Donovan McNabb still believes that he should be the starter at quarterback for the Vikings. Christian Ponder started last week's loss to Green Bay. On Sunday morning, the NFL Network aired an exclusive interview with McNabb. "Absolutely. Absolutely," McNabb said when asked if he should be Minnesota's starter. He was also asked to explain the criticism that has followed him from Philadelphia to Washington and now with the Vikings. "I cannot," the veteran said. "And that isn't something that would even come out of my mouth – 'that would hurt my ego.' It's ridiculous. I mean, if you want to solidify your move of going with somebody else, just say, 'hey, he wasn't playing well, we're going to rally behind whoever comes up.' Whatever. But now when you start to challenge my intelligence, you're going to challenge my manhood of everything that I've been able to accomplish throughout the years, you know, that's disrespectful."

Donovan McNabb says critics who knock his work ethic upset him. McNabb was recently benched by the Vikings in favor of rookie Christian Ponder last Sunday, "When people say that, about my work ethic, or the time that I put in, that pisses me off," McNabb said. "Because I know the time that I put in. People that are around me know the time that I put in. I take this game very seriously. Now for anyone to challenge that and not come and see the way that I work or witness the things that I do and they make their own judgment? That pisses me off because you are expressing to people who don't know me, who just listen to what commentators say or people write. That's the opinion they're going to take."

The Vikings released embattled receiver Bernard Berrian on Tuesday. Berrian is a vested veteran, so the Vikings must pay him all of his $1.9 million salary unless another team claims him. He was a healthy scratch Sunday for the second time in three games. He met with coach Leslie Frazier on Monday.

The Christian Ponder era is off and running, but the Vikings are still answering questions about Donovan McNabb. Leslie Frazier addressed Michael Lombardi's report from the weekend about Donovan McNabb's work ethic. Lombardi reported that McNabb shows up late to meetings and practice and that he isn't willing to put in the time needed to master the Vikings offense. "Ridiculous," Frazier said, via Bob Sansevere of the Pioneer Press. "Flat-out ridiculous. I don't know where that would come from. I mean, this guy worked his tail off when he was the starting quarterback, staying after practice, throwing balls with receivers. When I heard about that, 'Wow, where would that come from?'"

Michael Lombardi of The NFL Network writes that the Vikings were forced to make a change at quarterback because of Donovan McNabb's poor work ethic. Minnesota rookie Christian Ponder will make his first NFL start on Sunday afternoon against Green Bay. "Signing McNabb after his horrible year in Washington, ignoring the horror stories about his lack of preparation for the game, was their first mistake," Lombardi writes. "McNabb is at a point in his career that he does not seem to want to put in the time, willing to show up late for meetings and practice, and expects to just play well. He failed to really grasp the offense in Minnesota (as he did in Washington), having trouble spitting the plays out quickly -- which meant the play sheet on his arm got bigger and bigger. It did not take long before McNabb's lack of commitment was seen by the older players, causing them to understand that a move had to be made. One thing I have learned over my 20 years in the league is you can't fool the players, especially ones who have seen what it takes to be successful."

Vikings cornerback Chris Cook was arrested early Saturday on domestic battery charges, and the team said Cook, who has started the past three games, will not play this weekend against the Packers. Cook, 24, was arrested without incident after someone called 911 at about 2 a.m. local time to report hearing people across the street yelling and screaming. He was booked on two charges, including one count of domestic assault, and was being held without bail Saturday at Hennepin County jail. Prosecutors have 48 hours in which to charge Cook, who has a court hearing scheduled for Monday morning.

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier officially announced the start of the Christian Ponder era Wednesday, a move that surprised veteran QB Donovan McNabb. Frazier said the decision was based solely on what gives the team the best chance to win. "I know I have a lot of football left in me," McNabb said.

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier informed Christian Ponder Tuesday afternoon that he will start against the Packers, according to sources. Frazier also informed Donovan McNabb that he was being demoted. Ponder relieved McNabb, 34, for the fourth quarter Sunday at Chicago with the Vikings on their way to a 1-5 record.

The Christian Ponder Era may have begun in Minnesota, but don't tell Donovan McNabb that. McNabb, who was pulled late in the team's blowout loss to the Bears on Sunday night, expects to remain the team's starting quarterback. "I don't see it ending like this, as you say," McNabb said. "But it's tough. You're one-and-five at this particular point. I felt like we did a lot of great things (Sunday). But I guess we'll sit down to talk, but I still expect to be in there next week."

The Vikings pulled veteran quarterback Donovan McNabb in the fourth quarter of a blowout loss to the Bears on Sunday night. Whether McNabb or the man that replaced him, rookie Christian Ponder, will be under center when Minnesota hosts Green Bay next Sunday remains uncertain. "We have to sit down on Monday and talk about a lot of things," coach Leslie Frazier said. "We need to decide on that direction we want to go." McNabb was 19-for-24 for 177 yards before being removed and Frazier said he wanted to get Ponder some NFL experience in a game that was already out of hand. "We just wanted to get him in there, let him take some snaps and get a feel for the NFL tempo," Frazier said.