vikings/nfl
Dan Wiederer began covering the Vikings in 2011, enthusiastically delivering insight on the team across the Star Tribune's print and digital products. Prior to joining the Access Vikings team, he spent seven seasons covering ACC basketball at The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer. He also covered the Chicago Bears in 2003 and 2004. Follow him on Twitter @StribDW.
Mark Craig has covered football and the NFL the past 20 years, including the Browns from 1991-95 and the Vikings and the NFL since 2003. Since 2008, Craig has served as one of the 44 Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors. He can be followed on Twitter at @markcraignfl.
Cris Carter: McNabb the `only solution'
Posted by: Mark Craig under Quarterbacks, Vikings, Ex-Vikings Updated: July 27, 2011 - 5:31 PM
While attempting to give Judd a blog breather AND wondering how I get that egg logo off my new Twitter account ...
Talked to former Vikes Cris Carter and Randall Cunningham earlier today. Both ex-Pro Bowlers are fully on board with the Vikings reportedly having worked out a trade for Donovan McNabb.
"Unless you want to throw away the season, this is the only solution," Carter said.
Carter likes rookie Christian Ponder, but not as a starter for 2011.
"Let's face it," Carter said. "Christian Ponder can't start in the NFL this year. He doesn't know the offense. He doesn't know how to call the plays. He doesn't know anything about the NFL."
Cunningham said adding McNabb makes the Vikings a playoff team this season.
"They'll make the playoffs this year," Cunningham said. "No doubt about that."
Cunningham played until his was 38. One of his best seasons came with the Vikings in 1998 during the twilight of his career. He said McNabb, 34, still has plenty of gas left in the tank.
"He's in his prime right now," Cunningham said. "So many people don't realize that when quarterbacks get to their 30s, that's when they really start to understand the game. ... Donovan still has four, five years left in him."
All that might be over-the-top optimism considering McNabb's failed 2010 season. But I have to admit I think it's a logically good move. McNabb's experience and mobility gives the team a better chance to make something of this season while also taking some time to groom Ponder.
Meanwhile, in non-McNabb news, the Vikings aren't expected to get moving on signing their rookie draft picks until later this week. Agents for some of the late-round picks said the Vikings' late reporting date means their clients probably won't sign until they get into town Thursday or Friday.Late-round pick D'Aundre Reed, for instance, is traveling Thursday. (Yeah, I know, you were no doubt wondering when D'Aundre Reed was going to arrive.)
ADVERTISEMENT
recent posts
- Vikings' Chris Kluwe to sign with Oakland Raiders
- Vikings sign three more draft choices; only first-rounders left
- Hold off on buying that Urlacher jersey ...
- Vikings sign three draft picks; Chuck Muncie dies; Urlacher "rumored" to Vikings ...
- Access Vikings blog: ESPN's Bayless, Smith debate whether Ponder was as responsible for playoff run as Peterson (really)
- Bar to be higher for Ponder, lower for Peterson in 2013
- Dayton, PTI hosts question Vikings over Kluwe cut
- Vikings sign Mankato receiver Adam Thielen, tackle Brandon Keith
- Vikings make it official: Punter Chris Kluwe has been cut
- Vikings searching for best development plan for Cordarrelle Patterson
- Rookie Locke could have punter's job locked up by Monday
- Erin Henderson stepping into new role with 'more lead in my pencil'
- Ponder talks: Cassel, Harvin and a scary visit to the emergency room
- Vikings announce signings of 16 undrafted free agents
- Vikings sign defensive end Jackson, cornerback Lacey
- Craig blog: Vikings to give Cris Carter's son, Duron, a tryout
- Spielman summarizes six Saturday selections
- Spielman: Drafting punter `has nothing to do with Chris Kluwe off the field'
- Vikings use back-to-back 7th-round picks on linebacker, guard
Post By Category
- Hold off on buying that Urlacher jersey ...
- Vikings' Chris Kluwe to sign with Oakland Raiders
- Vikings stadium design unveiled
- Vikings sign three draft picks; Chuck Muncie dies; Urlacher "rumored" to Vikings ...
- Vikings sign three more draft choices; only first-rounders left
- We have the Bank; 49ers have the ... Denim?
- Craig blog: Vikings to give Cris Carter's son, Duron, a tryout
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
inside the StarTribune
-
425 Portland Av. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55488
(612) 673-4000
- Company
- Subscriber Services
- Website
- Buy Ads
- Store
- Connect with Us
© 2013 StarTribune. All rights reserved.
StarTribune.com is powered by Limelight Networks
Newspaper Subscriptions
eEdition
RSS
Newsletters