EDEN PRAIRIE (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings want Christian Ponder to be safe when he carries the ball.

By diving head first.

Most quarterbacks are taught to avoid contact and end the play by sliding feet first. But offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave has provided video evidence for Ponder of his belief that going down head first is less of an injury risk.

The subject came up when Ponder scrambled around right end in an exhibition game last week, diving head first right in front of the goal line on third-and-2 at the 4 to get a first down.

Ponder says he’s had plenty of people question his tactic but that he’s never seen a quarterback get hurt with a head first dive.