As a redshirt junior in November 2009 Christian Ponder had a whale of a season going for him .  He was third in the country for yards per game.  A 68% completion percentage.  And then it happened.  He threw an interception. Actually it was his 4th interception that game.  An Interception that he admitted made him extremely mad.  So, what did he do?  He took off and tackled safety DeAndre McDaniel.  That tackle caused a grade 3 AC tear in his shoulder.  Have you ever heard of this type of injury before?  I have.  Its identical to the Sam Bradford injury he suffered to his shoulder the same year.

This type of injury would worry me.  Except that I have seen how Bradford came back from that surgery. I have also witnessed Ponder's return to the football field in 2010. I am convinced that his surgery to his throwing shoulder was successful. According to Spielman he throws now with the same velocity as he did then.  Good to go.

Other injuries happened.  Read about them after the jump

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I have been trying to determine why fans are so upset about the Vikings selecting what they believe is a Franchise QB in the draft.

The answer is pretty simple.  Many fans are still in denial that the Vikes are in desperate need for a Franchise QB.

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As I posted earlier Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning news is considered the best draft  prognosticator  over the last ten years. He doesn't evaluate players he simply uses his contacts with teams and puts his ear to the ground.  Here are his final picks always put out on the morning of the draft.

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As of yesterday at 6:00 PM Peyton Manning was made a free agent by the Federal Court's ruling that the lock-out was not legal and football should continue.  Now I suppose it's to much to hope but wouldn't this guy be acceptable to all?  I know he's to old.  I know he's not mobile.  But Peyton Manning is the perfect answer for Minnesota. 

The legislature will love him.

The coaches will love him

Ziggy will love him

Viking history says he is perfect.

C'mon Spielman.  Make an offer the moment you can.

On April 19th, 2011 rick Gosselin came out with his first of three Mock Drafts this year. He will update those this week and traditionally will post his last draft on Wednesday . Why is this important? Because he is the best draft prognosticator in the country.  Year after year he does the absolute best job.  And guess what?  He can't judge talent worth a crap.  And he admits it.  But he does have the best list of NFL contacts inside each team.  He listens to those contacts and tells people what is really going on inside. His first couple of drafts are based on team needs and things he hears and teams tendencies in the draft. The last draft will be 100% based on what he hears.  No matter  what other mock drafts are saying his will be based on inside information unknown to most.

Anyway, here is a list of his first 32 draft picks

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I wanted to do a post on the draft.  Not our teams needs but on what will probably be available to us.

I do not pretend to have the ability to actually judge talent so I am going to try and give an assessment based on opinions I have read from numerous sources.  Well, there really isn't much else to do anyway right?  After the Jump.

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If you haven't heard the Vikes received two 6th round picks ( # 200 and  #235) for the loss of Chester Taylor and Artis Hicks. Some were hoping for a 5th round pick but the value and playing time of those two players just didn't warrant that high a pick. Here is the link to all comp picks.

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I have listened and read many of the numerous interviews that Spielman has given over the last several months. I don't try and guess who he will pick from these interviews because I know that information will not be forthcoming.  But there is a certain draft strategy that is employed by the Vikes. A certain pattern they wish to follow.  I wanted to explore that after the jump.

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EDIT: Since the labor talks are pretty much all we've got to talk about at this point, I'd like to highlight this post with another perspective on things. - Chris

Edit:  I want to thank Chris for placing this article on the front page.  He is often more generous with his space than I am with my words.- LLV

Now that both sides of the labor dispute have published their views on the mediation session I thought I would review the two points of view and give an unsophisticated viewpoint.

The present CBA was signed by both sides in 1993.  It has had extensions and tweaks every 6 years or so,  but basically the framework of the players receiving about 50% of the revenues has been in effect since then.  The free agency rules, along with franchise tags, transition tags, ect also have been in effect since then.  All of those terms were a result of the 1987 player strike and the lawsuits which followed that strike.

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I keep thinking about the Miami Dolphins. In 1967 they drafted Bob Griese as the 4th overall pick in the draft.  He guided their team through 1979 with the benefit of Don Shula as the coach. The three years following Griese's retirement the Phins had three fair seasons.  But they knew the QB position was not manned by a Bob Griese. Along comes 1983. Six QBs were drafted in the first round of the draft.  John Elway, Jim Kelly, Tony Eason, Todd Blacklidge and Dan Marino. Marino went last in that bunch ,but his performance over the next 17 years was amazing to watch.

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I always try to remember that I am not a football player.  Certainly not a coach or a scout. Just a fan. What I see on TV in no way allows me to truly evaluate a QB. But I do read.  And many have written on the subject.  So lets figure out what we are looking for and then try to apply it to the QBs that are out there for the vikings to pick up.

Jump ahead:

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Some are writing that the Vikings are to old.  They need a youth movement. Most base this on the philosophy that a players is to old after the age of thirty to play well.  The real fact is that RBs go downhill fast after age thirty. The stats are not so true for other positions.  But considering that the average career in the NFL is over by age 271/2 I guess anything over 30 is considered really old.

