Hope?

Now I actually have no idea what kind of quarterback Matt Cassel is today. I just know that with a great coach in a great offense he was very good taking Tom Brady's place several years ago in New England.

With the Chiefs, he lost his starting job rather quickly. With the Vikings, they see him as just a back-up in case something happens to Ponder.

Well, from all accounts something has happened to Ponder. Sore ribs from the looks of it.

Because of that, there's at least a pretty good chance that head coach Leslie Frazier MAY use this opportunity to give Cassel a chance to show what he can do with this horrible offense. I really don't think a new QB is the answer at this time, but anything that gets Ponder out of the starting offense for a week or two has got to be a good thing. IF Ponder starts instead of Cassel, it will just show us what Frazier really thinks of Cassel.

I just know that if I were Ponder and I had sore ribs, the last thing I'd want to do is take two long, overseas flights in the next 4 or 5 days. That doesn't sound very helpful for the healing of ribs even if the seats are first class.

Frazier has to see that Ponder is not the Vikings long-term answer at QB. He may as well start Cassel. The season, for all intents and purposes, is already lost. Now is the time to see what else your team can do for you.

His job isn't going to last much longer either way.