Vikings' Ponder: 'I'm not asking for a trade'

Despite being the odd man out in Minnesota, Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder remains committed to the team.

"I'm not asking for a trade," Ponder said Wednesday, via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "I'm learning so much right now. I do feel like it's beneficial for me to be right here right now.

"As a competitor, though, you want to be the guy that's out there playing. But I do feel like in the situation I'm in right now, I am getting better though I'm not playing."

Ponder struggled last season, completing 63.6 percent of his passes for 1,648 yards and seven touchdowns. The fans haven't let him forget it, either.

"I was obviously very disappointed in the opening game the way our fans reacted to Christian because I think he's done everything he can do, and he's working his butt off, and I think he's a guy that's going to be valuable to our team," offensive coordinator Norv Turner said.

Matt Cassel and Teddy Bridgewater have both looked impressive in preseason action so far, but Cassel appears to be ahead of the rookie in the quarterback race.