On Fox NFL Sunday, Jay Glazer reported that Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder is "on a much shorter leash than people realize."
Christian Ponder is on a short leash, fantasy value for other Vikings wouldn’t change if he is benched
Fox’s Jay Glazer reported on Sunday that Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder doesn’t have much room for error if he wants to keep his job atop the depth chart. We break down the fantasy implications.
Gregory Shamus
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It's a move that the Viking are in position to make after signing backup quarterback Matt Cassel to a two-year deal in the offseason, and it's a move that wouldn't be unjustified if Ponder continues to struggle. Over his career, Ponder has posted a completion percentage under 60, and has averaged over a turnover per game. With a ball-hawking Bears defense up next on the Vikings schedule, Ponder will have to be at his best to cool-down the hot seat beneath him.
Fantasy Spin: Should Ponder eventually get benched for Cassel, it may not give the talented pass-catching corps in Greg Jennings, Cordarrelle Patterson and Kyle Rudolph much of a boost. With Cassel at the helm in Kansas City a season ago, the numbers of usual WR1 Dwayne Bowe took a hit, and with the run-first game plan of the Vikings, not much better could be expected in their passing game. For fantasy purposes, Ponder being benched for Cassel would be a lateral move.
