Donovan McNabb: "When you have dark times, you have to find a way to pull yourself out of it and really make it benefit you."

It really is incredible how much scrutiny and unfair criticism Donovan McNabb has received over the years. For a man who has a career record of 97-57 and a TD: INT ratio of 2:1 (230 TDs, 115 INTs), you'd think he'd be showered with praise and celebrated as a future Hall of Famer that's been outstanding on the field and a tremendous teammate and person outside the lines. Not the case obviously. Last year was particularly ridiculous if you ask me. So McNabb wasn't able to single-handedly save a team with little talent and a new coaching staff -- let's blast the guy and heap all the blame on him!

Pretty sure there will be an interesting documentary about McNabb sometime in the future once his career is over with and he and his former teammates are more willing to talk about all the pressure and scrutiny he's faced during his 12-year career. For now, we have to settle for McNabb cautiously saying all the right things when asked about the treatment he's received from fans and scribes that refuse to appropriately acknowledge his accomplishments while jumping down his throat at the first sign of struggle or failure. McNabb did just that in a conversation with Mike & Mike (interview begins at 28:00 mark) on Thursday morning to talk about last season with the Redskins, the importance of growing stronger as a person and player from last year's disappointments, why Minnesota was a perfect fit for him, and trying to incorporate Adrian Peterson more heavily in the passing game.

What happened that things went in such a bad direction in Washington last year?:

"It’s one that I’ve put behind me and I’ve moved forward. There was a lot of things that I’ve learned and a lot of things that I’m just going to leave back there in Washington. But you know, the thing about it is, every now and then you go through a bump in the road, a little adversity, and it’s all about how you overcome it. I’m just going to make it stronger, for me, mentally, throughout this whole process and take full advantage of it."

Was last year the hardest year, mentally, of your career?:

"It was. It was a challenge in so many ways, but you know the whole thing about it is it’s how you’re able to withstand the test of time. When you have dark times, you have to find a way to pull yourself out of it and really make it benefit you. … Now my main focus is what can I do to help this team win here in Minnesota? … I look forward to going out there and really challenging not only my teammates, but myself, to go out and be the guy that everyone knows that I am, the one they’ve seen over the years, and be better."

When the lockout ended, you heading to Minnesota seemed like a perfect fit and then it worked out just that way. Why is it the right spot?:

"Well, it all starts up top. You have a guy who really, really knows you in Leslie Frazier. … He understands the things that I do, the things that I enjoy doing and my leadership qualities. It’s not one that’s going to be a challenge. Leslie and I have a great relationship. We can sit down and talk and find out what exactly he expects from me. And he just wants me to go out and be the guy that he knows that I am."

How will having a star running back in Adrian Peterson affect your game?:

"What it does is it takes a lot of pressure off the guys on the outside. When you have a guy like Adrian Peterson, who is very aggressive in the run game but also does a great job in the blitz pickup — that’s one thing he doesn’t get a lot of credit for. I think what we also want to do is we want to involve him more in the passing game, being able to hit him with check-downs and screens and get him moving a little bit to keep defenses guessing."

(Transcription via: SportsRadioInterviews)

Christian Ponder Comments On Donovan McNabb Trade

It wasn’t long ago that Christian Ponder declared that he expected to be the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings when the 2011 NFL season kicked off on September 11th. Well, with Donovan McNabb’s arrival in Minneapolis on Thursday after being traded from the Redskins, Ponder’s plans might need to be altered. With no mini-camps or OTAs this offseason, Ponder almost assuredly will start the new season playing behind McNabb, and provided McNabb doesn’t get injured or struggle mightily, Ponder probably will spend the entire 2011 season on the bench.

Ponder admitted as much on Thursday during an interview on KFAN for an interview following the announcement of the McNabb trade. Ponder is wise though when he states that he’ll still be preparing as if he’ll be the starting quarterback. Considering how much McNabb struggled last year in particular, it’s plenty conceivable that the former Florida State signal caller will get his chance to lead the Vikings in year one.

“Obviously he’s what, a five-time Pro Bowler, he’s been to the Super Bowl, been to the playoffs many, many times, so obviously he’s going to be a guy I’m going to be able to learn a lot from. I’m excited he’s going to be a part of the team. Talking to Coach Frazier, obviously with everything cut so short, missing all the OTAs and everything, I think it was definitely the right decision. It takes a lot of pressure off myself, it gives me a little time to slow down and develop myself and not have all that pressure to start right away.”

