*2012 NFC North Trash Talking Thread: Playoffs. Packers drilled by San Francisco/Kaepernick.

[illmatic34]

That is all.

I still think we make the playoffs BTW.

 

[ultralightbeam]

LOL at Ponder 'getting hot'

 

[airblaster503]

I love the optimism, but a hot Ponder is essentially Sage Rosenfels.
The best QB on the Vikings.... thaaaat we cut in the offseason.

I remember when I said Rosenfels should be starting over Ponder and the other guy T-Jax I believe and all the Vikings fans thought I was crazy. He would have done a hell of a lot better than Ponder has and I could see the Vikings being a legit thread with him at the helm. He could at least manage a game properly and make some plays, Ponder is just wildly inconsistent and doesn't seem to have much confidence.

 

[fraij da 5 11]

Funny thing about that game winning INT that Russy threw is that it now might keep the Vikings and the Bears out of the playoffs.

 

[primetime21]

That is all.
I still think we make the playoffs BTW.

hell naw I have no hope

 

[SneakerProSr.]

We ******g suck, some coaches and players definitely lost their jobs for next season after this performance.

I would like to see who my fellow Lions fans think should go. I will start off and make my list.

Coaches:
Scott Linehan, shouldn't need to explain much, he has to be one of the worst OC in the league.
Gunther Cunningham. Fails to make any adjustments at all during the season. Outdated defensive schemes.
Special teams coach. Has been a sore spot all year.

Players:
Kyle Vanden Bosch. He is done, over the hill, has no moves. Tired of seeing him rush outside and put himself out of position every damn play.
Deandre Levy. This dude would struggle to make 2nd string on most teams. He can't shed a block if his life depended on it and constantly runs into the wrong hole.
Jacob Lacey. Our only FA signing from last year, and he came from a league worst Colts team, enough said.

Jeff Backus. He sucks at this point, gets beat almost every damn play, time to hang it up.
Dominic Raiola. He is old, undersized, and a complete liability.
Stephen Peterman. He is terrible and so damn slow.
Titus Young. A diva, think it's already a forgone conclusion he is gone.
Nate Burelson. He is old, isn't a big enough threat to keep teams honest with Calvin.
Stephan Logan. Hasn't had a return in years. He is slow for a return specialist.

There are probably more but I can' think at this point. I like Schwartz but if he doesn't make the moves with his coaching staff he needs to go as well. I can't watch another season of a team coached up by Linehan and Cunningham. Cunningham talks about all these different schemes he wants to try and all this ****, but never implements it in games. Our corners play 10 yds back and give up quick slants all season and not one time have I seen them play up and bump a receiver to try and disrupt a route. We need some bigger corners to play man coverage and get physical. That and o-line should at the top of the list for positional needs. And I don't want to see them reach for a player like last year. Riley Reif man, the way they use him makes no sense. They bring him in as an extra blocker and it is no question it is a run and which way the run is going. Like they just have to run plays like that so he can get on the field and us fans are supposed to think he isn't a bust of a pick. A first rounder should be a certified starter, not someone who you bring in special cases.

I'd keep Schwartz for one more year but make him fire Linehan. I'm not a huge Gunther fan but all things considered the defense hasn't been bad this year. With the injuries the Lions should have the worst defense in the NFL but they have been decent.

With Norv Turner and Andy Reid out there this is the best year to hire an offensive coordinator in a while.

Also I make a phone call to Sean Payton to gauge interest. If he wants to come I turn the franchise over to him.

Until last week the Lions hadn't been blown out or washed in a game.

With how many close losses the Lions have had this year they aren't that far away, better coaching, a halfway decent draft, a last place schedule and the Lions have a chance to turn it around fast.

 

[SneakerProSr.]

Also the Lions are the only reason the Bears and Vikings have a shot at the playoffs.

 

[651akathepaul]

Andy Reid ain't gonna be no damn offensive coordinator under Schwartz.

 

[651akathepaul]

 

[jpzx]

Also the Lions are the only reason the Bears and Vikings have a shot at the playoffs.

Same goes for the Colts with the Titans in their division.
Same goes for the Dolphins with the Bills in their division.

Gotta go through the trash man. And that's what the Lions are this year. You'll be back to relevancy next year for sure though.

 

[jpzx]

LOL at Ponder 'getting hot'

Pretty much.

 

[mastamind033]

Bring in Joe Webb, I read from week 7 to now that AD has more rushing yards then Ponder has passing. I mean, Webb can't be any worse and he'll at least have his running ability to contribute to throw teams off. Plus he's just exciting to watch

 

[TipsyMcStagga]

I think the Vikes should have went after Plax too. Now he's rotting on the Steelers bench...

 

[SneakerProSr.]

