SB Nation Minnesota - Vikings Training Camp: Minnesota Preparing For Final Preseason Game

Are The Vikings Being Smart By Keeping Christian Ponder Out Until The Regular Season?

2012-08-29T21:53:17Z

The Minnesota Vikings are going to take a good, long look at their backup quarterback position during the final preseason game, as starter Christian Ponder is going to be held out. This is generally the norm around the NFL - the third game of the preseason gives the starters the most time, while week four sees most of the starters take a break.

But should Ponder get some more time, or should the offensive line, which has three new starters, get some time as well? Kevin Seifert of ESPN took a reader question that touches on that specifically, and he sheds some light on the situation:

A second point remains valid, however. Should the Vikings consider Ponder an established player? Or should he have received more preseason work? Ponder unofficially took 52 snaps over the first three preseason games, more than any starter in the NFC North and among the top eight of all NFL starters, based on an examination of preseason attempts, sacks and scrambles. So you could fairly argue that he got more work than a majority of NFL starters this summer.

Players like Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco and Carson Palmer all played longer than Ponder this preseason, while Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers played just one less snap, according to Seifert. So there is the argument there that Ponder is in with some company that he doesn't belong with. That being said, the Vikings were hurt by injuries a season ago and with running back Adrian Peterson returning from some serious issues, they need to make sure they're at their healthiest when Week 1 rolls around, and that includes Ponder.

For more on the Vikings, head over to the Daily Norseman or stick with SB Nation Minnesota. For more news, notes and analysis from around the NFL, check out SB Nation's NFL news hub.

Fantasy Football Advice: Draft Adrian Peterson, Call Me Maybe Parody Video Says

2012-08-29T18:27:25Z

Your's truly actually has his fantasy football draft Wednesday evening and, honestly, there hasn't been enough research put in during this year's pre-draft process. I've already checked out what our friends over at SB Nation's fantasy page had to say, of course, but there always seems to be room for more advice when ~~big money~~ bragging rights are on the line.

So, along that line of thinking, I'm forever indebted to the great Michael Rand over at the Star Tribune for bringing to my attention the latest Call Me Maybe parody video, this time featuring some random dudes vouching for the health of Adrian Peterson's knee.

That is without a doubt the best Peterson impersonator I've ever watched sing Carly Rae Jepsen songs and, after seeing him in the video walking around in the mall, I've decided All Day's knee is indeed health enough to be worth a draft pick.

Kudos to you, random dudes and lady.

Stay with this StoryStream for more Vikings preseason coverage, and head over to Daily Norseman for more news on the team. Also visit SB Nation's NFL hub for even more analysis from around the league.

Vikings Depth Chart: Toby Gerhart Prepared To Start

2012-08-29T12:50:29Z

It's stil unknown if Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson will play in the team's season opener vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 9, but back-up running back Toby Gerhart says he's ready to assume the starting job if necessary. Gerhart begins 2012 hoping that his role in Minnesota's offense will expand, and he said that if Peterson's isn't able to resume his regular workload on the field, he welcomes more carries.

According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Gerhart only averaged 2.7 touches in 2011 in games in which Peterson played all four quarters. Gerhart did have a few encouraging games last year when Peterson was absent, rushing for 109 yards on 11 carries in Week 16 and more than 90 yards in Weeks 12 and 13. For the season, Gerhart finished with 531 yards on 109 carries, good for 4.9 yards per clip. He also scored one touchdown on the ground and three through the air.

For more on the Vikings, head over to the Daily Norseman or stick with SB Nation Minnesota. For more news, notes and analysis from around the NFL, check out SB Nation's NFL news hub.

Vikings Depth Chart: Brandon Fusco Expected To Be Regular Season Starter At RG

2012-08-28T20:43:49Z

The Minnesota Vikings look to have reached a resolution on their final offensive line position, as second-year player Brandon Fusco is expected to open the regular season as the team's starting right guard, according to the Pioneer Press.

Though Fusco was not assured of anything other than a backup role heading into camp, a combination of lackluster play and injuries from his competitors made the decision much easier for Vikings coach Leslie Frazier. "There's nothing anyone else has done to unseat him," Frazier said on Tuesday.

The 6'4", 306-pound Fusco was taken in the sixth round by Minnesota in 2011, and has already defied the odds to become an NFL starter in just over one full season. A product of Pennsylvania's Slippery Rock University, a Division II school, Fusco figures to be in store for a breakthrough campaign after only suiting up for three games as a rookie.

