The Christian Ponder Bandwagon

Originally posted by Legbreaker:

Originally posted by Travisty13:

Originally posted by SWAGG-ER:
And so it begins...


According to CBS Sports' Rob Rang, Florida State QB Christian Ponder is "generating ... first-round buzz" after an impressive Combine.
Multiple accounts claimed that Ponder was the best, most accurate passer in Indy, and Rang passes along growing belief that five quarterbacks could be drafted in the top-32 picks. Along with Ponder, they would be Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert, Ryan Mallett, and Jake Locker. Per Rang, Ponder is now "viewed by some as the top true West Coast Offense quarterback in the draft."

but that could mean we don't get him. then it would be

He'll fall. Just watch.

Fall to what?

I don't recall in past years hearing talk about the absolute IMPERATIVE that a team have a great QB in order to be successful in the NFL. This is a relatively recent mantra and has been the predominant and recurrent theme this post season. It's the first thing the Niners talked about when the new hires were made. It was reiterated over and over during the playoffs.

This realization is front and center these days.

Everyone talks of the great OLBs, DBs, DLs etc., and I confess the talk is sexy and sounds great. But any ONE of those guys will not have HALF the impact on the team's peformance that a QB will have.

So FIRST . . . you resolve your issues at QB. And, yes, you even take greater risks when making the choice at QB than any other position. After that, knock yourself out at the other positions.

Donno what game some guys were watching this year, but did your hear: The Packers had fifteen . . . count 'em . . . FIFTEEN starters go down on IR. They still won the SB against a juggernaut defense. I don't have to tell you why. ONE guy can make that kind of difference . . . and, sorry, but he's not playing DB, or OLB, or DL. Never before has that point been more cogently made and every team is well aware of it.

So:

IF Ponder is a top grade talent (some call it franchise QB) . . . Swag is presenting some pretty compelling eveidence that he is; and

IF he is CLEARLY the Niners top rated QB talent on the board (not co-equal, or one in a group of QBs); then

Can you honestly say that, with at least half of the teams out there fixated on finding the right guy, the Niners can afford to gamble that their franchise QB is going to last another 38-odd picks until it comes time to pick in the second? The Niners better not be taking a "wing-and-a-prayer" approach on this one. You can be sure that if the Niners feel he's the one, there's going to be at least a dozen others that will be feeling it too.

People talk about "reaching" and "value pick". You know, candidly, I don't even know what that means in this context. It's more like an emotional word/term people throw around to bolster ther argument when they can't present some solid rationale.

Now, if the Niners DON'T feel that he is all that, then this discussion is moot.

Originally posted by Rsrkshn:

Originally posted by Legbreaker:

Originally posted by Travisty13:

Originally posted by SWAGG-ER:
And so it begins...


According to CBS Sports' Rob Rang, Florida State QB Christian Ponder is "generating ... first-round buzz" after an impressive Combine.
Multiple accounts claimed that Ponder was the best, most accurate passer in Indy, and Rang passes along growing belief that five quarterbacks could be drafted in the top-32 picks. Along with Ponder, they would be Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert, Ryan Mallett, and Jake Locker. Per Rang, Ponder is now "viewed by some as the top true West Coast Offense quarterback in the draft."

but that could mean we don't get him. then it would be

He'll fall. Just watch.

Fall to what?

I don't recall in past years hearing talk about the absolute IMPERATIVE that a team have a great QB in order to be successful in the NFL. This is a relatively recent mantra and has been the predominant and recurrent theme this post season. It's the first thing the Niners talked about when the new hires were made. It was reiterated over and over during the playoffs.

This realization is front and center these days.

Everyone talks of the great OLBs, DBs, DLs etc., and I confess the talk is sexy and sounds great. But any ONE of those guys will not have HALF the impact on the team's peformance that a QB will have.

So FIRST . . . you resolve your issues at QB. And, yes, you even take greater risks when making the choice at QB than any other position. After that, knock yourself out at the other positions.

Donno what game some guys were watching this year, but did your hear: The Packers had fifteen . . . count 'em . . . FIFTEEN starters go down on IR. They still won the SB against a juggernaut defense. I don't have to tell you why. ONE guy can make that kind of difference . . . and, sorry, but he's not playing DB, or OLB, or DL. Never before has that point been more cogently made and every team is well aware of it.

