Vikings want Webb to focus on quarterback

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Don’t expect to see Joe Webb line up at wide receiver in the future.

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier indicated Friday that the team wants Webb to focus exclusively at quarterback to help his development at the position. Frazier indicated the team will minimize the extra packages that got Webb on the field in creative ways.

Frazier said Webb is a solid No. 2 quarterback and can get better. We wonder if they are truly helping the team by taking one of their most dangerous players off the field. Then again, perhaps focusing on quarterback exclusively will help Webb someday pass Christian Ponder and stay on the field every snap.

The Vikings head coach also talked about Percy Harvin’s usage. They want to get him on the field more next season, even if it’s only as a decoy. Coaches at the Senior Bowl told Frazier how much they fear Harvin.

34 responses to “Vikings want Webb to focus on quarterback

  1. Joe Webb is a very good backup quarterback. If he comes in the game when the other team hasn’t had a chance to prepare for him, he can really be successful. He hasn’t shown any ability to catch a football so it doesn’t make sense to try to make him a wide receiver and hurt his development at quarterback. Don’t underestimate the value of a good backup quarterback, especially with Ponder seeming to be a little injury-prone.

  2. Sad the guy did nothing But out play out hustle Ponder and his Coach says he’s a solid #2 QB.

    No wonder NFL Coaches get fired all the time…. If I was Webb I would Pile Drive Frazier. Down Goes Frazier Down Goes Frazier.. Then I would come off the top of the goal post on Ponder..

    Long Live Webb.

  3. I think zygi needs to take the entire coaching staff “off the field” and start over. These guys have no idea what they are doing.

  4. Taking Webb off the field makes zero sense. Why can’t he be the number 3 (or better) WR and the primary backup QB? 60 Minutes of Webb (a playmaker) on the sideline doesn’t help this team improve.

  5. Am I alone in thinking that Joe Webb might actually turn out to be a better QB than Christian Ponder?

    Both QBs had their moments last year, but down the stretch (thanks to a porous OL), Ponder kept getting hurt. Webb relieved him against Detroit, Washington and Chicago, and quite frankly, outplayed him in each instance.

    If Ponder continues to be the starter, I sincerely hope the team ditches that idiotic ‘blazer’ package, and just lets Webb play QB. Webb is too good an athlete, and too much of a threat with the ball in his hands to keep on the bench all game long.

  6. Of course the Vikings want him to focus on QB. They know that when Ponder shows everyone exactly what he is (average), Webb is going to be put into action. I will never understand the Vikings taking Ponder as high as they did. Guy was an underachiever in college and he didn’t show me much last year for the Vikings. Smart move by the Vikings though. They clearly are going to need an insurance policy for Ponder and truth be told, Webb looked better when he played last year then Ponder did!

  7. One of the best players of the Vikings Joe Webb. And he will be standing on the sideline holding a clipboard! I’m sure a lot of teams like that game plan. Make him your starter or play him at WR. This guy can play!

  8. Vikes should hire contra as a QB coach to help with the development of Webb since contra played high school football.

  9. I am curious to see how Ponder will do in this year now that he will have full offseason, OTA’s and practices and such.

    Doesn’t matter who Vikings QB is if the O-line isn’t patched up.

  10. fwippel says:
    Feb 24, 2012 12:26 PM
    Am I alone in thinking that Joe Webb might actually turn out to be a better QB than Christian Ponder?

    Both QBs had their moments last year, but down the stretch (thanks to a porous OL), Ponder kept getting hurt. Webb relieved him against Detroit, Washington and Chicago, and quite frankly, outplayed him in each instance.

    If Ponder continues to be the starter, I sincerely hope the team ditches that idiotic ‘blazer’ package, and just lets Webb play QB. Webb is too good an athlete, and too much of a threat with the ball in his hands to keep on the bench all game long.

    ———————

    This had a lot to do with what the first commenter on this thread said – Webb is great when you put him in later in the game because he’s dynamic enough that teams that don’t prepare for him get burned. I think Webb is a good reliever, but has a long way to go to be a starter.

