Carolina Panthers need to keep Joe Webb
We all know Cam Newton is the franchise quarterback for the Carolina Panthers. We also all know that Derek Anderson is the backup to Cam Newton for the Carolina Panthers. That tandem right there looks pretty good. Cam has led the Panthers to back-to-back NFC South division titles and in 2014 when Cam was hurt, Anderson led the Panthers to 2 victories. Plus, Anderson made the Pro Bowl in 2007 and has 9,907 career passing yards. Not to shabby for your backup quarterback.
So now, lets think about it, with Newton and Anderson, do the Panthers need a third quarterback on the roster? Simple answer – yes, the Panthers need a third quarterback on the roster.
Aug 28, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Joe Webb (14) throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
That third quarterback needs to be Joe Webb.
I realize the likelihood of Webb ever playing quarterback in a regular season game if Newton and Anderson both were to get injured in the same game (hopefully Newton never is injured) is very unlikely. However, you need to keep Webb for his intangibles in other aspects of the game.
Webb, drafted in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings out of Alabama-Birmingham, ran the 40-yard dash at the 2010 NFL Combine in 4.43 seconds, which means he is fast. He was originally drafted as a wide receiver by the Vikings, until they said he would play quarterback.
So by keeping Webb on the active roster, he can contribute with his speed. He can change up the offense, whether that is an end around play, a handoff, a short pass from Cam, or Webb going downfield for the long bomb. Webb can easily become the ‘X’ factor of the offense. If needed, which we hope he would not be since the return of Ted Ginn Jr., Webb could even return punts and kickoffs.
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You see, Webb’s numbers over his career in aspects of the game other than quarterback clearly back the point I am making. His career numbers as a quarterback are 88 of 152 for 853 yards, which is 5.6 yards per pass, with 3 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
Now here is where Webb gets impressive. Over his career he has 41 rushing attempts for 273 yards, which is 6.7 yards per carry and 4 touchdowns. His yardage rushing is about 1/4 of his passing yards and his rushing touchdowns are more than his passing touchdowns. Webb also has 7 receptions for 58 yards, an average of 8.3 yards per catch and in the return game has 4 returns for 92 yards, an average of 23.0 yards per return!
So a message to the Carolina Panthers – keep Joe Webb and use him as the ‘X’ factor. Opposing teams will never expect and will not know what to do when Webb is on the field.