sports
Michael Rand started RandBall with hopes that he could keep lies from conquering the minds of the weak. So far, he's only succeeded in using the word "redacted" a lot. He welcomes suggestions, news tips, links of pure genius, and pictures of pets in Halloween costumes here, though he already knows he will regret that last part.
Follow Randball on Twitter
Friday (Vikings shouldn't restrict Ponder) edition: Wha' Happened?
Posted by: Michael Rand under Vikings Updated: September 2, 2011 - 9:41 AM
That said, he also does them absolutely no good if he is playing tentative or against the grain of his intuition. He did not play at all that way last night, giving the purple faithful confidence that he could have a bright future in the league. He was fairly poised in the pocket, especially as the game went on. And perhaps more surprisingly to some, he took off running 8 times for 61 yards.
That, however, meant we had the requisite question asked of Leslie Frazier regarding whether he wants his rookie QB taking off running like that in the big, scary NFL. Frazier's answer? It passed the test pretty well, just like Ponder:
"You don't want him out there running too much, but you got to let him play," Frazier said. "He has the athletic ability to make plays outside the pocket. You don't want to take that away from him, but in our league when your quarterback is on the run, it does make you hold your breath sometimes."
Indeed. The Vikings don't need (another?) head coach who builds fences around players. They need one who realizes that injuries are often a fluke -- who's to say you aren't more likely to get blasted in the leg, shoulder or head in the pocket as opposed to on the run -- and that you shouldn't try to unreasonably rein in the skills that make a QB successful.
ADVERTISEMENT
recent posts
- Weekend Links with Jon Marthaler: In-season cup competition in college baskeball? Brilliant!
- RandBall: Catching up with Squints, Ham and the director of 'The Sandlot'
- Video: Inside-the-park home run with a flip over the catcher? Sure
- Saban disappointed that ex-Gophers coach called him 'the devil himself'
- RandBall: We're learning what Pitino wants from his Gophers
- RandBall: Former Gophers coach calls Nick Saban "the devil himself"
- Stu's Hunt Down: Former Twins player Jeff Cirillo
- RandBall: Will Favre and the Packers settle their differences?
- TFD: Vikings VP Lester Bagley: Vikings 'very interested' in MLS, but it is 'on the backburner'
- Major League Soccer official: "No question" Vikings stadium is suitable for MLS
- RandBall: Retroactively, U officially didn't lose money on beer sales
- Wednesday (The Derrick Rose situation) edition: Wha' Happened?
- TFD: Michigan State recruit gives up football for rap career
- Toronto is very sad today
- Tuesday (Twins not squandering money on DL) edition: Wha' Happened?
- TFD: Video of the must-see soccer finish between Watford F.C. and Leicester City
- This story about tanking in junior hockey is absolutely priceless
- Mid-day talker: So what is the Vikings stadium going to look like?
- Monday (The Twins after 34 games) edition: Wha' Happened?
Post By Category
- RandBall: We're learning what Pitino wants from his Gophers
- Rayno: Q&A with new Gopher Malik Smith
- Saban disappointed that ex-Gophers coach called him 'the devil himself'
- Reusse blog: Richard Robert Reusse: Oct. 15, 1905-May 19, 1973
- VikesCentric: Best and worst of the first round
- Pitino on Coleman: I wanted him to stay
- VikesCentric: Did Vikings give up too much for Patterson?
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
inside the StarTribune
-
425 Portland Av. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55488
(612) 673-4000
- Company
- Subscriber Services
- Website
- Buy Ads
- Store
- Connect with Us
© 2013 StarTribune. All rights reserved.
StarTribune.com is powered by Limelight Networks
Newspaper Subscriptions
eEdition
RSS
Newsletters