Backup Spot Still Unsettl(ing)

We don't really want to see either

I think there are still internal politics inside the Redskins when it comes to the [backup] quarterback position. Joe Gibbs has finally elevated his first round pick Jason Campbell, the one that cost the Redskins three draft picks (including 2006's first rounder that became linebacker Manny Lawson for the 49ers) but only because his guy Mark Brunell could not get it done. Al Saunders' guy, Todd Collins is still stalking the sidelines like the answer to a question no one really wants to ask. Meanwhile Jordan Palmer who I am nicknaming Nuke because he throws wild is tartar raw and the Redskins cut the only other quarterback in his 20s with game experience, Casey Bramlet.

I'll even go so far as to say that I suspect the plays Al Saunders called in for Mark in the Titans preseason game may not have been the best plays and that I also suspect when it was Todd's turn in the fourth quarter, he knew exactly what plays were coming, that the plays on that scoring drive were scripted a la Bill Walsh, maybe scripted only between Todd and Al. Resulting traditional media epilogue to the Titans preseason game: Mark 'sputters,' Todd 'shines.' (op. cit.) And people call me paranoid.

As I was re-watching the Redskin-Titans preseason game Sunday (but not with the aplomb of Dillweed at Post Game Heroes) I wondered to myself I said self, what happens if Jason Campbell goes down with a gruesome injury or is otherwise lost for the season? I think we all know the answer we just do not know the answer's jersey number.

Either way that answer is not good.

Mark Brunell has won it, over Patrick Ramsey in 2004.

Mark Brunell has lost it, to Patrick Ramsey in 2004.

Mark Brunell has won it back, from Patrick Ramsey in 2005.

Mark Brunell lost it again, to Jason Campbell in 2006.

He's been in and out more than Colin Ferrell and now Mark has lost it and at this point cannot get it back. If he is elevated as the starter in 2007 at any point and for any reason then we will see a return to the offense from 2006. That is to say a short (weak-arm), controlled (staring down the receiver) passing game with a punishing run game. At best the team can hold serve if the defense is actually improved over last season.

This is in contrast to the season plan for the offense under Jason which is a air it out passing game with a punishing run game. Stretch opposing defenses to loosen up the run game and the underneath passing routes.

Todd Collins is a career backup that has not started an NFL game since LaRon Landry was 12. (gidididit, I love the new nfl.com!)

If Todd Collins is elevated as the starter in 2007 at any point and for any reason we are looking at a 35 year old quarterback that has never thrown a pass for his current head coach.

Unless the Redskins are coming down the stretch controlling their own playoff destiny it makes no sense to see either of these guys in a game since at that point the Redskins will be looking ahead to 2008. Mark and Todd as insurance policies for Jason are pretty weak tea and the team just shitcanned the bridge between Jason and Jordan when they cut World Bowl 15 MVP Casey Bramlet.


PS, I'm not all about Casey here, not at all. Looking at the politics of good backups check what happened to the Eagles last season. Donovan McNabb went down in week 11 and 36 year old Jeff Garcia came in and he and Brian Westbrook carried them to the playoffs. They then lost Jeff in the offseason and have gone back to Brand X backup AJ Feeley. Jeff showed he can still play at a high level in the NFL and maybe I'll be wrong about Todd and/or Mark. I love being wrong because it gives me something to write about because this is a daily blog and I'm sucking wind here man.



Mark Brunell and Todd Collins: Getty Images from here.