Burton VRS Webb

[tnvikesfan]

They need to keep Webb and then USE him. He's a big guy, has good hands and can make a difference. If he's a little unpracticed at route running, then get him practiced. I think he had very good potential as QB and was sorry to see that dropped in favor of Ponder. I think with equal work that Webb would be better than Ponder. He's obviously more athletic, and made quick reads from the beginning.

Yes, in a pinch he could run the offense, but we'd be very basic. I doubt ANY player could be competent and consistant at 2 skill positions.

[The Breeze]

Whether you keep a 6th WR or 3rd QB I still have them keeping 27 defensive players, 23 on offense and the 3 specialists.

So, you're saying that if they only carry 2 QBs, you'll expect them to carry 6 WRs.
Whereas I'd want an extra DB or LB over 6th WR.

However, I'm not sold on cutting MBT either. If he lights it up this week...keep him. He has more upside than Cassel.

[The Breeze]

Yeah, I get the part about the 2 QB thing and Webb. It was originally tossed out there as a way to keep both Burton and Webb.



I was saying they're likely to carry 4 more defensive players than offense regardless. I don't see them keeping both a 3rd QB and a 6th WR. Unless you mean you rather have neither and carry a 7th CB or 8th LB instead.

Yeah, that's exactly what I'm saying. I'm worried about injuries at those 2 positions...

[PurpleKoolaid]

I m not sure about even keeping Webb as the 3rd string is an option (no pun intended). After seeing him try and play last year against the Pack, I never want him to play QB again (at least for us). But then, I don't really want to see Cassel playing it either. Boggles the mind how little the Vikes management knows about QBs.

[headless_norseman]

But you aren't developing MBT that way. If Webb is going to play WR he should be all in with that, and not halfway in 2 positions. I know decades ago before my time, they had Bob Lee as a punter and backup QB, but punter is a much easier position than WR.

Bob Lee > the worst QB in Viking history.

[headless_norseman]

I m not sure about even keeping Webb as the 3rd string is an option (no pun intended). After seeing him try and play last year against the Pack, I never want him to play QB again (at least for us). But then, I don't really want to see Cassel playing it either. Boggles the mind how little the Vikes management knows about QBs.

Can't judge a QB by throwing him in on those conditions.

[Raptorman]

Looks like Webb is toast. Most people here want him to stay so it's a given he will be gone.

[Eli]

For those who say "who cares", because the 5th receiver won't see much playing time, I wouldn't be so sure.

Cordarrelle Patterson is a giant, raw, unknown quantity. He's guaranteed to make the squad, but that doesn't automatically make him the #3 or even the #4 receiver. I think we'll get a better feel for that (what the coaches have obviously been doing in the preseason - getting a feel) as the year progresses, but I'm not sure how much the Vikings will be relying on him. From what we've seen so far, he's not going to make anyone forget Percy Harvin anytime soon, so even those bubble screens and gadget plays with him in the backfield may be short-lived.

[Lars]

Run Blocking.

I hear Webb blocks pretty well.

[Texas Vike]

For those who say "who cares", because the 5th receiver won't see much playing time, I wouldn't be so sure.

Cordarrelle Patterson is a giant, raw, unknown quantity. He's guaranteed to make the squad, but that doesn't automatically make him the #3 or even the #4 receiver. I think we'll get a better feel for that (what the coaches have obviously been doing in the preseason - getting a feel) as the year progresses, but I'm not sure how much the Vikings will be relying on him. From what we've seen so far, he's not going to make anyone forget Percy Harvin anytime soon, so even those bubble screens and gadget plays with him in the backfield may be short-lived.

Am I sensing a change of avatar photo?

[Eli]

Am I sensing a change of avatar photo?

The kid has a huge upside, but would you honestly be surprised if it takes him two full seasons to become a real receiving threat?

[Texas Vike]

The kid has a huge upside, but would you honestly be surprised if it takes him two full seasons to become a real receiving threat?

Nope, not at all. And just to be clear, I wasn't trying to be a smart aleck w/ my comments. It just sounded odd to read your comments while seeing that photo alongside.

I thought he looked impressive in the first game; he was more polished than I'd anticipated and was running down field routes well, which surprised me. He's stood out less since that first game though. In the end, Percy was a monster last year to start the season. To think of how bad we've looked w/o AD this preseason and compare that to how we started the season last year, essentially w/o AD... it was Percy that carried us.

[The Breeze]

Am I sensing a change of avatar photo?

I vote for a plate of warm biscuits~


But to Eli's point:

I think the 5th guy should be Webb and he should be a short yardage and redzone specialist.
He's big and fast enough to get off the line and run right by you if you press him, and if you throw him a quick out or a slant, he'll get good yards.
Down in the redzone, between him, Rudolph, Simpson, Patterson and Peterson, you'd think their chances for 6 would be good more oten than not.

So, regardless of how long it takes #84 to get it down, they should make use of ALL the talent at the position not bury guys on the depth chart. Greg Jennings is the #1 WR but IMO, he's #5 in atheletic ability. The potential they have at the position is formidable. I hope Musgrave can make it work.

[Texas Vike]

This whole thread is somewhat alarming, as it demonstrates a huge difference of opinion, from what I can gather, between how fans and the coaching staff view the #5 WR.

Judging by the preseason games, in which Burton has routinely played w/ the ones and twos, while Webb has played with 3s and the "we'll be cut on Saturday" crew, it seems that the coaching staff views Burton as clearly ahead of Webb.

The overwhelming consensus here is in favor of Webb.

I, myself, am a bit torn. I think Burton is sounder in his technique and just appears more polished (not withstanding his two f ups this past game). But it's also clear to me that Webb is a freak athlete that offers us some very enticing opportunities to create match up problems. HIs TD vs. SF was EXACTLY what he offers us. He'll learn to run cleaner routes and his upside is worth investing in. Ultimately, I'd like to keep both. I think Burton is more likely to get through to the PS than Webb, so if that's the route they plan to go, I hope they keep Webb on the active roster.

[PurpleKoolaid]

Very interesting. If you go back into later threads, esp. game day threads, there's much more talk about Burton then Webb, so much so I thought I was alone in hoping Webb made the team strictly as a receiver.

I personally like the idea of both making it. But it may be that our DBs are in worse shape. I'm so glad we decided to dump Winfield without trying to negotiate with him first.