Anyway here is the roster and ages for the 2011 Vikings, considering a standard 25% turnover, like every other team in the NFL. It further contemplates the Vikings signing their own free agents. It is standard by the way for most teams to resign their own developed free agents. This is simply the first order of business for the new year.  I hope the Vikings do well in this regard. They have never done a bad job in the past in this regard.

But first jump with me.

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I have enjoyed the articles and comments concerning the QB myth.  Excuses why a team doesn't need to expend a high price and top pick on a  top level QB. False assumptions that a third round draft pick is better than a first rounder.  Lets explore the facts over the last ten years. I am choosing this number for a couple of reasons.  First its easy.  Second,  its the after Manning era.  Face it.  Ever since Peyton Manning was drafted every team has wanted one.  They have wanted one so bad that they have mortgaged their heart and soul to get one.  Lets jump right up and see how they have done.

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I was sitting back drinking a little java this morning contemplating a Joe Webb success story. What if he showcases the kind of talent everyone is hoping for? The speed and arm strength of Cam Newton.  The elusiveness of Michael Vick.  The accuracy of Ryan Mallet. What would fans have to say about Brad Childress then? The one guy that said " Webb is a QB talent.  We will not use him as a WR or KR. We can't afford to have this kind of talent wasted."

The old QB guru might be proven correct. If Webb does showcase that kind of talent what does it say about Leslie Frasier? The coach that injured this kind of talent. 

Now I suspect that Webb will be required to run around in the cold and will be sacked by Julius Peppers on several occasions.  That we all will say Brad Childress was an idiot for not playing Webb as the WR we drafted him as.  But the question is interesting nevertheless.

All I want for Christmas is hope for the future. 

Not for myself as much as every Viking fan out there struggling with the new reality. We have been struggling ever since our franchise QB blew out his knee in 2005. We had to rebuild.  New coach, new players, new Quarterback.  We waited.  We supported.  We watched the building process.  And all looked good.  Except for that pesky QB problem.  It was never really solved.  To solve that problem a team needs a QB that will be around a long time.  A QB that understands what his coaches need accomplished.  A QB that gives your team stability and leadership on the field.

QBs are not easy to find.  I was hoping you could help Mr. Spielman by bringing him an instruction book on how to draft a franchise QB.  He has never ever ever drafted a franchise QB.  He needs your help.  You see by doing that ,Santa, you would be giving all of us viking fans real hope for the future.

It is always interesting when fans start talking about the draft.  Can a team move up and down at will? The answer is probably.  If your willing to pay enough.  But to have a meaningful discussion about possibilities a certain amount of reality has to be injected into the conversation.  That is why the NFL trade chart is so helpful. If you have never seen one click HERE. The chart basically lays out what each draft choice is worth in point values. Its not perfect. But it is more realistic than not using one. Fans generally don't like the chart.  Why? Because it stops them from promoting unrealistic trades.  The way around that is for fans to add players to the mix. For example:  For the Vikings to move from the 15th choice to the first choice would require more than two first round draft choices. So, someone will propose sending a player ( usually one the fan hates) in the trade.  Of course the proposal always has the other team wanting the bad player. After the jump I will propose a few rules for draft move discussions.

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Which teams need a quarterback as much as the Vikings? Unfortunately the answer is many of the teams with worse records than the Vikings.

Carolina (1-11) has the front row seat.  Carolina is notoriously cheap and the owner might decide to go with Jimmy Claussen.  However, if Harbaugh is to be his new coach the price will be Andrew Luck as the #1 pick.

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I have been noticeably  absent from the Daily Norseman lately.  One of the good posters ( Grime) e-mailed me to ask why. Was it something on the DN site that had caused my absence? No. Nothing like that.  I simply have started a new occupation.  A field I have never been in before. This has caused me to be in constant training the last few weeks. I spend my off time doing self study in order to be a better employee at a faster rate than most. This is my nature.  So, I have not seen the Vikings play, missed the Randy Moss debacle, and can't really weigh in on the recent fire Chilly discussion ( although I would probably defend him more than some).  Anyway, it looks like me and the NFL will be out of touch until probably February. (Just in time for the draft discussions)

I encourage all Viking fans to cheer a little harder the next few games to help make up for my absence. I suspect that all the Viking players are as competitive as I am. That they spend most every waking moment during the season trying their best and concentrating on learning something new. At least I hope they do.

Wishing all my DN friends a good finish to the football season, Happy upcoming Holidays, and good health.

To the Vikings.  Keep working, learning, and striving to be successful.

Skol for awhile.  All of you will be missed.

This has been a long season and its only 6 games long for us Vikings fans.  We have played New Orleans, Miami, Jets, Lions, Cowboys and Green Bay.  Each and every game has been close and winnable. Most of that has been due to an excellent defense that works it tails off.  The offensive passing attack has been weak this year.

