Talk about McNabb only in rumor stage

Article by: JUDD ZULGAD and CHIP SCOGGINS , Star Tribune staff writers
Updated: April 26, 2011 - 10:30 PM

hide

Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb

Photo: Evan Vucci, Associated Press

Camera Star Tribune photo galleries

Camera view larger

4
comments
resize text
print
buy reprints

Tweet
share

email
Email share

your name

your email

recipients email

+ add a comment add a comment

The Vikings might have interest in veteran quarterback Donovan McNabb, and when NFL teams are allowed to do business again, multiple reports hint the 34-year-old could end up wearing purple.

But Rick Spielman, the Vikings vice president of player personnel, attempted to quash the notion Tuesday that there have been any talks with the Redskins about McNabb.

"We're not saying anything because we can't talk about a player on another roster and we can't do any business and I know we haven't," Spielman said. "We haven't even discussed it."

Although a federal judge lifted the lockout Tuesday, teams have been told by the league to proceed as they have been, meaning clubs can only engage in trade discussions about draft picks. No player trades are allowed at this point.

Spielman also was asked about a report that the Vikings are in talks about a trade that would send the 12th overall selection to the Browns and bring back a future first-round pick as well as Cleveland's second-round pick this year.

"I'm never going to rule anything out," Spielman said when asked if he would deal out of the opening round. "If it's that significant of [a deal] ... where you say, 'Man, look at what we could potentially have ...' But you've also got to weigh in what you need, too, and how bad would you hurt your football team this year."

Accuracy problems

The biggest knock on Washington quarterback Jake Locker, a potential target for the Vikings, is his accuracy. He completed only 55.4 percent of his passes as a senior. Vikings coach Leslie Frazier was asked whether coaches can teach accuracy.

"There are different opinions," Frazier said. "There is a faction that says you're not able to improve accuracy. There's a small group that says you can improve accuracy. I've had a chance to talk to so many different quarterback coaches and people that work with quarterbacks and just hearing some of their thoughts ... there are some that believe that you can and some that believe that you can't. But I think it's hard to be a quarterback and not be an accurate thrower. That's what you have to be able to do in our league to be successful."

Unsettled situation

Frazier has said that ideally, the team would be able to take a quarterback in the first few rounds and let him learn on the job. However, Frazier admitted that might be difficult to do because of the labor situation.

Frazier said it would be tough for a rookie to start right away if he doesn't have a full offseason of workouts and study.

"Whoever you draft this year may not have the [organized team activities], the minicamps," he said. "It's really hard to predict whether or not that guy will be ready to play on Day 1 just because of the uncertainty of this offseason."

More than other positions? "When guys hold out at other positions and they miss training camp, you see the effect that it has on their performance," Frazier said. "So I wouldn't say it would just be the quarterback position, but that position maybe more so than others because of what he's asked to do."

more from vikings/nfl
Brian Urlacher retires, assuring he won't be Vikings middle linebacker
Wiederer: Previewing Vikings' OTAs
Three local firms bid on Vikings stadium parking

get related content delivered to your inbox

manage my email subscriptions

4
comments
resize text
print
buy reprints

Tweet
share

email
Email share

your name

your email

recipients email

+ add a comment add a comment

explore the Vikings/NFL

Full Scoreboard

Minnesota - LP: V. Worley	3	FINAL
Atlanta - WP: P. Maholm	8	FINAL

Cincinnati - WP: A. Simon	7	FINAL
NY Mets - LP: B. Parnell	4	FINAL

Los Angeles - WP: H. Ryu	9	FINAL
Milwaukee - LP: W. Peralta	2	FINAL

Oakland - LP: J. Parker	1	FINAL
Texas - WP: R. Wolf	3	FINAL

Arizona	1	Bottom 8th Inning
Colorado	4	Bottom 8th Inning

Washington	1	Top 7th Inning
San Francisco	0	Top 7th Inning

Tampa Bay	2	Bottom 4th Inning
Toronto	2	Bottom 4th Inning

Chicago Cubs - J. Samardzija	6:05 PM
Pittsburgh - F. Liriano

Detroit - J. Verlander	6:05 PM
Cleveland - U. Jimenez

NY Yankees - H. Kuroda	6:05 PM
Baltimore - J. Hammel

Seattle - B. Maurer	6:05 PM
LA Angels - J. Williams

Philadelphia - C. Lee	6:10 PM
Miami - K. Slowey

Boston - C. Buchholz	7:10 PM
Chicago WSox - H. Santiago

Kansas City - J. Shields	7:10 PM
Houston - J. Lyles

St. Louis - T. Lyons	9:10 PM
San Diego - B. Smith

Full Scoreboard

Indiana	7:30 PM
Miami

Full Scoreboard

Pittsburgh	6:30 PM
Ottawa

Date/Opponent	Time	W	L	Score
2013 preseason
Aug 9 - vs. Houston	7 pm
Aug 16 - at Buffalo	6 pm
Aug 25 - at San Francisco	7 pm
Aug 29 - vs. Tennessee	7 pm
2013 regular season
Sep 8 - at Detroit	Noon
Sep 15 - at Chicago	Noon
Sep 22 - vs. Cleveland	Noon
Sep 29 - vs. Pittsburgh (in London)	Noon
Oct 6 - Bye
Oct 13 - vs. Carolina	Noon
Oct 21 - at. NY Giants	7:40 pm
Oct 27 - vs. Green Bay	7:30 pm
Nov 3 - at Dallas	Noon
Nov 7 - vs. Washington	7:25 pm
Nov 17 - at Seattle	3:25 pm
Nov. 24 - at Green Bay	Noon
Dec 1 - vs. Chicago	Noon
Dec 8 - at Baltimore	Noon
Dec 15 - vs. Philadelphia	Noon
Dec 22 - at Cincinnati	Noon
Dec 29 - vs. Detroit	Noon