So:

IF Ponder is a top grade talent (some call it franchise QB) . . . Swag is presenting some pretty compelling eveidence that he is; and

IF he is CLEARLY the Niners top rated QB talent on the board (not co-equal, or one in a group of QBs); then

Can you honestly say that, with at least half of the teams out there fixated on finding the right guy, the Niners can afford to gamble that their franchise QB is going to last another 38-odd picks until it comes time to pick in the second? The Niners better not be taking a "wing-and-a-prayer" approach on this one. You can be sure that if the Niners feel he's the one, there's going to be at least a dozen others that will be feeling it too.

People talk about "reaching" and "value pick". You know, candidly, I don't even know what that means in this context. It's more like an emotional word/term people throw around to bolster ther argument when they can't present some solid rationale.

Now, if the Niners DON'T feel that he is all that, then this discussion is moot.

Agreed. Except I still think Newton and Gabbert will be taken higher. So if Ponder is our guy I wouldn't mind trading back to like 10 or something and picking up an extra pick, or to like 17 with the Pats maybe for that and a 2nd and 4th or something?

Originally posted by Legbreaker:

Originally posted by Travisty13:

Originally posted by SWAGG-ER:
And so it begins...


According to CBS Sports' Rob Rang, Florida State QB Christian Ponder is "generating ... first-round buzz" after an impressive Combine.
Multiple accounts claimed that Ponder was the best, most accurate passer in Indy, and Rang passes along growing belief that five quarterbacks could be drafted in the top-32 picks. Along with Ponder, they would be Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert, Ryan Mallett, and Jake Locker. Per Rang, Ponder is now "viewed by some as the top true West Coast Offense quarterback in the draft."

but that could mean we don't get him. then it would be

He'll fall. Just watch.

He could fall. If he is viewed as the top true West Coast offense QB, there isn't many teams running WC.

“I really believe I’m the whole package as a quarterback,” he said. “I have great accuracy, can make all the throws. The intelligence is a huge advantage for me. Being able to comprehend the offense, defense. We ran a complex offense at Florida State, so I think it’s going to carry over to the NFL, and I’m athletic enough to move in and out of the pocket and make plays with my feet.”

Ponder compares himself to Aaron Rodgers – “he’s able to move in and out of the pocket, he’s extremely accurate, and we’re about the same size, so I like to compare myself to him,” Ponder said – and he may have worked his way into the second round of the draft this week. Ponder could be a good value pick for the Dolphins in the second or third round.

http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/thedailydolphin/2011/02/27/a-confident-healthy-christian-ponder-impresses-at-the-nfl-scouting-combine/

my bad if already posted.

Originally posted by SWAGG-ER:

Originally posted by Rsrkshn:
Not saying that Ponder is the guy. But if the Niners think he has franchise potential, they have to be pro active in getting him. And if he is the ONLY one they believe has franchise potential, they should pick him at the first opportunity, even if it is #7. If there are several who they think have franchise potential, then they can afford to wait. But they have to have all the elements in place to move up (or down) to get the franchise guy as soon as there is only one remaining on the board.

It definitely was suggested here and at least 1 other place that we should take him at 7 if we believe he's the guy.

While Ponder is my favorite option at QB, there is still such a thing as draft value and I don't think he should be valued that high when there will be much safer bets available and he's highly unlikely to be picked in the next 10 picks. Way over drafting him just because he's "our guy" is what the Bills tend to do, and I always wince when they make those terrible picks.

But what's to say it would be "over drafting"? If he was considered a top 10 prospect heading into the 2010 college football season, is 100% healthy now, was the Sr. Bowl MVP, dominated the combine, and fits YOUR WCO system perfectly, WHY not take him? If you feel he is a FRANCHISE qb, you DO NOT pass on him. Especially considering you have NO IDEA what other teams think of him. What if Tennessee, Washington, Minnesota, and Seattle ALL really like him. They very well could. Are you telling me you're gonna risk passing on a guy you feel is a FRANCHISE qb?

Originally posted by jreff22:
You need to switch to decaf. Lots of kids are considered top 10 prospects then fall out. Were not going off of last years information for this years draft. Locker was the consensus #1 QB going into this year so makinging Ponder out to be the top QB is incorrect. His inability to stay healthy is a big concern and takes precedent over his current health status. If you want to argue the Senior Bowl are we going to take into account the fact that the other 2 QB's on the South team got injured? I would not claim that he dominated anything at the Combine, again you are overreacting. Your idea of reaching for a kid because other teams might want him absurd. Using a very high pick to cock block another team is foolish and idiotic. Tennessee and Washington will not draft him that high, he does not have the arm strength to play in the vertical Minnesota offense. Seattle at the back of the pack may take a look at him but his ranking compared to the other athletes will not hold up.

