The Webb experiment is finally over!

[dead_poet]

There seem to be players at all levels in the NFL who have truly great hands. Tight ends, especially, right down to the practice squad. These are guys who aren't always very athletic, who don't run fast, and don't always block well. They make it in college and sometimes in the pros because they're big targets and the ball seldom gets by them. Allen Reisner was a great example. Rhett Ellison, from what we saw last year, has great hands. And I've read the same of both fringe players on the Vikings roster, Chase Ford and Colin Anderson. But how many of those guys become great receivers? Takes a LOT more than great hands at this level.

Sure. But they don't all have Webb's freak athletic ability. One of the major knocks against him previously WAS his catching ability (or lack thereof). If that's no longer an issue, to me, that just means one less thing he has to work on in order to make the 53. He has a height/weight/vertical advantage as well. Obviously there is more to it than that, but he's trending in the right direction if his past catching troubles are behind him.

[mondry]

Sure. But they don't all have Webb's freak athletic ability. One of the major knocks against him previously WAS his catching ability (or lack thereof). If that's no longer an issue, to me, that just means one less thing he has to work on in order to make the 53. He has a height/weight/vertical advantage as well. Obviously there is more to it than that, but he's trending in the right direction if his past catching troubles are behind him.

Sounds like he's on par with Cordarelle Patterson then!

[PsyDanny]

Sounds like he's on par with Cordarelle Patterson then!

Pretty dang sweet if he was....

[Mothman]

Sure. But they don't all have Webb's freak athletic ability. One of the major knocks against him previously WAS his catching ability (or lack thereof). If that's no longer an issue, to me, that just means one less thing he has to work on in order to make the 53. He has a height/weight/vertical advantage as well. Obviously there is more to it than that, but he's trending in the right direction if his past catching troubles are behind him.

I'd say that's a big "if" based on one day of OTAs but we'll see. I suspect Webb will be a big story all summer, until he either makes the team or gets cut.

[Demi]

One of the major knocks against him previously WAS his catching ability

Didn't the removal of a bar in Williamson's face mask also result in some improved OTA catching abilities?

[HornedMessiah]

Didn't the removal of a bar in Williamson's face mask also result in some improved OTA catching abilities?

Don't forget the visit to the prestigious Nike Sports Institute. Didn't he "correct" some vision problems while there?

I really hope Webb can make the team as a WR but the odds are against him. Raw athletic ability should not win him a roster spot over a guy who is fundamentally a better WR. We'll see how well he catches the ball when he knows a safety is bearing down on him. If he does make the team I don't think he'll be a traditional WR, at least not right away. They'll design screen passes and reverses for him and maybe move him into the backfield. He wouldn't be able to fill that role as well as Harvin did, but I could see them trying it out.

[Raptorman]

Don't forget the visit to the prestigious Nike Sports Institute. Didn't he "correct" some vision problems while there?

I really hope Webb can make the team as a WR but the odds are against him. Raw athletic ability should not win him a roster spot over a guy who is fundamentally a better WR. We'll see how well he catches the ball when he knows a safety is bearing down on him. If he does make the team I don't think he'll be a traditional WR, at least not right away. They'll design screen passes and reverses for him and maybe move him into the backfield. He wouldn't be able to fill that role as well as Harvin did, but I could see them trying it out.

Well the bar removal and "Nike, I can see clearly now" eye institute may have helped him see the ball, but they did nothing to help with his "stone" hands.

[dead_poet]

Joe Webb - WR - Vikings
The Vikings are working to find creative ways to use converted WR Joe Webb.

Coach Leslie Frazier spoke about using Webb in multiple looks, saying "we do have ideas about some things we want to do with him beyond just lining him up at the X or the Z position." However, Frazier concedes that Webb has a long way to go in terms of running routes, a skill not easily mastered. We expect Webb to have a difficult time developing into a serviceable weapon for the team.
Source: Profootballtalk on NBCSports.com May 29 - 7:42 PM

[dead_poet]

Webb talks position switch at OTAs (video): http://www.vikings.com/media-vault/vide ... 4a314505b4

[Mothman]

The irony of this thread's title amuses me.

