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Donovan McNabb News & Rumors

McNabb has three teams in mind but won't name them
February 2
NFL.com
 
"Donovan McNabb says his future is bright. Part of that future could include a return to the NFL next season. McNabb, who was released by the Vikings midway through his 13th season, didn't sound like a player who has completely walked away during an interview with "Super Bowl Live" on Wednesday. The phone hasn't rang for McNabb, but he believes he has something left to offer in the right situation. "I see three teams in the NFL, right now, that I feel like I can add a little bit of flavor to it from what they have," McNabb said. "I won't mention those teams. But, if the phone rings, there will be a lot of decisions to make on that.""
Kluwe says McNabb hasn't made promised donation to charity
December 24
Pro Football Talk
 
"When Donnovan McNabb joined the Vikings, punter Chris Kluwe agreed to give up his No. 5 jersey, on a few conditions. Kluwe is one of the NFL's freest spirits, so it's no surprise that a couple of those conditions were off the wall: One was that McNabb had to buy him an ice cream cone. Another was that McNabb had to mention Kluwe's band, Tripping Icarus, at five press conferences. The third and final condition was that McNabb would make a $5,000 donation to Kick For A Cure, an organization that supports people with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Kluwe is involved with Kick For a Cure, and he thought it would be a nice gesture for McNabb to show his support."
McNabb goes unclaimed, now a free agent
December 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Chicago Bears took a pass on Donovan McNabb and so did 30 other clubs as he passed through the NFL's waiver process without being claimed Friday afternoon. An NFL source informed the Tribune McNabb was unclaimed, meaning the veteran quarterback is now a free agent and free to sign with any club. The Minnesota Vikings placed McNabb on waivers Thursday after he reportedly had been demoted to No. 3. It will be interesting to see if there is work for him in the future."
Donovan McNabb experiment ends with waiving of veteran QB
December 2
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The failed Donovan McNabb experiment in Minnesota finally fizzled out Thursday when the Vikings waived the veteran quarterback in a mutual parting that punctuated how the team misjudged his ability to still command an NFL offense. If McNabb is claimed off waivers during a 24-hour window that ends at 3 p.m. today, the Vikings would be off the hook for about $1.6 million of his $5.05 million salary. That's small consolation, however, for a Minnesota front office that gambled on a 35-year-old quarterback whose diminishing returns prompted McNabb's two previous teams to bench him even before he went 1-5 as the Vikings' starter. "We sat down and talked, and just as we communicated to one"
Brief McNabb era ends quietly
December 2
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"If we learned anything from a relatively insignificant transaction made Thursday by the Vikings, it's that Donovan McNabb still registers as a big name across the NFL. That's why Twitter was, well, a-twitter when news began spreading that McNabb's time in the Twin Cities had run out. It's why the folks at ESPN cleared out time for McNabb during their evening edition of "SportsCenter," giving the quarterback a forum to speak his mind. The hot topic: What's next for a 35-year-old veteran waived by a 2-9 team six weeks after he was benched? McNabb once again stated his belief that he still has gas left in the tank and indicated he had grown restless settling into a permanent backup role with"
Donovan McNabb might be a good option, but is he better than Josh McCown?
December 2
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Sean Jensen
"About a half-hour before practice Thursday at Halas Hall, reports surfaced that the Minnesota Vikings were releasing quarterback Donovan McNabb. The Bears immediately were pegged as his next stop. Jay Cutler is potentially sidelined for the rest of the regular season as he recovers from right thumb surgery, and Caleb Hanie struggled in his first NFL start, throwing three interceptions in a 25-20 loss to the Oakland Raiders. During an appearance on ESPN's ''SportsCenter,'' McNabb never was specifically asked about the Bears or any other team. But he suggested a team with "veteran players who know how to win" would be appealing. The 7-4 Bears fit that description. That they play their home"
McNabb answer for Bears
December 2
Chicago Tribune
 columnist David Haugh
"Of all the valid reasons offered for why the Bears should avoid pursuing released quarterback Donovan McNabb, please resist any relating to McNabb's inability to function in Mike Martz's system. Haven't we seen enough examples of that system systematically making it harder for the Bears to win games instead of easier? Martz and his system just malfunctioned to create a six-point swing in a five-point loss. The system now has been reprogrammed soon after the start of each of Martz's two seasons so the Bears offense could function at a higher level. The system too often represents the root cause of the offense's most calamitous moments even if Martz prefers to blame his players for them —"
McNabb rumors don't bother McCown in Chicago
December 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"Josh McCown was surprised the Vikings released Donovan McNabb on Thursday, but the speculation linking the Chicago native to the Bears was no shock to the newly signed quarterback. "If you look at the same thing with Kyle (Orton), the Bears placed a (waiver) claim for Kyle because he has had more success than I've had, and Donovan has had more success than I've had,'' McCown said. "Of course people are going to speculate. Why wouldn't you? There is certainly merit to why people would make that connection because Donovan's a heck of a player.''"
