Webb’s been an NFL backup quarterback since joining the league in 2010. The Birmingham, Alabama native’s last start, on the other hand, came in the Vikings wild-card appearance last season.
He was given the start due to an injury to Christian Ponder near the end of the season. The Vikings went on to lose the game 24-10 to the Green Bay Packers and Webb’s stat line didn’t add up to a future starting role.
The 26-year completed just 11-of-30 passes in the game for 180 yards with one touchdown and an interception. His struggles throwing the football should have been expected as his last pass in an official game before the wild-card came during the Vikings’ season finale against the Chicago Bears in 2011.
Now the Vikings move QB Joe Webb to a receiver slot as the team is set at his formal position with the signing of Matt Cassel. Christian Ponder has secured the starting role while Cassel will serve as his backup.
Most quarterbacks would get the boot when there’s no room for them on the roster, but Webb has always been an athletic and speedy player who’s talent could transition well to the outside.
The Vikings are looking to revamp their receiving core after losing Percy Harvin this offseason. Harvin was traded to the Seattle Seahawks after four seasons in Minnesota where he finished with 3,302 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns.
That’s a lot of production lost for Leslie Frazier’s offense, though he immediately addressed the issue in the NFL Draft. The Vikings selected wide-out Cordarrelle Patterson from the University of Tennessee in the first round, who will accompany Webb as he transitions to the receiving game.
Joe Webb was informed of the move just after the Vikings selected Patterson in the NFL Draft, and the Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) product told the Star-Tribune that he believes he can make the right adjustments.
“Coach brought me in the office and talked to me about the different plans they had and stuff,” he said to Sid Hartman of the Star-Tribune. “I haven’t played [receiver] since my rookie minicamp, but I think I can adjust to it pretty good. You just have to put in a lot of work.”
With the Vikings moving QB Joe Webb to a receiver slot, do you believe they’re desperate to find offense after losing a key contributor like Percy Harvin?
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