The Live Chat is every Tuesday at noon. Read it in full at startribune.com/vikings.
Vikings beat writer Dan Wiederer does a Live Chat at noon on Tuesdays at startribune.com. Here is an edited version of this week's Chat.
Q Where's John Carlson? Also, do you think Jerome Simpson is going to be the answer in stretching the field?
A Carlson's invisibility -- zero catches, one target -- through two weeks is just plain odd given how hot the Vikings were in pursuit when free agency opened. You might think the knee injury he suffered in camp was still bothering him. But coach Leslie Frazier said Monday that's not the case. Regarding Simpson, his return will help. But he saw his last game action Aug. 24. Who knows how much rust he'll have to knock off when getting back into the flow in Week 4 at Detroit?
Q Why is everyone on Christian Ponder? His QB rating is off the charts. He looks good. We are just shooting ourselves in the foot the first two quarters and we need to dump that Cover 2.
A Ponder's been solid through two weeks and has done just about everything the Vikings are asking. Being safe with the football. Trying to avoid negative plays. We'll see if they can gradually help him expand what to do with the offense and the football. But so far, Ponder has been solid.
Q Seeing how athletic Everson Griffen looked on that big sack late in Sunday's game, how are they looking to get him more playing time?
A With the defensive line rotation that they've been using, Griffen has gotten a few more looks. Still, he's a guy they like to use as an inside rusher on passing downs. Which is exactly what he was doing on that 22-yard sack you just mentioned. The guy's a pretty good athlete. Needs a bit more discipline overall. Don't forget, he jumped offsides with 18 seconds left and gave the Colts their final 5 yards.
