“Is McNabb done?”
That was the TV headline on Fox’s national pregame show about 30 minutes before Donovan McNabb and the Vikings took the field last week to play the Bucs at Mall of America Field. The 34-year-old quarterback had been a lightning rod for criticism following the September 11 opening loss to the Chargers, throwing for only 39 yards.
The Profootballtalk website headlined this story: “McNabb a major disappointment in Vikings debut.” The article said he “deserves most of the blame for the Vikings’ 24-17 loss to the Chargers.”
Because McNabb plays the most visible position on the team he’s obviously an easy target for media and fan criticism. McNabb had better stats last Sunday, completing 18 of 30 passes for 228 passes, but he threw no touchdown passes and the Vikings lost another game, 24-20 to the Bucs. That made him a subject for criticism by fans following the Vikings second consecutive regular season loss.
Former Vikings assistant coach Dean Dalton, who now hosts an NFL show on Sirius XM, was asked if McNabb, a 13-year veteran with his third pro team, is still effective. “Absolutely. I think he’s got a lot of good football left in him,” Dalton said.
Dalton said McNabb is a “great athlete” but admitted that at McNabb’s age there is a surprising element about him. “One thing I didn’t think he had was as much juice in his legs,” Dalton said. “I knew he was a powerful thrower and a savvy quarterback.”
McNabb, who has rushed for 44 yards in two games, looked better last week passing, particularly in the first half, when the Vikings dominated possession time and offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave had the Bucs off balance with his play selection. No, McNabb isn’t an NFL elite quarterback anymore but has enough physical skills and experience to help the Vikings win games.
Yes, a more dynamic playmaker could consistently lift the team beyond what it’s otherwise capable of doing. But McNabb can still make a lot of plays, and with two quarterbacks behind him on the roster with almost no NFL experience, he’s the best the Vikings have for now.