Cassel is smarter than Ponder. Physically, Ponder and Cassel are equal. But Ponder hasn't mentally progressed in 3 years.
Cassel seems like he is anticipating the WRs getting open much better than Ponder. Ponder seems to throw to the WR where Cassel throws to a spot and lets the receivers get it.
I agree Cassel's anticipation and ball placement is better. I'm still not convinced Ponder has been the biggest problem in the first few games, but the best player should play at each position (unless they are a rookie, obviously, I mean, lets not go crazy here.)
Cassel did get the ball out quicker, he was more decisive with the plays. Part of it was luck that some of those throws were not turnovers however.
Matt Cassel throws 2 near interceptions in the 1st quarter. The 2nd one just before the great catch n run by Jennings. Still not sure how Jennings does not get tackled there. Glad Jennings plays for the Vikings now. Cassel has thrown to the outside 4 times for completions. Trying to spread the Steelers defense out, but they are keeping 8 in the box for Peterson. Cassel almost throws another interception to Ike Taylor (2nd close one for Taylor). If that had been one of the Bears corners likely pick 6 just like what happened with Jennings when Ponder threw the pick 6.Cassel almost loses a fumble with 2 minutes left in good field position. Luckily Simpson recovers the fumble.
Chad Greenway missed Big Ben twice and has been blocked out of plays on the run. The TD by Bell was in part due to a nice trap block by Steelers FB on Greenway blitzing inside. Also a good block by the TE and some nifty moves by Bell to get outside on the run. Henderson has missed tackles on WR and Ben.
I will agree Cassell is more decisive. The throws to the outside does spread the defense out some and not something I saw Ponder doing as consistently as Cassell. At the same time this becomes predictable for the defense. The TE not being targeted much. Rudolph seems to still be having issues getting off the line.
The 60yd run by Peterson was due to a good block by Webb, Felton and Rudolph. Webb and Rudolph seal the lane that Felton clears for Peterson who then only needs to beat the safety for the score.
2 over 80 yard drives by the Steelers 2nd half and 3rd quarter keeps the Vikings offense off the field.
2nd TD by Peterson after several good blocks for 3 decent runs. The Vikings later on came back to running outside to the right, They did ok if they got Polamalu blocked. The adjustment to Joe Webb may be throwing off the blocking some as this is something Burton (now with Jaguars) was very good at. Having Felton back certainly helped, Ellison is missed. I still have not seen flare passes to Wright of Patterson out of the diamond. The Vikings have used Peterson as the up back on this against the Bears and Steelers, calling a couple run plays for him that were blown up behind the LOS. I would like to see the counters of this soon because the set up has been some wasted runs with AD so far.
Greg Jennings needs to do a better job of blocking.
After the Greenway interception caused by good pass rush by Allen, the Vikings use an out route by Rudolph and then a option post route by Jennings for the TD. These are good play calls after training the defense that the plays are outside to the WR all 1st half.
So while Cassel is an improvement from Ponder, I worry that teams may game plan for those outside throws, and Cassel needs to keep changing things up or some of those near interceptions will be interceptions. It worked this game though with a bit of luck.
The coverage seemed to be having Smith shading more to the left side of the field with Sanford out. The Vikings using Sendejo on the right at times behind Robinson and Rhodes playing underneath or alternating Smith to the right with Mistral Raymond mixing in. I like how Rhodes plays the ball. Sherels seems like the guy to pick on right now in coverage besides Robinson and the linebackers.
at his comments..
