Vikings To Welcome Another Geriatric Quarterback

Jim McMahon. Warren Moon. Brad Johnson. Randall Cunningham. Jeff George. Gus Frerrote. Kelly Holcomb. Brett Favre.

Donovan McNabb.

If you've been to this blog, you're well aware of my disdain for McNabb. At 10:15 PM tonight, Jay Glazer tweeted that the Vikings have agreed to send two sixth round picks (2012, and a conditional 2013) to Washington for the 34-year old. The deal is contingent on the egotistical vet taking a massive pay cut from the $12.5M he's owed this season (he's just one year in to a six-year, $89.2M deal).

The optimist in me hopes that the delusional McNabb, who still thinks he's elite, will put the kibosh on it. Realistically, it's a lock that the Vikings will head into the season with their third (or fourth) choice under center. According to Glazer and others, the Vikings moved on to McNabb after catching wind of the money Tennessee is prepared to throw at first choice (Matt Hasselbeck), and after their second choice (Tyler Thigpen) locked in on Buffalo. Bruce Gradkowski was apparently also in the mix.

So why do I hate McNabb?

How much time do I have? Last year marked his lowest quarterback rating (77.1) since his 1999 rookie season. For a little purple perspective, the maligned Tarvaris Jackson's career quarterback rating is a comparable 76.6. In 2010, McNabb tossed more picks (15) than touchdowns (14), and his completion percentage (58.3 percent) was his lowest mark in the past seven years. He regularly one-hopped receivers. His own coach implied that he's fat and lazy. He was benched for Rex Grossman.

Twice.

The ideal situation, in my opinion, would have involved a veteran clipboard mentor (like Marc Bulger or Billy Volek) who would come cheap, could start in a pinch, and would never gripe about playing time. McNabb goes 1-for-3 in my free agent quarterback criteria. He'll obviously take a pay cut, but he'll still cost a sub-.500 team chock-full of holes way too much cap space (in addition to the draft picks). Specifics for the restructured deal are expected tomorrow.

If the coaching staff were really worried about throwing first-rounder Christian Ponder (who's been preparing like a maniac) to the wolves, then spend pennies on the backup mentor and let Joe Webb take the early-season starts. Ponder's the future, so you have nothing to lose by letting a sixth-round wide receiver be the sacrificial lamb. Who knows, you might just discover that you stumbled on to a gem. As it stands, you can stick a fork in Joe Webb, the quarterback.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'd rather be a 5-win team on the rise than a 7-win team on the decline.

The Vikings are now a 7-win team on the decline.

While initial fan reaction is upbeat, I'm waiting to hear the dollars, all the while struggling with the reality that Adrian Peterson's not getting any younger and we're delaying the rebuild.

I promise you, It's a bad day to be a Vikings fan. Mediocrity just became a goal.

Joe Webb and Five Vikings on the Hot Seat

Last off-season, the Vikings' brass had it easy. Returning all 22 starters, including a league-high eight Pro Bowlers, Minnesota figured to be right back in the Super Bowl mix. Free agency and the draft were mere formalities—adding depth and competition are relatively simple tasks.

Click here to read the rest of the article at Bleacher Report.

The People's Choice: Jake Locker Leading the Way With 18 of 100 Fan Votes

Apparently Vikings fans like the way Jake Locker looks in purple. On January 24th I posted the poll in the right column, which includes opening day ages and valuation. Nearly two months later, my appraisals don't seem far off (with the lone exception being that I probably undervalued Cam Newton), and Jake Locker has risen to the top of your wish list. His stock has been erratic -- he's been most often linked to Seattle at No. 25, but he's ranging from an early first rounder to a late second rounder. With the Combine behind him and individual workouts in full effect, he's gaining steam -- he's currently thought to be in the mix for both Washington (No. 10) and Minnesota (No. 12). In fact, he's in town today working out for the Vikings.