Vikings give McNabb his walking papers
December 2
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Donovan McNabb is available again. The Minnesota Vikings waived the 13-year veteran quarterback on Thursday, giving him the opportunity to sign with another team for the stretch run in a parting coach Leslie Frazier described as mutual. Frazier pushed for the Vikings to trade a sixth-round draft pick this summer to the Washington Redskins in exchange for McNabb. He wanted stability he believed McNabb would bring to the offense after the NFL lockout kept rookie Christian Ponder from practicing with the team or working with his coaches until training camp. Frazier and McNabb met in 1999, when the defensive backs coach and the first-round draft pick spent their first year with the"
Reports: Vikings to release Donovan McNabb today
December 1
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Donovan McNabb's time in Minnesota has come to an end. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Vikings plan to release McNabb later this afternoon, bringing to a close an uneventful run in the Twin Cities. The Vikings traded for McNabb in late-July with head coach Leslie Frazier believing his team had an opportunity to make a run at a playoff berth. But McNabb's stint as the starter was far from encouraging. The Vikings' sputtered out to a 1-5 start. And McNabb saw his last action in the third quarter of Week 6 during a demoralizing 39-10 loss in Chicago. Frazier replaced McNabb with rookie Christian Ponder in the fourth quarter of that game and named Ponder the starter for the rest of the"
McNabb not coming to the Texans
December 1
Houston Chronicle
 
"ESPN is reporting Minnesota quarterback Donovan McNabb will be waived today. For all the Texans fans wondering if they'll claim him, the answer is no. They're set at quarterback, at least for now. They don't have enough money available under the cap to claim McNabb, who'd cost $1.5 million. They like the threesome they have now."
McNabb on whether he should be starter: 'Absolutely'
October 30
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"What's next for Vikings quarterback Donovan McNabb? Who knows? The 13th-year veteran is back in a back-up role. And barring an injury to rookie Christian Ponder or a release from the team, McNabb will be seen for the rest of 2011 on the Vikings sideline with his hat on backwards. On Sunday morning, the NFL Network will air an exclusive interview with McNabb. Andrea Kremer recently sat down with the demoted quarterback, who wanted to get a few things straight. The interview will air on NFL GameDay Morning which begins Sunday at 8 a.m. Among the highlights, McNabb addresses recent rumors that a poor work ethic led to his benching. Here are a few excerpts from the interview ... Kremer: "Why"
Vikings QB Donovan McNabb: 'We have a lot of deficiencies on this team'
October 26
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Vikings backup Donovan McNabb has been with three teams in three seasons and lost the job as starting quarterback with each team. I talked to McNabb about where he is and where his career might be headed. He has said in past interviews he wants to do commentary for football games once his career is over. BS: You're not taking it in stride, but you seem to be handling the benching professionally. You could become a distraction, but that doesn't seem to be the case. DM: I'm not a distraction at all. I've known and seen a lot of things over my years. Obviously, I'm still upset and frustrated because I want to help contribute to the team and help us get to where we need to be. Am I pissed off"
Reports about Donovan McNabb being lazy 'ridiculous,' says Vikings coach Leslie Frazier
October 25
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"During his news conference Monday, Vikings coach Leslie Frazier touched on the encouraging play of rookie quarterback Christian Ponder in Sunday's loss to the Green Bay Packers, the deactivation of wide receiver Bernard Berrian, the groin kick by defensive end Brian Robison. And then he talked to me about those topics and a few others, including an NFL Network report that laziness played a part in Donovan McNabb being benched. BS: That report about McNabb being lazy - is there anything to it? Did that play into the decision to play Ponder? LF: Ridiculous. Flat-out ridiculous. I don't know where that would come from. I mean, this guy worked his tail off when he was the starting"
McNabb finds switch to be quite familiar
October 23
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The words, if taken at face value, convey valuable unselfishness, a message from a demoted veteran to the hot-shot rookie. "I'm going to support him, and I'm going to be there for him. I've said all along this is a team sport, and there's only one quarterback on the field and the other two guys have to support him and back him up." That's a direct quote, a message vital to the Vikings' immediate future. Only those words didn't come from Donovan McNabb this week. They were spoken by Doug Pederson. In Philadelphia. Twelve years ago -- when McNabb was the hot-shot rookie. So just what does that have to do with the start of the Christian Ponder Era? Everything. For when the backup's clipboard"
Vikings in disarray turn to Ponder
October 19
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The suspense will end at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday -- what's left of it anyway. That's when Vikings coach Leslie Frazier will step to a lectern inside the fieldhouse at Winter Park and officially declare his starting quarterback for this week's game against Green Bay. The announcement will be welcome if not all that surprising. On Tuesday, a source within the Vikings organization confirmed that rookie Christian Ponder will start Sunday. SportsTrust Advisors, the agency that manages Ponder, further confirmed the news by tweeting its congratulations. And just like that, Donovan McNabb will go to the bench and the Vikings will turn the page into what they hope is a promising new era."