    Let’s get some o-line improvement out there and see how Ponder can perform when he’s not running for his life before we judge his entire makeup as a QB on last season when he didn’t get a preseason to prepare, had to play second fiddle to McNabb, and was behind a complete sieve for an O-line.

  11. Did any of you people clamoring for Webb to be the #1 QB actually watch the Vikes regualrly? I’m not endorsing Ponder yet either, but if Webb’s accuracy does not improve dramatically, Frazier is right on the money, he’s a #2…

    Unfortunately the Vikes have a lot of #2’s (and 3’s and 4’s and 5’s, etc…)

  12. Webb SUCKS… stop trying to make him our starting QB. Athleticism does not make up for brains and instinct. If I wanted to watch a Vick-type qb run around all the time and be the teams only source of offense I would watch the Eagles. Why can’t we just have a regular QB… Ponder can be the guy if we get him an OL and some receivers. Wonder why “athletic QBs” have only won one superbowl in the whole history of the league? Move him to WR if you must.. He can be a decent backup to help us stay in a game for a while if Ponder goes down, but he’s not a long-term solution.

  13. How about have him focus on being a starting QB???

    Ponder can’t extend plays or run like Webb!!! Plus, Webb made fewer mistakes with his chances!!!!

    Ponder also has a history of being injury prone and that’s why I ask “why not have a guy who has been improving, but productive despite his rawness??? This means his ceiling hasn’t been reached yet!!

  14. Webb is one talented of a dude thats for sure. But Ponder threw 13 touchdowns in limited games last year….that isnt much fewer then 2 Rookies who went to the Probowl in Newton and Dalton….Not Saying Ponder is in their class yet, but the guy has talent, he is VERY smart, and us as fans need to have his back. I for one think Ponder comes out and has a better season then Dalton! Ponder is rightfully our starting QB in Minnesota!

    Draft Kalil

    Sign 2 Young Talented WR’s in Free Agency (Stevie Johnson. Laurent Robinson)

    Sign some solid lineman that arent projects and can play spot duty!

  15. claymath52 says:Feb 24, 2012 12:53 PM

    Vikings mis-managing their talent……I for one am SHOCKED
    ———————————————————
    ur still shocked bout playoffs!

    Webb is a great backup qb in league, does not have intangibles for starting qb, what he does have is excellent speed like 28, would love to see him in a kick/punt return roll with his speed. it is a sad event when fastest (not necesarrily best) person on team does not get on field more, if he was used more like devin hester he could be great, but then he could not be backup qb

  16. thankheavenfornumberseven says:Feb 24, 2012 12:01 PM

    ..especially with Ponder seeming to be a little injury-prone.

    ——

    Too bad your team didn’t suck a little more this year. You would have had a chance to draft your real QB of the future!

  17. How about comparing Webb to Ponder when Ponder isn’t in his rookie year with no offseason? How about comparing Webb to Ponder when Webb is the starter and the other team has a week to prepare against him? There’s a reason Webb was drafted in the sixth round to play wide receiver instead of drafted in the first round to play quarterback. Be happy that he’s a solid backup and stop trying to make him into something that he’s not.

  18. Not having Harvin on the field as much as possible and not knowing or deciding what to do with Webb both point to glaring holes on the coaching staff.

    So basically, they want the coaches to stop sucking?

  19. Packer fans love to chime in on the Vikings articles. Webb is a fantastic athlete, the guy also has thrown 3 td’s and 5 int’s in his career with a passer rating of 66.6. Webb has shown what he is, possibly the best rushing QB in the league, and a below average passer. Ponder has a much higher ceiling when you factor in leadership, intelligence and everything else that goes into the QB position. Ponder deserves a chance, even if that means having Webb on the bench, or on a different team.

  20. Web is not a starting QB…period. Until he can anticipate the coverage and make NFL throws he will always be a backup.

    And to the peeps calling for him to be on the field as WR – GET REAL! It takes more than being fast to be an NFL receiver (ask Troy Williamson) They have tried that in training camp and he doesn’t pull down catches. At his height and athleticism you would think that would be the easy part but its not. It takes a certain skill to go get the ball at its highest point and he doesn’t have it.