In short, Locker is an outstanding duel-sport athlete with a big arm and loads of moxie. The Angels' 2009 10th round outfielder actually tied Cam Newton's 4.59 40 time at the Combine. Had Locker entered the 2010 NFL Draft after his Junior season, he may have been the No. 1 overall pick the draft. However, he returned to the University of Washington for his final year, and his stock took a hit as he struggled with accuracy and mechanics on a losing team. By most accounts he's made strong offseason impressions on scouts and front offices, restoring his reputation as a potential NFL star.

The next five fan picks shake out like this:

I must admit I'm a bit shocked. Draft experts have elevated Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton into their own tier, and many have Ryan Mallett (and others) ahead of Locker as well. Yet not only is Locker leading the overall poll, but he's thumping his fellow rookies among Vikings fans.

Joe Webb has surprisingly strong support coming off a small sample size, and it's become obvious that fans have no interest in Band-Aids like Donovan McNabb or Matt Hasselbeck.

With the ongoing labor negotiations killing trades and free agency, it's looking more and more like the Vikings will set the quarterback crosshairs on April's draft.

10 Reasons the Vikings Should Trade Adrian Peterson

Now that I've got your attention, let me explain myself before you go medieval on me in the comment section below. It's not going to happen. This is purely hypothetical -- NFL trades are rare, and the ongoing labor negotiations have put the world on hold anyways. Moreover, Vikings' ownership is well aware that Adrian Peterson is the only thing standing between a full house and a sea of empty blue seats. Or maroon bleachers. But just because it won't happen, that doesn't mean it shouldn't happen. The idea of taking a step backwards is obviously discouraging, but it may be necessary to reach the ultimate goal. Believe me, I've suffered through 29 years of Vikings-induced heartache, and I want nothing more than to see my team win a Super Bowl.

There's no denying that Peterson is a class act and a transcendent talent. I'm proud to have him on my favorite team. However, this franchise is headed in the wrong direction, and the "asset" of Adrian Peterson provides the Vikings with a unique opportunity to rebuild faster than most teams in their dire situation.

On the surface, trading one of your franchise's all-time greats is lunacy. In the next 2,000 words, I'll do my best to convince you that it's not.

10. A Decline Appears Imminent

Due to circumstances beyond his control, Peterson is set up for a drop-off in production. Without a legitimate threat under center, he'll regularly face eight and nine-man boxes, neutralizing his effectiveness. He was able to overcome this in his first two seasons (he averaged a combined 5.2 YPC in 2007 and 2008), but he was aided by an offensive line that featured Pro Bowl center Matt Birk and All-World left guard Steve Hutchinson. Birk departed before the 2009 season, and the 33-year old Hutchinson's play has deteriorated rapidly. Despite the offensive line's backslide, Brett Favre was able to keep defenses honest enough for Peterson to churn out a respectable 4.5 YPC over the past two seasons. Unfortunately, there's not a quarterback in the draft or on the open market capable of diverting defensive attention away from Peterson in 2011. Hence, opposing defenses will be afforded the luxury of pinning their ears back and swarming to Peterson, with little resistance from an increasingly permeable offensive line.

9. He's Being Wasted

Piggybacking off my last point, Minnesota's once-feared offensive line has become a liability. Right tackle Phil Loadholt regressed in his sophomore season. Left tackle Bryant McKinnie plays when he wants to play. Left guard Steve Hutchinson, when healthy, is a shell of his former self. Center John Sullivan has been overmatched every step of the way, and right guard continues to be patched together by backup-caliber talent. Games are won in the trenches, so what's the point of shelling out top dollar for an elite running back when your offensive line is constantly moving backwards? Perhaps Barry Sanders could best answer that question -- it's nonsensical. The Vikings have put the cart before the horse.

8. Sell High

It's a basic economic principle. Peterson's put to rest the injury concerns that followed him from the University of Oklahoma to Minnesota, and last season he righted his fumbling woes. He has four Pro Bowl seasons under his belt, and plenty of good football ahead of him. His value has never been higher, so trading him now would maximize his return in a trade. The timing is perfect -- next season he'll be a year older, and as I previously speculated, he'll be coming off a down year (by his standards). If his value is peaking, as I suspect, then it has nowhere to go but down.

