Ponder, Webb pose puzzler for Vikings coaches

Article by: DAN WIEDERER , Star Tribune
Updated: December 13, 2011 - 8:27 PM

A look at the keys for the Vikings against the Saints on Sunday:

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Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave looked at game photos with Joe Webb, Sage Rosenfels and Christian Ponder after Webb ran for a 65-yard touchdown in the third quarter against the Lions on Sunday.

Photo: Mckenna Ewen, Dml - Special To The Star Tribun

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A snapshot look at the Vikings as they prepare for Sunday's game at Mall of America Field against the Saints. Players in the spotlight

Quarterbacks Christian Ponder and Joe Webb, both have the coaching staff scratching their heads for different reasons. Ponder, the rookie starter, has committed seven turnovers over the past two weeks, struggles that often lead to a noticeable confidence dip. Asked if Ponder's errors against the Lions signified a step backward in his development, Vikings coach Leslie Frazier sighed. "I think time will tell," he said.

Ponder has three weeks left this season to show he's capable of making better decisions more consistently.

The coaches, meanwhile, also have three weeks to figure out how Webb can be used best going forward. On Sunday, Webb was brilliant in relief of Ponder. But his status as a backup quarterback has prevented the team from devoting more time to shaping Webb as a wide receiver. At season's end, the Vikings might be wise to look at a full-time position change for Webb. In the words of receivers coach George Stewart: "He's far too talented and dynamic to spend so much time on the sideline standing beside me."

Most pressing question

Just how much should we make of the Vikings' continued effort?

In the big picture, it's of little consolation to fans or players. But despite a 2-11 record, the Vikings continue to play hard. Sunday's loss in Detroit marked the fourth time in the past five games they've trailed by 17 points at halftime. Still, in three of those contests -- against the Raiders, Falcons and Lions -- the Vikings have staged second-half rallies to make things interesting.

"People have doubted how much we're going to continue to fight," tight end Kyle Rudolph said. "But at no point has this team shown any sign of folding it in and giving up."

That no-quit mentality has been as impressive as it's been odd. But how much is it really worth?

Keep an eye on ...

The Vikings were minus-6 in the turnover battle on Sunday yet still had a chance to win. Ponder accounted for four turnovers and almost threw three other interceptions. Running back Lorenzo Booker also fumbled twice, losing one late in the first half that led to a Lions field goal. Booker also lost a fumble on a kickoff return late in the first half of the Vikings' 27-21 Week 11 loss to Oakland. His other fumble Sunday came at the end of a 13-yard run, recovered by receiver Devin Aromashodu. Booker will be a free agent at season's end and hasn't done nearly enough this year as a running back or a return man to figure into the team's plans going forward.

Scouting the Saints

No quarterback in the NFL has thrown for more yards this season than Drew Brees. Not MVP frontrunner Aaron Rodgers. Not golden boy Tom Brady. Nobody.

Brees has completed 70.9 percent of his passes (also an NFL best) for 4,368 yards and 21 touchdowns and needs to average 239 passing yards per game over the final three weeks to break Dan Marino's single-season NFL record.

This weekend, he'll face a Vikings defense that has allowed 2,035 passing yards and 20 touchdowns since last recording an interception. And yes, we keep revisiting those stats because they continue to rise. Brees' favorite target: tight end Jimmy Graham, who ranks second in the NFL in catches (80) and fifth in yards (1,101).

True or false

The Vikings are on the verge of making history: True.

They're 0-5 since the bye, marking the third-longest single-season losing skid in team history. The 1961 Vikings lost seven in a row. The '84 team, which finished a franchise worst 3-13, lost six in a row to close the year.

VIKINGS

Up next: Noon Sunday vs. New Orleans • Ch. 9 (100.3-FM, 1130-AM)

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Full Scoreboard

NY Mets - WP: M. Harvey	3	FINAL
Chicago Cubs - LP: E. Jackson	2	FINAL

Cincinnati - LP: S. Marshall	3	FINAL
Philadelphia - WP: J. De Fratus	5	FINAL

Houston - LP: E. Gonzalez	4	FINAL
Pittsburgh - WP: J. Wilson	5	FINAL

Seattle - LP: L. Luetge	3	FINAL
Cleveland - WP: V. Pestano	6	FINAL

Toronto - LP: M. Buehrle	0	FINAL
NY Yankees - WP: H. Kuroda	5	FINAL

Tampa Bay - WP: J. Hellickson	12	FINAL
Baltimore - LP: J. Hammel	10	FINAL

Arizona - WP: T. Cahill	9	FINAL
Miami - LP: K. Slowey	2	FINAL

Los Angeles - LP: P. Rodriguez	5	FINAL
Atlanta - WP: P. Maholm	8	FINAL

Detroit - WP: R. Porcello	2	FINAL
Texas - LP: N. Tepesch	1	FINAL

Boston - WP: A. Wilson	3	FINAL
Minnesota - LP: J. Roenicke	2	FINAL

Milwaukee - LP: W. Peralta	6	FINAL
St. Louis - WP: J. Garcia	7	FINAL

San Francisco - LP: M. Bumgarner	9	FINAL
Colorado - WP: J. De La Rosa	10	FINAL

Chicago WSox - WP: C. Sale	3	FINAL
LA Angels - LP: C. Wilson	0	FINAL

Kansas City - LP: J. Shields	1	FINAL
Oakland - WP: S. Doolittle	2	FINAL

Washington - WP: R. Soriano	6	FINAL
San Diego - LP: H. Street	5	FINAL

Full Scoreboard

Ottawa	3	FINAL
Pittsburgh	4	FINAL

Date/Opponent	Time	W	L	Score
2013 preseason
Aug 9 - vs. Houston	7 pm
Aug 16 - at Buffalo	6 pm
Aug 25 - at San Francisco	7 pm
Aug 29 - vs. Tennessee	7 pm
2013 regular season
Sep 8 - at Detroit	Noon
Sep 15 - at Chicago	Noon
Sep 22 - vs. Cleveland	Noon
Sep 29 - vs. Pittsburgh (in London)	Noon
Oct 6 - Bye
Oct 13 - vs. Carolina	Noon
Oct 21 - at. NY Giants	7:40 pm
Oct 27 - vs. Green Bay	7:30 pm
Nov 3 - at Dallas	Noon
Nov 7 - vs. Washington	7:25 pm
Nov 17 - at Seattle	3:25 pm
Nov. 24 - at Green Bay	Noon
Dec 1 - vs. Chicago	Noon
Dec 8 - at Baltimore	Noon
Dec 15 - vs. Philadelphia	Noon
Dec 22 - at Cincinnati	Noon
Dec 29 - vs. Detroit	Noon