Why Joe Webb Should Start the Season Opener

Who would've thought that Joe Webb, the 199th pick of the 2010 NFL draft, would have even had a shot at playing a snap during the 2010 season.


Brett Favre was the obvious leader of the team and had just come off of a near Super Bowl run that ended with a pass picked off by Saints' Tracy Porter. After receiving a concussion from a hit by Bears' Corey Wootton, the Vikings' "future franchise quarterback" in Tarvaris Jackson, filled the NFL's touchdown leaders spot. Tarvaris showed his lack of mental and physical toughness when he ran into teammate Adrian Peterson resulting in a trip to the IR with a diagnosis of turf toe.



In comes Joe Webb. Joe, who ran a 4.43 40-yard-dash, completed 15 of 26 passes for 129 yards and ran six times for 38 yards and a touchdown. Not terrible for his first game, aside from the fact that he also threw two interceptions. However, the next week, Webb shocked the Eagles by completing 17 of 26 passes for 195 yards, and ran for 31 yards and another rushing touchdown. Remember, this was a crucial game for the Eagles, as they were still in contention for a first round bye. Joe definitely showed his potential during this game and proved he is an NFL ready quarterback. He managed to lose the final game of the year against the Lions but then again, the game had no meaning whatsoever.



So Joe's starting spot was in jeapordy because of this loss and subsequently, the Vikings drafted Florida State's injury-struck Christian Ponder with the 12th pick of the draft. Yes, Ponder has the talent of a quarterback but he is not NFL-ready. I think that Joe Webb should be able to start out the first few games of the season (assuming the lockout ends), and then if Joe is unable to perform at starting quarterback level, Ponder should be thrown in. The Vikes should also sign a veteran who could help out Ponder and Webb once training camp starts.



For me, the three main reasons Joe should start the Week One game against the Chargers this year is because he is more athletic, faster, and has more NFL experience than Ponder. Joe was able to learn from
one of the game's best quarterbacks and leaders of all time, and definitely has a one-up on Ponder. Hopefully the Vikes will start Webb in Week One and maybe he is the answer for this West Coast Style
offense.

Comments are welcomed.

Are you Joe Webb's father?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by "i_bleed_purple" #1100882

Are you Joe Webb's father?

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lol

I wouldn't mind watching Webb week 1. He's exciting, and if he's become a little more refined he could be pretty damn good.


What's with the spacing? It made your post kind of tough to read.

Yup, Joe Webb should start week 1. As the kick returner.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by "i_bleed_purple" #1100882

Are you Joe Webb's father?

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Welcome to PP.O Joseph Webb, Sr.

Webb showed some spark last season when he played, but that doesn't give him a "leg up" on Ponder.

While being "more athletic, faster", and having "more NFL experience" are elements in the decision, they are far from the total package. Fact is, Tarvaris Jackson is fast, athletic, and has quite a bit of NFL experience...and we're dumping him.

QB is a position of intangibles...maybe more so than any other position. It isn't just how well you throw or run, it's also about reading Defenses, understanding your receivers and knowing where they are - and where they're going to be, about understanding the flow of the game and when to run, when to throw.

Peyton Manning isn't fast. He's not what many define as "athletic". But he's possibly the greatest pure QB to ever play the game.

Tom Brady isn't fast. He just reads opposing teams incredibly well, and plays within his system. As a result, he simply wins.

Joe Montana wasn't fast. He wasn't a superb "Athlete". But no QB (until Brady/Manning) saw the field like Joe did. No one was as cool under pressure.

And the list goes on.

Bottom line, I doubt Webb starts. Webb is a VERY raw project guy who may turn into something if he works hard. What Ponder is...we have no idea.

Caine

Quote:

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Originally Posted by "Caine" #1100889

Webb showed some spark last season when he played, but that doesn't give him a "leg up" on Ponder.

While being "more athletic, faster", and having "more NFL experience" are elements in the decision, they are far from the total package. Fact is, Tarvaris Jackson is fast, athletic, and has quite a bit of NFL experience...and we're dumping him.

QB is a position of intangibles...maybe more so than any other position. It isn't just how well you throw or run, it's also about reading Defenses, understanding your receivers and knowing where they are - and where they're going to be, about understanding the flow of the game and when to run, when to throw.

Peyton Manning isn't fast. He's not what many define as "athletic". But he's possibly the greatest pure QB to ever play the game.

Tom Brady isn't fast. He just reads opposing teams incredibly well, and plays within his system. As a result, he simply wins.

Joe Montana wasn't fast. He wasn't a superb "Athlete". But no QB (until Brady/Manning) saw the field like Joe did. No one was as cool under pressure.

And the list goes on.

Bottom line, I doubt Webb starts. Webb is a VERY raw project guy who may turn into something if he works hard. What Ponder is...we have no idea.

Caine

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Love this post... I completely agree!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by "i_bleed_purple" #1100882

Are you Joe Webb's father?

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not his father, just a huge fan - watched him in college a lot and followed him from day one as a viking

Quote:

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Originally Posted by "Mr Anderson" #1100884

I wouldn't mind watching Webb week 1. He's exciting, and if he's become a little more refined he could be pretty damn good.


What's with the spacing? It made your post kind of tough to read.

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sorry for the weird spacing, i'll fix it now. i had posted it on fannation a few weeks ago so I just copied and pasted it onto here