Don’t count on it but Dean Dalton said Philadelphia’s Donovan McNabb could be a Minnesota Viking next season. Although Dalton said the odds aren’t favorable because of McNabb’s expensive contract and the cost in draft picks to the Vikings, the potential fit of the former NFL Pro Bowler in Minnesota is exciting.
Dalton, the former Vikings assistant coach who now is an NFL media analyst, told Sports Headliners on Wednesday it’s likely Minnesota will look at acquiring a talented veteran quarterback to “compete (and) mentor” 24-year-old Tarvaris Jackson who just completed his second NFL season. Dalton spoke in detail about McNabb, envisioning him as the Vikings starter next season, playing successfully in what he termed a “judgment year” for coach Brad Childress who will be trying to lead Minnesota into the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
Childress, of course, was an assistant coach in Philadelphia before he came to the Vikings. His role as Eagles offensive coordinator for four seasons is valuable and pertinent to a possible McNabb to Minnesota story. Childress and McNabb have a relationship and record of success that includes a Super Bowl and multiple Pro Bowl selections for McNabb, plus the Eagles quarterback is experienced and familiar with the offense that Childress has implemented here.
While that part is a matchmaker’s dream, the Vikings’ management may be cautious about the salary expense of acquiring McNabb (estimated at $6 million to $10 million in base salary per year in coming seasons), plus the cost in giving up draft picks. The Vikings do have salary cap room to make a run at McNabb, Dalton said. He thinks, too, that with the right enticements from the Vikings, the Eagles might part with McNabb because of a willingness to commit to younger quarterbacks A.J. Feeley and Kevin Kolb. Then, too, McNabb could find it appealing to join a team with a great running back in Adrian Peterson and a system that he knows so well.
Dalton was also asked for an evaluation of Jackson who started two games for the Vikings in 2006 and 12 in 2007. This season Jackson threw nine touchdown passes and 12 interceptions despite playing against defenses loaded to stop the run and inviting the pass. “Tarvaris Jackson has proven that he has great upside and has talent and potential,” Dalton said. “But potential is the ultimate coach killer in the National Football League where NFL stands for Not for Long. Because what counts is production and right now he hasn’t been able to produce on a consistent basis to force defenses to adjust to the passing game. That will be the key for the Vikings’ future…become a balanced team to where they can utilize their outstanding run game in balance with a passing game that makes defenses defend them.”
Jackson missed four games because of injuries and he talked about that on Wednesday. “My biggest disappointment was getting injured so much at the beginning of the season,” he said. “I’ve never really been injured like that. …”
More help at wide receiver will assist the Vikings offense. The team didn’t have a receiver that caught 100 yards or more in passes in a game, a team record.
Wide receiver is one of those positions where a player can come out of the college draft and make an impact. The position figures to be a priority in the 2008 off season for the Vikings.