Maybe I'm wrong but I swear I read that AP is averaging 6.3 yards a carry and Ponder is averaging 5.9 per completion.

I really don't see how AP isn't MVP.


Joe Webb would totally change the fortunes of the Vikings, because he can't be worse throwing the ball than Ponder and him back there would open up AP even more :x

That seriously makes too much sense for them NOT to do it.

 

[SneakerProSr.]

Also the Lions are the only reason the Bears and Vikings have a shot at the playoffs.

Same goes for the Colts with the Titans in their division.
Same goes for the Dolphins with the Bills in their division.

Gotta go through the trash man. And that's what the Lions are this year. You'll be back to relevancy next year for sure though.

If you don't have chance to win a super bowl your team is irrelevant as well. Only difference is we'll have a better draft pick

I can't front though, wouldn't be anything more enjoyable for me than to see AP single handedly win a few playoff games.

 

[651akathepaul]

I feel like I know for a fact that the only way AP gets over 100 yards is if Ponder has a game reminiscent of any of the first three this year.

More importantly - if Minnesota wins this game, it's because they have much more balance than we're accustomed to at this point. My gut feeling is strong with this. Ponder must show up!

 

[hymen man]

I feel like I know for a fact that the only way AP gets over 100 yards is if Ponder has a game reminiscent of any of the first three this year.
More importantly - if Minnesota wins this game, it's because they have much more balance than we're accustomed to at this point. My gut feeling is strong with this. Ponder must show up!

Truth, he MUST.

I just need this dude to throw for 250, is that too much to ask for? Sure our WRs are trash.. but throw some short routes.. I don't want to see this dude throw deep anymore, it's disgusting.

Open up the lanes for AP, get the play action working. We can win this game man.

 

[651akathepaul]

So, what's this I hear that Frazier and Harvin were in a shouting match a few weeks ago, which ultimately led to Harvin being placed on IR and not neccessarily his ankle?

Saw it on the Yahoo fantasy update deal. Had no idea this happened. If the Vikes lose Percy...

 

[TipsyMcStagga]

So, what's this I hear that Frazier and Harvin were in a shouting match a few weeks ago, which ultimately led to Harvin being placed on IR and not neccessarily his ankle?
Saw it on the Yahoo fantasy update deal. Had no idea this happened. If the Vikes lose Percy...

Yea I read about that earlier this AM. If true, that means Frazier is sabotaging his own team. It also said next year is a contract year for Percy. Praying we don't lose him without getting anything in return...

 

[illmatic34]

Why has Ponder regressed so much? First few weeks he seemed legit then after that he fell off the face off the Earth.

 

[651akathepaul]

Yea I read about that earlier this AM. If true, that means Frazier is sabotaging his own team. It also said next year is a contract year for Percy. Praying we don't lose him without getting anything in return...

I wouldn't say that. Frazier just seems like a no nonsense type coach and won't coddle his star players if they're stepping out of line. I've really grown on Frazier and would hate to lose Percy, so I hope Harvin grows up and Frazier can patch this up.

Why has Ponder regressed so much? First few weeks he seemed legit then after that he fell off the face off the Earth.

My best guess is he was fresh out of training camp and all the things they emphasized to him in camp (footwork, ball security, and checkdowns) transitioned smoothly into him implementing them during the first few games.

It's obvious that he's forcing throws that have no business being thrown and as correctable as it is, it's discouraging. He's also doing some excessive foot flutters, for lack of a better word, in the pocket that as led to errant passes and a lack of body stability where it's hard for him to escape pressure because he's so off balance, which has led to sacks.

Those are some clear signs I've seen in the latter part of the season that has him looking like he's regressed considerably since the opening weekend.

 

[TipsyMcStagga]

I wouldn't say that. Frazier just seems like a no nonsense type coach and won't coddle his star players if they're stepping out of line. I've really grown on Frazier and would hate to lose Percy, so I hope Harvin grows up and Frazier can patch this up.

I understand that but putting him on IR is a bit extreme if he was able to come back. A game or two suspension or a fine would have sent that message just as clear That just tells me that Frazier probably didn't think we were going to make it to the playoffs in my opinion. For the record, I like Leslie as our coach but if this is true then I don't think it was the right decision...

 

[651akathepaul]

Here is an article on Ponder from the Startribune:

Musgrave says Ponder 'is making strides'

Spoiler

While the local media continue to hammer the Vikings' Christian Ponder, former NFL MVP and current TV commentator Rich Gannon said he has talked to coaches who believe that for a second-year quarterback, Ponder's performance is more than adequate.

Furthermore, I have very good relations with some NFL coaches whose teams have faced Ponder, and they agree that the No. 7 overall pick in the 2011 draft has shown great improvement in his second season.

