A flurry of action around the NFL these past 24 hours has the Vikings roster looking a little different than you’ll remember from their final preseason game Thursday.
In one of the biggest cuts of the young 2013 year, the Bears released tackle J’Marcus Webb a few days ago, and he has landed in purple after spending his first three seasons in Chicago.
Webb has seen his fair share of turmoil while in the Windy City, the most public of which came in 2012, when QB Jay Cutler shoved the offensive lineman and was seen yelling at him on the sidelines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB-4qoFd1F8
Cutler smoothed things over in-game as well, as you can see below.
In addition to taking a verbal beating from Cutler, Webb has at times taken a physical one from opponents as well. On more than one occasion Webb surrendered multiple sacks in single games, while never being able to find a consistent way to use his 6’7″, 330-pound frame effectively at either left or right tackle.
Still, the value seems right for Minnesota, as Webb most recently took a pay cut to the veterans minimum of $630,000, and his 44 starts speak volumes of the experience he will bring as a backup. Pioneer Press Vikings beat writer Sean Jensen agrees.
Not sure the #Vikings could have asked for more, in terms of experience, salary and potential. @jmarcuswebb should get some time to blend in
— Sean K. Jensen (@seankjensen) September 1, 2013
Minnesota also signed six others today, a full list can be found here.
In other news, one relatively surprising cut for the purple yesterday was wide receiver Stephen Burton, who was battling QB/WR Joe Webb for the final wideout spot on the 53-man roster.
Not surprising is that Burton has landed on his feet, as the receiver-hungry Jacksonville Jaguars claimed the 23-year old pass catcher as they look to add talent around third-year QB Blaine Gabbert.
