PHILADELPHIA -- When it was over, once Joe Webb and his going-nowhere Vikings had pulled off the 24-14 upset of the playoff-bound, division-champion Eagles, interim Minnesota coach Leslie Frazier said Brett Favre would be his starting quarterback Sunday if Favre is healthy. Frazier is required to say this, we believe, by a clause in Favre's contract that requires whoever happens to be coaching the team to profess unerring loyalty to the 41-year-old grandfather, long after evidence proves such loyalty senseless. But the unfortunate thing about the latest bit of farcical Favre drama appearing in Tuesday night's postgame news conference was that it threatened to take away from Webb's big night as Minnesota's starting (and winning) quarterback.Not that any of that bothered Webb.
"If he wants to play, he can play," Webb said. "He's Brett Favre. Brett did a great job with me tonight, too. He gave me tips on the sideline as he watched the game. I took those tips and ran with them."
Yeah, Webb ran. He ran and threw and pump-faked and juked his way out of sure-thing sacks. While Michael Vick was having a miserable time on the other side of the ball for the Eagles, Webb was doing a pretty good Vick impression for the Vikings. He completed 17 of 26 passes for 195 yards and rushed for another 31 yards on six carries. His longest run of the night was a crazy scramble for a 9-yard, third-quarter touchdown that extended Minnesota's lead to 17-7.
"That one run he made for a touchdown," Frazier said, "I don't know how many guys in the league can duplicate that."
"We have a lot of confidence in Joe. We've seen him do some things that just show you he has the ability to make plays."
-- Leslie Frazier Webb wasn't supposed to be an NFL quarterback. He was a college quarterback at Alabama-Birmingham, but the Vikings drafted him in the sixth round (with the 199th overall pick -- same pick with which the Patriots once drafted Tom Brady) as a receiver. After getting a look at his arm in minicamp, though, they decided to work him into the QB rotation behind Favre and Tarvaris Jackson.
But then Favre got hurt, which had never happened before. And then Jackson got hurt. And after Favre came back last Monday night and got hurt again, all of a sudden, there was Webb, looking lost and running for his life in the second half against the Bears in a snowy outdoor game at the University of Minnesota.
This time, with a full week (plus two days!) to prepare as the starter, Webb looked a lot better.
"We have a lot of confidence in Joe," Frazier said. "We've seen him do some things that just show you he has the ability to make plays. Now, how consistent will he be as a rookie playing against a very, very good football team, a very good defense, that's what you don't know. But (Tuesday) gave you an indication of things to come with Joe."
The running was neat, especially the play that resulted in the touchdown. But Webb's biggest play of the night may have been a 19-yard completion to Percy Harvin on third-and-11 in the fourth quarter to extend a drive and dim the Eagles' hopes of getting the ball back in time for a comeback. It was a throw nobody expected Webb to be able to make, in that spot or any other.
"Yeah, I'm aware of that," he said with a smile. "The things coach was preaching in my ear were to take care of the ball. So as much as I wanted to be aggressive in the second half, I did what I had to do to take care of the ball."And with it, he shocked the city of Philadelphia, which had chalked this game up as a win and was already working on scenarios by which they could get a first-round playoff bye with a win Sunday against the Cowboys. Those hopes are up in flames now, thanks to Webb out-Favreing Favre and out-Vicking Vick.
"Michael Vick is a great player," Webb said. "I've been watching him ever since I was a little kid. Just to be on the same field as him is a blessing. I don't look down on Michael Vick because of his performance (Tuesday), because he's still a great player."
Yeah, Joe Webb has nothing but respect for Vick, nothing but respect for Favre. And that's all good and the way it should be. But on this one Tuesday night in Philadelphia, Webb was something those guys weren't: the best quarterback on the field.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Favre should do the classy thing and step aside so this kid can have the start next week. It would be the first time Favre's done the classy thing in a long time, but it would be a great way to remember him.
It's ironic that so much was offered, re-written, reported, at an extremely high salary, that the Vikings may have had a better quarterback on the team all along. Beating Philly is not an easy thing to do, just ask Peyton Manning. But Pixie is right in that Favre should step aside and let Webb start this week. What a season for the Vikes!
Here is my $0.02, When Favre retires, replace him with Joe Webb. This guy can really be something, don't throw it out because it's the secret weapon the Vikings need. I was very impressed from what I saw last night. Great job Joe!
Webb could be the next Randel Cunniham (sp) same type of style,but he will need a great quarterback couch to work with him in the off-season. If he is that guy the vikes will need a top head coach. You can't have Leslie and Webb both with Training wheels on.
What the vikes need is better office line help which is the first thing that should be addressed in the draft The better resign Greenway too.
Webb loked good last night but has a long way to go.redo offensive line starting with Loadholt
joe webb is awesome, can't wait till 2011!
We finally got the chance to see Joe Webb start a game as the Quarterback. I hope everyone Else was as impressed with his performance as I was. What would have happened if Joe had Started the Season as the #1 QB? I Hope He is allowed to start Sunday. How soon will there be an," official #14 Vikings Jersey"? Go Vikings
Joe Webb did a great job...........but.........? I want you guys to bear in mind that the Vikings were in a very depilating state when they faced the Eagles last Tuesday. The eagles are to be blamed for under-rating them. I bet you if the same eagles are to face the Vikings next time around, it will never be a close game; with Joe Webb Quarter-backing, the Eagles will blow them apart. Wait until they play another team in light of what perspired last Tuesday. I bet you, teams like the Falcons, Packers, Ravens, and etc, will give Mr. Webb another look at the position of quarter-backing. He needs more training; nevertheless, he has the arm and strength necessary to take this position to another level. Definitely!
Joe Webb did a great job...........but.........? I want you guys to bear in mind that the Vikings were in a very depilating state when they faced the Eagles last Tuesday. The eagles are to be blamed for under-rating them. I bet you if the same eagles are to face the Vikings next time around, it will never be a close game; with Joe Webb Quarter-backing, the Eagles will blow them apart. Wait until they play another team in light of what perspired last Tuesday. I bet you, teams like the Falcons, Packers, Ravens, and etc, will give Mr. Webb another look at the position of quarter-backing. He needs more training; nevertheless, he has the arm and strength necessary to take this position to another level. Definitely!