NFL Trade Rumors: Top 10 Reasons Donovan McNabb to the Vikings Is a Done Deal
As soon as the Minnesota Vikings announced that they were drafting Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder, with the 12th overall draft pick of the 2011 NFL draft, I wondered who the Vikings would be using to serve as mentor to Ponder and usher him into the NFL.
Thinking about the entire situation, it made sense to come up with some reasons for the Vikings to convince the Washington Redskins to send them Donovan McNabb.
We still don't know when free agency will finally start, but when it does, the Vikings should expect that they will have competition from other teams also looking to employ McNabb. That is why the Vikings need to have their story down straight and not let this slip through the cracks.
1. No Other Vikings QB Is Qualified To Serve as a Mentor
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There are currently two quarterbacks on the Minnesota Vikings roster, Joe Webb and Tarvaris Jackson. Due to the presence of Brett Favre, neither one ever got enough playing time to develop his game.
Joe Webb threw no touchdown passes but did throw three interceptions. His QB passer rating was 60.9.
Tarvaris Jackson threw three touchdown passes and also threw four interceptions. His QB passer rating was 63.9.
As you can see from the above numbers, neither of them is in a position to mentor Christian Ponder, because they need mentoring themselves.
2. Because Brett Favre Is Retired from Football
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If Brett Favre had anything left, he could have stuck around to have trained his successor. But for all of those that remember how painful his 2010 season was, it was clear he didn't have anything left.
His ratio of 11 touchdowns to 19 interceptions was brutal and his QB passer rating of 69.9 was terrible. He would not be the ideal QB to mentor someone unless you wanted somebody to demonstrate all of the things that you should not do.
Thanks for the memories, Brett.
3. Because Leslie Frazier Is a Defensive-Minded Coach
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As a defensive coordinator for many years, Leslie Frazier is a very smart man, especially when it comes to playing defense. He is not an offensive mind, and would not be in position to bring Christian Ponder under his wing.
He needs someone that understands offense inside and out. He also needs to find someone that reasonably resembles the type of quarterback that Christian Ponder is.
In addition, the Vikings invested a lot in Ponder by drafting him 12th overall. They do not want to destroy his self-confidence by throwing him into the fire too soon, only to get down on himself like we have seen with other rookie quarterbacks. If he can spend a full year on the sidelines, it should give him a much better chance to succeed, knowing what to expect when he takes over.
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4. Christian Ponder's Game Is Similar to McNabb's
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Christian Ponder is a smart kid. He is mobile, can make plays with his legs and does what he can to avoid sacks and escape trouble. Intro Donovan McNabb. If you look at the lists below, the only thing that struck me was that McNabb was better with play fakes than Ponder, but that is something he can teach them. They seem to be quite alike.
According to Walter Football.com, here is the breakdown on the strengths and weaknesses of Christian Ponder's game.
Strengths
Pocket Awareness
Pocket Presence
Cool in the Pocket/Doesn't Rush Throws
Mechanics
Leadership
Experience
Passing Accuracy
Mobility
Touch
Good Arm Strength
Good Vision
Weaknesses
Decision-Making
Occasionally Stares Down Receivers
Makes Receivers Work (High Passes)
Play-Action
5. Physical Similarities
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Christian Ponder is 6'2" and weighs 219.
Donovan McNabb just also happens to be 6'2" but is heavier, weighing 240.
With the length of defensive linemen and outside linebackers, it is very helpful for Ponder to learn from McNabb how to get off passes against guys that are taller than he is. Every trick of the trade or useful tip that McNabb has learned over the years, will only serve to speed up Ponder's overall education and escalate his "classroom" training, until he is ready to take over.
6. Redskins Are Now in "Draft Pick Acquiring" Mode
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Instead of churning draft picks in trades to acquire veteran players, the Washington Redskins appear to be recognizing the error of their ways. If you saw them in action in the just-concluded draft, the Redskins continually traded down to acquire additional draft picks. That can be attributed to the influence of Mike Shanahan.
The reason for the additional picks is numerous. First of all, they need a bunch of cheaper guys in the sixth and seventh round to offset the contracts of expensive free-agent signings they get into with people like Albert Haynesworth. Secondly, the team is in a major rebuilding mode, and has holes all over on offense and defense.
The future draft picks that Minnesota would hand over in a trade for McNabb would go toward finding additional young talent in the 2012 draft that can grow with the Redskins development.
7. Because the Relationship Between McNabb and Shanahan Is Done
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Sure, it was all smiles in the beginning. That was the honeymoon period.
But by the time the season was winding down, Shanahan had bad-mouthed McNabb publicly, criticizing his ability to lead a two-minute offense.
Instead, Shanahan felt better going with Rex Grossman down the stretch, which shows you how far their relationship has fallen apart.
The way things stand now, the Redskins might as well try to get something for McNabb when free agency starts back up. As things stand now, there is no respect between the head coach and his quarterback, so it is for the best if they part ways.
8. McNabb Has Played His Fair Share of Games in Cold Weather
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One rather significant development in the education of Christian Ponder is that he will need to understand what it is like to play in cold-weather games, something he rarely saw at Florida State.
Since McNabb played the majority of his games with Philadelphia, he has played in bad winter conditions for most of his career.
9. They Are Both Physical, Tough Quarterbacks That Have Their Share of Injuries
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When you play a physical brand of football at quarterback, based on how often you tuck the ball under your arm and run it upfield, you are going to encounter your fair share of physical beatings and injuries.
That is one more solid reason why McNabb can mentor Ponder. McNabb has had his share of injuries, nicks and bruises over the years. Ponder has also experienced injuries early in his career, so learning how to take care of yourself, when to stay in and when to come out are all things that he can learn.
10. Vikings Situation Could Be Very Appealing to McNabb
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This should be an economical deal for Minnesota. The Vikings probably won't have to give up much for the aging QB that isn't wanted by his team.
For McNabb, he doesn't have many years left. At Minnesota, he gets to start and serve as a mentor. He has weapons at Minnesota in Adrian Peterson, Kyle Rudolph, Percy Harvin, Sidney Rice and Visanthe Shiancoe that allow the Vikings to compete, giving McNabb a chance to go out as a winner.
If you look at all of the reasons we laid out, what other free agent is in a better position to serve as a positive mentor to Christian Ponder? If I were the Vikings, as soon as free agency starts, I would make this happen.
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