McNabb not fazed by one-year deal

MANKATO — Donovan McNabb is playing this season on a one-year contract with a base salary of $5.05 million, but the Vikings quarterback said the lack of long-term security doesn't bother him.

"Every year is a one-year deal no matter what you sign for because you have to go out and compete and compete at a high level," McNabb said Thursday. "Last year I extended my contract and you see what happened then."

Washington signed McNabb to a five-year, $78 million extension last November but by the end of a disappointing season it was clear he wouldn't return and he was traded to the Vikings shortly after the NFL lockout ended.

"I've been in the league now, this is 13 years, it's about winning for me," said McNabb, who threw a career-worst 15 interceptions last year. "It's not about the money, it's not about the fame. I've never been big on fame and fortune and all that stuff. I'm about winning."

The Vikings leave Friday morning to Tennessee for Saturday's preseason game vs. the Titans. The Vikings had 10 practices in Mankato, but McNabb and anyone else who signed or re-signed as free agent or restructured his contract had to sit out the first three practices.

That means McNabb and his teammates haven't had much time to absorb new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave's offense.

"Guys have really been helping each other out," said McNabb, who described the competition as being really high with plenty of trash talking on and off the field. "Guys have been spending time studying all night. Come out here and you can really see that the guys have spent some time [working by] just how fast they've been able to grasp the offense."

"We prepared pretty good," running back Adrian Peterson said. "I feel like the guys are working good ... that's why they have preseason to look forward to, so, I'm excited to get on the field Saturday and see how this game goes. Hopefully we'll react to a different opponent and get this offense on a roll."

Coach Leslie Frazier said he was very happy with what he saw from his players since they arrived in Mankato on July 31.

"They jumped in with both feet and they've been enthusiastic from Day 1," Frazier said. "It was a spirited practice [Thursday] morning. It's been very impressive -- just didn't know what to expect coming in, if they were going to be bitter about the lockout or whatever. But that has not been the case. Their attitude has been terrific here in Minnesota and it gets me excited, along with our staff, about the future."

The Vikings will return to Winter Park on Monday to resume practice.

Etc. • The Vikings signed cornerback Tony Carter, filling the spot that opened up when Marcell Gipson asked to be released. Carter was signed as an undrafted free agent by Denver in 2009 and played in two games. He played in three games with New England last year.