7. The Green Bay Packers

I realize it's difficult to accept for Vikings fans, but the Packers are the best team in the NFL. They're young, and their talent runs deep on both sides of the ball. With headliners like Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews, the pieces are in place for a dynasty -- or at the very least, a long run of NFC North domination. You can say all you want about the Vikings taking the Pack down to the wire in their first 2010 meeting back on October 24, but from that night forward the teams have gone in opposite directions. It's become painfully obvious that the Vikings are no longer in the same class as Green Bay. Considering that the Packers will likely have a stranglehold on the division for the foreseeable future, and that both Chicago and Detroit are trending in the right direction, the Vikings will be facing an uphill battle just to earn a Wild Card birth the next handful of years. As it stands, the Vikings are an aging 6-10 team on the decline. Wouldn't you rather be a young 5-11 team on the rise?

6. It's a Passing League

The modern era of the NFL is all about passing. Look no further than the Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks of the last eight years: Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady. If you can envision the names Joe Webb, Jake Locker, or Vince Young on that list, then you might as well stop reading because I can't reach you. If you're still here, allow me do drop one more knowledge bomb. In 2006, Joseph Addai rushed for 1,081 yards, good for 18th among NFL running backs. Why is this significant? Because it's the most prolific season of any Super Bowl-winning running back in the last five years. The forward pass has officially replaced "three yards and a cloud of dust" as the winning formula in the NFL.

5. Wrong Recipe

Dating back to the early 1990's, every Super Bowl Champion has achieved excellence in at least two of three areas: quarterback, coaching, and defense. Last season the Packers had all three. Looking for exceptions to the rule? The 2000 Ravens and 2002 Buccaneers won with good coaching and historically good defenses. The 2007 Giants, perhaps? Sure, they're probably the weakest champion on paper in recent memory, but they fused experienced coaching, clutch quarterbacking, and a top-level defense. Show me the team in the last 20 years that won a Super Bowl with the combination of an elite running back, a mediocre defense, an inexperienced head coach, and a gaping hole at quarterback.

4. The Window Has Closed

It's time to start rebuilding. Sidney Rice and Ray Edwards are both at risk of walking via free agency, and despite the departure of Brett Favre and Pat Williams, this is still an old team. Key contributors Antoine Winfield, Steve Hutchinson, Jim Kleinsasser, Ben Leber, Bryant McKinnie, Visanthe Shiancoe, E.J. Henderson, and Kevin Williams are all on the wrong side of 30. That core feels even older when you consider that there's no true "quick fix" quarterback available -- the Vikings will almost certainly be in developmental mode at the position next season. The time has come to begin stockpiling young talent, as the Packers, Bucs, and Chiefs have done in recent years. Instead of hovering around mediocrity with an unbalanced roster, the Vikings would be wise to break it down, take their lumps, and attempt to build it back up stronger and better than ever.

3. Running Backs Don't Last

According to the NFLPA, running backs have the shortest average career of any position in the NFL (just 2.57 years). Due to excessive wear and tear, 30 tends to be the magical age that a running back falls off the cliff. If leaned on heavily early in his career, a back can flame out even sooner. Take Clinton Portis, for example. The University of Miami burner (he once ran a 4.26 40) took the NFL by storm in 2002. By his sixth season, he was noticeably slowing down. By his eighth season he'd become a plodder. Now, heading into his 10th season, he's been cut by the Redskins. Sarcastically dubbed Clinton "Tortoise," his burst is long gone and he's running on fumes. Clinton Portis is 29 years old. How did he get so old so fast? Portis toted the rock 1,308 times (including postseason) in his first four seasons. Adrian Peterson, who turns 26 this month, has logged 1,271 carries in his four-year career. As a violent runner who actively seeks out contact, Peterson's career as an elite-level back is probably somewhere around the halfway point. By the time the Vikings are able to surround him with the right pieces, he'll likely be washed up.

