I received the following interview late last evening from inside Winter Park. It was sent to me because it was "an interesting read" but I wonder if it was sent to me to gauge your reaction to what I presume to be a very strong possibility that Mike McMahon would be brought in as the backup QB to BBB (Big Bad Brad) this coming season.

GIve it a read, and then leave a comment as to whether this would be a good or bad addition for the Vikes.

Q: Have the Vikings made an offer yet?
A: I haven’t really talked numbers with anyone yet. I know we will be talking later today or later tonight and maybe we can see if we can get something done.

Q: How was the visit?
A: It was very good; I met with the coaches and the entire coaching staff. Everyone seems to be very positive, especially about the future. I’m excited.

Q: Knowing Brad Childress’ offense the way you do, is this an attractive opportunity for you?
A: It is; I know the offense already, so that’s good. You can come in and already be a step ahead of the game. Also knowing the way Coach Childress is and how detailed and meticulous he is, it’s a great opportunity. Also getting a chance to learn a little bit from Brad Johnson is a great opportunity as well.

Q: How did they explain the role to you coming in?
A: I compete for the number two spot, and Brad’s the starter. I would like to come in and compete, just like I said, but at the same time, I want to learn from Brad. He has many years of experience underneath his belt. I definitely think I can learn from him. I got a little bit from Donovan (McNabb) but with Brad, he’s a lot older and I think he plays a little bit more conservatively, which could definitely help me and my career in the long run.

Q: Personality-wise too, Brad seems to like his quarterbacks kind of flat-lined? Do you like the fact he likes his quarterbacks to be calm and controlled?
A: Yeah, and that’s what I’m trying to work on as well. In the years past I have been moving around a little bit and I would like to come in and just watch how Brad Johnson does things and learn from him. And already knowing the offense and everything, it’s definitely a great opportunity and you never know what the future can hold.

Q: Is this your first visit?
A: Yes.

Q: Do you have some others coming?
A: Denver, tomorrow morning.

Q: Did they tell you how much?
A: As of right now we haven’t discussed numbers or contracts or anything, so I haven’t made a decision on anything yet.

Q: They have also talked about adding a young quarterback to develop here. Would that impact your decision at all?
A: If I can come in and just get the chance to compete for the number two and learn from Brad, to me that’s just a great opportunity in itself right there. It depends on where they would draft a guy. Being in Detroit where they drafted a first-rounder, it wasn’t the best situation you want to be in, but it depends. If I can get a deal done, will they draft a guy higher or will they draft one lower?

Q: Does it make a difference looking at Steve Hutchinson?
A: You know I played with him briefly in the Senior Bowl, so I know he’s a heck of a player and everyone knows that. He’s a great guy and I know from Jeff Backus, being good friends with him from Detroit and hearing some stories about him, he’s a great player. Also I met Koren Robinson at the player rookie party down in Orlando. We were doing a photo shoot for the football cards, so knowing some of those guys, we have a great line and some great receivers here and definitely a lot of offensive weapons. Of course the defense really stepped up last year as well.

Q: What was your assessment of how things were going for you in Philadelphia when you had an opportunity?
A: You get little opportunities and sometimes you have to make the most out of it. It’s not the best situation you want to be in; we had a lot of injuries. (Todd) Pinkston was out all year and of course Taylor was gone and of course then (Brian) Westbrook went down and basically the entire offensive line. So it wasn’t the best situation, but it was an opportunity and I did get to learn. I did get a chance to play, which I was very happy about, and get some experience to play, but now it’s time to move on and look forward to the future.

Q: Is this going to be pretty much the exact same offense that was run in Philadelphia?
A: I think it will pretty much be the same thing, maybe with a few changes here and there. You know it’s pretty much the West Coast offense from what they have told me. It’s nothing like I would really have trouble with. I think I know it pretty much inside and out; knowing it from Detroit and Philadelphia.

Q: Knowing Donovan and Brad are two totally different types of quarterbacks, what intrigues you about Brad so much to come here?
A: Over the years I have sometimes seemed to force some throws on third down situations when you can’t check it down and punt or just trust the back to go out and get the yards. Brad’s very good at hitting the check downs and playing it a little safer, and he moves the ball down the field a little slower. Donovan is more of a big play guy. I tend to take too many chances. Donovan takes some chances too, but playing behind Brad might get me to calm down a little bit and make better decisions on the field and therefore raise the completion percentage.

Q: Right now are you scheduled to fly out to Denver tonight?
A: I think its tomorrow morning. I’m scheduled to stay here tonight.

Q: Anywhere along the line have you had any experience holding on kicks?
A: I did a little bit when I was a backup in Detroit, but they had the punter there and then I did a little bit in Philly but you know Coy was there with David, so they kind of had a tight knit group. So I have done a few here and there in practices but never in game situations.

Q: What do you like most about Childress?
A: The fact that he is very detailed, and he’s straightforward. He’s not going to feed you any lines. He knows the offense inside and out. I had a chance to work with him last year; he was calling plays for me in the preseason and at the end of the year. I know how dedicated he is to his work. When you have a guy like that who has worked with Donovan and with the offensive coordinator and the quarterback coach here as well, they’ve coached a lot of talent with Brett and Donovan alone. It’s definitely an exciting opportunity and an attractive situation.

Q: Did you notice any difference in the offense in Philadelphia when Brad was making the play calls versus Andy? Was it more or less aggressive versus those two?
A: It was hard to tell sometimes. Brad was just as aggressive and it was tough, I think, because we didn’t have the guys out there that started the season and we didn’t have the talent that some guys might have. We had a lot of young guys out there not knowing the offense as well but we didn’t hold back at all. We just kept on going through the playbook and adding plays in every week as if we would with the regular starters and he just expected guys to step up and play.

Trivia Time Answer

Against the Colts in week 9 of 2004, Nate Burleson became only the second player in Vikings' history to return a punt for a TD and catch a TD pass in the same game. The first? That honor belonged to Randy Moss who did it at Kansas City in 1999.

Posted by maasx003 at March 23, 2006 1:05 AM