If you are a Minnesota Vikings fan, I guess you are not happy at all. The Vikings keep blowing leads and they are on their way to miss the playoffs for the 2nd straight year. What is the Vikings’ problem? It resides in QB McNabb and the coaching staff keeping McNabb on the field.
After the 2009 campaign, Andy Reid decided to throw the towel. His days with McNabb were over. He knew he couldn’t win with him. McNabb was traded to the Washington Redskins, a big rival. Last year, McNabb had 14 TDs and 15 INTs and was benched twice. Shanahan quickly understood that McNabb was done. There is no way he could win with him. He even preferred Rex Grossman to him. What happened? McNabb was shipped to the Vikings.
So far this year, McNabb has 2 TDs and 1 INT in 3 games. He has a mediocre 5.9 yards per attempt and a QB rating of 78.1. However, he has Adrian Peterson on his team, one of the best running backs. It should open some room for McNabb to throw the football. Still, he struggles and his team is 0-3.
I know that McNabb brought the Eagles to many conference championship games. However, how many of them did he win? McNabb had a great team and a great coach in Andy Reid. I remember when Terrell Owens said that McNabb couldn’t even call the plays in the huddle late in the game. He was too exhausted to call the plays. I respect McNabb for everything he did for the game, but his best days are behind him. He shouldn’t be starting. However, let’s not blame him. We need to blame the Vikings coaching staff for keeping him on the field.
On Tuesday, it was reported that the Vikings coaching staff were looking to change his footwork and motion. I beg your pardon? McNabb is 34 years old and is a 12 years NFL veteran. Are you kidding me? Trying to change his motion? Are the Vikings nuts? First mistake: you make him start for your team. Second mistake: you lose your time with him. McNabb reported that he had no intention to change anything. I understand him. It’s difficult to change the motion of a rookie QB when he comes out of college. You want to do it with a 34 years old guy? I have been an international level athlete, and trust me, changing a small habit can take over a year to correct. Sometimes, you won’t even be able to modify it.
What’s the solution for the Vikings? He is on their bench and his name is Christian Ponder. He has been drafted 12th overall in the past NFL draft. He is 6 ft 2 in and 229 pounds. He runs the 40 yards dash in 4.63 s and is a product of the Florida State Seminoles. In 2010, he was the first quarterback since 1999 to lead the Seminoles to a win over Miami and Florida. In 2009, he threw for 2,717 yards and had a completion percentage of 68.8%. In 2010, he had 20 TDs for only 8 INTs.
There is another thing I like about Ponder. He graduated in two and a half years with a degree in finance. He had a 3.73 GPA. He then got a MBA and he is now studying to get a graduate degree (his second) in sports management.
Ponder is the future of the Vikings. He was successful in school, which bring me to believe he can learn fast and can adapt easily to a playbook. Ponder also has the football skills needed to be a starter. He also has the physical attributes. Peterson and Ponder will be one of the best duos in the league in a few years. How about you devote your time to your future star? Listen to me Vikings people, McNabb is done. Ponder is your future. He needs to be the starter to learn. Have a look at Cam Newton in Carolina. Yes, he will make mistakes but he will learn. McNabb has nothing left to learn.
Vikings try to win now, but they need to work on their future. Christian Ponder has everything needed to be a successful NFL quarterback. I don’t know where is the decision coming from to let McNabb on the field (coach or upstairs) but they are making a terrible mistake.