True, he hasn't matched the performance of three rookie quarterbacks -- the ********' Robert Griffin III, the Seahawks' Russell Wilson and the Colts' Andrew Luck, all of whom defeated the Vikings earlier this season -- but they are certainly exceptions.

Vikings offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave coached Matt Ryan as a first-round draft choice in Atlanta. And while the Falcons quarterback, the No. 3 pick in the 2008 draft, now rates with the NFL's best, Musgrave said he struggled at times in his first two seasons before developing into a consistent, reliable quarterback who helped make the Falcons one of the league's best teams.

"Ryan, his first year, you know he stubbed his toe at times, stubbed his toe his second year as well," Musgrave said. "But he learned from his mistakes and grew in the position."

Musgrave was asked to compare Ryan and Ponder at the same stage. "I think they both are very bright, tremendous athletes, they really love the game of football and it shows," he said.

"I think everybody learns a different way, and everyone has different rates of progress. It's exciting to see so many good young quarterbacks in the league right now who are playing well. [Ponder] has been asked to do some things down in the red area, as well as on third down, and he has come through for us."

Ponder has been criticized for his footwork in games, so what does he have to do to improve his game?

"When you throw a football, it starts with your foundation, so your feet set up your rhythm, your tempo and your balance," Musgrave said. "I think that's an ongoing process for most, if not all, quarterbacks to remain consistent and accurate."

Musgrave said that like every quarterback, Ponder is in the spotlight.

"He's a young player. This is his first year of having an entire offseason and getting to start each and every game," Musgrave said. "He's young and has a lot to learn, but he's making strides each and every day.

While the local media continue to hammer the Vikings' Christian Ponder, former NFL MVP and current TV commentator Rich Gannon said he has talked to coaches who believe that for a second-year quarterback, Ponder's performance is more than adequate.

Furthermore, I have very good relations with some NFL coaches whose teams have faced Ponder, and they agree that the No. 7 overall pick in the 2011 draft has shown great improvement in his second season.

True, he hasn't matched the performance of three rookie quarterbacks -- the ********' Robert Griffin III, the Seahawks' Russell Wilson and the Colts' Andrew Luck, all of whom defeated the Vikings earlier this season -- but they are certainly exceptions.

Vikings offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave coached Matt Ryan as a first-round draft choice in Atlanta. And while the Falcons quarterback, the No. 3 pick in the 2008 draft, now rates with the NFL's best, Musgrave said he struggled at times in his first two seasons before developing into a consistent, reliable quarterback who helped make the Falcons one of the league's best teams.

"Ryan, his first year, you know he stubbed his toe at times, stubbed his toe his second year as well," Musgrave said. "But he learned from his mistakes and grew in the position."

Musgrave was asked to compare Ryan and Ponder at the same stage. "I think they both are very bright, tremendous athletes, they really love the game of football and it shows," he said.

"I think everybody learns a different way, and everyone has different rates of progress. It's exciting to see so many good young quarterbacks in the league right now who are playing well. [Ponder] has been asked to do some things down in the red area, as well as on third down, and he has come through for us."

Ponder has been criticized for his footwork in games, so what does he have to do to improve his game?

"When you throw a football, it starts with your foundation, so your feet set up your rhythm, your tempo and your balance," Musgrave said. "I think that's an ongoing process for most, if not all, quarterbacks to remain consistent and accurate."

Musgrave said that like every quarterback, Ponder is in the spotlight.

"He's a young player. This is his first year of having an entire offseason and getting to start each and every game," Musgrave said. "He's young and has a lot to learn, but he's making strides each and every day.

"There's a lot of good young quarterbacks in this league who are playing. They take their lumps at times, but they come away with victories as well. It has been fun to watch all these guys develop these last couple of years."

Having a back like Adrian Peterson limits what the quarterback is involved in, Musgrave said.

"It just depends, yeah, we're running the ball well," he said, "and the quarterback is asked to make a play maybe not as frequently as other teams, and sometimes that's more difficult. It's hard to get in a rhythm that way, too. That adds a degree of difficulty at times."

Musgrave praised Ponder for his performance the last two games.

"We're on a good stretch right now," he said. "The last two games we've played pretty clean and made some plays when we had to, but we definitely have not beaten ourselves."

 

[651akathepaul]

I understand that but putting him on IR is a bit extreme if he was able to come back. A game or two suspension or a fine would have sent that message just as clear That just tells me that Frazier probably didn't think we were going to make it to the playoffs in my opinion. For the record, I like Leslie as our coach but if this is true then I don't think it was the right decision...

Yeah, who knows? Hard to look too much into it when it seemd to have been kept under wraps by the organization. No clue what really went down.

 

[651akathepaul]

Jim Souhan for the Star Tribune gets on my nerves.