    Keep dreaming Vikes Fans….

  21. The reason web is not a WR is simple, he can’t catch. The reason he is the #2 QB is because he is not accurate, doesn’t lead receivers well, throws the ball low often. Also as witnessed against the Bears in the final game, when he is contained & can’t run and is forced to pass he isn’t that good. Even worse than McNabb. Now the Vikings problem is Ponder. He has been injured for some part of each of the last three seasons. He also ended last season confused, rushed and playing too uptight. I hope this doesn’t turn into another Tjack situation where the Vikings waste 3 seasons on a pet project that never comes to fruition. If the Rams take Kalil and RG3 is available then the Vikings need to draft him.

  22. purplecrowe says:

    Did any of you people clamoring for Webb to be the #1 QB actually watch the Vikes regualrly? I’m not endorsing Ponder yet either, but if Webb’s accuracy does not improve dramatically, Frazier is right on the money, he’s a #2…

    ************************************

    Truth is I’m just as concerned about Ponder’s accuracy as I am about Webb’s; Ponder threw far too many picks down the stretch, including two pick-sixes against Detroit, one each against Denver and Chicago. Those throws cost the team three wins. Hopefully Ponder improves, and I think he will. I’m just not ready to write off Webb as a permanent backup.

    I did watch the Vikings every week. Truth be told, I thought Webb outplayed Ponder down the stretch.

  23. Webb did outplay Ponder when he had his opportunity but I think Ponder has more upside down the road.

  24. The fact is that no Vikes QB has stepped up to the plate and claimed the title of starting QB. Unitil that happens, there should be an open competition for the job. For Frazier to just hand the job to Ponder shows what any true football watcher knows already, and that’s that he needs to be replaced.

    Frazier’s first year as a head coach was a disgrace. He didn’t utilize the the team’s talent (Harvin repeatedly on the bench in the red zone), allowed his team to come out flat in 2nd half numerous times and blow significant leads for Ls. Overall, I was disappointed with entire coaching staff last year. I agree with the poster that says the Vikes need to clean house with the coaching staff, everybody was brutal!

  25. Tell me please: How would you feel about your boss if he openly disrespected you over the years, as he had your former/fellow employees, and you were playing with an injury – and oh by the way- your team sucked for the past two years?

    And you were the only healthy – consistent receiver, since no longer All-Pro TE Antonio Gates is good for a mediocore half and WR Malcom Floyd maybe answers the bell for about half the games?

    Now just where would your motivtion factor be?

  26. Webb is not a good QB, nor is he a quality backup. He is a below average passer, with outstanding athletic ability, and his skills are being wasted right now because he will never be even an average NFL QB. He needs to be made into a receiver, otherwise he is a waste of a roster spot.

    That said, I don’t understand why any Vikings fan would lobby for Webb to unseat Ponder as the starter. Ponder look outstanding for a rookie QB, especially when considering the lack of talent he had at receiver and the fact that he didn’t have an offseason to learn the offense. Fraizer likes Webb, for the same reason he liked McNabb, but that has nothing to do with either of them being a good passer.

    Also, I’m pretty sure the same Viking fans that were rooting for TJoke to start over Rosenfels and Ferrotte, are the same idiots who are trashing on their promising rookie QB, and lobbying for Webb, a guy who clearly isn’t as good as Ponder.

  27. I must have missed the creative plays for Webb. Wild Cat is far from creative. If Joe Webb wants a NFL career, learn how to catch a ball, or look back at 10 years of standing on the sidelines.

  28. tomsd1 says:
    Feb 24, 2012 4:01 PM
    Tell me please: How would you feel about your boss if he openly disrespected you over the years, as he had your former/fellow employees, and you were playing with an injury – and oh by the way- your team sucked for the past two years?

    And you were the only healthy – consistent receiver, since no longer All-Pro TE Antonio Gates is good for a mediocore half and WR Malcom Floyd maybe answers the bell for about half the games?

    Now just where would your motivtion factor be?
    __________

    What?

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