2. Running Backs are Replaceable

Sure, elite-level talents don't grow on trees. However, more so than any other position, a successful running back can be turned up out nowhere. Oftentimes it's because their specific running style is appropriately matched to a team's rushing scheme. Don't believe me? Of last season's 1,000-yard rushers, seven out of 17 (41%) were drafted in the third round or later. In fact, none of last season's top three rushers were draft day darlings -- Arian Foster was undrafted, Jamaal Charles was a third rounder, and Michael Turner was a fifth rounder. Furthermore, the majority of teams have wisely adopted the "running back by committee" approach -- that is, a rotation of good, fresh running backs can be as effective as one great workhorse. Last season Adrian Peterson, who's set to make nearly $13M in 2011, racked up 1,639 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns. In New England, the undrafted tandem of BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead combined for 2,019 combination yards and 19 scores, and together they'll bank less than a quarter of Peterson's 2011 salary. As far as replacements, the draft includes names like Mark Ingram, Mikel LeShoure, and Ryan Williams, for starters. With regard to free agency, the ultra-talented DeAngelo Williams (27) highlights a lengthy list of veteran backs looking for work.

Perhaps the blueprint the Vikings should be following is that of the Atlanta Falcons. In 2008, the Falcons were able to turn their franchise around in just one season, going 11-5 after winning just four games in 2007. They did it with a new coach, a rookie quarterback, and a free agent running back (Mike Smith, Matt Ryan, and Michael Turner). Is it crazy to think that the combination of Leslie Frazier, Blaine Gabbert, and DeAngelo Williams might share similar success? Keep in mind, they'd be aided by Matt Ryan's former tutor, new Offensive Coordinator Bill Musgrave. You may be asking how Blaine Gabbert entered the conversation...

1. The Haul

While NFL trades are uncommon, blockbuster moves involving running backs are not without precedent. The free agency era has ensured that a Herschel Walker-type deal (five players and eight draft picks, including three firsts and three seconds) will never happen again. In 1999, the Saints' Mike Ditka gave eight draft picks (including two firsts) to the Redskins for the right to move up and select the all-time NCAA rushing leader (at the time) out of Texas, Ricky Williams. That example doesn't really work, either, as Williams was an unknown NFL entity. However, there's one trade that is very relevant to this conversation -- it's time to revisit our old friend Clinton Portis. In February of 2004, the Broncos sent Portis (22) to the Redskins in exchange for shutdown cornerback Champ Bailey (25) and a second rounder. In the short term, the trade appeared to benefit both teams. Now seven years later, the younger Portis is all but done, and Bailey is still regarded as one of the best cornerbacks in the league.

Would the Redskins' freewheeling, star chasing owner Dan Snyder be willing to sign off on another such swap? And if so, what would be considered a fair asking price for the league's best running back in the prime of his career? Maybe the conversation begins with hard-hitting safety LaRon Landry (26), Washington's first rounder (No. 10 -- Julio Jones, Prince Amukamara), and something along the lines of a 2012 second rounder. Cincinnati and Arizona both have very talented young cornerbacks, as well as high draft picks. Perhaps a deal could be structured around Leon Hall (26) and the Bengals No. 4 overall pick, or Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (24) and Arizona's first rounder (No. 5). Just like that, you've solidified your secondary for the next 6-8 years, and put yourself in position to draft your franchise quarterback (whether it be Blaine Gabbert or Cam Newton). Moreover, you could instantly fill the running back void with Mark Ingram at No. 12 if you so choose. Listen, I'm taking my best stab with these packages from a value perspective. I'm no Rick Spielman. The point is, the Vikings have a lot of holes, and an extra lottery pick combined with a proven young talent would go a long way towards a youth infusion.

