Vikings rookie quarterback Christian Ponder is still itching to start for the team this coming season. On Monday, Ponder joined a group of NFL players and hopefuls at the University of Minnesota on a hot, humid morning after a 22-hour drive to relocate his belongings. "This workout is kicking my butt," Ponder said. "Eating all that fast food and everything is not a good deal. I'm sweating it out." Despite the lockout, Ponder has been preparing to start. Ponder, who was taken with the 12th overall pick in the draft by the quarterback-hungry Vikings, picked up a playbook in April when he was allowed to make a brief visit with his new team. "Everyone is being optimistic about it right now," Ponder said. "One can only hope."