Patrick Reusse: Quarterback shuffle no sweat for Wade

Bobby Wade had his best of five NFL seasons with Tarvaris Jackson as his primary quarterback in 2007. Wade led the Vikings in catches (54) and receiving yards (647).

It wasn't a surprise that Wade was among the Vikings assuring the media and the public that the young quarterback had shown sizable progress during the offseason camps and workouts.

Jackson was the quarterback for the first two games, the Vikings lost both and the switch was made to veteran Gus Frerotte before last week's victory over Carolina.

Jackson booster that he was, Wade can be excused for not being rattled by a quarterback change.

"Everybody thinks it's a dramatic thing for a team when there's a quarterback switch,'' he said. "It's not. You probably see more changes at that position than anywhere in a lineup.''

Wade played college football at Arizona from 1999 through 2002. He worked with three quarterbacks: Keith Smith and Ortege Jenkins in 1999, Jenkins in 2000 and Jason Johnson in 2001 and 2002.

"We were a running team the first two years,'' Wade said. "Then, John Mackovic came in and we threw it all over. I had pretty good numbers playing with Jason Johnson.''

Wade caught 93 passes for 1,389 yards as a senior. It was the second-best season for a receiver in Wildcats history.

Working with three quarterbacks in four years was the picture of stability compared to what Wade has encountered as a professional.

"When Gus took the field Sunday, he was my 17th quarterback in the NFL,'' the receiver said.

The Star Tribune made an official count later and came up with 16. Wade might have included Steve McNair, who was out because of an injury when the receiver arrived in Tennessee for the final two games of the 2005 season.

Here's the list of quarterbacks who have played in the regular season when Wade was active as a receiver:

2003 Bears: Kordell Stewart, Chris Chandler and Rex Grossman.

2004 Bears: Chad Hutchinson, Craig Krenzel and Jonathan Quinn (plus Grossman).

2005 Bears (10 games): Kyle Orton and Jeff Blake (plus Grossman).

2005 Titans (2 games): Billy Volek and Matt Mauck.

2006 Titans: Vince Young and Kerry Collins.

2007 Vikings: Jackson, Brooks Bollinger and Kelly Holcomb.

2008 Vikings: Frerotte (plus Jackson).

There are many painful memories on this list for Vikings fans. For instance:

Chandler was the quarterback in Atlanta's upset of the Vikings in the NFC title game in January 1999. Collins was the quarterback in the New York Giants' 41-0 victory over the Vikings in the NFC title game in January 2001. Plus, Hutchinson's only moment of competence as an NFL quarterback occurred in a victory over the Vikings in 2004.

"I'm aware of all those connections,'' Wade said.

The Vikings are in Nashville today to play the 3-0 Titans. Wade wound up there on waivers when the Bears let him go late in 2005. He was in Tennessee for all of 2006, catching 33 passes (including his first two touchdowns) and averaging 23.9 yards on 50 kickoff returns.

Those seem like respectable numbers for a player the Titans made no effort to keep after the season.

"I was really surprised,'' Wade said. "I definitely thought they were going to bring me back. After the season, I thought Tennessee was going to give me my best opportunity.

"It didn't present itself, and Minnesota definitely did [present opportunity].''

The Vikings signed Wade as a free agent. They envisioned him as an upgrade over the departed Travis Taylor as a slot receiver. The numbers were similar to Taylor's in 2006, but Wade was more reliable -- including off the field.

Jackson seemed adept a year ago when his read at the line was that Wade would be open.

"Tarvaris' quick game is very good,'' Wade said. "It's when he had to start looking around that he had a tougher time. That's the way it is with young quarterbacks. Vince Young is going through the same thing in Tennessee.

"So, we both have the veterans starting: Gus and Collins. And, despite what people think, making a change at quarterback isn't that big a deal to the rest of the players.''

Wade stopped, smiled and said: "Especially me.''