NFL Rumors: The Pros and Cons of Donovan McNabb With the Minnesota Vikings

It’s not official yet, but all signs appear that veteran quarterback Donovan McNabb will be traded from the Washington Redskins to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a pair of late-round picks.

While McNabb has won plenty of games in his 12 years in the league, many fans are on the fence on whether the veteran quarterback can provide value in the upcoming season.

Here are the pros and cons of having McNabb as a Minnesota Viking in 2011.

PRO: The Vikings Will Have Stability Under Center

Donovan McNabb enters Minnesota after the Vikings’ underwhelming 2010 season at the quarterback position, with injuries to the aging Brett Favre and inconsistent play from Joe Webb.

To call this an upgrade would be an understatement.

McNabb is a winner. Only four wins from becoming only the 12th quarterback ever with 100 career wins, he has proven himself both on and off the field. He’s also one of the more likeable guys in the league.

Most importantly, having McNabb prescence at the quarterback position means rookie Christian Ponder doesn’t have to start immediately. Joe Webb, you’re riding the pine as well.

The benefits of McNabb’s return will also be seen in the rest of the Vikings’ offense.

CON: McNabb Is Not Getting Any Younger

Let’s face it folks, Donovan McNabb is getting up there in years. Even worse, he’s coming off one of the worst stretches of his career.

Dismissed by his Philadelphia Eagles (to the division rival Washington Redskins) for practically nothing, McNabb put up some of the worst statistical years since his rookie campaign.

Additionally, McNabb was frequently humiliated by the ‘Skins coaching staff, none more so than when he was benched late in the team’s loss to the Detroit Lions (so they could put in the terrorizing Rex Grossman).

While McNabb may want to turn his career around, it will be tough for many fans to remove the bad taste from their mouth from his season in the nation’s capital.

PRO: The Focus Can Return to the Running Game

Despite the improvement to the aerial attack, the biggest benefit will come in the shift of the offensive focus to the run game.

In the past two seasons with Favre, the team’s game ran through the pass. This focus took away from the production of all-world rusher Adrian Peterson, who saw big drop in carries and yardage.

McNabb’s arrival in Minnesota will mark one of the few times he has had pure rushing talents around him (Brian Westbrook was better catching passes in open field than as a pure rusher).

Needless to say, he should have no problem allowing the offense to work on the ground.

CON: Who’s Catching the Passes?

With the exit of Sidney Rice to the Seattle Seahawks, the question that has to be asked is who will be on the receiving end of McNabb’s passes?

Signs may not be so positive.

The main remaining option, Percy Harvin, has repeatedly struggled with migraines that put him at risk almost every week of missing playing time. In his absence, who can the Vikings turn to?

Bernard Berrian? Visanthe Shiancoe? Greg Camarillo?

Let’s just say I’m not convinced these guys aren’t making any secondary lose sleep.

PRO: McNabb Has Historically Played Well Against the NFC North

The Vikings have to be thrilled McNabb has played well against teams in the NFC North division.

As a Philadelphia Eagle, Donovan McNabb compiled a 16-3 record and a 4-0 playoff record (not to mention the famous 4th-and-26 game).

Even in his down year with the Redskins, he still was 2-2 against NFC North teams (and I’m putting that Lions loss on Mike Shanahan for putting in Grossman).

Long story short, McNabb might be trouble for the rest of the division.

CON: The Window of Opportunity May Be Over

Even with a step-up in play from Donovan McNabb, the timing may just not be right for a big run for the Vikings in 2011.

Before the Vikings even think of a playoff run, they have to get out of their increasingly difficult division. Make no mistake, the NFC North is already deep, and there’s no sign of anybody falling off.

The defending champion Green Bay Packers look to have most of their roster back. The Bears were an untimely Jay Cutler injury away from making the NFC Championship game interesting.

Even the lowly Detroit Lions are putting the pieces in place to make themselves more competitive.

Outside the division, the NFC is filled with talented teams including the Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants and New Orleans Saints.

Only time will tell if the Vikings can step their game up to the competition.