Vikings Quarterbacks

Here's the current quarterback situation for the 2014 Minnesota Vikings:

Matt Cassel
Christian Ponder
Teddy Bridgewater
Travis Partridge

Well, its' not the difference-making position group of 2009:

Brett Favre
Tarvaris Jackson
Sage Rosenfels

But, it kicks to the curb the group that the Vikings hauled out onto the field for the 2007 NFL season, Adrian Peterson's first:

Kelly Holcomb
Brooks Bollinger
Tarvaris Jackson

Poor Adrian.

The Vikings have been looking for a franchise quarterback for over thirty years. They thought that Daunte Culpepper was the one. He looked the part for a few years but was never the same after a knee injury in 2005. For most of the past 25 years the Vikings have gotten by with veterans on their final legs. Jim McMahon, Warren Moon, Randall Cunningham, Jeff George, Brad Johnson, Gus Frerotte, Brett Favre. Some turned back the clock and played great for a season, or two, maybe three. Any success with the veteran method is fleeting, at best. Always starting over. It's not like the Vikings have been forced to scramble at quarterback because of a first round draft bust. They've rarely spent a high pick on a quarterback. In 54 drafts, the Vikings have used a first round pick on a quarterback four times. Three since 1999. Tommy Kramer in 1977. Daunte Culpepper in 1999. Christian Ponder in 2011. Teddy Bridgewater in 2014. Kramer had some nice moments in the 1980s but he could never stay healthy. Culpepper was very good for a couple of seasons. Fantastic for one. Ponder has struggled with consitency, maybe confidence, and has failed to hold down the job. That failure forced the Vikings to trade back into the first round of last week's draft to select Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. And now, we have:

Cassel
Ponder
Bridgwater
Partridge

There's some hope here. The Vikings future hinges on the development of Bridgewater. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner's presence will help. His presence will help all of the quarterbacks. Cassel is considered the starter now and provides veteran leadership and stability. He provides that even if he doesn't hold onto the job. His presence takes the pressure off of Bridgewater to play right away. Many have lost faith in Ponder but he can play. Sometimes really well but his lack of consistency is the problem. He'll put together a string of nice games like he did at the end of the 2012 season. Then, for some reason , it just falls apart. The same pattern has taken place within a game. He'll play well through a couple of quarters and then come unhinged with a couple of mind-numbing throws. His career isn't lost. It's just on shaky ground right now. Partridge was signed as an undrafted free agent after this past draft. At 6'4" and 237 lbs, he looks the part. If he shows something in training camp, he's likely headed to the practice squad and maybe a #3 spot next year. Bridgewater is the key. He's the only quarterback on the roster with elite talent and elite potential. The guess here is that he wins the job and starts against the St. Louis Rams in week one. But, it's nice to have Cassel, and Ponder, if that doesn't happen.

On paper, right now, the Minnesota Vikings quarterback group might not match that of 2009, and that's only because of Favre, but the current group destroys 2007.