No running back, not even Adrian Peterson, can win a Super Bowl on his own. This Vikings roster is flawed at numerous positions, and trading Peterson would allow them to plug young talent into these voids to kick-start the rebuilding process. Or, they can keep the status quo, scratching and clawing for a .500 record in a very strong NFC North. I love Adrian Peterson, and I want nothing more than to see him succeed at a high level in Minnesota. Sadly, it's impossible for me to envision him hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in purple. The supporting pieces and the timing just don't line up.

Zygi's Believe It or Not: Oddities of the 50th Season

Come one, come all! Step right up! Bear witness to the bizarre! Behold, the grotesque and the freaky! The deranged circus that was the 2010 Vikings' season left in its wake more carnage than a Rob Zombie film. Each twisted side show distracted more and more from the main event: the complete self destruction of a Super Bowl favorite.

Brett Favre's media lackey, Ed Werder, reports that the new grandpa will remain retired. Never trust a man with a mustache.

Deadspin releases a story alleging that, as a member of the New York Jets in 2008, Brett Favre texted pictures of his pride and joy to Jenn Sterger, a silicon-stuffed attention monger masquerading as a Jets' "sideline reporter." The "Wrangler Dangler" would eventually admit to leaving sleazy voicemails on Sterger's phone, but he continues to deny that he's ever worn Crocs.

Ryan Longwell, Jared Allen, and Steve Hutchinson make the voyage to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to recruit Brett Favre out of retirement. After a bromantic evening of reminiscing and rye whiskey, they successfully coax Favre off his his lawn mower for one more run at the title.

An unnamed source tells Yahoo! Sports that "Brett thinks Childress has no clue about offense." In the coming days, backup quarterback and fan favorite Sage Rosenfels (along with return man Darius Reynaud) is jettisoned to the Giants for future draft picks, fueling speculation that he was the locker room leak. Upon his arrival in New York, Rosenfels tells reporters that Eli Manning thinks Dora has no clue about exploring.

Pro Bowl receiver Sidney Rice, a Drew Rosenhaus client, decides to have hip surgery six months after original doctor recommendations. He'd go on to miss nine games. Speculation abounds that the delayed surgery is a contractual ploy orchestrated by the real-life Jerry Maguire. The development leaves a gaping hole on the outside, and sets into motion a desperate chain of events.

Now lacking wide receiver depth, the Vikings sign NFL washout Javon Walker (he's cut two weeks later), and then deal cornerback Benny Sapp to Miami for receiver Greg Camarillo. The move means Vikings fans will be subjected to heavy doses of Asher Allen, who couldn't cover a sneeze.

Still haunted by their five-turnover NFC Championship Game debacle just nine months prior, the Vikings return to New Orleans to kick off the season in eerie fashion. The pregame Super Bowl banner ceremony is a throat punch, and a demoralized effort results in a second straight loss under the Superdome lights.

Vincent Jackson trade rumors fall through. Still starving for a playmaker, Minnesota acquires an exciting young talent to attract double teams. They pick up her husband, Hank Baskett, too.

A deal is swung with New England to bring Randy Moss back to Minnesota. The news sends Vikings' country into a frenzy, as grown men gleefully squeeze into dusty No. 84 jerseys like tweens in tube tops at a Bieber concert.

Randy Moss makes his much-anticipated second Vikings' debut in a Monday Night showdown with the Jets at the Meadowlands. On his very first play, he takes a reverse handoff and completes an illegal pass to Brett Favre. In hindsight, the entertaining blunder would serve as a perfect metaphor for the entire Moss experiment. Trailing 12-0 in the third quarter, Favre finally connects with Moss on a gorgeous 37-yard tear drop. The clouds part, and a chorus of angels rain down from the heavens. The touchdown, Favre's 500th, would unknowingly become the season's climax. A late interception drops Minnesota to 1-3.

After a tightly-contested loss in Green Bay, the NFL apologizes to the Vikings for bungled officiating. The apology is painfully reminiscent of the "Sorry, you should have been in the Super Bowl but the city of New Orleans needed it more than you" letter the team received after the NFC Championship Game.

