Am I to understand the Raiders QB is out for the season? Yikes.

For me this weekend was about a QB who stayed at the dance too long. Donovan McNabb is taking his place on that list of NFL QBs who were painful to watch as they lost their battles with Father Time. The worst will always be Joe Namath with the Rams, but Kenny Stabler with the Saints was another sad one.

You know it's bad when your Hail Mary play is a screen pass.

Yeah, Bill. That was rough watching Super Joe stilt around out there, and in that garish blue and yellow mid-70's Rams uni. Earl Morrall, George Blanda and Rich Gannon did alright as oldsters, so did Farve & Flutie, among others in recent times.

McNabb may have another rough day next Sunday, but the Vikes could hand the Pack, the last undefeated team standing, its first loss of the season in the Metrodome. Stranger things have happened on an NFL Sunday. McNabb probably should start at least another couple games to the bye week, and they'll probably have Ponder get more 1st team reps in practice in the meantime. After which, if they're still sputtering on offense (the whole team -- O, D, STs -- is playing horribly), they'll evaluate and decide who will start the following week at Lambeau in prime time on MNF.

Frazier Says Vikings To Decide On QB By Wednesday
http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/Frazier-Says-Vikings-To-Decide-On-QB-By-Wednesday/163588bd-3c7b-43dd-aada-0833ae4f6faa

That safety was not McNabb's fault. His linemen folded in front and around him like origami swans: http://sportshl.com/football/McNabb_sacked_for_a_safety/1110813

FYI:
He has more yards passing (37,099) than Steve Young and Troy Aikman; more touchdown passes (234) than Young, Terry Bradshaw and Joe Namath; and a higher completion percentage (58.9) than Dan Fouts and Warren Moon. He also has more wins (98) than 15 of the 23 modern-era quarterbacks in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

And:
For a story in this week's magazine, I polled a coach, scout or player -- if not all three -- from each team that has faced McNabb this season. All but one said McNabb still has the ability to be effective. However, they acknowledged it will be tough, for reasons including:

He's running a new offense.

As much as people talk about the Vikings and coordinator Bill Musgrave installing a West Coast system, those who've game-planned for Minnesota contend it's a hybrid offense with a lower percentage of shotgun formations, split backs and checkdowns to the backs. Instead, the play-calling revolves around Adrian Peterson, the dynamic ballcarrier whom Frazier calls "our best player." Minnesota uses more I-formations and play-action passes than McNabb is accustomed to, and opponents feel he is struggling with the adjustment.

"It is just a different way for him to have to play," says one coach. "He just never was asked to be a run and play-action QB. He is better in the 'gun, kind of Ben Roethlisberger-ing it. It's better to spread the field and give him options; let him use his legs to keep plays alive or pick out his receivers. It's too easy now to keep him in the pocket, and that's not his strong suit."

He lacked an offseason to get acquainted and comfortable with his receivers.

There were several occasions against the Cardinals when the timing between quarterback and receiver was off. Another time, McNabb motioned after an incompletion that he expected wideout Devin Aromashodu to come back for the ball instead of sitting in a spot after making his break.

"I don't know that he's totally in sync with the offense," says one coordinator. "He's definitely not where he needs to be. He doesn't tend to run as much, so it makes it easier to defend him. He's more of a pocket passer, and if he's not in sync with his receivers it creates problems for them."

Says McNabb: "Obviously it's a different surrounding cast than I've had. You have to have an opportunity to get accustomed to the guys around you. You have to build that chemistry in knowing what he's going to do, how he plays, strengths and weaknesses. And coaches need time to begin to get adjusted to different players. That doesn't happen in half a year, really a year. Because I want to know what you're thinking as a coach. If I know what you're thinking as a coach, then I can relay it to the guys on the field. That's one thing I try to do, change my game to what the coaches want. From Washington to here, I ask, What can I do to make myself better, from your standpoint? And I'm trying to do what they want me to do."

His confidence has been shaken.

McNabb, who needs just two more wins to become only the 12th quarterback to reach 100, chuckles at the suggestion that his confidence has been shaken, which has been made publicly by Douglas and privately by some members of the Vikings.

"Once you start to second-guess yourself in this league, you're done," he says. "Personally, I never second-guess myself. I don't lose confidence in myself."

McNabb then sat upright, chuckled and brushed his goatee. New year, same questions. Here we go again.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/jim_trotter/10/12/donovan.mcnabb/index.html#ixzz1b6m5SYzA

I think his arm strength is gone. He was bouncing 15-yard out routes before I turned it off. So sad to see. That's also what's wrong with Peyton Manning. His arm is weak through nerve damage in his neck, and he can't throw very far. It could be over for him too.
Loved the "folded in front and around him like origami swans."
That's vivid.

Yeah, you could be right there, Bill. And about Peyton. I won't miss him. He's a bad sport. And always blamed everyone else for the losses. I did laugh at his "idiot kicker" quip in '03, though. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2003/02/02/manning_vanderjagt_ap/ Glad you enjoyed the origami visual. It was a pathetic performance by a professional squad of linemen on that safety.

I didn't get to watch much of the Vikes-Bears game at all last night. I was watching top shelf comedy instead -- Buster Keaton classics on TCM. Now THERE's one of the greatest American athletes, ever!

Chase scene from "Seven Chances":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZSTM3knaao

I can't think of a player whos very good and maybe a hall-of-famer, in ANY sport, whos been knocked more than Mcnabb. From the draft day boos in Phily to rush limbaugh to coaches, fans and the media hes been knocked for years.Also its WAY to early to start counting out Manning.

Take it easy, Raiders fans. You're about to get Carson Palmer.

McNabb's benched.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7119351/sources-minnesota-vikings-start-rookie-christian-ponder-qb

Notable excerpt:

It certainly hasn't all been the quarterback's fault. A leaky offensive line hasn't given McNabb much time to throw, his receiver corps lacks the big-play deep threat that can loosen up a defense and new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave has made several curious calls in all six games that have helped stall Vikings drives.