The Minnesota Vikings have signed top draft choice Christian Ponder to a four year deal, with a team option for a fifth.
Because of the new rookie wage scale, it’s for dramatically less money than past first round picks have received, but Ponder’s deal of 4 years and $11 million dollars is all guaranteed, which is a significant change from the past.
With the top two draft picks in the fold, the Vikings have also signed most of their draft picks. The only remaining draft picks left to sign are Iowa DL Christian Ballard (4th round), Utah defensive back Brandon Burton (5th round), Arkansas offensive lineman DeMarcus Love (6th round), and Ohio State linebacker Ross Homan (6th round).
The Vikings are also expected to get contract extensions for two veterans done, LB Chad Greenway and Superduperstar running back Adrian Peterson.
Players are expected to report to Mankato today, with team meetings scheduled. Tomorrow the first practices for the 2011 training camp begin.