Frazier will make QB decision Wednesday
October 18
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The decision came easily Sunday night. When the bottom fell completely out on the Vikings during their blowout loss in Chicago, coach Leslie Frazier did the only logical thing. Out came starting quarterback Donovan McNabb and in went rookie Christian Ponder. In a 39-10 fourth-quarter hole, letting Ponder finally see some regular-season game action proved a prudent move at Soldier Field. "We just wanted to get him in there, let him take some snaps and get a feel for the NFL tempo," Frazier explained after. But on Monday, Frazier described a slightly more complicated scenario going forward, deciding to put a temporary hold on rubber-stamping the Ponder-for-McNabb change for good. Saying"
Will it be Christian Ponder or Donovan McNabb starting at QB for the Vikings this week?
October 17
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Leslie Frazier had little choice. With the season fading fast and his 34-year-old quarterback guiding a deflated offensive attack, Frazier inserted rookie quarterback Christian Ponder with 14:50 left Sunday night in a 39-10 loss to the Bears. Ponder played about as expected, making a few plays while running for his life because of a much-maligned offensive line and completing 9 of 17 passes for 99 yards. Now on to the aftermath: Start the rookie for the first time against the defending champion and undefeated Green Bay Packers in the Metrodome on Sunday? Or stick with Donovan McNabb and risk losing the locker room for good? Surely, Frazier will be forced to make that call sooner rather"
Soldier Field friendly confines to McNabb
October 14
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Dan Pompei
"Playing on the road earlier this week was a nightmare for the Bears. But away from home Sunday could be a respite for Donovan McNabb. The Vikings quarterback has enjoyed coming to Soldier Field since he played in the 1993 Prep Bowl. In Chicago, he has felt the warm glow of victory. McNabb led Mount Carmel to victory that day, and he has won four of his five games there as a pro."
First victory by no means lets McNabb off the hook
October 10
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 columnist Chip Scoggins
"The boos started on Donovan McNabb's first throw, grew louder after his second pass was nearly intercepted, and reached a fever pitch when his third attempt was almost picked off, too. Vikings fans were just getting started. The catcalls intensified with each errant throw. "I can't worry about that," McNabb said. Vikings coach Leslie Frazier acted oblivious to the obvious. "Never heard it," he said. "All I heard was cheers." Yep, it was a real hoot. Oh, by the way. The Vikings led 28-0 after one quarter en route to a 34-10 victory against the Arizona Cardinals that -- judging by the "cheers" from the Metrodome crowd -- felt like a 24-point loss any time McNabb dropped back to pass."
