Adrian Peterson Throws Shade At Christian Ponder
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- If you ask Minnesota Vikings fans, most of them will say they are happy to have second-year player Teddy Bridgewater as their quarterback.
Many are just as satisfied, if not more, that former first-round draft pick Christian Ponder is no longer with the Vikings. Ponder had his moments in Minnesota and even helped lead them into the playoffs, but his tenure with the Vikings was clouded with inconsistency and inability to hit receivers at crucial times.
The Vikings are 2-1 this year with Bridgewater at quarterback, and last year he was 6-6 as a rookie starter. He looks promising as the future face of the franchise, but another high-profile Vikings player took a cheap shot at Ponder after Wednesday's practice.
Adrian Peterson was asked about Bridgewater's poise. He had an interesting response.
Adrian Peterson, on Teddy's poise: "I can say this: If Christian Ponder had that same poise he would probably still be here playing,''
— Ben Goessling (@GoesslingESPN) September 30, 2015
Ponder spent the majority of three seasons as the Vikings starting quarterback after being selected No. 12 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. When he played, Minnesota had an 18-29-1 record. The Vikings lost the only playoff game he got them to, which Ponder didn't play in due to an injured throwing arm.
The Vikings moved back into the first round of the NFL Draft two years ago to take Bridgewater with the final pick of that round. It's clear so far that they're happy with what they've seen from him. In the same sense, it was Ponder's inconsistent play that forced the Vikings to part ways with him and find another option behind center.
And it doesn't hurt when one of the best running backs in the NFL prefers your current quarterback over the previous one. Ponder was with the Oakland Raiders in the preseason but was cut and is currently a free agent looking for work.