Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder is steeling himself for the possibility his team might select someone in the 2012 NFL Draft to compete for his job.
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"You always have to have the confidence that you're the guy," Ponder told the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Saturday. "But in the NFL, there's nothing ever guaranteed. Who knows? It's a business. Obviously, they are looking at the quarterbacks. We'll see what happens. I'm still preparing like I'm the starter. That's still my job."
Given that the Vikingsinvested a first-round pick to draft him in 2011, Ponder, who started 10 games as a rookie, would seem to be in a good position to remain the starter. General manager Rick Spielman has said as much, indicating the team, which possesses the No. 3 overall pick, will use the draft to find playmakers who can help the young quarterback succeed.
However, Spielman also said the Vikings would have to at least consider their choices if they're presented with a quarterback who is "too good to pass up."
Ponder passed for 1,853 passing yards and 13 touchdowns with 13 interceptions last season, and the team went 2-8 in games that he started. Health issues and the play of backup Joe Webb led some to question Ponder's job security late in the season, but Spielman has since affirmed his support.
Ponder told the newspaper Saturday that he "thinks" the team backs him as the starter, but he added that "you never know."
The top two quarterbacks expected to be taken in the draft, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, likely will be gone by the time the Vikings pick third.
