Tice sucks guys remember the Randy ratio? Not saying that Red McCombs did him any favors but Tice sucked plenty on his own.
I actually thought Ponder played alright in most recent game vs. the Bears. No one was really getting open and both Simpson and Jennings dropped very catchable passes. I even noticed that Ponder threw some slants with some good zip on them, something I have not seen much of from him until recently. I think he has the tools to become a decent QB and I am not ready to give up on his development yet, despite some very convincing things you all have said that I am in agreement with. I am not going to make excuses for him, I will just say this. Rich Gannon became a good QB eventually but we gave up on him too quickly. Ponder has only really had one season (this one) to develop. Yes I wish he was further along in that by now but I am withholding judgement of what he is capable of until next season.
As far as targets to help Ponder I do not see a rookie or free agent being able to make an instant impact next season. It takes time for them to develop and become used to a new system. I think our best hope on that front is for Wright to develop as a compliment to Harvin.
I am worried about Harvin not being willing to re-sign with the team. Like Randy Moss he may not believe that the Vikings are the place for him to be. I think it was very clear he was frustrated in the last game he played as Ponder threw that WR screen pass which sailed on him. If Harvin does not sign a new contract during the offseason I will take Harvin's opinion of what Ponder is capable of over my own eyes and what anyone else thinks about it. Of course the Vikings can francise tag Harvin if he does not re-sign, but then we will have another disgruntled player on our hands who may not play to their best ability.
Jared Allen is not getting it done. I realize that Cutler got rid of the ball quickly, but Allen should have gotten to him at least once. He made some good plays in the running game and almost got a pick 6 on that screen he sniffed out, but I still expected more from him as a pass rusher against the Bears Oline.
Chad Greenway has been playing very well this season but he clearly needs some help. Erin Henderson continues to be a liability and Brinkley is just a guy. As well as Winfield has played this season if the Vikings had one more good LB our nickle package would be pretty good. But we don't and opposing teams know it and take advantage of 50 and 54 often. The Vikings need to add another LB to help Greenway, and Greenway is not getting any younger himself.
I am glad to hear that upcoming draft is strong in defensive players. The Vikings need defensive tackles, linebackers and a safety + cornerback. I will say that I think Jefferson has played decently for us at corner and I am glad we got him. The league has become so pass oriented however that I think teams need 4 good corner backs and Winfield is old, not sure how much longer he can play at this level. Not saying Winfield has lost a step or anything, this has been one of his best seasons playing for the Vikings, just that the writing is on the wall and he will not likely be able to maintain this level of play much longer.
For Musgrave, I actually like some of his play designs. However on a personal level he seems to tenative and I think this attitude may carry over into Ponders play. I would like to see an offensive coach be more decisive and sure of themselves than what Musgrave presents to me. Frazier is for the most part a PR guy. I think he does fine as the HC and I would not expect a replacement to be much different. I never hear anything from Singletary anymore and I wonder what happened? Is he not still part of the staff?
I recall reading a lot more articles involving him last season compared to now. Perhaps the subpar LB play has something to do with that.
The Vikings do have a lot of room under the cap for next offseason as many of our 1 year deals with players will expire. Lat I looked it was estimated to be about $17 million under the minimum salaries required by the CBA. So actually quite a bit more than that available for signing free agents, perhaps $30-40 million. I would be interested to hear what players may be available as free agents that would be good fits for the Vikings. I regret advocating for Jerome Simpson, he clearly is not the answer although I think he could be if he wanted to. The guy does not seem to be motivated to be good at WR in the NFL and will likely be out of the league in a couple years based on what I have seen so far.
The main free agent for the Vikings that I think we should re-sign is Kevin Williams. He is still a very good player although not quite what he was in his prime he still makes a lot of plays and we should try to keep him. Other than Williams I think we can let the rest go. Sanford may be up and I would like to keep him for special teams but I do not think he earned a starting spot at safety, I cannot think of anyone else that is a must retain. Possibly Fleton or Ellison as one of them may be on a 1 year deal.
Speaking of TE/FB/HB players, replacing Kleinsasser has taken us 3 players to do so, John Carlson for veteran leadership, Felton for FB lead blocking and Ellison for special teams HB duty. I just recall having a disagreement with Bloom over the value of Sauce when he was drafted. I think having one player who can do the job of 3 is worth more than a 5-6th round pick. Although I agree other positions are more important than a blocking FB/TE (Kleinsasser was drafted 2md round), having one player who can fill all 3 roles is a better use of roster space. I think Felton is a keeper but Carlson is not. I haven't seen enough of Ellison to really judge.
moment .. go compare Ponders stats so far compared to T. Jack at the same point in their careers.
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seems appropriate when talking about Red, No? 
The last two years Smith has proven he has the ability to be a starting QB.. Is he Manning, Brady, Rodgers?? No.. But I'd rank him in the top 15 for QB and really, with AP that is all you need. At this point Ponder isn't even top 30..
Here is my thinking..
Hopefully Frasier and Musgrave read this comment from the opposing player:
to 
to 
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