QB controversy stays on back burner
October 4
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The numbers paint an ugly picture. Through four weeks of the 2011 season, Vikings quarterback Donovan McNabb hasn't provided much return on investment. In late July, McNabb signed a one-year contract worth $5.05 million to join the action in Minnesota. Here in October, he has yet to deliver a victory. All the statistical reports the NFL generates also have given plenty of ammunition to armchair critics, who believe the numbers show the six-time Pro Bowl selection on an obvious decline. Heading into Monday night, McNabb ranked 30th in the NFL in passing yards per game (170.0) and 22nd in both completion percentage (58.6) and touchdown passes (four). In the passer rating department,"
Vikings not ready to bench QB Donovan McNabb just yet
October 3
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The rumblings to play rookie quarterback Christian Ponder will grow louder, but coach Leslie Frazier still endorses Donovan McNabb - for now. "We're not in a position where, I don't think, we'll make a quarterback change," Frazier said. "But we'll go back, look at this tape and look at every position and try to see what we're doing to help every position play better." McNabb finished 18 of 30 passing for 202 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, but once again he was unable to make winning plays in the final minutes. After orchestrating a 13-play, 70-yard drive in the fourth quarter capped by a 1-yard touchdown pass to Michael Jenkins to inch the Vikings within five points, McNabb"
With chance to win, Vikings' final drive ends with four straight Donovan McNabb incompletions
October 3
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"After blowing double-digit leads in the second half in each of their first three losses, the Vikings' beleaguered offense and its embattled quarterback Donovan McNabb had their chance to prove their mettle Sunday against the Chiefs. Armed with all three timeouts and trailing by five points, Minnesota took over at its 15-yard line with 4:07 remaining. A 15-yard completion to tight end Visanthe Shiancoe and a 23-yard dash around the right end by Percy Harvin marched the Vikings to the Kansas City 41-yard line as the clock stopped for the two-minute warning. McNabb was firing on all cylinders for the first time all season. He was coming off a drive in which he hit Michael Jenkins for a 1-yard"
Numbers tell the Donovan McNabb story: Vikings quarterback doesn't add up
September 28
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Granted, Donovan McNabb isn't exactly 2009 Brett Favre when it comes to resurrecting his career in Year 1 with the Vikings. But is he as good after three games as the 2010 version of Favre he replaced? Or as good as the quarterback the Vikings threw away before this season, Tarvaris Jackson? Or even as good as the 2010 version of McNabb that was essentially run out of Washington? The answers: No, no and no."
McNabb's accuracy an issue
September 27
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"In what sounded like a bit of a mixed message, Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said veteran quarterback Donovan McNabb has done "some good things." But the coaches are also going to work with McNabb on his mechanics in practice this week to improve his accuracy. "It's one of the things that we're going to go through this week in practice," Frazier said the day after a 26-23 overtime loss to Detroit dropped the Vikings to 0-3. "Just looking at what we're doing with his mechanics, whether it be his drops or whether it be the footwork, whatever we need to do to help improve some of those balls that aren't quite on target." Through Sunday's games, the Vikings rank 24th in the league in yards"
Lions' Matthew Stafford, Vikings' McNabb waited to be full-time starters
September 23
Detroit News
 
"When Donovan McNabb entered the NFL in 1999, it was rare for quarterbacks to start as rookies. "There wasn't a calling to try to get young guys in as fast as there is now," the Vikings quarterback said. "There was a process where you had to learn certain things, be able to see certain things on the field and the team had to have confidence in you. Now, some teams need to have their guy go in right now, for financial reasons or whatever." Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford might have had the best of both worlds. He won the starting job as a rookie, but only played in 13 games his first two seasons because of injuries. "Ever since I have played football I never sat out a year," Stafford"
Vikings coordinator: McNabb's lack of rhythm 'starts with me'
September 16
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave took ownership of the passing-game struggles in Sunday's 24-17 loss to the San Diego Chargers, saying quarterback Donovan McNabb's lack of rhythm "starts with me." The Vikings ran 17 plays in the second half and faced six third-and-longs throughout the day as McNabb finished with 39 yards passing. "We just didn't get him in a rhythm. When I say we, really it starts with me," Musgrave told reporters today. "We look forward to getting him in a rhythm from here on out so he can be more effective so it keeps us on the field and ultimately end up in the end zone.""
