Posted: December 29, 2010 12:45 p.m. CT
By BO MITCHELL
FOXSportsNorth.com
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Joe Webb mania is running wild in the Twin Cities.
The Vikings pulled off an unthinkable upset in Philadelphia Tuesday night with Webb at the helm in his first NFL start . Webb completed 65 percent of his passes and displayed athleticism rare for the quarterback position by repeatedly scrambling out of trouble and rushing six times for 31 yards. His signature running play was a nifty touchdown scamper on which he juked and slithered his way into the end zone. However, his best play of the game was a 3rd-and-11 dart to Percy Harvin amidst the pressure of a blitz in his face. The pass was good for 19 yards, and two plays later the Vikings had an insurance touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.
Both were the kind of plays that make even seasoned football people sit up and take notice.
In the end the Vikings had their first victory over a team with a winning record since 2009. The upset will be remembered as the unquestioned high point of this otherwise disastrous season, regardless of what happens in Detroit this Sunday.
No wonder Vikings fans are mildly giddy.
Putting Webb's performance into context provides even more reason for optimism. Vikings faithful have longed for a young quarterback they can build around and grow with. Such players have been a rarity in these parts. Daunte Culpepper stands as the lone exception to a long line of older, veteran-type signal callers who have held down the position in recent decades
