May 3rd, 2011 
Adam Warwas 
Posted in 
In the weeks following the 2011 NFL Draft, I will be unveiling a “Welcome To The Big Show” feature, a comprehensive and detailed profile for each of the Vikings Draft selections.
PERSONAL HISTORY
Coming out of Colleyville Heritage High School in Texas Christian Ponder was not thought of as an elite player worthy of heavy recruiting, especially given that he was essentially a Wing T quarterback prior to college.
David Ponder, Christian’s father had played defensive end at Florida State, so many labeled his scholarship offer as a favor to a former player. At the time, Florida State was attempting to recruit Tim Tebow, who ultimately ended up in Florida as we all know, which opened the door for Ponder to play where he grew up wanting to. Ponder did end up choosing Florida State over Oklahoma State, Arizona, NC State, Baylor, Iowa State, Texas Christian, and Georgia Tech.
Even if he had never played a snap at Florida State it would not be a stretch by any means to label his time spent there as a great success. Ponder carried a 3.7 GPA throughout his college career where he graduated with Bachelor’s Degree in Finance in just two and a half years. He had his Master’s Degree prior to the beginning of his senior season. He is currently pursuing a second post-grad degree in sports management.
THE ATTRIBUTES
Born: February 25, 1988
Height: 6’ 2”
Weight: 229
Hand Size: 10 ¼”
40 Time: 4.67
Reported Wonderlic Score: 35
Skills: Ponder is known for being a smart quarterback that can sell a playaction pass with the best of them. He has adequate size and athleticism but lacks elite arm strength, which he makes up for with accuracy. He has some experience under center and displays very solid footwork inside the pocket. The biggest knocks against Ponder have been his tendency to stare down his primary receiver and also a perception that he has limited upside. He is also known for his leadership as evidenced by his status as a captain at Florida State.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION
2006: Red Shirt
2007: 105 yds, 44.4% completion, 5.83 YPA, 1 TD, 2 INTs, 0 sacks, 89.6 rating, 10.2 rushing average.
2008: 2,006 yds, 55.7% completion, 6.31 YPA, 14 TDs, 13 INTs, 19 sacks, 115.0 rating, 3.6 rushing average, 4 rushing TDs.
2009: 2,717 yds, 68.8% completion, 8.23 YPA, 14 TDs, 7 INTs, 15 sacks, 147.7 rating, 2.5 rushing average, 2 rushing TDs.
2010: 2,044 yds, 61.5% completion, 6.84 YPA, 20 TDs, 8 INTs, 23 sacks, 135.7 rating, 1.8 rushing average, 4 rushing TDs.
A season ending shoulder injury in 2009 was the result of him hitting Clemson safety DeAndre McDaniel during an interception return. Ponder recovered in time to remain Florida State’s starter in 2010 but then suffered a swollen bursa sac in his throwing elbow which was reinjured and had to be drained multiple times throughout the season. At one time his name was being tossed around as a Heisman candidate, but these health problems ended up holding him back, which happens to be one the biggest question marks surrounding him as a draft choice.
COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS
THE SELECTION
The selection of Christian Ponder was met with groans of disappointment by many fans who felt that Ponder going #12 overall was a giant reach by the Vikings organization. The Vikings, however, defended their choice by pointing out that he was highly rated on their board and coveted by the Washington Redskins who were set to pick only four spots lower.
Despite being the Senior Bowl MVP, arguably the most impressive passer at the NFL Combine, and having an excellent Pro Day while throwing to NFL great Isaac Bruce, the selection of Ponder sparked a debate about his worth between fans and also amongst national analysts. Some have compared him to busts like Elvis Grbac while others compared him to Joe Montana.
A TELLING QUOTE
“I don’t know what my role’s going to be come this season, but whether they’re bringing in a veteran and I have to sit back or I get to start from Day One, I’m going to be prepared for whatever that role is. I’m just excited about it. I’m excited to get here and talk to the coaches about what’s going to happen. … I’m going to work my butt off to be prepared for whatever that role is.”
WHERE HE FITS
Right now, the pending labor situation leaves us hanging in terms of finding out who will be the Vikings starting quarterback in 2011. The depth chart currently consists of Ponder, Joe Webb, and Rhett Bomar. However, the Vikings have been dropping hints that they would like to bring in a veteran signal caller as a mentor to Ponder and Webb, if not as a starter.
If a solid veteran cannot be found in free agency, which is honestly a possibility, then I would expect to see Ponder under center in week one. The Vikings have made it clear that he is their latest and greatest quarterback of the future.
LINKS OF INTEREST
Draft Winds: The Christian Ponder Special
Florida State’s Official Bio Page
Nice work. A good read. Thanks AK.
Freds!
How are You the Mrs. and the Family doing???
Chuck chuck cho chuck, banana-fana fo [redacted]
How goes it Charles? Glad to see you back in the fray.
Tombs !
Glad to be back, I’m not a Dilfer fan, I’m with you and sb, All dates back to him being a Buc, Johnny Randle use to get in his head lol…
He would have never got a Ring without that Awesome D and Running Game!
The only basis for any displeasure with the Ponder pick is the incessant belief by a sadly growing number of fans that these TV and Internet draft experts are to be believed more than the teams who are actually going to hire the players. As someone said, Mel Kiper, Trent Dilfer, and Co. are in the entertainment business. Here is something to “ponder” folks: “Media draft rankings are not facts.”
Good pick Vikes, and good luck Christian Ponder.
You’re reaching in your argument Coach.
Man I’m funny.
