Could Joe Be the Vikings' New Secret Webb-on?
by Christopher Gates on Apr 29, 2010 6:06 PM CDT
in Minnesota Vikings
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The Minnesota Vikings' 2010 Draft was an interesting one, to say the least. The Vikings had two main holes that they needed to patch up, one in the secondary and one at backup running back, and they addressed those in the first two rounds. The rest of the picks were players that were either drafted far below their draft spot, potential special teams aces, or long-term projects.
Joe Webb, who played quarterback at Alabama-Birmingham the past two seasons but was drafted by the Vikings to play the wide receiver position, falls quite firmly into that third category.
Ordinarily, a sixth-round pick wouldn't get a whole lot of talk, particularly not a sixth-round pick that was drafted by a team that went 12-4 the previous season that's being asked to switch positions. But the more I read and hear about Joe Webb, the more I think that he could actually make a serious contribution to the Minnesota Vikings in 2010.
Webb is an athletic freak. Standing 6'3" and weighing in at 225 pounds, Webb had a phenomenal Pro Day down at UAB. . .and he had to, since he wasn't invited to the NFL Combine. He was timed at 4.43 seconds in the 40-yard dash, put up a 42" vertical jump, and a broad jump of 11 feet, 7 inches. And lest you doubt his hops. . .
So yes, Webb is most certainly an outstanding athlete. But, as we all know, simply being an amazing athlete doesn't mean anything in the National Football League (and you can speak to either Brock Lesnar or Todd Lowber for a reference on that, if you need one). But Webb has abilities that can't be coached, that much is for sure. . .and that's part of the reason I think he makes a contribution to the Vikings this year. Really. . .do you think that a guy with this kind of athletic ability would actually make it through waivers to the Vikings' practice squad? Because I don't.
And it's not as though Webb lacks football intelligence or acumen, either. The reason he played quarterback at UAB is solely because their team wanted the best athlete on the team playing the quarterback position. . .and, really, ir's hard to imagine anyone being more athletic than this guy. And despite the possibility that he might "not really be a quarterback," he IS the only player in NCAA history to throw for at least 2,000 yards and rush for at least 1,000 yards in two consecutive seasons. So he clearly has a decent understanding of the game of football and how it works.
So, can he make the Vikings' roster in 2010? Well, the Vikings carried six receivers for the better part of last season. . .Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, Bernard Berrian, Jaymar Johnson, Greg Lewis, and Darius Reynaud. Those first three guys are obviously locks to make the big club, but if I was Johnson, Lewis, or Reynaud, I'd be watching my back. Reynaud has had injury issues during his time in Minnesota, and Johnson spent a significant portion of 2010 not dressing on Sunday afternoons. Lewis might not have a whole lot to worry about, but Johnson and Reynaud could very easily find themselves on the short end of the stick in a training camp battle with Webb. Even if Webb spends this season not dressing for most (if not all) of the games, it would give the Vikings a chance to develop him as a receiver, and working with Brett Favre. . .who's totally coming back, by the way. . .as well as Rice and Vikings' receivers coach George Stewart could only help his chances.
I'll be honest with you, folks. . .outside of the Vikings top two picks, I'm the most excited about Joe Webb. The guy is a tremendous athlete, and the Vikings have the luxury of bringing him along slowly if they choose to retain him. . .and if they try to sneak him onto the practice squad, I have a feeling that they'll be sorely disappointed with the results.
What say you, ladies and gentlemen? Does Joe Webb have what it takes to make a significant contribution to the Minnesota Vikings' 2010 championship run?
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He's not the only player to do 2000/1000 2 consectutive seasons.
I know Nevada’s own Colin Kapernick has done it, and believe there are a couple others like Pat White.
Go Nevada Wolf Pack!
And Kaepernick still has one more year to tack on a 3rd.
6’6 beast of a QB, who’s much tougher than his 230 build looks. Throws a 95 MPH fastball.
Go Nevada Wolf Pack!
by BacksThePack on Apr 29, 2010 6:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Too bad they have to play Boise State every year
Just goosing you a little. Good Luck this next season to the pack….every game except one of course :p
I believe all Viking fans must be masochistic!!
Samer to you guys!
Thanksgiving doesn’t mean as much without an undefeated Boise in town.
Go Nevada Wolf Pack!
by BacksThePack on Apr 30, 2010 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions
Reynaud moved to RB
Reynaud switched to running back. They liked what they saw when Reynaud was acting as scout team Reggie Bush when preparing for the Saints game. He’ll probably be our third RB this year, bumping out Young..
