Vikings vs. Titans: 5 Things Donovan McNabb Needs to Show in Minnesota Debut

The Minnesota Vikings begin their 2011 preseason schedule on Saturday Aug. 13, as they travel to Tennessee to take on the Titans in Nashville. 

The Vikings will also be debuting their new starting quarterback, Donovan McNabb, who the team traded for after the lockout for two sixth-round picks.

A 13-year NFL veteran, McNabb will be beginning the season on his third different team in as many years. He signed just a one-year deal with the Vikings after being traded. 

As the Vikings and McNabb prepare for their first preseason game, here are five things McNabb needs to show in his Minnesota debut.

That He's Over 2010

The Washington Redskins traded for McNabb prior to the 2010 season in hopes that, in tandem with new head coach Mike Shanahan, the two could bring the franchise back to the playoffs. 

That never materialized for McNabb in the nation's capital. In fact, it went downhill in a hurry, and McNabb spent the final three games on the bench in favor of Rex Grossman. Ouch. 

That kind of experience can be humbling for any football player and especially for a guy who's played so long and so well in the NFL. 

In his debut with Minnesota, McNabb needs to show that any lasting memories of his horror 2010 season are where they belong—in the past.

That He Still Can Play

After a tumultuous season in Washington, it's not unreasonable to wonder if McNabb has much left in the tank. 

In 13 starts, McNabb thew just 14 touchdowns against 15 interceptions for a 77.1 passer rating—all totals that rank amongst the worst of his career. 

It will only be a preseason game on Saturday, but a good performance from McNabb can dispel some of those worries that arose last season. 

This is important for McNabb because, as we all know, the Vikings have other options at quarterback.

That He's Still Better Than the Other Options

The Vikings selected Christian Ponder with the 12th overall pick in April's draft, and in today's NFL, there is always growing pressure to play your rookie quarterback right away.

Many thought Ponder was among the most NFL-ready quarterbacks in the 2011 draft, even if the Vikings decided to trade for McNabb after drafting Ponder. 

If McNabb has any early struggles, the Minnesota media will immediately start calling for Ponder to be the Vikings quarterback.

With a solid opening performance, McNabb can quiet some of those calls right off the bat. 

That He Can Get the Tight Ends Involved

The Minnesota Vikings could potentially have one of the better tight end duos in the NFL next season, as they retained veteran Visanthe Shiancoe and drafted Kyle Rudolph out of Notre Dame in the second round. 

Once you add in the fact the Minnesota lost their No. 1 receiver in Sidney Rice, it's obvious that offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave will want to focus his passing game around his two talented tight ends.

Insert McNabb, who's job it will be to deliver the ball to those two players. I'd expect the Vikings to use plenty of underneath routes for Shiancoe and Rudolph in the preseason opener. 

That He Can Get the Ball to AP

What's the most important thing McNabb needs to show? 

The ability and willingness to get the football to the Vikings best player, Adrian Peterson. 

People will debate who's better between Chris Johnson and Peterson, but it's clear that AP is one of the best backs in the NFL.

The Vikings need to focus their offense around Peterson, and McNabb's ego can't get in the way of that happening like has occasionally happened in Minnesota in prior years. 

Hand it off, dump it underneath, whatever it takes. If McNabb can get the ball to No. 28, he should have a fine debut with the Vikings.