"Donovan McNabb is starting over with a new team for the second time in two years, after experiencing a virtual lifetime — by NFL standards — of stability when he spent his first 11 seasons in the same city playing for the same coach.

The circumstances of this particular career reset couldn't be more unforgiving. Thanks to the 41 / 2-month NFL lockout, he is hurrying through the familiarization process with his new Minnesota Vikings teammates and cramming to prepare for a season opener next month that will come a little more than six weeks after the trade that brought him here from the Washington Redskins.

With so much going on, who has time for any bitterness?

"There's no reason to hold a grudge," McNabb said at the Vikings' training facility after a practice last week. "I don't hold grudges. It's funny that people keep on trickling stuff out. Just let it go. Move on. And that's all I've been doing."

McNabb was standing in a practice-field end zone, having just yanked off his shoulder pads, jersey and helmet. He made it clear that he is pleased to have a fresh beginning with a coaching staff that he said understands him. He said he had not spoken to Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan since the final week of last season. But if he has ill feelings toward the Redskins after his lost season in D.C. or anger over his dealings with Shanahan and his son Kyle, the offensive coordinator, McNabb isn't venting in full force — at least not now."