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Since drafting Joe Webb, his althetisism has boggled the minds of many fans. Some didn’t understand why we’d take a guy that late to be a QB. Well, when he was introduced by the Vikes, it was as a WR. Now, apparently it is BOTH.

Will Joe Webb get a shot at quarterback with the Vikings?

By Steve Irvine — The Birmingham News

May 14, 2010, 6:46AM

Will Joe Webb get a chance to do this in the NFL? (Special / Brett Davis)Former UAB standout Joe Webb went to Minnesota a few days after the NFL Draft with hopes of convincing his new employer that he’s capable of making the Vik­ings roster as wide receiver.

He may have come home from the mini-camp for rookies with a new goal.

“The coaches liked me (at receiver), liked what I did out there and the athleti­cism I showed,” Webb said. “They also put me at quar­terback and had me throw the ball. They liked the way I threw the ball and now they want me to play quar­terback. Right now, it looks like when I go back, I’ll get a shot at quarterback.”

On Thursday, Webb went back to his roots — Weno­nah High — to take part in “Joe Webb Day.”

Ronald Cheatham, Weno­nah High’s football coach, who coached Webb as a high school senior, left little doubt as to where he thinks his former star player will line up.

“Welcome, Joe Webb, starting quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings,” Chea­tham said as he called Webb to the podium in Thursday’s ceremony at the Wenonah High auditorium.

Obviously, Cheatham is getting a little ahead of him­self with that introduction but he has proved pretty ac­curate on his predictions re­garding Webb in the past. The video honoring Webb during Thursday’s festivities included a 2004 clip of Cheatham predicting that Webb, who had yet to enroll at UAB, would one day be­come a NFL Draft choice.

Cheatham’s prediction, which was made on a local television station, came at a gathering to celebrate for­mer Wenonah and Univer­sity of Alabama center Alonzo Ephraim’s appear­ance in the Super Bowl as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.

It was Cheatham and We­nonah High Principal Re­gina Carr-Hunter who for­mulated the plan to honor Webb for his achievements on and off the field. Webb not only became the first quarterback in NCAA his­tory to throw for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons but he also earned his degree in criminal justice.

“He’s somebody that will always be successful be­cause, no matter what hap­pens to Joe, he’s going to find a way to make some­thing good happen,” said UAB quarterback coach Ty­son Helton, who was one of the speakers at the cere­mony. “I don’t care how long his career is in pro football, he’ll be a successful person throughout his life.”

Webb’s quest toward making the Vikings began soon after the club made him its sixth-round draft choice with the 199th over­all pick in the draft. Webb said it was a bit overwhelm­ing when he first walked into the locker room.

“I saw Brett Favre’s locker and was like, ‘Man, that’s crazy right there,’ ” Webb said. “I’ve been watching this man play for a long time. It’s touched my heart because I did a lot of work to get there. I’m just enjoy­ing the moment.”

He returns to Minnesota on Sunday to begin work to­ward making the Vikings roster. He will participate in the team’s daily workouts until late June, return home for a short time and then be­gin training camp in July. Making the roster isn’t guar­anteed but thinks his versa­tility is a plus.

“They told me I was something like a lottery pick because I can do a lot of things,” Webb said. “I play quarterback, receiver, spe­cial teams. I think that’s a big plus on my side and I’m just looking at opportunities to get better.”

Webb is also adjusting to life off the field. His mother, Wanda, who attended Thursday’s ceremony, sug­gested that Webb’s brother, Gary Myles, move to Minne­sota with him. Webb said that would help ease his transition.

On Thursday, Carr-Hunter reminded Webb to never forget where he started.

“I’m looking forward to seeing you on television,” she said with a smile. “Most of all, I’m looking forward to your contribution back to the school.”