The Minnesota Vikings have finally done what they have wanted to do with Joe Webb for years, as he now will be converted into a full time wide receiver after serving as a backup quarterback with the team over the past few years.
According to NFL.com, Webb will be moved full time to receiver after starting the playoff game against the Packers last year for the Vikings, as coach Leslie Frazier said that the team was planning to make the move for some time. The team signed Matt Cassel at quarterback to help spur the move and now Cassel could have a chance to challenge Christian Ponder for the starting job depending on how the summer shakes out.
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.
"It's going to be very interesting," Webb said about the position switch. "I haven't played it since my rookie minicamp, but I think I can adjust to it pretty good. You just have to put in a lot of work. (Wide receivers) coach Stew (George Stewart) will do a lot of that with me, so we'll see what happens."
