Christian Ponder on Saturday’s preseason game: “I’d like to play”

New San Francisco 49ers quarterback Christian Ponder met with the media following the team's joint-practice with the Denver Broncos today. He spoke a little bit about Chip Kelly's offense in San Francisco, discussing the fast tempo and the opportunity to get a lot of plays in within a game.

"Seems like a lot of opportunities to make big plays and seems like the running game could be really good too," said Ponder. "It's an exciting offense I think for players and fans. It'll be fun to watch."

Ponder went on to say that the thought had crossed his mind that he had perhaps played his last snap in the NFL, but his plan was to stay ready for the 2016 season anyways. "I think if nothing happened all year, it would be time to hang it up," said Ponder. But I was going to give myself this last season and see what happened."

He also spoke regarding the possibility of playing Saturday against the Broncos. "Yeah, I'd like to play. I think it won't be the full playbook, but hopefully we come up with a plan about what I can do in a game and go out and play. It will be fun to compete and get out there."


"I've been sitting at my house, doing yardwork and painting the house. Then I got a call," said Ponder regarding his signing with the 49ers. He was asked if he was able to finish the painting. "No I wasn't," he answered. "My wife's not happy about it."

Ponder remembers now-49ers offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins trying to recruit him to Georgia Tech, saying that it was a tough phone call to make to tell him that he had decided to attend Florida State. He also remembers reconnecting with him at the Senior Bowl when Modkins was with the Buffalo Bills, who coached Ponder's squad. "It was good to see him," said Ponder. "I didn't realize he was on the (49ers) staff until I saw him yesterday."

Ponder also spoke a little bit about his game against the 49ers in 2012 during his time with the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings won that match 24-13. "I remember that game," he said. "It was one of the best games I ever played."

Ponder was signed by the 49ers on Tuesday. The signing was officially announced following a team walkthrough at Levi's Stadium and prior to the 49ers leaving for Denver that night.