Minnesota Vikings' Pros and Cons of Turning To Young QB Joe Webb

Joe Webb is the only quarterback on the Minnesota Vikings roster, in essence. There are two more, Rhett Bomar and Patrick Ramsey, but neither have a future in the starting lineup.

The Vikings will more than likely be drafting a quarterback early to develop into the future of the franchise. And once free agency starts the team will look to add a veteran.

But on the outside chance that every quarterback the Vikings covet in the draft gets snatched up before they pick, (12th overall isn’t an option), and the veteran has a bad training camp, the Vikings may be looking at Webb to start.

If this is the case, then the Vikings will be a different offense from what you have seen in recent years.

Let us take a look at the pros and the cons the Vikings will have to deal with if Webb is thrust into the starting job next season...or wins the starting job.

Pro

Webb has outstanding running ability and can extend plays longer than the average QB. This will be a huge positive considering the Vikings offensive line is becoming less and less able to protect the quarterback. Of course Leslie Frazier and company will attempt to shore up the line through free agency and the draft. But continuity is the best asset on an offensive line and the Vikings will lose that if they add new starters. So a player with the skills to avoid jailbreaks is ideal.

Con

Once Webb looks at his primary target he tucks and runs if the receiver isn’t open. This wasn’t always the case, however. In the final game against Detroit, he attempted to look to his second receiver and threw an interception across his body. Not a good sign.

Pro 

The Vikings are likely to lose deep threat receiver Sidney Rice, which will cause the field to shorten. Of course the team may address this in free agency with WR Mike Sims-Walker or by re-signing Rice.

If they are unable to procure a down the field threat the offensive strategy will likely turn to Wildcat, bootleg and reverse plays. Webb is ideally suited to run an offense of this sort. Between Webb, Percy Harvin, Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhardt, the Vikings offense could become more of a wishbone style.

Con

Teams will be able to load the box against the run game. Webb is inexperienced and has not shown great vision for targets downfield outside of his primary. So teams will put their best cover man on the wideout and everyone else on the line to stop Peterson and Harvin from running with the ball.

Pro

Webb has developed some continuity and familiarity with the other offensive players. His showing against the Eagles was impressive, he ran well and hit his targets. If given open receivers he has the arm strength to hit them wherever they are.

Con

New offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave will be implementing a new offensive scheme.

This doesn’t mean he will be looking to change how Webb plays; quite the contrary, Musgrave’s expressed goal is to tailor his offense to his players.

But signals, the playbook and dialogue will be completely different from what Brad Childress ran. Webb won’t have a head start on any other quarterback obtained in the offseason.

To put it all in a nutshell: The Vikings will be a team in shambles once the lockout ends. Whoever they draft will be behind in development. The veteran may or may not have what it takes to win the starting job. And the offensive line, even if players are added to make it better will be a work in progress.

Perhaps the best solution is to use simple running plays and play action passes. Putting a quarterback who can make things happen with his feet behind center could prove to be the only viable solution for the Vikings at quarterback. Thus, Joe Webb.