Oct 2, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) gets pressure from Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Daniels (76) in the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
The Oakland Raiders are making a good move by signing former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder. The move means overpaid, underarmed Matt Schaub will be moving out of Raider Nation soon. The Raiders have their future franchise quarterback in Derek Carr but backups are crucial in a physical game over 17 weeks.
The perfect backup for a starting quarterback has starting experience and knowledge of the offense. That way NFL teams don’t want to have to shrink their playbook when the backup is in the game. Ponder is that guy for the Raiders as he has started 36 games in the NFL since coming in as a first-round pick in 2011.
He has also played under Raiders new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave with the Minnesota Vikings from 2011-2013. So he knows Musgrave’s offense and will assist him in teaching it to Carr. It also helps that Ponder, though inconsistent, is one of those guys that can really play in stretches.
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You don’t want him in there over a 16-game schedule so God forbid the Raiders loose Carr for the season. But for a three-game stretch, if the Raiders are any good, he could go 2-1 and hand it back to Carr. So in that sense, this is a really good signing and Raiders fans should be glad that they made it today.
Just win baby!
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