With Webb’s potential, I think he’s most likely our fifth or sixth WR this year. If we only go with five, Jaymar is the most at risk of losing a spot on the roster.
Tahi is gone
One of the great things about drafting Gerhart is we can finally dump Tahi, which means our backs will likely be AP, Gerhart, Young and Reynaud, with Ian Johnson as practice squad injury insurance. WR looks like Berrian, Harvin, Rice, Lewis, Johnson, Webb
Toby isn't a fullback
Tahi’s status with the team isn’t affected by drafting Toby.
I’m drawing a blank as to how Young makes the roster, now that we drafted Toby. Reynaud has good value as our best punt returner in recent history, and roster spots are too scarce to carry four RBs, especially since we’ve added a kickoff specialist kicker.
I think he makes the team. Spielman also talked about getting big bodies on special teams. I believe the quote was that they didn’t want “gnat” players running down the field. Webb is a big body and fast, so he would be a huge value on special teams while developing as a WR. Probably gets a shot at KR/PR too. Would save Harvin some head shots.
Man was i confused when it said Christopher Gates
back to the point, at some point you have to figure, enough talent will get you somewhere
Webb won't be catching passes by Farve . More like R.J.Archer .........
Everson Griffen runs a 4.59 in the 40 & weights 263 .That’s an impact player . Kiper called Cushing from USC maxed out . What you see is what you get . He is a faster , more athletic , and more gifted than Udeze . Picture this guy as a MLB . WOW Don’t give me the EJ talk . Ej is an instant Pro Bowler as a WILL backer .
I didn't realize he was such a beast.
Thats what the Vikings need. Big WR’s with speed, that can out jump opposing DB’s, and maybe break a tackle or two.
If this guy can catch the ball, he shouldn’t have much trouble making the team.
Greg Lewis?
Lewis might not have a whole lot to worry about
Huh?
Why not exactly? He has exactly lit the world on fire or anything. We all know that play in the 49ers game was 75% Favre. Outside of that, he’s an overrated journeyman who just so happened to fit in last year because we had no other viable options for the 4th WR spot. I say if Webb makes the team, Lewis is the first to go.
Greg Lewis will stay
He might not have done much last year, but he did a heck of a lot more than Jaymar Johnson, who had exactly one catch last year. If any of the current WR’s are cut, I’d say Johnson’s the one.
Agree
Veteran wrs like Greg Lewis are a dime a dozen. Jaymar Johnson is probably down there too, but I think he has some returning potential if I remember right. He was injured all the time though which doesn’t exactly raise your stock with coach.
Lewis and Webb fighting for the same position...
Lewis and Webb would be fighting for the backup WIDEOUT position as tall burners… With Darius moving into the backfield, Jaymar becomes Percy’s backup as the shifty slot receiver, along with Reynaud’s versitility… I think that Lewis may be the odd man out to make room for Webb if he continues to impress…
Greg Lewis
When we cut Wade and picked up Lewis, Chilly said part of the reason was because Lewis was capable of backing up all of the receiver positions. Based on what receivers were active/inactive each game, it looks like Lewis was the number four receiver on the team last year. Jaymar was our number six receiver. Lewis had eight catches last year, including getting in the right spot for a last-second game winning TD. Jaymar had one catch for 9 yards.
Lewis was our #4 receiver last year for a reason, and I expect he’ll be our #4 receiver again this year.
Would certainly create opportunities for play calling
especially on the goal line. Not many teams have two tall corners. I’d have to imagine the playbook would include a couple option plays.
I know his QB stats kinds suck...
But he also offers an option at 3rd string should- (heavy forbide) Brett choosen not to return…
Honestly though, I’m rather excited about the pick myself and was rather suprised he fell that far after the pro day showing…
I just hope his hands are better at catching the ball than throwing it…
by Loki Loves Purple on Apr 29, 2010 11:01 PM CDT reply actions
Can he catch?
Can he catch, in trraffic, taking a hit in a NFL game? Can he get open? All other considerations are trivial.
In 2011 after a year with the VIKES could he be that much worse than TJ at QB?
He's certainly seen a lot of football action.
