Webb Time!!!

[BGM]

I see no problem with using Webb as a change of pace... except...

Can you name one successful QB that, while he was a starter, developed well splitting time with another QB? Maybe there is one, but I cannot think of any. One of the prime reasons for finding "your guy" and sticking with him is getting the team to work together. WRs and QBs need time and experience to gel together, and so does an OL. We have clear issues at all three positions, so it is really the fault of only one player that things are still inconsistent?

Inserting Webb at this point makes Webb look like the answer... for one game. Then, teams plan for him and solve him (like they always do) and he struggles just like every other QB in the league early in their development. And people begin longing for Bethel-Thompson... and the cycle repeats.

It seems that many have determined that, even though the coaches have done an admirable job piecing together a patchwork of young players and seen more success this season than anyone really expected, they should solely be judged on the fact that their choice for QB has not become insta-stud (or even insta-awesome, or insta-decent... ok, so he has struggled, but every QB does at this point in their development).

This was not a playoff caliber team at the beginning of the season, and they are not now. But judging this team as an either/or proposition (either they are great or they suck) is a fool's bet.

I can't fault people for flailing. It's infuriating when a team tantalizes you by playing out of their heads for a week or two and then fall back to earth. But you have to ask what is best in the long term. I have seen enough that impresses me about the coaches, about the team they are assembling, and even, yes, about the QB to who they have hitched their wagon. The season will play out and we can ruminate about big changes then. Until then, revel in the small brilliances that occur.

[joe h]

It sort of worked in 09 with Frerotte/Jackson, until we got embarrassed by the Eagles in the playoffs. I think it sort of throws teams off their plan. See what happens this week, but I really could careless who is under center, I just want them to win until our playoff hopes are gone.

[soflavike]

I see no problem with using Webb as a change of pace... except...

Can you name one successful QB that, while he was a starter, developed well splitting time with another QB? Maybe there is one, but I cannot think of any.

Rich Gannon? He split time with Salisbury and later became a pretty good QB (for the Raiders).

[BGM]

I would say if ponder struggles again today then sure sit him for the reaminder of the game and bring in Webb, he would not be the first starter that got bench time when he was on a bad streak.

Bringing Webb in if Ponder struggles would not be a problem for me. As long as it is an in-game thing and not a long term thing.

[Soonerfan65]

Anything would be better than Ponder; hell i wonder if AD can throw the ball?

[soflavike]

Bench Ponder. He stinks. That is all.

[Mothman]

They keep playing him, keep working with him, keep developing him for the rest of the season. At that point, they evaluate him along with everyone else and if the team doesn't believe he's their guy, they move on. Inserting Joe Webb into the lineup isn't going to be the difference between the Vikes winning the Super Bowl or failing to get there.

Okay, I'm amending this with something I should have said earlier...

Soflavike, I think they need to stick with Ponder if they're still convinced he can really be their long term solution at QB. However, if they find themselves convinced he's not or if they doubt his future enough to pull him for the season and let him compete for the job next summer then they have to consider making the move to Webb. IF they make it, I think it has to be with the commitment that Webb's their guy for the remainder of the year.

[DarthBrooks]

Seriously, FREE JOE WEBB.

[soflavike]

Okay, I'm amending this with something I should have said earlier...

Soflavike, I think they need to stick with Ponder if they're still convinced he can really be their long term solution at QB. However, if they find themselves convinced he's not or if they doubt his future enough to pull him for the season and let him compete for the job next summer then they have to consider making the move to Webb. IF they make it, I think it has to be with the commitment that Webb's their guy for the remainder of the year.

If they are still convinced Ponder can be a long-term solution at QB, I need some of that stuff they're smoking, because it must be awesome.

I do agree that switching to Webb would be a permanent switch for the season. We need to see what Webb has to offer... if he can be a long-term solution. If he's not, we need to find a QB via trade or in the draft.