Donovan McNabb isn't one to panic, even after such a disastrous start
September 15
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Donovan McNabb's news conferences are polished and measured on most days, perhaps a byproduct of answering to excoriating Eagles fans for 11 years. He preaches team football, credits his teammates and makes innocuous jokes about wanting free food. But the man clutching the podium Wednesday, fresh off arguably his worst performance as a starter in 12-plus NFL seasons, couldn't hide his pride. Clearly frustrated by Sunday's 39-yard passing performance against San Diego, McNabb delivered the kind of confident, decisive answers the Vikings will need in the passing game Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His response was pointed when asked about the perception Philadelphia and Washington"
McNabb more concerned with loss than stats
September 15
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"This is not a repeat of last year, Donovan McNabb insists. Don't make too much of a difficult opening game. After throwing for only 39 yards in an opening-week loss, McNabb was quick to dispel any notion his perceived struggles from last season in Washington had carried over into this year. "This is a new season,'' the Vikings quarterback said Wednesday. "I passed for over 3,000 yards [last year], that's pretty decent. It's not one of my best, but from the start of it there can be a lot of assumptions. It's a long season; when this next game ends they will probably be saying this is the guy we expected to see." McNabb disputed the notion the Vikings' offense was too predictable in Week 1,"
More than Donovan McNabb to blame for Vikings' feeble opening effort
September 13
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"In his third offensive system in as many years, Donovan McNabb has had a short window in which to pick up the Vikings' offense. But even during his one-year Washington debacle, his regular-season debut wasn't anything close to this bad. In fact, in McNabb's first game with the Redskins last season, he completed 15 of 32 passes for 171 yards in a 13-7 win over Dallas. So what happened to stall the Vikings' passing attack to the point of futility in Sunday's 24-17 loss at San Diego? In easily the lowest passing total of his career as a starter for a full game, McNabb recorded two second-half yards on 1-of-6 passing to finish with 39 yards. Wide receiver Michael Jenkins points to third down,"
McNabb on injury report but practices
September 8
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Be surprised, but don't be alarmed. At least not yet. Vikings quarterback Donovan McNabb was included on Wednesday's injury report because of a right wrist injury, but he also had full participation in practice. Also on the Vikings' injury report was cornerback Asher Allen (toe), who had limited participation; and cornerback Chris Cook (hamstring) and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe (hamstring), both of whom had full participation. "I'm opening it up," said Shiancoe, who missed the entire preseason. "I'm out there running full speed. I'm feeling really quick out there, so I'm excited.""
Musgrave praises QBs' latest progress
August 22
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 columnist Sid Hartman
"Vikings offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave thought all three quarterbacks -- Donovan McNabb, Christian Ponder and Joe Webb -- performed well in Saturday's 20-7 preseason victory over the Seattle Seahawks. "Donovan took us on that drive as we were in the shadow of our own goal posts, starting on the 1, and got us down to the Seahawks 13 before we stalled out, but he did a fantastic job," Musgrave said. "The other two guys ran around and made some plays. They were very smart in their decision-making and that helped us to play sound football." Musgrave said McNabb, listed at 6-2 and 240 pounds, has kept himself in good shape and he sees the former All-Pro quarterback still can move around"
Donovan McNabb, Vikings offense find some rhythm with long drive against Seattle
August 22
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"More than seven minutes rolled off the clock Saturday night as six different players caught a pass and Adrian Peterson rushed six times en route to a 20-7 win over Seattle. A false-start penalty on right tackle Phil Loadholt eventually forced the Vikings to settle for a 36-yard field goal by Ryan Longwell, but that's hardly the point. The first-team offense had momentum for the first time in the brief Donovan McNabb era. With a 13-7 fourth-quarter lead over the Seahawks in Saturday's exhibition game at CenturyLink Field, the Vikings can build off a 13-play, 81-yard drive that began on their own 1-yard line. Especially since it came after they managed just three offensive plays in the first"
McNabb, Vikings offense find some rhythm with long drive against Seattle
August 21
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"More than seven minutes rolled off the clock Saturday night as six different players caught a pass and Adrian Peterson rushed six times. A false-start penalty on right tackle Phil Loadholt eventually forced the Vikings to settle for a 36-yard field goal by Ryan Longwell, but that's hardly the point. The first-team offense had momentum for the first time in the brief Donovan McNabb era. With a 13-7 fourth-quarter lead over the Seahawks in Saturday's exhibition game at CenturyLink Field, the Vikings can build off a 13-play, 81-yard drive that began on their own 1-yard line. Especially since it came after they managed just three offensive plays in the first quarter. The defense remembered how"
McNabb gets a fresh start with Vikings following trade from Redskins
August 21
Washington Post
 
"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"
McNabb to play more Saturday
August 19
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 columnist Judd Zulgad
"Donovan McNabb played only two series in the Vikings preseason opener last weekend at Tennessee, but the quarterback is expected to see far more time this Saturday. Coach Leslie Frazier said that McNabb could play a quarter and a half at Seattle. "Obviously he's the coach. He makes that decision," McNabb said of his playing time. "I think players, we just have to prepare like we're playing the whole game or playing a half, whatever it may be. We let him make the decision as we continue on. I think the most important thing for us as an offense is to just continue this thing rolling. Try to get in the end zone, try to put some points on the board, get some big plays, move the chains,"
McNabb says Vikings' offense is where it needs to be
August 14
Pro Football Talk
 
"Donovan McNabb went 6-of-11 for 40 yards in his first game in a Vikings uniform Saturday night, and both of the series he played ended in punts. But McNabb sounded satisfied afterward. "It felt good," McNabb said. "I thought we had a great flow with the offense. Our timing and chemistry was where we needed to be." McNabb has been criticized at times for having a slow tempo and not hustling enough on the field, so it was interesting that he made a specific point of saying that he thought the Vikings' offense moved at the right pace."
