylvester Williams with the 23rd overall pick in the first round.
Reasons McShay:
Defensive tackle isn't a top need, and the Vikings have bigger needs at wide receiver, outside linebacker and offensive tackle. But Williams is a good fit in defensive coordinator Alan Williams' Tampa 2 defense. Williams is quick and active and has very good football character, too.
McShay's previous mock, posted last month, had the Vikings selecting Connecticut cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson at No. 23. In that version of the draft, McShay pegged St. Louis to select Williams one pick earlier. Which left the Vikings to add firepower to their secondary with Wreh-Wilson.
Said McShay then:
Minnesota has options here, and a big receiver like California's Keenan Allen might make sense. However, Wreh-Wilson is a value pick at a key position and the Vikings need another talented young corner to go with Chris Cook and Josh Robinson. Wreh-Wilson is one of the most underrated prospects in the class. He plays under control, has good speed and excellent balance, and also supports the run well.
Back in December, before the draft order was set and before either the NFL or college seasons were complete, McShay also projected a Williams-Vikings union. So, hey, it's at least something to keep an eye on. But just to be clear, mock drafts are mostly designed for blogs like these to help you kill of a little free time during your work day boredom spells. So don't go rushing to order your purple Sylvester Williams jersey just yet.
Although it is worth mentioning that McShay's colleague Mel Kiper also currently has the Vikings selecting Williams at No. 23 in his most recent mock draft.
Before that, Kiper projected Baylor receiver Terrance Williams to come off the board when the Vikings go on the clock for the first time.
And if you need more of a mock frenzy, here are a handful of other projections for who the Vikings could scoop up in Round 1:
- Sports Illustrated: Tennessee receiver Cordarrelle Patterson
- Draft Countdown: Cal receiver Keenan Allen
- CBS Sports: Allen or Clemson receiver DeAndre Hopkins
- Fox Sports: Georgia defensive tackle John Jenkins
Yep, mock drafts are everywhere. And while they mean so very little, at least you can daydream about any of those seven aforementioned players for a while. Until a newer mock is posted. With some newer projections and new names to think about.
Combine Notes: Vikings up front with QB vision for 2013
Posted by: Dan Wiederer Updated: February 22, 2013 - 4:02 PMVikings head coach Leslie Frazier and General Manager Rick Spielman have both been up front with their quarterback plans for 2013. Christian Ponder will be the starter. No questions asked.
But who the No. 2 man on that depth chart will be remains to be seen.
Joe Webb won that role last offseason and held it all the way up until the playoffs. Then, when a severely bruised throwing arm kept Ponder out of the Vikings’ postseason game in Green Bay, Webb was forced into starting. And after not throwing a single pass during the regular season, Webb was a disaster at Lambeau Field, completing just 11 of 30 passes for 180 yards during a one-sided 24-10 loss.
On a brightly lit stage, Webb showed his throwing accuracy deficiencies are still a major concern. And his decision making was also iffy. Which, in turn, leaves his role for 2013 in a similarly questionable state.
Neither Frazier nor Spielman has closed the door on Webb remaining the team’s top back-up next season. They’re trying to make sure they don’t let the loss in Green Bay be the only factor in their decision, continuing to point out the 2010 win Webb led in Philadelphia plus impressive 2011 relief efforts in Detroit and Washington.
Said Spielman: “Our coaches are with him every day. They’re in the meetings with him every day. We see him out at practice every day. Just like when you’re grading college players, I don’t think that you grade [a guy on] just one game. You don’t make a determination. I think you look at the whole big picture.”
Still, it’s clear the Vikings will open the door to competition for the No. 2 quarterback role.
McLeod Bethel-Thompson finished last season as the No. 3. And it seems likely the Vikings will either seek out a veteran in free agency or perhaps even use the draft to add depth to the position.
As far as that former option, Frazier said any free agent signing would have to come with a mutual understanding that the Vikings have no plans on holding an open competition for the starting spot.
“He’d have to understand his role,” Frazier said. “That would be the key. If the guy comes in and has the mindset that I’m going to create a problem in the locker room because he feels he should be the starter, that would not be a good fit.”
So here are some of the notable names on the quarterback free agent list: Jason Campbell, Matt Moore, Rex Grossman, Tyler Thigpen, Brady Quinn.
On Friday, Frazier again reiterated his belief that unified support of the starting quarterback is essential for a team’s success.
“Our guys need to know who’s the starting quarterback and how confident myself and the rest of the coaches are [in Christian] and kind of create some clarity for our football team as we are giving them direction about where we want to go and what we want to achieve. It’s important to have that position solidified more so than any position as you are setting your goals for that next season.”
So what about some of the mid- to late-round QB options in this year’s draft? Keep an eye on Duke’s Sean Renfree, Oklahoma’s Landry Jones and Arizona’s Matt Scott.
