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Vikings QB Christian Ponder sharpening decision-making as OTAs wrap up

If the Vikings' offense is going to take a big step forward in 2013, their third-year starting quarterback will need to make sharp reads on a more regular basis.

June 13, 2013 at 11:39AM

Christian Ponder (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Vikings will hold their 10^th and final Organized Team Activity on Thursday at Winter Park before reconvening next week for a three-day mini-camp. And as the offseason program enters the finishing stretch, third-year quarterback Christian Ponder continues zeroing in on making good reads more consistently.

On Wednesday afternoon, before teeing off at the team's annual golf outing, an event that benefits the Vikings' Children's Fund, Ponder was asked how he's measuring himself during this OTA stretch."

The biggest thing is decision making," he said. "Obviously you want to complete as many balls as possible, especially in things like 7-on-7. But we're being put into some hard situations as well. Third-and-long. Blitz. A lot of blitz drills and everything. So it's tough. I think the defense definitely has the upper hand in these drills. But it's good for us to see that. And it makes the quarterback make smart decisions and get the ball out quick. So you want to see completions and the right decisions."

Ponder knows the bar has been raised for him in his third year as a starter. And with back-up Matt Cassel now in the picture, his leash might not be quite as long in 2013 if his struggles are extreme. Still, the Vikings quarterback said the key in May and June is to feel things out within the offense without feeling exorbitant pressure.

"This is a time for us as an offense to just try a bunch of new stuff and see what sticks and see what we like," Ponder said. "And there are a lot of new plays going in and everything. So it's a fun time. It's fun to try out quirky plays and see what the defense does. And the defense is doing the same thing, running funky coverages and everything. But our mindset is we want to get better every day and see a progression heading into training camp."

Injury update

On the injury front, Vikings coach Leslie Frazier reported that Chad Greenway's Thursday morning arthroscopic surgery to clean up his left knee went well as expected. Greenway will be out of action until training camp begins in late July.

Fellow linebacker Nate Williams, signed in April as an undrafted free agent, has also undergone minor ankle surgery and, according to Frazier, will be sidelined until camp opens in Mankato as well.

The Vikings have their share of injuries to keep tabs on, especially with Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen continuing rehabilitation on his left shoulder in which he had a labrum tear repaired shortly after last season ended. Allen has been at Winter Park the past two weeks but not on the practice field. And he won't be back in action during mini-camp next week either.

But Frazier said Wednesday he anticipated very few injury issues to still be a concern when the team reports to Mankato. The longest shot to be ready may be second-year receiver Greg Childs, who continues attacking his recovery from torn patellar tendons in both knees.

Frazier said after Tuesday's practice that he isn't certain how quickly Childs will receive medical clearance to return to full action but won't rule out the receiver getting back to practice early in training camp.

"I have my fingers crossed, hoping that that will happen," Frazier said. "I'm waiting on [head athletic trainer] Eric Sugarman and our medical staff to give us the green light. But that would be my hope. We'll see what happens. I'm not sure what direction it will go."

Center of attention

On Wednesday, Frazier also noted that the team is closely monitoring the progress of standout center John Sullivan, who had microfracture surgery on his left knee.

In Sullivan's absence during OTAs, the Vikings have tinkered with back-up plans at center. Veteran Joe Berger has seen work there. In addition, Brandon Fusco, who started all 16 games at right guard and is the expected starter there for 2013, has also handled snaps.

"We don't see any problems with Sully being ready to go," Frazier said. "But you want to make sure that you have other guys prepared."

Fusco was a center during his college career at Slippery Rock and could be an option at the position if Sullivan's recovery was to hit an unforeseen snag or if he had any lingering knee issues that sidelined him during the season.

Sliding Fusco to center, of course, would then open up the competition at right guard where rookies Jeff Baca and Travis Bond as well as veteran Seth Olsen could figure into the mix.

Still, Frazier believes Sullivan's recuperation will stay on track which would give the Vikings the luxury of opening training camp with the same starting offensive line that started all 16 games last year.

"We've still got to see a little more progress out of John Sullivan," Frazier said. "He's making progress. But we want to continue to see that. … You just want to see him continue to gain confidence and not be worried about the surgery but just move on. And he's making progress. From everything that Eric Sugarman tells me, he's on target. He's moving in the right direction. And we've got enough time for him to continue to improve. Hopefully when we get started, he'll be able to go full go right away."