Kevin Siefert has a post about Webb on his blog:

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_ ... thleticism

[Eli]

The irony of this thread's title amuses me.

The first Webb experiment?

Kevin Siefert has a post about Webb on his blog:

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_ ... thleticism

Siefert:

I don't disagree with the final sentiment: Rather than trying to mold Webb into a classic receiver and expect perfect route discipline, why not create the kind of hybrid role that emphasizes his open-field running ability and minimizes his inexperience?

This has been the general sentiment echoed by many fans, but I question Webb's open-field running ability. He showed running ability as a QB, but running with the ball as a QB couldn't be more different than running with it as a receiver. How many times have we seen slow, unathletic QBs run for 15 or 20 yards because everyone in the defensive secondary is 30 yards down field with their backs to the play? That's not to say I don't look forward to seeing what he _can_ do. If it turns out he really is great in the open field as a receiver, we'll all be ruing the day someone decided to keep him at QB.

Then you have to ask: How many receivers can you have on one team where you're manufacturing touches for them? We saw it catch up to the Vikings somewhat by midseason last year when they were doing it with Percy Harvin. Now they're going to have both Patterson and Webb doing the same thing? I don't see it.

[Mothman]

The first Webb experiment?

LOL! Maybe that would be a more accurate description.

This has been the general sentiment echoed by many fans, but I question Webb's open-field running ability. He showed running ability as a QB, but running with the ball as a QB couldn't be more different than running with it as a receiver. How many times have we seen slow, unathletic QBs run for 15 or 20 yards because everyone in the defensive secondary is 30 yards down field with their backs to the play? That's not to say I don't look forward to seeing what he _can_ do. If it turns out he really is great in the open field as a receiver, we'll all be ruing the day someone decided to keep him at QB.

I question his open field running ability too, for the same reason. I think he's shown he can run and make people miss but as you said, running from the QB position is different than running as a reciever.

[S197]

I don't know, I think he has showcased his open field running ability pretty well. There are elusive QB's and then there are guys like Kaepernick who just have a knack for making plays with their feet. I think Webb fits in with the latter. His problem will be getting the ball. Can he get open, etc. Once the ball is in his hands, I don't really see a problem, not only is he fast, he's also incredibly strong. I recall numerous times where 95% of QB's in this league would have been sacked but Webb would not go down. I agree that it will be hard for the Vikings to maintain two raw receivers on the roster but Webb's big asset right now is he's way ahead in terms of knowing the offense. That might be enough to land him that last WR spot, especially considering the competition.

[Mothman]

I don't know, I think he has showcased his open field running ability pretty well. There are elusive QB's and then there are guys like Kaepernick who just have a knack for making plays with their feet. I think Webb fits in with the latter. His problem will be getting the ball. Can he get open, etc. Once the ball is in his hands, I don't really see a problem, not only is he fast, he's also incredibly strong. I recall numerous times where 95% of QB's in this league would have been sacked but Webb would not go down. I agree that it will be hard for the Vikings to maintain two raw receivers on the roster but Webb's big asset right now is he's way ahead in terms of knowing the offense. That might be enough to land him that last WR spot, especially considering the competition.

I'm sure he has some open field running ability but running away from DEs and LBs when a play breaks down is very different from evading CBs, safeties and LBs in the open field after a reception. Webb can run and if he makes the team as a receiver, I suspect he'll be pretty effective running after the catch because he's big and strong but I wouldn't expect it look like it did when he was evading a pass rush. There's a different level of agility involved.

[Spiderbeavis]

LOL! Maybe that would be a more accurate description.

As you can see, I have already owned up to my egregious titling error...

Granted, I should have said "Webb QB experiment:...but yeah, I don't even believe in him as a WR. Hope he proves me wrong.