“You’ve got to worry about DeSean [Jackson],” McNabb said, referring to the receiver’s current status as a camp hold out.  ”When he comes back are you going to give DeSean the ball or throw it to [Jeremy] Maclin?  Remember, you have to give LeSean McCoy the ball, too.  And then at the end you still have to pay Mike Vick.  They have more problems than people are looking at.”

Yeah, having too many weapons is a big problem Donovan. That wasn’t something you had to worry about last year in Washington, and if a couple wide receivers don’t step up for the Vikings, it’s not something you’ll have to worry about on your new team either.

It’s possible Donovan’s lukewarm opinion of the Eagles’ prospects is at least partly inspired by bitterness over the fact that, when he was in Philly, they never helped him by going on this kind of a free agent spending spree. Did I say it’s possible? I meant it’s almost certain. Donovan left little doubt about the motives behind his criticism when he said:

I was there for 11 years, and the biggest thing we brought in was T.O.. Now they’re getting the so-called “Dream Team.”  It’s amazing, but I look back on my career and what they’re doing now . . . that’s great; that’s excellent.  But you’re seeing another side. You’re seeing Andy [Reid] taking that chance.  It’s not just taking that chance on one guy.  They’re taking a chance on a bunch of guys.  And they’re spending money.  That’s amazing.  Ever since the lockout [ended], teams have to spend money.

Donovan’s not even trying to mask his resentment. I don’t know whether to feel encouraged by this or disheartened. Encouraged because at least he’s not heaping praise on his old team and coach like Randy Moss after the Pats’ game last year, or disheartened because apparently Donovan’s head is not entirely in the now and we need it entirely in the now, there being all this stuff for him to learn like for instance the whole freaking offense.

It’s not a big deal or anything, but still, I kind of wish Donovan would keep the Eagles’ names outta his mouth. At least until after we thrash them in the playoffs.

Follow FanSided on Facebook. Follow The Viking Age on Twitter.

Then again, maybe Dolphin fans like the idea of bringing in an OC who is known for favoring a grinding, run-first brand of the ancient West Coast over anything remotely resembling a 21st century offense?

Childress himself broke the news of his impending interview to the Star Tribune.  “I don’t have any preconceived notions,” Childress said. “If there’s a good opportunity there with good people, and that’s the key, I’ll coach again this year. If not then I’ll pass and do something next year.”

Under Childress, the Vikings became a top defensive team – largely thanks to the hiring of Mike Tomlin and then Leslie Frazier as defensive coordinator – and an adequate, rather boring offensive one.  But that all changed in 2009 when the addition of Brett Favre and the emergences of Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin transformed the tedious Chillyball operation into a dynamic TD-scoring machine.

Things took a big step backward in 2010 though, thanks to a combination of factors including Brett Favre’s drop-off, Rice’s injury, the disintegration of the offensive line and Childress’ inability to compensate for these problems either through personnel moves or game plan tweaks.  Chilly’s woeful inadequacy in the face of disaster – plus that whole mess with Randy Moss – prompted Zygi Wilf to can him ten games into the season and replace him with Leslie Frazier who has since been given the full-time head coaching job.

My only advice to Tony Sparano and the Dolphins?  If you do hire Childress, don’t let him call the plays.  Ask Andy Reid and Brett Favre why.

Follow FanSided on Facebook. Follow The Viking Age on Twitter.

The 50 sportswriters polled for the award gave 20 1/2 votes to Lewis, more than Sean Payton (11 1/2), Norv Turner (9), Jim Caldwell (7) and Andy Reid and Ken Whisenhunt (1 each).

Conspicuously absent from the tally of other coaches receiving votes was the Minnesota Vikings‘ Brad Childress, who despite leading the team to a 12-4 record and a #2 seed in the NFC, was shut out.

Perhaps appropriately, Childress received exactly the same number of coach-of-the-year votes as the man many think is the real coach of the Vikings, Brett Favre.

If nothing else, Childress deserves some votes for best off-season gamble of the year by ardently pursuing and ultimately closing the deal on Favre.  Maybe someone will invent that award and give it to Chilly.