****
Vote of confidence
Frazier won’t have the final say on which of the Vikings’ in-house unrestricted free agents will be re-signed for next season, but he cast a forward vote of confidence for left tackle Phil Loadholt on Friday.
Said the Vikings head coach: "Phil has come a long way. His consistency this past season was the best it's been. … I think he's an ascending player. He's not a guy that's descending. This is the time where we want to make sure that we keep him a Viking, and he knows that.”
****
Harvin update
What would a day be without at least one Percy Harvin note? So here is what Frazier had to say when asked what Harvin conveyed to him recently when he returned to Winter Park for his exit physical: “He expressed to me that he was healthy, which is something we wanted to make sure of when he came back for his exit physical. And that he was doing well. He was going to go home and spend some time with his family and that he was doing fine. So that was encouraging.”
Subsequently asked if Harvin would commit to the Vikings and invest in being a part of what the organization is building, Frazier said, “Well, the fact that he’s under contract, he’s a part of our team. And he’s excited about being a part of our team from my conversations with him. And that’s where things are.”
***
Must-see TV
If you’re itching for a combine fix this weekend, the NFL Network has you covered. Drill and speed testing begin Saturday for offensive linemen, tight ends, kickers and punters. On Sunday, the quarterbacks, receivers and running backs will take to the turf. And on Monday and Tuesday, defensive players will get the stage. NFL Network will provide extensive coverage with two-dozen analysts, hosts and reporters chiming in and 25 cameras set-up.
Senior coordinating producer Mike Muriano believes the combine has increasingly become great television for the avid football fan.
Said Muriano: “I think a lot of folks tune in because they’re still Jonesing for football being two-and-a-half some weeks since the final game was played. … It’s really kind of turning the page into the, ‘OK, now how is my team getting better?’ whether their season ended two weeks ago with the Lombardi Trophy or ended at the end of Week 17.
Rice takes some jabs at Moss' heart
Posted by: Mark Craig Updated: January 31, 2013 - 2:05 PMNEW ORLEANS – If nothing else, it's been entertaining having Randy Moss vs. Jerry Rice as the undercard bout before Sunday's Super Bowl.
Today, an ESPN employee was reading through the credentials of Cris Carter, Trent Dilfer, Mike Ditka and Jerry Rice before a press conference at the New Orleans Convention Center.
When she got to Rice, she introduced him as, “arguably the best receiver in NFL history.”
Rice couldn’t resist the opening.
“Second best,” he said as laughter filled the room.
It was a jab at Moss, the former Viking who made headlines earlier in the week when he said he, not Rice, was the best receiver in NFL history.
Later, as Rice sat and talked with reporters, it was obvious that no matter what he says about not being upset with Moss, Rice is very much upset with Moss.
“I’m just having fun with it, but I think the thing is I never took any plays off and always gave 100 percent,” said Rice, who won three Super Bowls, one Super Bowl MVP and holds most of the league’s major career receiving records.
“And also, if you put my numbers up against Randy’s, my body of work compared to his work, there’s a big difference. I know he said you can’t bring the stats into the scenario, but I think that’s part of being the best receiver in the game.”
Rice went on to say that Moss was “probably was the most talented” player in NFL history.
“But along with being the most talented, you also have to work hard,” Rice said. “Every season, every play. I was not the most talented, but I was going to outwork you.
“He could have been probably the greatest player to ever play the game. Gifted, 6-foot-5, could run a 4.3, could outjump you. He struck fear into the opponent. But you got to have it here in your heart.”
Rice pointed at his chest as he said that. Then he continued.
“This,” said Rice, pointing to his Super Bowl ring, “is how I impacted the game. With Super Bowl rings. I’m hoping he can go out there and win his first one on Sunday.”
More Moss rankings: Moss is being asked by reporters to rank, rank, rank. The last guy who had to do this much ranking was Casey Kasem (Note: old-guy reference to a once-popular Top 40 radio program).
Moss was asked to rank the top five players of all-time. He started by saying he wouldn't include quarterbacks because they belong in their own category. Then he started naming names.
"Walter Payton," Moss said. "Jerry Rice, Barry Sanders, Terrell Owens. You have to put T.O. in there."
Then Moss paused and asked, "How many did I say?"
"Four," said the reporters.
"Did I say myself?" Moss said.
"No," said the reporters.
"And Randy Moss," Moss said.
Moss also was asked for the top two players in NFL history that he admires most.
"Walter Payton," he said. "And myself."
Vikings 2013 look ahead: Quarterbacks
Posted by: Mark Craig Updated: January 20, 2013 - 10:50 AMThe Vikings coaching staff and front office are in the process of fully evaluating their roster as they plan for the opening of free agency in March as well as April’s NFL Draft. As General Manager Rick Spielman, head coach Leslie Frazier and their respective staffs put their heads together, the Access Vikings team is doing the same. We are in the middle of delivering snapshot evaluations of every position group. Today, we look at the quarterbacks.
