Just minutes after completing the final practice of training camp last month, Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder bounced off the field at Minnesota State University Mankato only to be stopped dead in his tracks by the trickiest question of the preseason.This one came from a Mankato radio reporter, offering a six-word hypothetical: "Would you take 8-8 right now?"
Ponder reacted as he's been taught to. While under pressure, he bought extra time. He repeated the question then paused to consider the scenario.
"Would I take 8-8 right now? Uhhhh ..."
Here's what Ponder likely would have said if primed with truth serum: "Would I take 8-8? Heck yeah! Of course I would. Do you remember how bad things got last season? Have you seen how tough the NFC North is? Man, 8-8 would be a blessing."
Here's how Ponder replied instead: "If 8-8 would take us to the playoffs ... I mean we want to make the playoffs. I don't know if 8-8 will do it in our division. Obviously, the main goal is to go 16-0. So I don't know. I don't know."
Yep, this is where the Vikings stand heading into the 2012 season, so far down the NFL pecking order that a rise toward mediocrity seems like a realistic aspiration.
That .500 record mightmay seem unappealing to a fan base starving for success. But 8-8 is also is a lofty goal for a franchise that lost 23 times in 32 games the past two seasons, then responded by overhauling its roster.
So for the Vikings this fall, the road back to relevance mightmay seem like a young family's 26-hour road trip to Disney World. By the minute, jumpy fans in the backseat will interrupt the peace with restless questioning.