The 2013 NFL season is not going as Leslie Frazier originally predicted. The Minnesota Vikings spent the offseason loading up on offensive fire power so that Christian Ponder could really make the jump as a starting quarterback this year. That has failed to happen and as the defense continues its own personal struggles, the head coach is vowing to improve in the second half of the year.
"There was no scenario in my mind that told me we'd be 1-6 at this juncture," Frazier said, via the Pioneer Press. "I believe we can get things fixed and play better....there's some things we have to do better and I think we can."
Frazier was adamant that his team would not give up despite the slow, very slow, start to the year. While the defense has struggled against strong opponents, it is the quarterback play that has grabbed the most headlines. Ponder failed to get wins. Cassel looked good but not great. Newly acquired Josh Freeman looked down-right terrible.
According to NFL.com, the Vikings are not committed on a starter yet for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. Frazier is not ready to name the official quarterback just yet. Freeman is returning from a concussion that puts him back in play against Cassel and Ponder.
"I don't want to discount Matt, but Christian did some good things (against the Packers)," Frazier said. "There were some things he could obviously do better, but that has something to do with it. (Ponder) has led us to some wins in the past. Josh (Freeman), we brought him here to evaluate him and determine whether he could be a guy that could be a potential player for us in the future. That's what goes into trying to evaluate the both of them."
In the span of seven games, the Vikings have had three different starting quarterbacks. None of their options have played well leaving Frazier at a loss of how to handle the situation. The team was hoping Freeman would be the best option after signing him away from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he failed to even complete half of his pass attempts. Ponder and Cassel did little to separate themselves from the pack.