Christian Ponder the new experts Favorite

[HavoK471]

Ponder looked pretty good

He needs to stop running so much though

[powderblues]

Its the hair, same reason they're always on Brady's jock.

[GatorNation4Lyf]

LOL.. Don't know if you are Tebow fan or not. But it is funny how folks keep throwing up other QB numbers trying to justify Tebow's crappy performance. Are Tebow fans that insecure? As a Broncos fan, my expectations for Tebow's game against the Dolphins were met. I figure that he would have a crappy game. Nothing wrong with that. But we gotta stop comparing Tebow to other QBs. Different systems. Different styles. Different player. Jeez

Of course I'm a Tebow fan but I'm also a Ponder, Newton, Bradford and Colt McCoy fan as well. I'm a fan of football and I'm excited to see what these young guys can do. I've known Tebow, Newton and also Vince Young since they all were in junior high so I really want them to succeed. I just don't get why people feel the need to delight in waiting for others to fail.

[Urbs]

LOL.. Don't know if you are Tebow fan or not. But it is funny how folks keep throwing up other QB numbers trying to justify Tebow's crappy performance. Are Tebow fans that insecure? As a Broncos fan, my expectations for Tebow's game against the Dolphins were met. I figure that he would have a crappy game. Nothing wrong with that. But we gotta stop comparing Tebow to other QBs. Different systems. Different styles. Different player. Jeez

They are not comparing numbers to justify Tebows poor performance of the first 3 quarters.

They are doing it because the "Tebow haters" are using his performance to justify he sucks and doesn't have it in him.

That maybe the case, however they were showing the simple fact a good amount of QB's had just as bad of games who don't get the same crap as Tebow.

[JellyBean2144]

Now I love Ponder, thought he was a great pickup in the first round and I think he will be an awesome QB in the league...

BUT how is it that every expert is so high on him after 1 game while Tebow is still a question mark in their minds? Listening to most of them, you would have thought that he threw for 400 yards and 5 TDs. Here's his numbers from Sunday...

C/ATT YDS AVG TD INT NFL RATING
C. Ponder 13/32 219 6.8 2 2 59.2

He had a 40% completion rate and threw 2 INT's but he's not getting bashed. Heck look at Carson Palmer and Kyle Boller? They were both horrible but you hear nothing but crickets. Oh yeah this was Palmer's first start in quite some time, hmmm, this was Tebow's first start this year but he still get's bashed?

C/ATT YDS AVG TD INT NFL RATING
C. Palmer 8/21 116 5.5 0 3 17.3
K. Boller 7/14 61 4.4 0 3 22.3

These guys were God awful for 4 quarters but somehow Tebow has to prove he's a QB???

LOL.. Don't know if you are Tebow fan or not. But it is funny how folks keep throwing up other QB numbers trying to justify Tebow's crappy performance. Are Tebow fans that insecure? As a Broncos fan, my expectations for Tebow's game against the Dolphins were met. I figure that he would have a crappy game. Nothing wrong with that. But we gotta stop comparing Tebow to other QBs. Different systems. Different styles. Different player. Jeez

[mtn_horn]

What is the eye test? Throwing a pretty spiral even if it's an interception? Being able to stand in the pocket? What if you don't have a pocket because your line is getting beat like a runaway slave?

I thought Ponder did very well as I was watching him. He looked very good in his first start BUT then I looked at his stats and it was shocking because it was actually poor. Maybe our eyes have been coerced by the media in what looks good and what looks bad.

Yeah, it's gotta be the media. Not only do they have it out for Tim, they've managed to get inside our heads and change how we interpret what we see.



Ponder looked good because he is good. I have no love for FSU, nor for Ponder. Truth be told, I didn't even know who he was. But he looked calm in the pocket, the ball looked good coming out of his hand, he avoided pressure, and made tight throws into coverage. Yeah, he also made rookie mistakes.

Since I don't have any illusions of being coerced by the media, I'm going to stick with my original thought: Ponder looked good out there - especially given that he was going against the defending SB champs.

That doesn't mean I'm a Tebow hater - but you can count me in the apprehensive about Detroit's D-Line camp. Until Tim proves he can make the throws teams are going to dare him to try and make, teams will stack the box and continue to show us the first 3.5 quarters Tebow instead of the last 5 minutes of the game Tebow.

[MileHighInNY]

Aldso, all of these stat comparisons leave out two important numbers:

Tebow picked up a Win, and also had 65 yards rushing! How many did Ponder rush for yesterday?

[Urbs]

Why is everyone riding "Miami is the worse team in the NFL, Tebow should of done better" train.

Miamis offense is the worse in the NFL.

However their defense is not bad at all.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/passing/position/defense

Ranked 17 in the league for pass defense and ranked 17 for net yards.

Mean while green bay is ranked dead last in pass defense and 30th for net yards.

If only people would do a little research on their own in stead of listening to media talk heads who generally talk out of their arses.

[LSIGRAD09]

He's amazing. I liked the pick, and I like it more now.