Buds, speaking just for myself, by “reach,” I felt the Vikings “reached” over the guy I desperately wanted, to get Ponder. I have nothing against Ponder, he my be our QB of the future. I sure as hell hope so.
However, I wanted Fairley. Bad. Not because Kiper told me he was good, but because of what I saw. I’ve seen him play a few times, culminating in that fateful night of the Championship Game. Picture a whole house of Tombs, big and small alike, all resplendent in Duck gear. Hoping like hell they’d beat an SEC team.
However, I watched Fairley almost single-handedly destroy what had been an offensive juggernaut all year. Is he dirty? Yeah, maybe a bit, but that guy’s got an inner-fire and ability to assert himself and dominate a game.
I wanted that bad on our team…and as such, I’m disappointed the Vikes decided to reach PAST the guy that was my personal #1 overall in this year’s draft. Were I the Panthers, I would’ve picked him.
By the way, what has the world come to when I’m singing the praises of picking a fat lineman, and you are defending a “pretty boy?”
Quite a reversal to Ponder, eh?
I’m with you on Fairley. I was stunned when we passed on him and took Ponder. Phat will be gone and probably Kevin for the first 4 games and we let DETROIT take the best D-lineman of the draft (And arguably, the best player, peroid)?
The more I read about Ponder, the more I like him but I’ve got an awful feeling we’re going to be reminded of who we passed on this year every time we play Detroit.
Your right Fran,
Twice a year for quite a while…
Hey PC, good to see you gabbing again.
And yep Tomb, that annual game at home against the Lions is no longer the “Gimme” it once was.
Precisely, Fran. I feel like he would have made both K Will and Jared better, as he is more than just a road block. Dude can disrupt.
…and yes, Suh & Fairley together sounds undeniably scary. Fear the Lions, buggers are amassing some serious talent.
Thanks Frans
I kinda felt like you did the year before, Only longer!
Glad to be back
CHARLIE!!! Great to see you back bud. Hope all is well.
Johnny !
Me and the Mrs are fine, How about You and your Family???
Bet they still have ya busy don’t they ??? lol.
Glad to hear that Charlie. And yes the kids are still keeping me busy. But as the wise man says “enjoy it while you can”
That’s true Johnny,
They grow up fast, Then there’s a lull in life it seems and then…
Grand kids (They are Awesome )
Take your time Johnny…
I can’t stand trent dilfer! I can’t believe the smuck has a superbowl ring!
I’m with you on Dilfer, I can’t stands him either.
I am glad Dilfer has a superbowl ring, it proves that you can be a no-talent, no-clue, no-future QB and still get one. That gives hope to every single team in the league.
I really enjoy your sight and the comments. You do a really good job!
Thanks for doing it. I used to have to wait for my Viking Update to come in the mail!
Ponder’s academic achievements are definitely impressive.
Matter of fact, I heard tell they are going to change the Wonderlic to the Ponderlic.
i think his girlfriend already has that nickname
Michael Lombardi, NFL.com
Viking
I was stunned when the Viking drafted Christian Ponder 12th overall. Stunned because Ponder never struck me as a starting quarterback but more of a potential starter/backup. He will have to prove he has enough arm, leadership ability and command to show Viking made the right pick in taking him so high. Of all the picks in the draft, this was the most interesting and could be the riskiest.
Peter King, SI
It was stunning to see Ponder picked 12th overall. Stunning. I’m glad there’s one analyst (Dilfer) who’s going to shoot from the hip, even if he might be wrong sometimes. And I saw what Dilfer said about Ponder. It was not at all “ridiculously heated.” It was strident, but it was reasoned. He said he’d watched tape of Ponder, and said he thought he “melted” at some big times on the field. If I’m ESPN, and I employ Dilfer, I’m telling him, “Great job,” not, “Be nice until we see him play for three years.”
Melted.
His 4th quarter performances. In 2009 and 2010, Ponder completed 69 of 112 passes (61.6%) for 779 yards with 5 TDs and 2 INTs. His performance against AP ranked teams – 72 for 117 (61.5%), 846 yards, 9 TDs and 3 INTs.
His last 2 seasons at FSU saw Ponder complete 45 of 72 attempts for 373 yards with 22 TDs and only 1 INT in the red zone. When faced with 3rd and goal, he converted 8 of 11 attempts for 44 yards with 7 TDs and zero INTs.
-From Vikings.com
More.
In total on 3rd downs, Ponder had a college passer rating of 131.0 and a TD/INT ratio of 20-8.
– In 4th quarter come-from-behind wins, Ponder had a 67.5% completion rate with a 160.7 college passer rating and a 2-0 TD/INT ratio.
– 41 of Ponder’s 45 third-down completions were for either TDs or 1st downs in 2010.
Also from Vikings.com
I know stats are not everything, and I haven’t wathched alot of tape on Ponder. But just looking at those numbers tells a very different story than what is coming out of Dilfers mouth. “He said he’d wathched tape of Ponder.” Maybe he missed some?
Love those stats CC.
Maybe Dilfer has trouble saying the words; “Franchise Quarterback”
I guess I’d be more worried if Joe Montana or say Fran Tarkenton or many of the other retired QB’s around the Nation were saying the same things about Ponder as Dilfer.
But they’re not. Only Dilfer, and who the HELL is he?
A guy who late in his mediocre career, managed to win a Super Bowl with his DEFENSE.
Just STF up Dilfer. Where’s Jim Rome when you need him?
just checked the twins score, we have a NO-HITTER!?!? in the 8th?
need a spark like this
DONE! nice job, liriano!
Nice job, Carterhof. Like to see those stats.
Great performance by Liriano. Needed that….
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