Hang on to Joe Webb

SkolBucky — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 23:34:11 -0000

I've been thinking a lot about what the Vikings should do at receiver and quarterback this offseason, and reading a lot of the posts and comments around the DN. There have been lots of suggestions at quarterback (draft now, let Ponder have a year, bring in a vet as a backup or to challenge him), and it remains clear that Webb can't remain the number two guy. Simply put, he's not fit to be a QB in the NFL. I've heard thoughts that we should trade him for late picks or cut him.

But it is obvious that Joe Webb has some pretty good physical ability. The read-option torched Green Bay on the opening drive. Is it not possible to run Webb in some sort of read-option/wildcat package to run maybe 4 or 5 downs a game?

As you can tell by screen name, I'm a fan of the Badgers. Watching Wisconsin this year, there were many times (probably over 50% near the end of the season) where they had more than one running back on the field at a time. In their version of the Wildcat (nicknamed the Barge), they sometimes had three backs. James White took the snap, and he could give it to either Ball, also in the backfield, or Melvin Gordon running across in motion for a jet sweep.

Why did they do this? They had a lack of receiver depth, so they were trying to put their playmakers (i.e. running backs) in positions to succeed. I think Joe Webb could be put in a similar position and do very well. There's no denying he's a very gifted runner, and if opposing defenses occassionally have to respect the pass against him? It could be a very effective package indeed. Imagine the same scenario above, except with Adrian Peterson in the backfield and Percy Harvin running motion across. That screams potential

At around $600k, Webb is a very low risk option. If we tried something like this and it failed? Big deal. We barely paid anything for him. If it succeeded? It could add a very explosive part to this offense.

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Hang on to Joe Webb