The Minnesota Vikings will have a new look in 2013 after getting rid of some old players and adding new ones and while Adrian Peterson is expecting to be his old self, former backup quarterback Joe Webb is expected to have a big new role on offense.
According to Pro Football Talk, head coach Leslie Frazier is planning to use Webb on offense as a wide receiver after signing Matt Cassel at quarterback to backup Christian Ponder, as he played some of that in college and has excellent speed for his position. Reports say now that Frazier also may use Webb like he used Percy Harvin in the offense and could add returning punts as another responsibility.
According to 1500ESPN.com, Webb was returning punts at OTAs on Wednesday and was working with the special teams coaches to get better acclimated on the unit. Webb has played some receiver before and his speed could make him a deadly addition to the offense after the team traded away Percy Harvin in the offseason to the Seattle Seahawks.
Webb played receiver for a time at Alabama-Birmingham and caught 30 passes for 459 yards as a sophomore and after starting the Vikings playoff game last year for Christian Ponder, he will now catch passes from him. Cordarrelle Patterson will get the chance to start as a rookie with Greg Jennings, but now with Webb in the mix the three have slightly less pressure and one may be able to step up as the primary option after Harvin was traded.
Webb went 11 of 30 passes for 180 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the playoff loss to Green Bay, but his speed and quick moves are what the Vikings love and they hope it can translate back into the offense to help with the loss of Harvin. He played in 11 games in 2011 and started two as a rookie and now he has the chance to make more explosive plays.
Adrian Peterson is expected to have another great season and if Christian Ponder struggles, the team has a new backup option in Matt Cassel. By signing Cassel the team is putting a new role in the hands of former backup Joe Webb, as head coach Leslie Frazier wants to see more of him on offense this season. Webb is one of the faster players on the team and Frazier wants to use him more as a receiver this year than a quarterback and said that they also plan to put him in other spots like they did with Harvin.
Cassel had a rough season with the Chiefs last year but he has proven in the past that he can lead a team to the playoffs and he may get that chance again. The Vikings went 10-6 last season and made the playoffs in the final week with a win against Green Bay and the team ranked 31st in passing with just over 170 yards per game, which could give Cassel and opening to the job.