NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Strangely, a report has emerged that Donovan McNabb has the Vikings as his top choice of teams he'd like to be traded to.

This comes one day after rumors swirled about McNabb possibly being traded to Buffalo, Oakland, or St. Louis.  The Eagles are reportedly entertaining offers for all three of their quarterbacks, and have demanded a "top 42" draft pick for McNabb… of which the Vikings have one.

The casual NFL observer may wonder why McNabb's top choice has any bearing on the situation of a trade.  Can't the Eagles trade him wherever they want?

Technically, yes.  However, McNabb holds a fair number of cards in this one as he is entering the last season of his current contract.  In order for a trade to be completed, his new team would likely require him to sign a new, long-term contract prior to the trade being finalized.

So, in theory, McNabb could try to drag his feet on agreeing to a new contract in hopes of Brett Favre retiring sooner-than-later (or ever) which could then prompt the Vikings to jump into the race.

Also, in theory, the Vikings could simply trade for McNabb right now and carry both him and Favre on the roster heading into to 2010 and possibly beyond.  This type of move would be somewhat unprecedented, but with the uncapped year in full swing, unprecedented in a word that will pop up a lot.

Or, even more theoretically, the Vikings could trade for McNabb and cut Brett Favre loose, not giving him the chance toy around with retirement on their watch.

The question remains, however, even if Favre was not a factor would the Vikings benefit from acquiring McNabb, especially if they gave up a first rounder in exchange?

On the surface, it makes sense.  McNabb knows Childress and his offense, he'd be a veteran leader on a very talented team, and he'd be living closer to his original home of Chicago.

The 33 year old could hardly be considered a long-term solution for the Vikings, however.   With a list of medical issues of his own, an aging body which makes him less effective when running, a tendency to run his mouth, and a whole new set of overtime rules to confuse him one can't help but wonder if trading for McNabb isn't such a surefire way to improve a roster.

My vote is for the Rams or Raiders to take that risk, and that the Vikings should just focus on the upcoming draft.

Cliff Livingston, 79, an NFL linebacker who played the first eight seasons of his 12-year pro football career for the New York Giants before ending it with the Los Angeles Rams, died recently at his home in Las Vegas from complications of Lewy body dementia, Parkinson's disease and congestive heart failure.

Livingston, who played defensive end at UCLA under Coach Red Sanders in 1950 and '51, became a linebacker and special teams player in New York from 1954 through the 1961 season.

During his time with the Giants, the team won the NFL championship game in 1956 over the Chicago Bears and appeared in three more title games, losing to the Baltimore Colts in 1958 (often called "the greatest game ever played") and 1959 and to the Green Bay Packers in 1961.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Livingston was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in 1962 and he retired after one year there. He came back to play for the Rams the next season, when his former Giants teammate Harlan Svare became the Rams' coach. After three seasons, Livingston retired for good.

Born July 2, 1930, in Compton, Livingston served in the Army between his time at UCLA and with the Giants. His older brother Howie also played in the NFL.

When Livingston's football career ended, he capitalized on his rugged good looks by landing minor acting roles in TV shows and commercials.

From a fans perspective, the April draft comes with a great deal of excitement and numerous expectations. Many are looking at the stock pile of picks the team possesses and hope that in one fell swoop the organization can turn this thing around. Especially considering the depth of this year’s pool of players.

With an average of two picks per round, the Browns can upgrade numerous areas on offense, defense and special teams as long as everyone within the organization from Holmgren down to the scouting staff understand what the goals are with each pick and where this team wants to be at drafts end.

It is no big secret though that Cleveland needs a safety and a right tackle that can quickly start playing and be productive members of this organization for the next ten years. A linebacker with the same potential would be nice too. From how this draft is shaping up, finding players to fit those molds shouldn’t be a stretch. The question is with the late round picks. Can we find value when the 5th and 6th rounds come calling?

What really intrigues me though, is the question surrounding the quarterback position. Holmgren seems to like Bradford, although I hope he wouldn’t mortgage our chance at quality depth for a chance to pick him by moving up in the draft. What I would be more excited about is the prospect of taking Tim Tebow with a 2nd round pick. I think he has too much upside to leave him on the board if he was available. Especially with Jack now in Cleveland as a mentor and legitimate starter going into 2010.

The impressive thing about Tebow is his drive to win. He wants to be the best he can be and he wants to be part of a team. There is no doubt he is an emotional and inspirational leader. There is no doubt that he has an incredible work ethic. His recent work with a new throwing motion is a testament to that. Overall, he may never live up to the legend he created in Florida, but the pick would never be a waste.

The important thing though is to stay the course. Running down rabbit trails hoping to find the next big thing is not the way to go. Eric Mangini had it right last year. Pick intelligent, hard working football players who are equipped to develop into consistent playmakers. It is imperative with this draft that we find players like that. Another botched draft would put this team so far back in terms of competing, that by the time they could right the ship, there might not be any fans left to care.

Brad Briggs at the Tribune reported this morning that the Bears are shopping defensive end Alex Brown. If the Bears can’t find a sucker to take on his contract – he’s due $5 million this year and next – they will release him, leaving him free to sign with any team he chooses.

In addition to his large salary, the justification is that with Julius Peppers, Mark Anderson and Israel Idonije there aren’t enough snaps to be had for four DEs.

While I’ve stood by Jerry Angelo for some of his moves (okay, maybe ‘a very select few’ is more appropriate) this one seems down right idiotic.  If any of the current DEs should be traded or flat out released, it should be Anderson.  But the Bears slapped a 2nd round tender on him and it’s doubtful any team would give up a #2 pick for a dude who’s 3-year sack total is in the single digits (9.5).  You’d think the Bears have learned their lesson in trying to get by without Brown — remember the glorious 2007 season when he was ‘benched’ in favor of Anderson? (Neither do I.)

First the Bears showed money didn’t matter by acquiring Peppers.  Now they’re going to cry “it’s a numbers game” because they don’t want to shell out a few million for a proven performer, locker room leader and by all accounts classy guy? I was excited about the prospects for Brown after the Peppers signing.  With JP attracting a lot of attention on one side and Tommie Harris (hopefully) regaining his old form in the middle, Brown was poised for a big year.  But it looks like we’ll never get the chance to see opposing QBs as the meat in a Brown-Peppers sandwich.

This one just doesn’t make sense to me.  But if it goes down, I’m sure a lot of Bears fans will continue to follow Brown closely.  If I were him, I’d look at signing with the Lions or Vikings so I could get 2 shots at harassing Jay Cutler…and Bears management.