Minnesota Vikings QB Christian Ponder excited by arrival of offensive tackle Matt Kalil
Minnesota Vikings desperately needed to bring in protection for rookie quarterback, Christian Ponder who struggled with plays last season due to a lack of protection from the rush.
For a moment it seemed that the Vikings would let the hole in the offensive line remain and move for another player after they traded down a spot in the first round from third and into fourth.
However, general manager, Rick Spielman in a much lauded move got more picks by trading down into fourth and brought in highly rated offensive tackle, Matt Kalil of the University of Southern California to protect Ponder in the new season.
The arrival of Kalil was met with great excitement in Minnesota and no one was more excited at the news than quarterback, Christian Ponder himself.
Speaking to ESPN Twin Cities, Ponder said that both he and star running back, Adrian Peterson were highly pleased with the arrival of Kalil.
"Both of us cracked a pretty big smile. Offensive line is looking good. They got stacked up pretty quickly and they've got a lot of depth now. I'm excited about that as a quarterback."
He went on to add that Kalil’s arrival will make it a lot more easier for him to make plays and concentrate downfield rather than staring at an oncoming rush.
“It's just going to make it so much better having full confidence in the protection.”
Ponder though also said that he needs to improve with his reading of the game as well.
"A lot of time last year, it didn't necessarily have to do with the protection. A lot of times I wasn't comfortable getting to my third, fourth reads, checking the ball down. Instead of just checking it down when a guy is wide open, I'd just run.”
The quarterback did not have a good first year in the National Football League as he completed just 54.3% of his passes for a gain of 1,853 yards and passed for 13 touchdowns while also throwing the same number of interceptions.
Ponder this year though is looking to improve and after a year’s experience in the league is hoping for a much better performance in the upcoming season and Kalil’s arrival will make that task that much easier.
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