[GatorNation4Lyf]

What is the eye test? Throwing a pretty spiral even if it's an interception? Being able to stand in the pocket? What if you don't have a pocket because your line is getting beat like a runaway slave?

I thought Ponder did very well as I was watching him. He looked very good in his first start BUT then I looked at his stats and it was shocking because it was actually poor. Maybe our eyes have been coerced by the media in what looks good and what looks bad.

[gods6monkeys]

All I ever hear is it isn't about stats with Tebow. "He just wins" "He has all the intangibles" etc...

So it seems a bit disingenuous to then use stats to "prove" he had a better day than those other quarterbacks.

Look, he stunk up the joint for 3.5 quarters. It wasn't just his stats - it's how he looked. It's the wide open receivers he missed by several yards. It's the indecision. It's holding the ball too long. It's the first pass that by all accounts should have been a pick 6.

I'm not a hater - but if the first 3.5 quarters against Miami don't make you just a little bit concerned going against arguably the best D-line in the NFL next week, I'll take some of what you're smoking.

Christian Ponder passed the "eye test." And it was his first game in the NFL.

As far as getting the "same chance" everyone else gets, I'm pretty sure he is - he is the starting QB for a team that is not very good. Just like Ponder, just like McCoy.

I wish that our fanbase could let go of this seeming need to feel our favorite players are persecuted. Timmy is getting to play - we'll get to see what he can do. Why not sit back, enjoy the ride, and ignore the talking heads?

Wow, way to address things I did not post about.
- Proved nothing about Tebow in regards to stats
- I never said Tebow had better stats, he actually had the same type as those guys listed
- I never said Tebow didn't look bad yesterday

If Ponder passed the eye test against GB passing for 40%, and 2 ints.. What test did tebow pass against SD two weeks ago with his 40% and 2tds?

The point "again" each of those QB's listed had what the media hammers Tebow for type of games. It is what it is.. some of us just find it ridiculous. I feel in 6 weeks we will a real idea of what Tebow is about in the NFL... either way.

[broncofanatik]

Both are basically rookies (one is actual rookie) and everyone has double standards. I watched his two ints (Ponder) and they were horrible right into GB guys hands who didn't even move. Not saying he won't improve he has upside and is def. better than McNabb.

Why talk about Ponders upside and then talk about Tebow as a 5 year vet who is at the top of his skill level? It makes no sense.

Lastly the Dolphins pass defense is better than GBs. Sure they have the #1 offense but their defense is lack there of. Just because the Dolphins are 0-6 (mainly because of their QB situation) doesn't mean they are #32 in defense. C'mon man.

[shawinkerpoppin]

I didnt get to watch the game and if you go by just stats it wasnt impressive. But his first start of the season is against the undefeated Superbowl champs it appears he kept his team in it for the most part with help from AP. Many thought it would be a blowout but it wasnt.

[GatorNation4Lyf]

Tebow is going to be criticized more because even though other rookies may have bad stats similar or worse than his, they look the part of what the media has for a QB. No one can sit here and say they truly feel that Tebow played well in the first 3.5 quarters. He look bad, he should have thrown the ball at time and should have hit open receivers. He tries to stay in the pocket and that is obvious...it is honestly bad because you can tell he is thinking about staying there versus feeling being there. Once he gathers himself and just plays, the real Tim Tebow shows up.

They need to take a look at what Carolina does for Cam. A offense that suits the QB. Dont tell him not to run because him forcing himself to stand tall in the pocket eliminates potential plays he could make with his feet when nothing is there. For better or worse I want to see him finish the season out and from that point make a decision to either stay or move forward. Even though yesterday was probably the best come back I have ever seen from a team, it still leaves a lot to be desired from a potential QB.

Great post...

But imagine if you were picked apart, bit by bit by everyone around you including your coaches. Even to the point that you have to change the way you throw the ball? Tebow's been scrutinized by his own franchise. It's a wonder that he can go out there and perform under such high pressure. Plus, he's never been given the green light. He's never been the guy. Even now, he's still trying out for a job.

I think it was a mistake to try and change his mechanics in the first place. I think he did it because everyone around him told him to and he's a team guy but I think it's set him back as well.

I look at Cam (who I love) and Tebow is the same QB. I don't know why most people don't see it but they are very similar. Anyone that thinks Cam is a more accurate a passer as Tebow don't really know the two. They both can get inaccurate at times but both have a winners mindset that can overcome adversity. Denver needs to copy Carolina's playbook.

[garzjoe]

Easy. Tebow is not the typical QB. Ponder is. Tebow needs an offense built just for him to be successful, Ponder doesn't. And then you look at decision making, being able to stay in the pocket and make plays, mechanics, and accuracy. Ponder, Newton, and Dalton amongst others are years ahead of Tebow.

Agree...however while being a more prototypical QB Ponder is actually very athletic (more more than I ever thought because I did not follow the kid in college).

As you said as far as being able to stay in the pocket and make plays Ponder, Newton, & Dalton do appear to be ahead of Tebow. The surprise to all has been how Newton has looked as a QB. I pegged him as being another Tebow like QB who would struggle mightily in the passing game.

Thx,
Joe