Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder struggling to perform well - NFL News
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder’s performance is not up to the mark this season and the player has received severe criticism from the fans.
He has scored 12 touchdowns and completed 206 of 316 for 2,027 yards with eight interceptions this season.
Vikings general manager Rick Spielman defended Ponder on Wednesday and said:
"I know everybody in this organization believes Christian Ponder is our guy, and I have full, 100 percent belief that Christian Ponder's going to be our quarterback heading into the future."
Ponder was selected as the 12th overall pick in first round of the 2011 draft. In his rookie season, he played 11 games and scored 13 touchdowns while completing 158 of 291 passes for 1,853 yards with 13 interceptions.
According to Spielman, Ponder is a good performer and he is playing better than all other quarterbacks who were drafted in 2011. He mentioned names of quarterbacks Matt Ryan, Eli Manning and Joe Flacco, who also went through difficult times in the second
year of their respective careers.
Ponder played well in last game against Detroit Lions; he was 24 of 32 for 221 yards and two touchdowns. Vikings have their bye week now.
All the teammates want Ponder to perform better as he is the offence leader and his performance directly affects the overall output.
Spielman and Vikings coach Leslie Frazier seemed confident that Ponder is going to perform well.
Talking about Ponder, Frazier said:
"It just raises everybody else's confidence level. He took control of our offense, moved the ball around, got everybody involved and did a great job of leading us throughout the day. So his pocket presence and the decisions that he made with the football.
He did a great job all day decision-making wise."
Spielman also encouraged and highly appreciated Frazier for his job and said:
"Leslie's been doing an outstanding job. It’s our coaches who should get the credit for developing these guys.”
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