While Christian Ponder may be the incumbent, the Minnesota Vikings quarterback who actually started a playoff game after the 2012 season is no longer in the picture at the position.
The Vikings are planning to convert former backup quarterback Joe Webb into a full-time receiver for the team, according to The Associated Press. Webb completed 11 of 30 passes for 180 yards in last year’s 24-10 wild card loss to the Green Bay Packers, but it’s Webb’s skills as a wideout at Alabama-Birmingham that Minnesota is looking at.
Webb was a quarterback and receiver in college. When the Vikings picked him in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL draft, many thought he was actually being drafted as a receiver, with his athleticism the main draw. However, Minnesota signed Matt Cassel to be Ponder’s backup this offseason, leaving Webb without a role.
The Vikings told Webb their plan after they took Tennessee receiver Cordarrelle Patterson in last month’s draft.
“Coach brought me in the office and talked to me about the different plans they had and stuff,” Webb told 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. [Wide receivers coach George Stewart] will do a lot of that with me, so we’ll see what happens.”
Webb ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine as a prospect. However, he’s only caught one pass in the NFL.
Photo via Facebook/Joe Webb
