Webb, Favre, Ramsey? Who will QB Vikings against the Bears?
As far as the Bears are concerned, the Vikings quarterback position this week is like a box of chocolates. You don't know what you're going to get.
Third-stringer Joe Webb, a sixth-round pick from Alabama-Birmingham, who was originally drafted as a wide receiver project, is the likely starter Monday night. He has thrown 5 passes this season, completing 2 for 8 yards.
Tarvaris Jackson was placed on injured reserve with a turf toe Tuesday. Brett Favre didn't practice Thursday. His list of injured body parts includes right shoulder, ankle and chest. Patrick Ramsey, a nine-year veteran, was signed Thursday, but he hasn't started a game since 2005.
For now, it looks like Webb, but ...
“We'll see,” Bears quarterback Jay Cutler said. “I wouldn't be surprised if Brett is out there.”
The Bears' defense has been tough on young quarterbacks this season.
Julius Peppers separated Matthew Stafford's shoulder in the season opener against the Lions. Panthers rookie Jimmy Clausen was benched after completing 9 of 22 passes for 61 yards with an interception. The Dolphins' Tyler Thigpen completed 17 of 29 passes for 187 yards with an interception and a passer rating of 63.4.
“You've seen it,” Cutler said. “We've had a few first-time starters go against this defense. It's tough. They're flying around in that Cover-2, they play it very, very well.”
Bears coach Lovie Smith said the Bears will prepare for a Vikings offense in general and for running back Adrian Peterson.
“It's easy to prepare for a guy you know,” he said. “But I don't think they'll do a lot of things differently, whether it's Brett Favre, whether it's Patrick Ramsey or Joe Webb. They still have a great running back, and we have to concentrate on him.”
Although Ramsey wasn't signed until Thursday by the Vikings, he could direct their offense as soon as Monday night, according to Cutler. Ramsey, a nine-year veteran, was Cutler's backup in Denver in 2007 and '08. He was with the Dolphins earlier this season.
“He's a great guy and a great teammate,” Cutler said. “Smart guy. He's not going to hurt them. He's going to take what our defense gives him. Going against a Cover-2 team like we are, he's done it before. He's a guy who could learn a system in a week and be ready to play. If he has to start, he'll do the job. He'll do it well.”
Injury clarification: Cornerback Charles Tillman didn't practice Thursday because of a foot injury suffered in Sunday's game that left him hopping around the locker room afterward.The day after that, coach Lovie Smith was asked about Tillman and said: #8220;He's good to go as far as I know, unless you know something I don't. We're expecting everyone to practice the next time we play.#8221;Thursday afternoon, Smith said of Tillman: #8220;He has a foot injury. We don't think it's too serious. Hopefully, we will get him back (today).#8221;Running back Chester Taylor (knee) and linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee) were limited in practice.