Raiders sign free agents Ponder, Dockery
ALAMEDA, Calif. (KTVU and wires) – The Oakland Raiders continued their free agent shopping spree Friday, signing quarterback Christian Ponder and cornerback James Dockery.
Ponder was originally drafted by Minnesota in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft and spent the last four seasons with the Vikings.
He was tutored by Raiders offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave in Minnesota from 2011-13, when Musgrave served in the same capacity for the Vikings.
For his career, Ponder has played in 38 games with 36 starts, throwing for 6,658 yards on 632-of-1,057 passing (59.8 percent), 38 touchdowns, 36 interceptions and a 75.9 passer rating.
The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder had his best season in 2012 under Musgrave, as he started all 16 games and led Minnesota to a playoff berth.
After finishing 3-13 in 2011, Ponder led the Vikings to a 10-6 record in 2012, the biggest single-season turnaround in franchise history.
In 2012, Ponder completed 62.1 percent of his passes, completing 300-of-483 passes for 2,935 yards and 18 touchdowns for a passer rating of 81.2.
Meanwhile, Dockery joins the Raiders following stints with the Cleveland Browns (2011) and Carolina Panthers (2012-14). His career totals include 31 games played with two starts, 30 tackles (25 solo) and two passes defensed.
Last season with the Panthers, the 6-foot-1, 185-pounder played in seven games and posted 10 tackles (nine solo) after re-signing with the team in October.