This is not another Todd Lowber situation.
by princelyfrank on Apr 30, 2010 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions
do you think that a guy with this kind of athletic ability would actually make it through waivers to the Vikings’ practice squad? Because I don’t.
ummm … yes, I do. here’s the section of the NFL rule book covering the reason for my belief:
"a player under contract to a club as a Practice Squad player is completely free to sign a contract with another NFL club during the season in order to be on the second club’s Active/Inactive (i.e., 53 man) list. A practice squad player may not sign an NFL Player Contract with his Club’s next opponent later than 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the sixth day preceding the game (except in bye weeks, when the prohibition commences on the tenth day preceding the game).If another club signs a Practice Squad player to its 53 man roster it does not have to provide any sort of compensation to the player’s former club but it generally must keep the player on the 53 man roster for at least 3 weeks "
If no team wanted to spend a > 7th round pick for this guy, and this guy is a long term prospect, then no team will want to waste a space on their 53 man roster for the first 1/4 of the season!!! Really man, come on … we were freaking out about losing Booty a year ago, a much higher draft pick (and which didn’t happen). Thinking we have to “protect” Webb by finding a place on the active roster — at the expense of some other player on a pretty talent-deep (and ready to play NOW) team is … kinda paranoid IMO. Sorry.
p.s. actually this section of rules may be slightly more relevant — it mentions waivers explicitly:
Section 2. Signing With Other Clubs:
(a) Any player under contract to a Club as a practice squad player shall be completely free to negotiate and sign a Player Contract with any Club at any time during the League Year, to serve as a player on any Club’s Active or Inactive List, and any Club is completely free to negotiate and sign such a Player Contract with such player, without penalty or restriction, including, but not limited to, Draft Choice Compensation between Clubs or First Refusal Rights of any kind, or any signing period, except that such player shall not be permitted to sign a Player Contract with another Club to serve as a practice squad player while under contract as a practice squad player.
(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) above, a practice squad player may not sign an NFL Player Contract with his Club’s next opponent later than 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the sixth day preceding the game (except in bye weeks, when the prohibition commences on the tenth day preceding the game).
PPS. I want to be clear,. I am also intrigued by Webb. FOr an end-of-draft pick, why not. I’m just cautioning that I don’t think the Vikings will need to bend over backwards to keep him like you are advocating. Only if he plays in preseason games & displays a lot of flashes immediately, only then does it become a concern. But that is getting the cart WAY ahead of the horse.
Ok Grumpy
But the kid is a freak. Calvin Johnson numbers, receiver in high school and his first year in college. So it’s not brand spanking new. Personally I’m excited and thats if he only does returns with Harvin.
It's a lot easier to love the Vikings when they win...
"Grumpy?"
Did I really deserve that? All I said was that we don’t have to be paranoid that all the other NFL teams are already salivating over grabbing this guy, somehow that all miraculously happened in the week since the draft, in a total vacuum of any new news.
Sheez. I even posted a followup to make clear I liked his potential too, just to head off any possible misinterpretation. I thought. But I guess that was not enough …
Hrm, Grumpy was a dwarf
Do you hate dwarfs?
Seriously, I hope most people here take nothing I say seriously. If I offended you with my flippant remark I apologize.
It's a lot easier to love the Vikings when they win...
Hey guys, sorry for interrupting – I need your help – I’m writing a piece on the ages of offensive linemen in the NFL.
What is the most likely starting 5 along your OL for the upcoming season? For the best accuracy, I’d prefer to hear from you guys rather than trust my own opinions or an ESPN depth chart.
Thanks!
Loadholt, Herrera, Sullivan, Hutchingson, McKinney
It's a lot easier to love the Vikings when they win...
You got it backwards
:)
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!
SKOL!
I was reading them off as I woudl see them as the a terrified Mike linebacker..
It's a lot easier to love the Vikings when they win...
About Johnson
i think he has a lot of potential, but he really wasn’t given any opportunities. Do you guys remember what Chris Carter said about this kid.
he mentioned that Jaymar
really impressed him and he was really going to suprise some people. Or something like that.
A Darko Fan since 2010!
by TheEvilProfessor on May 1, 2010 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions
he mentioned that Jaymar
really impressed him and he was really going to suprise some people. Or something like that.
A Darko Fan since 2010!
by TheEvilProfessor on May 1, 2010 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Webb
I most certainly hope we don’t lose Webb like we did Booty. If I don’t get a chance to see Webb play in purple and find out he went to another team because the Vikings didn’t try to find a way to hold him, I’ll be pissed.. And I know many others will too. I know this kid is drafted, but, this is a player who has abilities that are rare. Between Gerhart & Webb, these just may be the two players that get Favre overly excited to return (as more of a for-sure). If Webb can be Moss-like his rookie year, that would be amazing..
Rice, Harvin, Berrian, & Webb… 4 great receivers.. We even have Shiancoe who can play great a TE..
