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I love it when a cranial-rectal separation procedure goes successfully, however long we had to wait...halle-freaking-lujah!!Coach Leslie Frazier said the decision to shift Webb to receiver was made after the draft, when the team selected receiver Cordarrelle Patterson in the first round and also because the Vikings had signed free agent quarterback Matt Cassel.
“We had been talking about it for a while, and we made the decision that this was the way to go after we had our draft,” Frazier said.
"I ain't got time to bleed! Unless it's purple...in which case I can work it in."I've thought about that too. I feel the Vikings should have Ponder throw the ball up to guys like Webb and Simpson because of their leaping ability. Nobody can jump with them.dead_poet wrote:The logical move. His comments seem a bit disappointed and it's clear it'll be an uphill battle. Rooting for him. Really wish he would've started there coming out of college. He's going to be at a pretty big disadvantage when it comes to the other receivers on the roster. Maybe initially he can carve a small niche role as a red zone threat with his leaping ability.
I think that's pretty much the expected outcome by everyone. But it would be a feel-good story if it plays out differently.JEC334 wrote:He'll be cut before the season starts. Just watch.
Unfortunately he'll have significant competition in the form of Patterson. To my knowledge he doesn't have much experience with returns. I'm not sure how comfortable I'd be with him returning punts. For whatever reason that prospect scares me. I just don't have much faith in his return abilities.soflavike wrote:Webb could be a pretty awesome return man, too. Becoming a special teams stud will be key to his sticking on the roster. We'll see if he pans out.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_ ... er-finallyThe Minnesota Vikings finally are following up on their first instinct on Joe Webb. Four years after drafting him with plans to attempt a conversion to receiver, the Vikings have confirmed that Webb is now a receiver moving forward.
Coach Leslie Frazier and Webb himself discussed the decision with Sid Hartman of the Star Tribune, one that apparently was solidified after the team in March signed free agent Matt Cassel to be its No. 2 quarterback. Cassel's arrival left Webb at best as the Vikings' No. 3 quarterback, a waste of his undeniable athletic skills.)
Webb has dabbled elsewhere since the 2010 draft, working as a wildcat quarterback at times while also catching one pass and returning a kickoff in 2011, but the Vikings could never make up their mind on whether they wanted him as a quarterback with "slash capabilities" or playing another position entirely.
He will be a huge target at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, but everyone should recognize how difficult a position change is at this point in a player's career. Although Webb spent some time at receiver at Alabama-Birmingham, the level of nuance required at the NFL level is incomparable. Using Webb at a position other than quarterback makes sense based on how the Vikings' roster is constituted now. But this type of conversion would have made better sense for a rookie spending a year on the practice squad than a fourth-year player who has already bombed out of one positio
He's never struck me as a player with the nimble moves and agility to be an effective punt returner. Perhaps he'd be good on kickoffs but as you said, he'll have competition there in Patterson (and let's face it, Patterson is probably the favorite to get that job).dead_poet wrote: Unfortunately he'll have significant competition in the form of Patterson. To my knowledge he doesn't have much experience with returns. I'm not sure how comfortable I'd be with him returning punts. For whatever reason that prospect scares me. I just don't have much faith in his return abilities.
I have to agree. We'll just have to see at training camp. I dont expect him to beat out Patterson and Jennings. But if he can out perform Simpson and Wright then he could have a good chance on the team.Eli wrote: I think that's pretty much the expected outcome by everyone. But it would be a feel-good story if it plays out differently.
Call me cynical but I see very little chance of that. If Webb makes the team at WR, it will likely be as the 5th or 6th option. He's facing a big learning curve at a position he hasn't played in years.JEC334 wrote:I have to agree. We'll just have to see at training camp. I dont expect him to beat out Patterson and Jennings. But if he can out perform Simpson and Wright then he could have a good chance on the team.
Simpson and Wright?? That's not going to happen.JEC334 wrote:But if he can out perform Simpson and Wright then he could have a good chance on the team.
Eli wrote: Simpson and Wright?? That's not going to happen.
He'll be contending with Greg Childs, Stephen Burton, last year's practice squad guys like LaMark Brown and Chris Summers, and a couple of undrafted free agents like Rodney Smith and Erik Highsmith for the 5th and, possibly, 6th WR spots.
I dont see why not. For one Simpson is not even all that good. He was suppose to be our number #2 but couldn't cut the mustard and will probably lose it to Patterson. Jarius Wright, had a couple of big plays last season but that should not make him comfortable in any way. As far as Im concern, the only WR who should be comfortable right now is Jennings. Everybody else needs to prove themselves. We were 31st in passing and I refuse to put all the blame on Ponder. These WRs didnt do much to help him out. Harvin missed a portion of the season and still ended up with the most receiving yards, sad......Eli wrote: Simpson and Wright?? That's not going to happen.
He'll be contending with Greg Childs, Stephen Burton, last year's practice squad guys like LaMark Brown and Chris Summers, and a couple of undrafted free agents like Rodney Smith and Erik Highsmith for the 5th and, possibly, 6th WR spots.
I completely agree. Realistically, he's fighting for a roster spot, not a potential starting role. It would be a big surprise if he's better than the 5th or 6th WR on the team. BIG.Eli wrote: Simpson and Wright?? That's not going to happen.
He'll be contending with Greg Childs, Stephen Burton, last year's practice squad guys like LaMark Brown and Chris Summers, and a couple of undrafted free agents like Rodney Smith and Erik Highsmith for the 5th and, possibly, 6th WR spots.