Many people have many theories as to why the Vikings have not had the "magic" this year like last year. Some claim it is Farve's age or ailments.  Some claim it is the injuries to our secondary or to Sidney Rice. But all teams have injuries.  Some teams move on from them.  Some don't.  Most knowledgeable Viking fans will tell you that the Vikes are close to being a very good football team. I think that is very true. Whatever that missing piece is we hope that it is found this week. I suspect that this game this week will be more of the same.  A gut wrenching close football game between two very good teams.  It would be nice to come out on the winning end of one of these.

Anyway , as always I will be around to try and answer any questions you might have.  I'm sure the DN editors will answer some questions later in the week also.  But since your kind enough to let me lurk at your site all year I just wanted to offer my opinions if you wanted to hear them.

May the best team win.

Our local radio show has Pat Kirwin on each week for fan questions. HERE is the audio link.  Go to the 21:40 mark on the audio tape.   He answered one this week in his matter of fact style. To paraphrase he said this.

He first said that Jimmy Claussen is just not a very good Quarterback. He is not the franchise guy.

Then he said that the  Panthers will let John Fox go, although that is a mistake. He will be out of work for 90 minutes. Then they will look to Kansas City and hire an offensive coordinator.

I know that PK is blunt.  But I was a little surprised with his statements because normally he has pretty good inside information and his player evaluations are pretty reliable.

So my question to Panther fans is this.  Why would your owner hire Charlie?

Now, for those who regularly read my post you know I am the most optimistic person in the world. Realistic, yes, but I always tend to view the glass as half full rather than half empty.  Either way its the same glass of water.

So is our team half full or half empty? The answer comes in two parts after I jump over for the benefit of our mobile user friends.

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Ever wonder why a game's not going so well?  Why doesn't the dumb**s coach just substitute so and so and move this team along. Well  lot of it has to do with rosters.  The 45 man active roster which has to be decided for each and every game.  Who are the missing 8 men?  Why are they the ones sitting?

First let me say that Joe Webb is the emergency quarterback and that position doesn't count as part of the 45 man roster.  He gets to play but there is one very strict rule about it. If the emergency QB enters the game prior to the 4th quarter then the 1st and 2nd string QB can not re-enter the game.

Lets take a look at the other 7 guys and see what the Vikes have done.

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I keep trying to find a site that list the active and inactive players for each game and for each team.  I can't seem to locate one. Not even one that list just the Viking players that are active or inactive.   Where do people get the 45 man active roster?  Is there a site that keeps that info listed?

I'm usually pretty good at finding obscure information but this one has me stumped.  Could use some help.

San Diego, Dallas, and Minnesota.  Three play-off caliber teams whose 2010 record stands at 1-2. How can that be that good teams falter?  After all these three teams have "franchise QBs".  They all have good defenses. They all have offensive weapons. Vegas has been wrong on these teams. Pundits have been wrong. Experts of all kinds have been wrong. Read on and I will tell you my theory why.

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When things go wrong in someone's life they usually look for someone to blame.  Poor decisions are often compounded when people start looking to blame others instead of concentrating on solving the problems. I am dissapointed in my football team so far this season.  Why?  Because if Camarillo catches a pass that was missed by an inch we had a chance to win the New Orleans game. If my star running back had followed his blocker on a 4th and 1 we might have won the Miami game. If-  If-  If.   I am disappointed because we lost. I am not blaming anyone for those losses.  Its a self destructive way to solve any issues that exist.

Read on if your interested.

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I kept my eye on some of the Top pro prospect QBs this weekend.  Was it just me or were most of them they terrible.

Before everyone goes off telling me how Ryan Mallet " led his team" to victory I want to point out something.  His team had the game locked up if he hadn't thrown ugly passes in the face of a pass rush or just been inaccurate as can be at inopportune times. Does three passes in 40 seconds make up for an entire bad half?

Locker? The sure fire #1?  4 for 20  What was that all about.

Luck? 17-23 for 207.  8 times he QBd his team on drives.  Result.  8 TDs

I guess the QB beauty contest showed a clear winner this week.

Several of us were conversing on the Vincent Jackson rumor and the issue of what this Viking team will look like next year arose.  Its a valid question.  Especially when fans are looking to add a piece to the mix in the midst of a season.  I suspect that a GM has to always think about this.  Look probably three years down the road for every transaction.  Decide if future draft choices are necessary or whether they are expendable. Players are chosen to fit a certain defensive and offensive system.  For example- Chris Cook.  A highly valued future CB for teams that run zone coverage. But not a good choice for the Jets.  Kyle Wilson was a good choice for the man to man cover Jets but they never would have chosen Chris Cook.  So when players are drafted or obtained on the Free Agent market they need to fit your coaching philosophy. 

Lets jump ahead for you  mobile users.

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There were many good players the Vikings could have picked up this year to get us to the super bowl.  I don't get why we didn't even make an offer to one of these guys ( well we did offer LT I guess).  I suppose its just the fact that our coaches are stupid and incompetent.

Read on after the jump.

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