McNabb open to input but not seeking changes

Article by: KENT YOUNGBLOOD , Star Tribune
Updated: September 28, 2011 - 11:40 PM

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier reiterated the need for his quarterback to work on his mechanics. McNabb didn't sound convinced.

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Vikings quarterback Donovan McNabb

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So, does Donovan McNabb need work on his mechanics?

That might depend on what you mean by "needing work," and whether working on something means changing anything.

Take the Vikings quarterback, a 13-year veteran who is completing 58 percent of his passes, and only 37.5 percent on third downs. He was asked Wednesday whether he needed to change anything.

"No,'' he said.

McNabb said he's always watching film of his play, evaluating his work, and is open to input from his coaches.

"The thing about it, when you're critical of yourself and your play, you just look at your reads, how fast you get the ball out, obviously footwork and everything," he said. "But that's not just my position. That's everyone."

Does that mean there is work to be done to enhance McNabb's play? Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said yes. He said offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave and quarterbacks coach Craig Johnson have spent the past two days looking at a number of things that might help McNabb.

"We're always looking at the mechanics and techniques of all our players," Frazier said. "And Craig and Bill did the same thing with our quarterbacks."

Frazier said Detroit's pressure affected some of McNabb's throws, something McNabb echoed during his news conference. But Frazier went farther.

"We just want to make sure we're launching the football from the right point, taking proper drops, that our feet are where they need to be," he said. "Those are points of emphasis."

In other words, mechanics.

"You're always trying to improve on what you have," Frazier said. "You don't ever want to stay the same. If you get to the point where it's, 'OK, I'm perfect,' that's when you begin to see things get a little out of whack.

"If it's an overstride on a throw, if it's trying to put it outside when the receiver is taking a step inside, whatever it might be, those things can be corrected."

Since the Vikings are 0-3, some fans have been clamoring for rookie Christian Ponder to replace McNabb.

"I've been in this situation before many times," McNabb said. "Everybody loves the backup. But that's for every team. ... It's a team game, no matter what. As a quarterback, you want to do whatever it takes to be on the winning sides of things, by taking care of your job and doing what needs to be done."

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