There’s no need to worry anymore about the Vikings finding their quarterback of the future. They already have him.
His name is Joe Webb. He was drafted in the sixth round this year out of Alabama-Birmingham to maybe be a wide receiver. Then everyone realized what a great arm he has – he did play quarterback in college – and Brad Childress decided to give him a shot behind center.
His OTA and minicamp sessions at QB were impressive. So impressive that, now, he’s being hailed as not only the best young QB talent to arrive in Minnesota since Daunte Culpepper, but the most likely man to take the reins once Brett Favre finally decides to limp off into the sunset.
All based on a few practice throws. No blitzes in his face. No shifting alignments or crafty defensive backs trying to deke him. No Saints linemen attempting to take out his ankles.
A handful of tosses executed under no duress whatsoever might not be enough proof of excellence for some people, but it’s more than enough for Sid Hartman, who has proclaimed Webb “a superb quarterback.”
In support of his Webb-hyping, Hartman quotes Vikings VP of Player Personnel Rick Spielman talking about one of the quarterback’s greatest attributes:
"His hands — what we do, is when we measure these guys, we try to measure all of their body parts. We measure their arm length, we measure their hand length, and his hand is one of the biggest hands coming out of the draft this year.His hands are 11 inches long. How we measure them is from the tip of the thumb all the way out to the end of the pinky, and he, by far, has tremendous sized hands."
And, I’m guessing, a bone-crushing handshake grip.
Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m sold. The Vikings don’t even have to bother drafting a quarterback next year. Joe Webb is the guy.
Five years from now, no one will be talking about Jimmy Clausen or Colt McCoy or Tim Tebow. And all the teams that passed on Webb will be kicking themselves in the pants.
Oh, and all those folks who doubted Brad Childress’ ability to draft and develop a young quarterback? They won’t have much to say, I’m guessing. Not after they see Webb hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, with Chilly and Spielman and the still-living Sid Hartman laughing by his side.
Actually, I don’t know why the Vikings are even bothering to wait for Brett Favre. Cut the old man loose and give the team to Webb right now. And watch him pick us up in those monster hands of his and carry us all to the promised land.