The Minnesota Vikings depended heavily on their ground game last season. With Adrian Peterson running the ball, most teams would. However, during the offseason the Vikings loaded up on few passing targets that should make quarterback Christian Ponder very happy. After signing veteran receiver Greg Jennings, the team drafted Cordarrelle Patterson in the first round and the two receivers are hoping to create a strong tandem on the field.
Jennings is loving what he is seeing from the rookie out of Tennessee. As a veteran of the league, Jennings knows the biggest key for a receiver is to be able to put space between the defender and he things Patterson has the upper hand on that skill set.
"I remember coming out of college. I had that definitive step. That kind of gets washed out because everything they teach you is that they want everything to look the same. The definitive step starts to kind of fade away, that that's what creates that separation. I just told him, do not lose that. Because the more I see him do that, the more I remember when I used to do that and create so much, even more separation," Jennings said.
Jennings believes it is a gift that really cannot be taught and Patterson already has it. While the rookie was known for his speed coming out of college, Jennings believes his ability to run routes well will make his a top player in the league. The Vikings are trying to keep expectations low for the rookie, but they are known for having phenom rookie receivers. With Randy Moss and Percy Harvin having gotten their start in Minnesota, Patterson could be one of the next greats.
Another person besides Jennings that is thrilled to see Patterson on the field is quarterback Ponder. Some NFL experts have put Ponder's ability to be in elite quarterback into question after inconsistent seasons. After watching Ponder in his first few offseason practices, ESPN's Judd Zulgad was not impressed.
"You know what's not there? Crispness. There's not a sharpness. At times you would expect things to look second nature to Ponder...That's not what we're seeing so far, but like I said, it's minicamp," Zulgad said.
The key word is minicamp. Ponder not looking sharp in June should not be a cause for concern. The team did sign Matt Cassel to backup money, but some have questioned whether he has a real shot at starting over Ponder.
The quarterback will only continue to progress as the season approaches. It is far too early to say there is a true quarterback competition brewing with the Vikings.