Ponder was then asked if he’s accepting of the addition considering his high draft status in this year’s draft:

“Well I’m definitely still focused on trying to win a job, and I think that’s always what the focus should be. I’m going to prepare as if I’m the starter, and I’m going to prepare as if I’m going to steal that job, and I’m not going to make it easy for Donovan, but no, at the same time, it’s going to be great to learn from a guy that’s been there and done it and knows what needs to be done to be successful. I’ll try to steal some of his habits and try to use them against him.”

One thing Ponder doesn’t believe will hold up his development is not being in camp on time because of his contract situation. Still unsigned, Ponder believes the deal will get done before the Vikings begin practice in earnest on Monday.

“I don’t think so. It sounds like guys are getting signed pretty quickly. I think the focus the last couple of days has been signing the undrafted guys and then the free agents . Obviously we wrapped things up with Donovan, and things kind of fell through with Sidney, so I’m hoping it’s now my turn to get it done. And it won’t take long. I was told it would definitely get done by Saturday or Sunday and that I would be in practice on Monday, so we’ll see how it goes.”

For more Vikings coverage and fan discussion, be sure to check in at Daily Norseman.

Parameters Of A McNabb Deal 'In Place' Whatever That Means

Apparently, the Donovan McNabb to the Minnesota Vikings is more than a rumor, as the parameters of a trade between the Vikings and Redskins appears to be in place, according to Vikings beat reporter Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune.

It looks like the Vikings will send a 6th or 7th round pick to Washington for McNabb, but that is contingent on McNabb renegotiating a $12 million salary that is due in 2011. there’s no way that Minnesota can afford that under the salary cap, and it could be a potential deal breaker.

Why would the Vikings want him, though? That’s the question. Yews, the Vikings do need a veteran backup for Christian Ponder and second year guy Joe Webb, but McNabb doesn’t seem like a good fit.

He still wants to start, and the Vikings have said—repeatedly—that they want to give Ponder every opportunity to win the job, and that a veteran would be brought in for more of a mentorship role. McNabb is unhappy in Washington, but he still wants to start.

How happy would he be if he was relegated to the bench in week three or four?

Well, we may find out.

NFL Trade Rumors: Donovan McNabb To Vikings Is Again Gaining Steam

The NFL trade rumors are back, following a brief lapse due to the lockout, and they have picked right back up when it comes to Donovan McNabb and the Minnesota Vikings. McNabb to Minneapolis was first brought up back in April, which was a fun time for everyone, and now everyone will have a chance to debate if the current Washington Redskins quarterback is better than Christian Ponder and company.

The Vikings are one of a few teams that have had recent discussions with the Redskins front office regarding McNabb, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Just like in April, however, the Vikings must wait until McNabb's contract is restructured before they are able to bring him to the Metrodome.

It isn't an awful thing to think that McNabb might not be a terrible stopgap for the Vikings offense, at least for the first few weeks until Ponder is comfortable, but it all depends what sort of salary the veteran brings along with him to the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

But seriously, why isn't anyone talking about Joe Webb as the starter?

Donovan McNabb Trade Rumors: Is Vikings TE Visanthe Shiancoe Recruiting Him?

The Donovan McNabb trade rumors will remain at least until the Minnesota Vikings draft a quarterback in this year’s NFL Draft or the Washington Redskins somehow explicitly say that he isn’t being traded. Until then, it looks like everyone will weigh in on the hottest NFL trade rumor of the season.

Even Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe.

Shiancoe was recently on Washington D.C. based Comcast SportsNet’s Washington Post Live with Ivan Carter where he talked about what he’s doing during the NFL lockout and a football camp he’s putting on at Morgan State. Oh, and the McNabb trade rumors.

"You know what, as a matter of fact, I seen him out the other day, and we had a little alcohol talk, should I say, a little alcohol talk," Shiancoe told Carter (as transcribed by Dan Steinberg). "And I told him, ‘Hey, look , you know, Minnesota might be a good fit for you. I think that he would probably agree on that. Who knows if he wants to stay here anymore, right, being in those circumstances? I don’t know if he wants to or not, but I wouldn’t want to stay here. Speaking for myself, I wouldn’t want to stay in this predicament right here."

I’m not sure what "alcohol talk" is, but it seems like Shiancoe wouldn’t mind having McNabb throwing to him whenever the 2011 NFL season begins.

Sid Hartman Weighs In On Donovan McNabb Rumors

I'm not sure how likely it is that Donovan McNabb winds up with he Minnesota Vikings this offseason, but we are certainly starting to see some smoke surrounding that potential fire. Sid Hartman of the Star Tribune laid out some ways that the Vikings could get McNabb into the fold this offseason.