QUARTERBACKS
Get excited: The word “excited” is a little too strong a word to use while discussing starter Christian Ponder. But even the most stubborn anti-Ponders among us would – or should – admit privately that Ponder’s final month of the regular season was “encouraging.”
After literally throwing away the first Green Bay game with two ridiculous interceptions at Lambeau Field on Dec. 2, Ponder pulled it together in a way that had to surprise even his most blindly optimistic supporters. Needing to win their final four games – including two on the road and one at home against a Packers team that had won 12 straight division games – the Vikings went 4-0 because Ponder complemented Adrian Peterson’s greatness with exactly the kind of efficient, alert, ball-secure play the Vikings currently ask of him.
Ponder threw only one interception in the final four games and closed the regular season with his best game as a professional. Knowing it was a win-and-you’re-in-the-playoffs situation against the Packers, Ponder had a career-high 120.2 passer rating, tied a career high with three touchdown passes and didn’t turn the ball over. How is that not impressive?
Unfortunately for the Vikings, they’ll never know how much more shocking their 10-win season could have been had Ponder not injured the triceps/elbow on his throwing arm and missed the playoffs. But one thing became abundantly clear early on in that wild-card loss at Green Bay: Without Ponder, the 2012 Vikings had absolutely zero chance of beating a quality team.
Overall, this season was another pogo-stick ride with Ponder at the handlebars. But the good moments outnumbered the bad.
Remember the unthinkable comeback in Week 1 against the Jaguars? The 94.7 passer rating in the upset of the 49ers in Week 3? Starting the year with four interception-free games? The 114.2 passer rating in that Week 10 win over the Lions? The first drives down the stretch against Chicago, at St. Louis, at Houston and the Packers?
There were bad moments, too. Bad enough that maybe Ponder won’t prove to be this team’s quarterback for the next decade. But he made enough progress to prove that he’s the answer in 2013.
Some critics will never buy that. And that’s fine. But Ponder did help this team win 10 games. And he did it with a thin receiving corps that lost its only playmaker (Percy Harvin) in Week 9.
Keep an eye on: If nothing else, the playoff loss proved Joe Webb as Ponder’s primary backup is a flawed plan for a contending team.
So now what?
McLeod Bethel-Thompson isn’t ready to step up from No. 3 QB. And fans need to let go of Sage Rosenfels. Folks, he’s not coming back. Let … it … go.
The Vikings will at least explore alternative options for a No. 2 QB in 2013. But THEY WON’T BE LOOKING FOR ANYONE TO COMPETE WITH CHRISTIAN PONDER. So that rules out acquiring Alex Smith, so let go of that one, too.
And, no, Joe Flacco isn’t a possibility. His contract is up after this season, but … he … isn’t … leaving … Baltimore.
Remember, the Vikings are looking at experienced veteran backups who will be available in free agency. They aren’t elite QBs. They’re guys like Derek Anderson, Matt Moore, David Carr, Matt Leinart, Byron Leftwich, Bruce Gradkowski, Jason Campbell and Rex Grossman.
We’ll assume the Vikings will pass on a T-Jack reunion.
Reason for worry: Granted, it’s asking a lot to have a guy start a playoff game at Lambeau Field after not attempting a pass all season. But the very nature of playing backup quarterback requires one to possess the ability to hold down the proverbial fort while knowing your opportunities are going to be few and far between.
Webb never has been an accurate passer. He’s a big, fast athlete who was drafted in the sixth round to play receiver. But his inability to throw with any shred of accuracy in the playoff game was alarming and added another bullet point to GM Rick Spielman’s offseason To-Do List.
If anything, Webb has regressed as a passer during his three years of NFL tutoring. And that has thrust the Vikings into an offseason predicament that they never expected to be facing when the left the Metrodome after clinching that unlikely playoff berth back on Dec. 30.
This decision has many layers and reasons to worry. Webb still has value as an athlete and someone with potential to run the read-option attack that’s spreading throughout the league. Finding a way to use him could really help an offense that needs more playmakers and unpredictability.
Therefore, the Vikings could go back to an earlier plan that positioned Webb as the No. 3 QB behind a more experienced veteran backup. In that spot, the risk of injury would be diminished, so Webb’s speed and athleticism could be used in some capacity other than holding a clipboard on game day.
Of course, going that route would mean the Vikings just wasted a year developing Bethel-Thompson. MBT is a player the coaches really like. He might have the best arm on the team and could work his way up to No. 2 with more seasoning.
So the Vikings head into 2013 with their starter set, but still have a lot of questions to answer behind him.
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