McNabb to Minnesota makes a lot of sense
Published: May 16th, 2011 | Tags: Donovan McNabb, Christian Ponder, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins
I still think that Donovan McNabb can still be a very effective quarterback in the right situation, but at this stage of his career I wouldn’t give him the keys to my team like the Redskins did last season.
McNabb should be more valued than he is as an option for teams still in need of a quarterback. But his biggest problem last season was that he had to learn a new offense and how to play with new players on a team with a below average offensive line that didn’t have a lot of weapons. Learning a new system is difficult to do on its own, and not a lot of quarterbacks could have succeeded in that situation.
The fact McNabb struggled with learning a new offense clearly shows the right fit is all about being in the right offense with a terminology that he’s already familiar with.
I do believe in McNabb. He knows how to win and is a good leader. But you have to protect him, and he does have limitations with his accuracy, which is an ongoing issue.
I look at a team like the Vikings — who run a West Coast offense, feature a good running game, have a good tight end and good receivers — as a destination that makes the most sense for McNabb. They have a young quarterback in first-round pick Christian Ponder who has to learn how to play quarterback. Remember that McNabb helped Michael Vick tremendously, as well as a number of others. If he doesn’t get it done, the Vikings could accelerate the development of Ponder.
I don’t put a lot of stock in the wristband controversy surrounding McNabb. I think there’s a stigma attached to wearing one as a franchise quarterback, although Tom Brady has three layers on his. Time to get over it.
McNabb will put the time and effort in, will know how to fit in with a veteran team and will be able to rally his teammates. The Seahawks also present a possibility, but that seems like a lateral move given Matt Hasselbeck already knows the offense. It all makes the Vikings the best fit.