The biggest issue is that the Vikings can not trade for McNabb while the NFL has locked out it's players. And even if they decide that they want to trade for him when a new CBA is agreed upon, they would likely have to re-do his contract once he gets to Minnesota.

The other, and probably more likely option, is that the Redskins would release McNabb and the Vikings could sign him for relatively cheap without having to give away any draft picks in the process. This too would have to wait until the lockout is over, but it would likely be a more attractive option for them.

Whatever the method, Hartman believes that the Vikings do have legitimate interest in McNabb.

I have reasons to believe the Vikings' interest in McNabb is a lot more than just a rumor. No doubt the plan is to sign a veteran quarterback, draft another and try to develop Joe Webb into the future starter.

Donovan McNabb To The Vikings Trade Rumors Heating Up

Donovan McNabb being traded to the Minnesota Vikings has been a hot NFL trade rumor for the last few seasons, but unlike in the past, it looks like it might now be coming pretty close to a reality.

The Vikings are one of the teams interested in McNabb, according to two people with knowledge of the situation who spoke to The Washington Post on the condition of anonymity.

No deal could be made until the NFL lockout is ended and the Collective Bargaining Agreement is worked out, but the fact that there is now confirmed interest from both sides indicate that McNabb could be taking his talents to Minnesota sooner rather than later.

WFAN 660 AM radio personality "Incarcerated Bob" also tweeeted earlier today, saying “Source: Quietly behind the scenes Redskins & Vikings are working on a McNabb trade (Needs to agree to redo contract).” He probably isn’t the most reliable source, but he’s been right before.

SB Nation Minnesota’s own Christopher Gates weighed in on the most recent McNabb to Minnesota rumors earlier today. Unfortunately for the Vikings’ faithful, he doesn’t seem too excited about the deal.

While McNabb is still a “good” quarterback, I don’t think he would ultimately be taking this team anywhere, as unfortunate as that sounds. A guy like McNabb or a Matt Hasselbeck (who would be my choice if we were bringing a guy in for a year or two) might be able to keep the Vikings in contention and bridge the gap to a guy that the Vikings take in the first two rounds of this year’s draft, but that’s really about it. McNabb, however, doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy that would be willing to pass the proverbial torch. From their demeanors, I think you could sit down with a Hasselbeck or even a Marc Bulger and say to them, “Okay, you’re going to start this year, the new guy is going to carry your clubs this season, and next season you’re probably going to be the backup.” I don’t get the impression that McNabb would be quite so willing to accept that sort of thing.

This story won’t move too fast, obviously, because nothing can happen until the NFL lockout situation is figured out — but it is interesting enough to keep an eye on until then.

Minnesota Vikings Rumors: Is Donovan McNabb To The Vikings A Possibility?

Since there's a lockout going on and, apparently, nobody has anything better to talk about, it appears it's time to start firing up the old rumors of current Washington Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb being traded to the Minnesota Vikings.

You know, when teams are actually allowed to trade players. . .which, without a Collective Bargaining Agreement, is not something that can take place.

Sports Illustrated's Peter King started this in his "Monday Morning Quarterback" column this past Monday.

I think the team that makes the most sense for Donovan McNabb is Minnesota. The compensation that makes the most sense is a conditional fourth-round pick in 2012 that could rise to a three if McNabb starts 12 games this year. Or something like that. The Redskins can get partial payment (very partial) back for the move Mike Shanahan wishes he never made. The Vikings can sleep better at night knowing they don't have to rely on Joe Webb with a suspect offensive line and a veteran defense as they try to make one last playoff run with this core. McNabb can be happy knowing he has one more chance to take a contender deep into the playoffs. But if this happens, he'd better take full advantage of it, because it might be his last shot with a contender.

This was, naturally, picked up by Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. . .who, in his typical style, reports this as being more fact than rumor.

I barely have the words to express how strongly I'm against this. . .if the Minnesota Vikings trade a draft pick for Donovan McNabb, I'll throw up all over myself like. . .well, like I'm Donovan McNabb. I can't be the only Viking fan that's tired of all this stop gap, temporary fix stuff at the quarterback position. The other three teams in the NFC North have young, talented quarterbacks of the future, and it's time for the Vikings to stop attempting to stick a Band-Aid on a sucking chest wound.

The Minnesota Vikings don't need to be trading draft picks for Donovan McNabb. They don't need to be trading draft picks for anyone or anything other than the purpose of acquiring more draft picks. This team needs to rebuild, and you don't rebuild by trading for 36-year old quarterbacks. If the Vikings desire a more veteran option, they can wait for free agency and go after someone like Marc Bulger or Matt Hasselbeck.