McNabb debut is brief; mistakes turn the tide
August 14
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Vikings unveiled what could be best described as a soft launch of their new offense Saturday night in their preseason opener against Tennessee. It was far from a success. Quarterback Donovan McNabb, making his Vikings debut, played two series in a 14-3 loss at LP Field. The Vikings' only points came from a 37-yard field goal by Ryan Longwell in the third quarter. But no one in the visitor's locker room expressed any concern -- not with three preseason games and plenty more installation to go before the Sept. 11 regular-season opener at San Diego. "I thought their effort was good, and the execution was good up to a point," new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said. "We always want"
McNabb, Vikings out to make a good first impression in preseason opener
August 13
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Vikings players said training camp was spirited, that the battles at the line of scrimmage were heated and the excitement was palpable. Coach Leslie Frazier delivered messages about chemistry and discipline that resonated with players and assistants. But that was training camp - a lockout-abbreviated, 10-practice session - that won't be enough to define these Vikings long term. At least tonight's preseason opener at Tennessee might provide a glimpse of just what the Vikings have to work with in the next month. The 11 returning starters who will execute a series or two on LP Field are looking to avoid injury, then watch from the sideline. But several new starters don't want to squander any"
Donovan McNabb, Bernard Berrian looking to put last season behind them
August 12
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Eager to expunge the memory of 2010 as much as most Vikings fans, the team's most intriguing quarterback-receiver pairing has the chance to heal their scars together. Therapy through touchdowns, the Vikings hope. The frustration stretched from Washington to Minnesota last year as quarterback Donovan McNabb and wide receiver Bernard Berrian underperformed and prompted speculation about their future viability in the NFL. A season that included 15 interceptions and two benchings for Rex Grossman landed McNabb on the trading block and into the hands of Minnesota, where Berrian, his top deep threat, is coming off his worst season since 2005. The Vikings are counting on the sacrifice and"
McNabb not fazed by one-year deal
August 12
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Donovan McNabb is playing this season on a one-year contract with a base salary of $5.05 million, but the Vikings quarterback said the lack of long-term security doesn't bother him. "Every year is a one-year deal no matter what you sign for because you have to go out and compete and compete at a high level," McNabb said Thursday. "Last year I extended my contract and you see what happened then." Washington signed McNabb to a five-year, $78 million extension last November but by the end of a disappointing season it was clear he wouldn't return and he was traded to the Vikings shortly after the NFL lockout ended. "I've been in the league now, this is 13 years, it's about winning for me,""
Report: Donovan McNabb deal for 1 year, $5 million
August 7
ESPN.com
 
"A lasting mystery of the Donovan McNabb trade has finally been solved. As part of the deal, the Minnesota Vikings renegotiated McNabb's contract into a one-year deal worth $5.05 million, according to 1500 ESPN Twin Cities radio in Minnesota. McNabb has $2.2 million in incentives available to him, bringing the maximum possible value to $7.25 million. The value of McNabb's deal reflects two realities: Few teams were clamoring for his services and the Vikings already have his successor, rookie Christian Ponder, on the roster. The deal, essentially the minimum value for a veteran quarterback who might start in 2011, makes McNabb one of the NFL's lowest-paid established quarterbacks, roughly"
McNabb likely just passing through
August 7
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Donovan Mc-Nabb can see himself playing for five or six more seasons, but chances are only one of them will be in Minnesota. McNabb, who arrived via trade from Washington on July 29, received a one-year deal from the Vikings that carries a base salary of $5.05 million, according to an NFL source. The maximum value of the contract if incentives are reached is $7.25 million, according to the 1500ESPN website. McNabb signed a five-year extension worth $70 million last season with Washington. According to NFL sources, the option on McNabb's contract was not exercised and therefore the years 2012-15 were voided, bringing his contract down to a one-year deal. That makes this more of a win-win"