Randy Moss returns to New England to face his former team on Halloween night. Moss catches just one pass for eight yards in the Vikings' loss, and draws criticism for quitting on a catchable deep ball. In a bizarre post-game press conference, Moss gushes uncontrollably over the Patriots' organization. It's like Brad Pitt telling Angelina Jolie that Jennifer Aniston was better in the sack.

Brad Childress waives Randy Moss. The bombshell ignites a controversy in the "triangle of authority," as Childress had failed to discuss his intentions with Zygi Wilf. In the coming days, a story emerges that the classless Moss had berated a local caterer's donated post-practice spread in a profanity-laced tirade. Despite Moss' despicable behavior, the rabid fan base goes after Childress with pitchforks and torches.

Brad Childress and Percy Harvin have to be physically separated afer Childress reportedly questioned the injured Harvin's effort in a Friday practice. Later, the team suggests that the feud was over Harvin's unwillingness to get an MRI. Fans and media connect the dots back to the waiving of Harvin's friend and mentor, Randy Moss.

In his first game without Randy Moss, Brett Favre throws for a career-best 446 yards in an improbable 27-24 overtime victory over Arizona. After trailing by 14 with under five minutes to play, Favre hits Visanthe Shiancoe for a 25-yard score with just 27 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime. Ryan Longwell kicks Minnesota to a 3-5 record, but "Fire Chilly" chants grow louder than ever.

Following an embarrassing 31-3 home loss to the Packers, Brad Childress is fired. Leslie Frazier is elevated to Interim Head Coach of the 3-7 Vikings, and Tarvaris Jackson, despite his backup status, is elevated to Interim Head Scapegoat.

The Metrodome roof collapses under the weight the Super Bowl Championship banners hanging from the rafters. Or something like that.

Pushed to Monday night, the Vikings "host" the New York Giants at Detroit's Ford Field. It's the first time in 10 years that a Monday Night Football game is played in Detroit, and free tickets are issued to the public. The Vikings manage just 164 yards of offense in the 21-3 drubbing. Even Lions' fans are embarrassed. Brett Favre's consecutive game streak (297) also comes to an end, ironically, in the same slum as Lou Gehrig's.

Still homeless, the Vikings bum TCF Bank Stadium from the University of Minnesota for a Monday Night showdown with the Bears. It's a logistical nightmare. The stadium has been winterized, and was not built with December games in mind. The field is compared to concrete, and the bowl is full of snow. Moreover, the new venue holds 13,000 fewer fans than the Metrodome, and despite the team's horrifying play, the intrigue of the first outdoor home game in 29 years has put tickets in high demand. For four days leading up to the game, 1,500 workers and volunteers clear 40,000 cubic yards of snow from the stadium. Another winter storm hits Monday, adding to the mystique, and Brett Favre makes a short-lived surprise start. Ultimately, the 40-14 defeat becomes a mere side note to the snowy spectacle.

An impending east coast blizzard causes the Vikings-Eagles Sunday night tilt to be pushed back to Tuesday. A blitz-heavy defensive scheme, coupled with the solid play of Joe Webb in his first career start, results in a stunning 24-14 upset of the heavily favored (-14) Eagles. The win bodes well for Leslie Frazier's coaching future. However, it costs the Eagles a first round playoff bye, and the Vikings several crucial spots in April's NFL draft. Even they win, the Vikings lose.

The Vikings return to Detroit, this time as the visitors. Prior to the game, the Vikings remove the interim label from Leslie Frazier's title. The team responds with a half-hearted effort, and a 20-13 loss drops the team to 6-10. In one year, the Vikings fall from the NFC Championship Game to the NFC North cellar. After the game, Brett Favre retires for the fourth straight year. It's a fitting end to one of the most memorable seasons in team history.

As fans, we'll be feeling the after effects of this for some time. It will be a very different healing process than the one we went through after the heartbreaking finish to last season. The sharp pain that left us counting the days until training camp, and ultimately, redemption, is long gone. Going forward we'll experience a forlorn ache that creeps in when hope becomes doubt, and certainties become questions. Has the window closed? Will a new season really mean a clean slate? Sure, Frazier's return as head coach should provide stability, but the fact remains that this team is still without a home or a quarterback. As we watch the Packers and Bears battle in the NFC title game next week, the promised land will never seem more distant.

