Christian Ponder expects to be booed in Minnesota

Now that he’s with the Raiders, he has little doubt he’ll get the same reception when he returns Saturday.

“I thought it went well”, Ponder said.

Derek Carr is the Raiders’ unquestioned starting quarterback. “It makes you such a better quarterback mentally and once we get out here, we get after it. We compete with one another, trying to push each other day-in and day-out”. Ought to I take a bow, or what? What’s going to happen?

“I’m looking forward to seeing it all first-hand”, Del Rio said.

Ponder, who declined an interview request from the Pioneer Press, was booed last year when playing for the Vikings in a 10-6 preseason victory over Oakland.

Ponder missed the playoff loss to Green Bay with an elbow injury and then lost his job the following year when he threw seven TD passes and nine interceptions in nine games. I block it out.

If there was any tangible benefit for winning preseason games, the Minnesota Vikings might be on their way to a Super Bowl.

Will Teddy Bridgewater continue to shine? Ponder fell to third string last year, making just one start. It was a disaster. He talked about wanting to get into another game to redeem himself, but that never happened.

Ponder’s in a position with the Raiders where his role is fairly well-established.

“I just didn’t play well”, he said. The Raiders however are finally turning the corner as they have a great nucleus of young talent to build around and a nice cast of veteran guys to lead the way and while it is likely they will finish below. “He was always positive, and I appreciate that”.

Ponder’s star fell quickly in Minnesota after arriving with such promise after his college career at Florida State. He said that always has been Ponder’s nature. During the games, he’s there to ask questions, if I ask him about a cornerback, he’ll say, ‘Yeah, he did this.’ It’s very easy for us to have a conversation. “He kept a smile on his face”. Rhodes hopes the fans don’t boo him, but realizes that might not be the case.

“It’s another opportunity for him”, Rudolph said.

“I’m going to take pleasure in what I’m doing whether or not followers are cheering or booing”, Ponder stated. “If it doesn’t happen, great”.