Donovan McNabb hit and miss in his first practice with Vikings
August 5
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"From 50-yard completions to ducks crashing into the grass, Donovan McNabb made just about every throw in his first full practice with the Vikings. The Vikings will take a few errant passes in favor of McNabb's on-field presence. McNabb was one of nearly 20 players who missed the first three days of practice because of the pending collective bargaining agreement, which the players formally ratified Thursday. After sitting out 45 minutes of practice time while CBA paperwork was processed, McNabb hit the field in time for offensive work against seven- and 11-man defenses. The results were mixed. Several of McNabb's early throws were off target - it's the first practice, he later reminded -"
McNabb will be able to practice today
August 4
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The wait is about to end for Donovan McNabb. The Vikings quarterback and 16 other players will be allowed to take part in the team's training camp practice on Thursday afternoon (3 to 5:30 p.m.). Earlier Wednesday there was some question as to whether the new Collective Bargaining Agreement would be done in time for players who re-signed as free agents or were signed as free agents to take part in practices around the NFL on Thursday. But there were multiple reports that late Wednesday night the NFL and the NFL Players Association finished up the final remaining details involved in the CBA. This will enable players to vote on the CBA on Thursday -- it's going to pass -- and thus the"
McNabb seizes Mankato spotlight
August 1
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Brett Favre played in the NFL until he was 41 years old. Donovan McNabb said Sunday after reporting to training camp that he plans to exit before Favre did, but then made it clear that won't be anytime soon. "I feel like I've got five more years left, five or six more years left," said McNabb, who will turn 35 on Nov. 25. "If that puts me at 40, so be it. The whole thing about it is playing at a high level, still competing at this game, and I still feel like I have gas [in the tank]." If McNabb accomplishes this goal, his career isn't likely to end in Minnesota. The Vikings did not draft quarterback Christian Ponder with the 12th pick in the first round last April to put him on a five-year"
Vikings hope one big change - McNabb at QB - will produce dramatic results
August 1
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"A few players have come and gone during last week's free agency frenzy, but enough pieces remain on the Vikings roster to avoid the R-word entering today's start of training camp. Rebuilding. Or at least that's the plan after trading for 34-year-old quarterback Donovan McNabb and remaining relatively conservative on the open market. Though this week's player evaluations could prompt more movement, the front office seems intent on making a few minor moves to provide depth while negotiating with linebacker Chad Greenway and running back Adrian Peterson on long-term extensions. The Vikings reported to Minnesota State University on Sunday with 14 of last season's starters and an open mind"
Chritian Ponder happy to play backup quarterback to Donovan McNabb ... for now
August 1
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"If Donovan McNabb has his way, he'll be the Vikings' quarterback when he's pushing 40. Rookie Christian Ponder might not have that much patience. McNabb, who turns 35 in November, said he feels like he has "five or six more years left" of NFL quarterbacking. "If that puts me at 40, so be it," McNabb said. "The whole thing about it is playing at a high level, still competing at this game, and I still feel like I have gas." The succession plan for Ponder, the 12th overall pick in April's draft, has not yet been defined by the Vikings staff, but trading for McNabb makes it clear the team did not feel comfortable starting a rookie after the lockout wiped out offseason workouts. Ponder, who on"
Donovan McNabb's dog coming for TV taping
August 1
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Donovan McNabb might not be the top dog in town, after all. His actual dog, however, might be. A Chicago-based animal trainer will be in town this week with Apollo the bulldog, which happens to be owned by McNabb. Apollo will come to Mankato Tuesday courtesy of Toriano Sanzone, star of the upcoming Fox series called "The Wolfkeeper." On the show, which its producers are calling a cross between Montel Williams and the Dog Whisperer, Sanzone will interview celebrities about the difficult task of balancing hectic schedules with their canine family. Wes Schuck, conductor of the No Alternative Media Group, is helping produce the show."