The Minnesota Vikings are planning on using Joe Webb as a wide receiver and after using him to return punts and trying that out, head coach Leslie Frazier said that Webb will focus more on the offense rather than special teams.
According to Pro Football Talk, Frazier said that Webb may end up working as a kick returner rather than on punts after giving some work in ORA workouts and he said that the punts will help him get back into the swing of playing wide receiver. Frazier feels that webb can give the team a new element on offense like Percy Harvin did before he was traded. Marcus Sherels was the punt returner in 2012 and Webb now can work on playing wideout.
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.
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 has excellent speed and quick moves and he previously played receiver at UAB in college, catching 30 passes for 459 yards as a sophomore and now he will help with the loss of Percy Harvin in the offense after dealing him to the Seattle Seahawks. Webb along with Cordarrelle Patterson and Greg Jennings will be the primary receivers for the team and Adrian Peterson will be ready for another big year. The Vikings offense may take a hit without Harvin, but Webb has shown he has explosive speed and could be the primary slot option.
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.