Backing The Pack, a N.C. State Wolfpack community

This interesting tidbit was in St. Paul's Pioneer Press yesterday. Apparently, former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton likes what he sees from rookie quarterback Christian Ponder. In a season that hasn't given fans a lot of hope, hearing that Tarkenton thinks Ponder has what it takes to be a good NFL quarter back for years to come is a much-needed shot of hope that the franchise has a critical piece of the puzzle in place so it can build for the future. Vikings fans can use all the hope and cheer they can get this season. NOTE: Cobra312004 posted a FanShot about this yesterday. I'm late to the party.

Carolina missed a potential game-tying field goal attempt with less than a minute left to give the Vikings a win, but Christian Ponder is getting credit for driving the team down the field late in the fourth quarter to set up the game-winning FG. The Star-Tribune's Jim Souhan is saying that what's impressing Vikings coaches most is his poise and clutch passing. The Detroit Free Press says that Ponder looked better than Cam Newton on Sunday. Christian has clearly found a favorite target in Adrian Peterson, whose receiving yards for the season more than doubled on Sunday. Going forward, Ponder must look to improve the production of his TEs, particularly Visanthe Shiancoe, who is in the final year of his contract and has been criminally underutilized in the first half of the season.

Noticed this on SI (Banks). Here's an excerpt: "With McNabb in house, who knows how long it'll take for the Vikings to fully launch their Christian Ponder era, but the rookie quarterback from Florida State has made a favorable early impression on almost everyone around here. He certainly looks, acts and sounds like a franchise quarterback, and Frazier told me he believes having those traits is an important component of the leadership half of the job. Now if the kid can play, the Vikings will really have something special on their hands. It's too early to know that at the NFL level, but people who have watched him in Minnesota so far say Ponder 'gets it,' and will do the work necessary to give himself the best possible chance to succeed."

Of interest to new Viking fans and FSU-only fans alike. Chris Weinke is reported to be working with Ponder to fine tune his throwing motion "to reduce some arm problems he had in his final two seasons at Florida State." Ponder said, "Actually me and Chris have done some things – he’s fixed some things in my mechanics and I’m throwing the ball extremely well." >>> Is Ponder just being kind, or is there a potential link between Ponder's throwing motion at FSU and his arm trouble? Also, it's looking more like Ponder could be seeing some serious playing time this season.

Not sure if people saw this yesterday but I enjoyed watching both Gabbert and Ponder respond really well to Steve's questions and instruction. Here's another video that focuses on footwork. The more I learn about Gabbert the more I like him. I feel the same way about Ponder.

Looks like Ponder had a fine game, other QBs so-so. Locker helped lead aTD drive however had some accuracy issues and fumbled a couple times, saved by his Oline on those though.