Thats over 4 receivers.. 4 of them proven to be great receivers, and one who should really shine (Webb).
Now, if the pass game is expected, just hand off to AP or Gerhart…
Is it September yet???
They will be remarkably less impressive with TJ throwing to them.
It's a lot easier to love the Vikings when they win...
Possibility at PR?
Maybe he could get a look at returning punts? Reynaud didn’t exactly light the world on fire last year.
The more I hear about this guy, the more I like the pick. But my favorite is Everson Griffen. He can spell Ray Edwards, and if Edwards gets hurt Griffen can step in and dominate. You know Pat Williams and Jared Allen won’t tolerate any loafing.
The more I know the more I like....
Sophomore year, he put 180 yards and 2 td’s in back to back road games against Michigan State and Florida State in 06 as a receiver.
Two games later ran for 81 yards on 18 carries.
Random stuff I like.
Had a punting average of over 44 yards.
Played a highshool playoff game with a broken arm.
Solid in school, not only graduated in December but interned(!) this year in his field of study.
Of course this isn’t the NCAA anymore, but he sounds like a guy comfortable doing what he’s asked to do, and doing it well. Sounds like a worker and a guy who could have “something to prove”.
This is good stuff!
High character kid, works hard, plays hard, fits a lot of places… Sounds like he’s got some serious wiggle… Could be a nice find!!
The vid reminds me of another Joe
Joey Gathright. He was a TB CF prospect who came up with the Royals and was best known for his blinding speed and the ability to jump over a car. I was a Gathright fan, but he simply couldn’t get on base consistently enough, and now he’s a nobody/never was.
Joe Webb should not be assumed to be a great WR already based on pro day #s because they say nothing of his hands. Skills are the difference between major league players and amazing athletes, and we don’t know about Joe Webb’s skills much at all. He is intriguing, though, and I hope he has the skills to contribute.
BERRIAN FACTOR - who will replace BB after next year???
I may have missed a comment in the thread but why is no one bringing up the fact that after next year i honestly see us parting ways with Berrian….I am not sure of his contract details but we could def. get a pick for him at the very least save some money.
Unless he stays healthy this whole upcoming year and gets in a better groove with our QB (which he did towards the end of the year) i think all the WR’s on our squad are for that particular reason….to groom his successor
More to like about Webb
Just read on Kevin Seiffert’s NFC North blog that Joe Webb is much larger than reported. He was listed as 6’2 to 6’3 pre-draft but the Vikings are listing him at 6’4 and Seiffert notes that he is every bit that size. Webb has gone from a QB that everyone on draft day said WTF about to a guy that is a Calvin Johnson clone as far as size, speed, and measurables. This guy is going to be fun to watch and is quickly becoming the most talked about sixth-rounder outside of Brady.
Jaymar
Childress has referred to Jaymar as the hardest working player on the team on more than one occasion. Possible soft spot for him?
I’m rooting for Webb too. He was in the National Honor Society in high school, not that it means anything on an NFL field. Love the pick— extremely high upside with little downside.
by drew10 on Apr 30, 2010 9:08 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
One question?
Does Chilly have an off season home in Alabama or something. Besides hopping over to visit BF we seem to get a few picks from teams in that area. Kids no one esle seems to have even noticed.
Just a thought..
Doesn't seem like it..
He was born & graduated in the state of Illinois…
Here is his history of where he has worked as a coach for the NFL.
* University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, running backs/wide receivers coach (1978–1984)
* Indianapolis Colts, quarterbacks coach (1985)
* Northern Arizona University, offensive coordinator (1986–1989)
* University of Utah, wide receivers coach (1990)
* University of Wisconsin–Madison, running backs coach, offensive coordinator (1991–1998)
* Philadelphia Eagles, quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator (1999–2005)
And now the Minnesota Vikings…. As a Head-Coach.
Must have some sort of other connection in that area. Maybe a highly trusted scout that is from that area.
Northern Ariz
Childress hired Andy Reid has his line coach at Northern. Then Reid returned the favor a dozen years later.
Hands
I have read somewhere that Webb also has freakishly large hands and catches very well. Does anyone else remember anything like that?
Yes
On his draft-day thread somebody posted his measurables and Youtube video when we were all wondering who the hell he was. I’m pretty sure his hand size was listed as 10 3/4" and I believe Spielman said he caught the ball very naturally at the Senior Bowl.
by CanadianViking on May 4, 2010 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions
11" hands
I’m pretty sure I read that in an interview I believe from Spielman himself.
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