[Mothman]

If they are still convinced Ponder can be a long-term solution at QB, I need some of that stuff they're smoking, because it must be awesome.

LOL! Well, from their point of view I think they have to look at his whole body of work, not just the current slump (a word that sounds like an understatement).

I do agree that switching to Webb would be a permanent switch for the season. We need to see what Webb has to offer... if he can be a long-term solution. If he's not, we need to find a QB via trade or in the draft.

... or both. It might make sense to give Ponder the start next week and see what happens. Right now, the whole passing game is a mess and it can't continue.

[S197]

What really stings is the Vikings had a long week to prepare and Ponder came out with his second game under 70 yards passing in three outings. I still, however, think he should start against Detroit. Make the decision at the bye week. A loss to Detroit puts the Vikings at .500 and with the tough end schedule, probably enough to start looking at next year. I know with this slump it's hard to look at the postseason but the Vikings still have a winning record whether that's in part due to Ponder or in spite of him.

Webb isn't the answer. He's tough to bring down and makes plays with his legs but he's not an RG3 type player. He has a good arm but continues to look really raw. If Ponder is as bad as he's looking, he'll lose next week and the Vikings will fall to 5-5. Webb will have two weeks with the 1's before he has to start and have 6 games to prove me wrong. That's the course I'd take.

[soflavike]

What really stings is the Vikings had a long week to prepare and Ponder came out with his second game under 70 yards passing in three outings. I still, however, think he should start against Detroit. Make the decision at the bye week. A loss to Detroit puts the Vikings at .500 and with the tough end schedule, probably enough to start looking at next year. I know with this slump it's hard to look at the postseason but the Vikings still have a winning record whether that's in part due to Ponder or in spite of him.

Webb isn't the answer. He's tough to bring down and makes plays with his legs but he's not an RG3 type player. He has a good arm but continues to look really raw. If Ponder is as bad as he's looking, he'll lose next week and the Vikings will fall to 5-5. Webb will have two weeks with the 1's before he has to start and have 6 games to prove me wrong. That's the course I'd take.

I guess I'm not ready to say that Webb is or isn't the answer to our problems. I haven't seen enough of him, playing with the first team, to make a judgment. But, he can't really be any worse and he brings a completely different dimension into the offense. Every time the ball is in his hands, he is a home run threat. Every time Ponder gets the ball in his hands, the most we can hope for is a few yards.

[CalVike]

Look at the results the last few games. QB must change.

[S197]

I guess I'm not ready to say that Webb is or isn't the answer to our problems. I haven't seen enough of him, playing with the first team, to make a judgment. But, he can't really be any worse and he brings a completely different dimension into the offense. Every time the ball is in his hands, he is a home run threat. Every time Ponder gets the ball in his hands, the most we can hope for is a few yards.

He certainly brings a different dimension but I don't think he's the answer. There were some games, like when he played against the Eagles two years ago when you would say, "why the heck didn't we start this guy earlier?" Then there were games like last year against Chicago where he was a 50%, two interception passer, and then you say, "oh yeah that's why."

His QB rating was 74 last year. Granted small sample size so I agree with you that it's starting to look like he deserves a shot. At the same time, I agree with Jim that if he does get the start then you play him for the remainder of the year which is why I think the bye is a better time to make that type of switch.

[Lash Man]

I guess I'm not ready to say that Webb is or isn't the answer to our problems. I haven't seen enough of him, playing with the first team, to make a judgment. But, he can't really be any worse and he brings a completely different dimension into the offense. Every time the ball is in his hands, he is a home run threat. Every time Ponder gets the ball in his hands, the most we can hope for is a few yards.

Yep my answer to Webb isn't the answer and im not saying he is , is that CP obviously isn't playing well at all and its not fair to the other ten guys on offense to keep him out there when he gives us no chance to win ,. Webb might suck just as bad but he cant be any worse . It looked like PH was getting in the coaches face I would lay jack on the fact he was complaining about CP . The team is more important than one player thats the bottom line .