Joe Webb, the Vikings sixth round draft choice, demonstrates his athleticism on a YouTube video where he jumps over seven football practice bags. The video was made last winter and has generated lots of attention. “Especially when it first got on YouTube a lot of people called me up and said, ‘That’s crazy,’ ” Webb recalled. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9PsUH1fmJk
Webb was drafted as a potential wide receiver but his raw talent as a quarterback intrigues the Vikings. He was given attention and opportunity at the team’s recent minicamp.
Among those watching Webb was former Vikings defensive lineman Bob Lurtsema who predicted Webb will make the Vikings 53-man roster or practice squad this year. “I know I am competing to make a No. 53 spot. …I am just trying to find my way in,” Webb said.
Webb alos said the Vikings coaches like his arm and ability to move around. But offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said it will be a process to develop the young quarterback who also played wide receiver in college at UAB.
“‘He’s a big athlete,” Bevell said. “He is a tall guy (about 6-4, 220 pounds). He has a strong arm. …He is very raw at this point. There are a lot of things that he can continue to improve on. …”
Lurtsema also likes Vikings rookie defensive end Everson Griffen. He said Griffen has the athleticism to “shuffle” off initial contact and make plays for the Vikings.
Critics said last year that Vikings center John Sullivan was undersized for his position at about 6-3, 300 pounds. Sullivan told Sports Headliners he’s worked hard during the off-season to improve himself physically. “Really tried to increase upper body size, and get bigger and stronger, and I think I’ve done a good job of that so far,” he said. “We’ve got a little bit of time before training camp so I will try to continue to make improvements.”
Sullivan said his weight has increased to “just over 300.”
Last week’s approval by Santa Clara voters of a 49ers stadium means the NFL has only three remaining stadium challenges among it 32 teams. Oakland, San Diego and Minneapolis still have stadium issues. What’s interesting about the $937 million stadium plan is that nearly 90 percent of the funding will come from private sources. It seems unlikely that any financing plan for a new Vikings stadium will have 90 percent funding from private sources.