Webb Gem?

"You're a goddamn quarterback! You know what that means? It's the top spot, kid. It's the guy who takes the fall. It's the guy everybody's looking at first - the leader of a team - who will support you when they understand you. Who will break their ribs and their noses and their necks for you, because they believe. 'Cause you make them believe. That's a quarterback." - Al Pacino (as Tony D'Amato), Any Given Sunday

OK, so maybe the conversation between Brad Childress and rookie 6th rounder Joe Webb wasn't quite that colorful. However, the 199th pick in April's draft was so impressive throwing the ball at last month's rookie minicamp that Childress was prompted to award him the third red quarterback jersey. This effectively ended Webb's brief career as a converted NFL wide receiver, returning him to his natural position where he starred at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Meanwhile, Sage Rosenfels, who just sixteen moths ago was acquired to become the Vikings' starter, has been unofficially demoted to fourth string. His exit from the team now looks inevitable. In related news, somebody kicked his dog and stole his lunch money. Webb, on the other hand, appears poised to assume the real-life Steamin' Willie Beamen role, as a raw, ultra-athletic 3rd string quarterback waiting in the shadows of an aging legend.

Webb is a bit of a mystery. He's probably better known for his viral YouTube jumping spectacle than he is for his prolific career at UAB, where he became the first quarterback in NCAA history to pass for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in back to back seasons. UAB coach Neil Callaway, who also coached Bo Jackson at Auburn, said that Webb is "in the same league" as Jackson from a physical standpoint. However, despite his freakish athleticism and strong arm, Webb's below average accuracy, shaky mechanics, and questionable decision making had scouts projecting him as a marginal pro quarterback prospect. So Webb split out to play receiver at the Senior Bowl, where he figured to best capitalize on said athleticism. A man without a position, the 6'4", 220 pound Conference USA Player of the Year was one of the more notable Draft Combine snubs.

Undeterred, Webb attacked his UAB Pro Day, and further cemented his status as one of the premier athletes in the entire draft. His 42.5" vertical jump, 11'5" broad jump, 3.91 second 20-yard shuttle, and 21 bench reps all would have ranked first among combine receivers. His 4.43 40 time would have put him fifth among receivers and first among quarterbacks. What makes these numbers even more remarkable is that Webb carried a larger frame, wingspan, and hand size than all Combine receivers. While he clearly lacked polish as a receiving prospect, his raw size-speed measurables compared favorably to the likes of Vincent Jackson, Marques Colston, Brandon Marshall, and even rivaled Calvin "Megatron" Johnson. His ridiculous broad jump score, which is a measure of explosion, was nearly a foot longer than Adrian Peterson's. Had he been invited to the Combine, he surely would have garnered similar hype to Maryland's Offensive Tackle and workout warrior Bruce Campbell.

Trying to project the uniquely talented Webb's future in the league is impossible at this point. The consensus seems to be that, if used creatively, he could be a lethal Wildcat weapon, but not an every down signal caller. In the coming months you'll see names like Kordell Stewart, Josh Cribbs, Brad Smith, and Tim Tebow. For now, Vikings fans can only dream about a future backfield featuring Webb, Adrian Peterson, and Percy Harvin causing nightmares for defensive coordinators. Most likely, that dream will never come to fruition. I'm not buying Sid Hartman's "Quarterback of the Future" speculation. Webb simply lacks the quarterback-specific traits needed to succeed at the next level. But he is another tool for Darrell Bevell to utilize, and for a 6th round draft pick, this is shaping up to be something special. There is no doubt that Webb is a lottery athlete, and for the first time in years, preseason games will be worth watching well into the second half. Whether he can make a meaningful contribution in the regular season will be widely debated, but keep in mind that on any given Sunday, the #199 pick could make a difference. Just ask Tom Brady.