He is a 2nd round QB or especially late 1st (which I doubt). If you want to move then move to the top of the 2nd, but even mentioning the idea of him at 7 shows a complete lack of understanding the draft process.

A. I don't drink coffee. I have taste buds.

B. Ponder didn't have the significant drop off in accuracy and production that Locker had.

C. He had 1 major shoulder injury (tackling someone) 2 yrs ago. You still worried about Drew Brees shoulder injury...? His elbow injury was just inflamation of the bursa sac. Pwilly had the same in his knee in 2009. How'd that effect him this yr?

D. Multiple people agree he dominated the combine.

E. I'm suggesting you "reach" because you feel he is a FRANCHISE qb and because of those other teams he MAY not be there late in the first early 2nd.

F. Ponder showed he has plenty of arm strength to play in a vert offense. Minnesota runs a WCO with Bill Musgrave as their OC.

G. Are you a GM?
I have no part of the Ponder argument, but your last line is fairly pointless. None of us are GM's and that includes you.

So as a way of undermining another poster's argument, it doesn't work.

Originally posted by English:


A. I don't drink coffee. I have taste buds.

.

Originally posted by valrod33:

Originally posted by English:


A. I don't drink coffee. I have taste buds.

.

He has a point there.

Coffee, smells so good... tastes so bad!

Originally posted by OKC49erFan:

Originally posted by valrod33:

Originally posted by English:


A. I don't drink coffee. I have taste buds.

.

He has a point there.

Coffee, smells so good... tastes so bad!

Some Coffee smells like s**t!

Originally posted by wailers15:

Originally posted by OKC49erFan:

Originally posted by valrod33:

Originally posted by English:


A. I don't drink coffee. I have taste buds.

.

He has a point there.

Coffee, smells so good... tastes so bad!

Some Coffee smells like s**t!

From what I've read... some coffee IS s**t. Something about the beans being shat out by cats.


Back on topic. I like Ponder and hope he is available in the 2nd round.

Originally posted by OKC49erFan:

Originally posted by wailers15:

Originally posted by OKC49erFan:

Originally posted by valrod33:

Originally posted by English:


A. I don't drink coffee. I have taste buds.

.

He has a point there.

Coffee, smells so good... tastes so bad!

Some Coffee smells like s**t!

From what I've read... some coffee IS s**t. Something about the beans being shat out by cats.


Back on topic. I like Ponder and hope he is available in the 2nd round.

It's shat out by monkeys, and it's delightful.

Originally posted by Riot:

Originally posted by OKC49erFan:

Originally posted by wailers15:

Originally posted by OKC49erFan:

Originally posted by valrod33:

Originally posted by English:


A. I don't drink coffee. I have taste buds.

.

He has a point there.

Coffee, smells so good... tastes so bad!

Some Coffee smells like s**t!

From what I've read... some coffee IS s**t. Something about the beans being shat out by cats.


Back on topic. I like Ponder and hope he is available in the 2nd round.

It's shat out by monkeys, and it's delightful.

It's even better when the monkey's ass is massaged daily, makes the bean taste better or something

i am all for moving up in the 2nd round to draft CP.

There is still Ponder's pro day, but with what he has shown so far at the Combine and Senior Bowl, there is definitely a chance he gets nabs early in the 2nd round to one of the QB hungry teams. But if Mallett were to fall into the 2nd round because of his off-field concerns and Locker were to fall into the 2nd as well because of his accuracy issues, there is a chance Ponder falls to us if the other early 2nd round teams are enamored with Mallet or Locker.

On the other hand, one of those teams may have Ponder rated higher than Mallett or Locker.

If Tim Tebow can go in the first round, so can this guy. I'm confident if they think he's the guy, they'll move up to get him.

Originally posted by KowboyKiller:
If Tim Tebow can go in the first round, so can this guy. I'm confident if they think he's the guy, they'll move up to get him.

Tebow is no way near as injury prone as Ponder. Ponder is a very good QB but has zero luck with injuries. Guy gets injured way to easily to be a 1st rd pick.