Fans & Media: Lay Off of Donovan McNabb

Adrian Peterson is THE offense in Minnesota.  He’s got the new contract. He’s got the ultra-conservative play caller in Offensive Coordinator Bill Musgrave. And he’s having a great season, as evidenced by today’s 122 yard, 3 Touchdown performance.

Meanwhile, the media/fan scrutiny and criticism bestowed upon Minnesota QB Donovan McNabb in the first month of the season was and has been absolutely ridiculous.

What happened last season in Washington was  completely on The Shanahans, period. An example of silly NFL nepotism at it’s finest. Yes, Washington is off to a 3-1 start in 2011, but Grossman’s numbers are typical Rex Grossman…under 60% completions, 6 TD’s, 5 picks, and 2 lost fumbles. More turnovers than TD’s. And despite some serious speed at the receiver position and two outstanding Tightends in Fred Davis and Chris Cooley, the Redskins are not a juggernaut in the passing game.

Meanwhile, anyone with access to a radio mic, a tv teleprompter, or a keyboard has been screaming for the benching of Donovan McNabb because of Minnesota’s 0-4 start leading up to today’s game.  Which begs the question: Was anybody actually watching the Minnesota games or simply looking at their fantasy football report?

The REALITY is that Minnesota is not loaded with talent on Offense. The O-line is suspect, especially without Bryant McKinnie protecting the QB’s backside. Although he’s very talented, Percy Harvin is not a #1 receiver. Bernard Berrian is an average NFL receiver, and that might be putting it nicely.  Visanthe Shiancoe is a good but not great Tightend. Bill Musgrave has always been known as an ultra-conservative Offensive Coordinator, and was fired from his last OC job in the NFL with Jacksonville after the 2004 season. He’s going to play it safe and feed the football to Adrian Peterson at all costs.

Having said that, McNabb is doing exactly what his team needs him to do right now. He’s not trying to force the ball to playmakers that don’t exist. He’s not turning the ball over (only two turnovers in 5 games). He’s got 4 passing touchdowns, and added another on the ground against Arizona. Since his rough start against San Diego in week one, McNabb has completed 59% of his passes and averaged over 200 yards passing per game.

The Vikings have lost 4 close games and won 1, with their QB only turning the ball over twice thus far. Yet, people are calling for Christian Ponder? Really? As usual, fans and media want to place the win-loss record solely on the shoulders of the Quarterback, which is absurd.

McNabb’s body of work for his career is impressive. He’s put up Hall of Fame caliber numbers…more TD’s than Aikman, Griese, Young. Far better TD to INT ratio than Moon, Kelly, Namath, Bradshaw, Aikman, etc. He’s got the same number of Super Bowl rings as Dan Fouts, Dan Marino, Jim Kelly, and Warren Moon. He led the Eagles to 5 NFC Championship Games and a SuperBowl, and did it all while throwing to the likes of Todd Pinkston, James Thrash, and Freddie Mitchell. Not exactly the Hall of Fame caliber guys that other QB’s had.  Yet, he is crucified by the football world.

McNabb was brought into Minnesota for a reason, and it was to stabilize the QB position and provide veteran leadership. He’s doing just that.