Mistral Raymond Injury: Bad Timing For Vikings Cornerback

2012-08-28T18:17:25Z

The Minnesota Vikings can ill-afford to lose players to injury, especially ones on the secondary. The team is thin on the back end defensively and with Mistral Raymond going down due to a back ailment, it makes things even tougher in a pas-happy NFC North. Before the third exhibition contest, Raymond felt stiffness in his back, forcing him to miss the game.

Raymond has shown some potential in his young career. A second-year safety, Raymond appeared in 10 games last year and looked to be having a fine preseason in 2012, putting himself in the conversation to become a starter, according to twincities.com.

"I wish he would have played last ballgame to see if he would have been able to carry over what he did from the Bills game, because he did play well that game," defensive coordinator Alan Williams said Monday at Winter Park. "He looked like a starter to me at that ballgame."

There's currently no specific timetable for Raymond's return.

For more on the Vikings, please be sure to check out our blog The Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota for all the latest news and updates.

Madden 13: The Vikings Aren't Going To Be Good, According To Video Game

2012-08-28T15:27:12Z

Madden 13 was released at midnight Monday and, while that isn't going to be news to many, there are likely some non-gamers interested in hearing how the Minnesota Vikings rank in the virtual world. Those fans are likely going to be disappointed, too, because the Vikings got the short end of the stick when it came to the rankings.

The Vikings were given a 72 overall rating which doesn't necessarily sound awful ... until one realizes that Minnesota is tied with the St. Louis Rams as the worst team on the game -- ranked nearly 20 points below the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots.

As far as individual player ratings are concerned, our friends over at the Pioneer Press did the dirty work and gave the rundown of some of the more notable Vikings players. An example:

Christian Ponder (overall ranking: 75) - The Vikings' second-year quarterback is one of the lowest-rated starters in the league. He's tied for 35th place, 24 points behind the top rating of Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers. Ponder gets relatively low scores for strength (57) and awareness (66). On the bright side, his 81 score for throwing accuracy is a full 70 points ahead of his right offensive tackle, Phil Loadholt.

Personally, it seems that Blair Walsh got the worst rating when compared to his actual skill level -- but maybe that's just because I'm already on the Blair Walsh Bandwagon following all of the positive preseason reports.

For all news and information regarding the Minnesota Vikings, please visit the Daily Norseman or check out SB Nation Minnesota. For complete coverage of all things football, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Vikings Depth Chart: Joe Webb Expected To Stay In Front Of Sage Rosenfels

2012-08-28T13:43:00Z

The Minnesota Vikings will obviously have Christian Ponder at the top of their quarterback depth chart for the foreseeable future, but there has been a bit of speculation that the backup spot could be up for grabs. That apparently isn't the case, however -- at least for the final preseason game of the year.

Despite Sage Rosenfels looking pretty solid thus far -- leading the team to its only touchdown last week -- it seems as though Joe Webb is still ahead of him on the depth chart. The Pioneer Press got offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave's thoughts on the matter Monday afternoon.

"Joe did a good job the other night," Vikings offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said Monday at Winter Park. "He's going to have another chance to gain some valuable experience on Thursday night and continue to grow into that role."

It'll be interesting to see if Rosenfels is able to continue to have success this weekend -- especially since he and Webb will likely split quarterback duties evenly as Ponder is expected to sit.

For all news and information regarding the Minnesota Vikings, please visit the Daily Norseman or check out SB Nation Minnesota. For complete coverage of all things football, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub for the latest on all 32 NFL teams.

Vikings Injury Report: Geoff Schwartz Returns To Practice, Five Defensive Backs Are Out

2012-08-28T12:48:47Z

The Minnesota Vikings received good news on Sunday when offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz returned to practice. The right guard isn't quite ready to contribute quite yet, but his being closer is a good sign for the depth on the offensive line.

Schwartz missed nearly all of training camp with a sports hernia, but the Pioneer Press reports that he was back at practice -- helmet and all -- on Sunday.

The Vikings got word of Schwartz's injury Aug. 4, and he underwent surgery three days later. The Vikings likely will ease him back into action, but he was in a helmet with the rest of teammates during the Monday, Aug. 27 session. This is a good sign for the Vikings' depth on the line.

It's uncertain whether Schwartz will be ready for the Sept. 9 opener against Jacksonville.

It seems that Brandon Fusco is currently slated to start at right guard, but if Schwartz is relegated to backup duty, the veteran should be able to sub in at a few positions for the Vikings.

On the other side of things, six players -- cornerback Josh Robinson (concussion), cornerback Chris Carr (back), safety Mistral Raymond (back), safety Andrew Sendejo (ankle), cornerback Marcus Sherels (ankle) and fullback Ryan D'Imperio (shoulder) -- missed Sunday's practice due to injury.