Yes, it was a blowout win for the Vikings, their first of the 2011 season, but I don’t think the victory did anything to strengthen Donovan McNabb’s hold onto the starting quarterback job. It may have even weakened it.
The Vikings went into half time with a 28-3 lead, but the big lead came in spite of McNabb, not because of him. He was 4-12 for 63 yards and one rushing touchdown at half time. He wasn’t a whole lot better in the second half, going 6-9 for 99 yards.
He was off the mark on several throws throughout the game – either throwing them too low, too high or too wide. And this was on a day when the Vikings leaky offensive line was usually able to give him time to throw the ball and opening up a sufficient amount of daylight for Adrian Peterson.
The offence only managed two field goals after scoring four touchdowns in an uncharacteristic first quarter offensive surge. If not for some dominant play by the Vikings defensive line – particularly Jared Allen and Brian Robison (Ray Edwards has not been missed) – three interceptions by the our normally stonehanded group of defensive backs, and overall bad play by the Arizona Cardinals, the Vikings might have been ripe for another second half collapse.
There are lots of good things to talk about from this game – and I’ll get to that in the 24 hours – but it’s hard to see the Vikings being even competitive next week against the Bears at Soldier Field with McNabb continuing to play the way he has been. It’s also getting harder to defend keeping him as the Vikings starter. In fact, I can’t defend it anymore. It’s time to give Christian Ponder a shot.
The future should start next week for the Vikings.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
You are full of crap. Mcnabb hasn't played that bad this year, they won today when he "had a bad game". Mcnabb is the starter unless he gets hurt
I think they need to bench mcnabb. he is horrible. he cannot even complete screen passes. look at last weeks interception and this weeks poor throws on short passes. These passes most quarterbacks make 99 out of 100 times but Mc(miss) is not even close. He missed seeing Percy on a wide open look to the endzone and instead threw it 5 yards in front of Shanco on a short pass. He reportedly is the last one to practice and the first to leave. Get rid of the bum!
Anon:
While I agree that McNabb hasn't played bad for an entire game, he's yet to play well for an entire game either, which is what the Vikings need from their veteran starting QB.
I also realize this offensive line and collection of receiving threats – (and I use that term with a heavy dose of sarcasm) make his job harder. But he is not improving. He is not making his offensive teammates better. The offence is not getting any better. That's what I think it's time for a change.
Post a Comment