Ponder took a giant leap late Sunday

Since Vikings quarterbacks coach Craig Johnson began working with Christian Ponder as a rookie, he's been singing a repetitive refrain.

"It's a process," Johnson said again this week.

Which serves as an acknowledgement that the ups and downs in Ponder's development promise to continue. Yet now there's a feeling at Winter Park that the process is further along than it's been and that Ponder is in position to make big strides soon.

Sunday's rally to beat Jacksonville 26-23 in overtime provided plenty to build on. So we asked Johnson to break down Ponder's recent growth.

Here's what he had to say.

Ponder can't afford to get off to another slow start in Indianapolis.

What's the story? The Vikings' offense was downright lethargic for most of the first half in the opener. With less than 3 minutes left before halftime, their longest drive was a six-play, 24-yarder that ended with a punt. Similar sluggishness had been evident in the first half of the third preseason game when the Vikings needed eight possessions to register their first points. So does Ponder need to heighten his sense of urgency earlier? Or was there something more at work last Sunday?

Ponder's shaky pocket presence in his final preseason action Aug. 24 may have been a well-timed hiccup.

What's the story? The Chargers sacked Ponder five times that night with the second-year quarterback admitting he was too stagnant in the pocket, failing to slide up and around to create throwing lanes. Ponder spent part of the offseason studying film of Drew Brees, noting how the Saints quarterback moves away from pressure. Since the opening of training camp, Ponder has been pretty solid in that department. Except against San Diego.

What Johnson said: "Christian never could get a rhythm going in that game. Was it nerves? Could it be something else? Who knows? I don't know the answer. I just know that game he didn't have it that game ... And maybe that was good too. Because I know this: as a quarterback you don't want to get a false impression or false confidence. And in those first two preseason games, Christian had played really well. Yet with a young guy specifically, they need to learn how to come back from some adversity too. So those struggles I think were a valuable part of the process. "

Sunday's rally to beat Jacksonville will give Ponder a huge confidence boost.

What's the story? Down three and at their own 31 with 14 seconds to go? Dealing with the obvious misery spreading across the Metrodome? Trying to finish an afternoon during which he was booed early by the home fans? Ponder wasn't rattled. Two completions for 32 yards on his final two passes of regulation, including a 26-yard strike to Devin Aromashodu, gave Blair Walsh a shot at a game-tying 55-yard field goal. The Vikings followed with a 55-yard march for a field goal in overtime, finishing with scores on six of their last eight possessions.