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Vikings acquire QB McNabb from Redskins

Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 13 years, 6 months AGO
| July 28, 2011 9:00 PM

Donovan McNabb's time in Washington is over after only a year.

The Minnesota Vikings acquired the veteran quarterback from the Redskins on Wednesday night in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick.

The deal gives the Vikings a six-time Pro Bowler who will play until first-round draft choice Christian Ponder is ready to take over. The deal also includes a conditional sixth-round pick in 2013.

Ponder tweeted that he welcomes McNabb to the team and looks forward to learning from him. But he also says he still plans on fighting for the starting job in Week 1.

McNabb will have to restructure the five-year, $78 million deal he signed with the Redskins because the Vikings don't have enough room to fit him in their salary cap.

"He was going to come in and really help us win more games, but it didn't work out," said linebacker Lorenzo Alexander. "Relationships broke down, and now he's not here, but you can't really focus on that. You've got to continue to move forward."

Two days after the lockout ended, NFL teams are making deals at a frantic pace, with some big names changing addresses, and others staying put.

Not going anywhere is New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin, who signed a one-year extension Wednesday that keeps him with the team through 2012.

"As we said after the season, we strongly believe in Tom," co-owner and team president John Mara said of the coach who led the Giants to the 2007 NFL championship. "We believe in the job he has done, and we believe in his ability to lead our team in the future. Everybody was on the same page in arriving at the extension."

Also remaining in the New York area will be Santonio Holmes, who will continue to be a big benefit to Jets QB Mark Sanchez.

The Jets made the 2009 Super Bowl MVP their top priority among their five key players who are not under contract, and will keep him for the next five years.

Holmes has had some off-field issues, which led to the Steelers trading him to New York. He performed very well for the Jets on the field, with 52 catches for 746 yards and six touchdowns after missing the first four games while suspended.

Free agents aren't allowed to sign contracts until Friday.

In other moves Wednesday:

DeAngelo Williams, the Panthers' career rushing leader, agreed to remain in Carolina. Williams' 2010 season was cut short by a right foot injury. He rushed for 361 yards and one touchdown. He had his best pro season in 2008, rushing for a team-record 1,515 yards, 18 touchdowns and a 5.5-yard average.

In perhaps the wildest day of transactions in franchise history, linebackers James Anderson and Thomas Davis agreed to five-year contracts. Also agreeing to terms were seven free agents, including kicker Olindo Mare, defensive tackle Ron Edwards, tight end Ben Hartsock, fullback Rick Brockel, defensive backs Cletis Gordan, Devon Hall and Kevin Payne.

Placekicker Adam Vinatieri agreed to a three-year contract with Indianapolis. The 38-year-old Vinatieri is one of seven players in league history to score 500 or more points for two teams (Patriots, Colts). He is headed into his 15th NFL season.

Safety Melvin Bullitt also agreed to remain with the Colts.

Cleveland will release quarterback Jake Delhomme today.

Cincinnati reached an agreement with Bruce Gradkowski, who knows the team's new offensive system and will help develop rookie Andy Dalton.

Incumbent Carson Palmer has told the team he would retire rather than play another season in Cincinnati, which has two winning records in the past 20 years.

Minnesota and kicker Ryan Longwell agreed to terms on a four-year deal. The 36-year-old Longwell went 17 for 18 on field goals and 30 for 31 on extra points last season.

Safety Eric Weddle agreed on a five-year, $40 million deal with San Diego with $19 million guaranteed.

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