McCants: Your thoughts?

If Ramsey's confidence is broken by some healthy competition then we don't need a player like him on the team.

I'm sure this example is going to be brought up alot in the coming months and it already has, but look at how Brees responded in San Diego. The Chargers basically left him for dead and were all set to rebuild with Rivers, but Brees responded by working his tail off in the offseason and went out and had a Pro Bowl season.

Once Ramsey stopped pouting last year he seemed to respond pretty well to the presence of Brunell, and look where it got him, instead of continuing to pout all year he was ready when called upon late in the season and he is now the starter for 2005.

Going through last year should enable him to handle the presence of Campbell just fine.

Healthy competition is one thing, but it really seems like Gibb's doesn't want Patrick period.

2 different situations. Brady came in because a guy was hurt. It was a much easier decision to make when the incumbant is a) hurt b) old and c) going into a contract year. Belichek obviously didn't see that much difference in the 2 QBs to pay out the money to keep Bledsoe and he knew that he could get good value from him by trading him for picks. Ramsey/Brunell/Campbell is a completely different scenerio.

Wait you changed the subject:
You brought it up in the context of a young QB not having to look over his shoulder and not feeling confidant. Not about which QB the coach should choose or what trade value that QB has.

Regarding your points that it was easier for coach Bellichek because:
a) the incumbant is hurt
b) the incumbant is old
c) going into contract year

The old and hurt incumbant (Bledsoe) was healthy and on the sidelines and ready to go before the playoffs strated in 2001 season. Brady got hurt in the in a very close AFC Champioship game against the Steelers and Bledsoe led them to the victiory. It was a day before the SB that Bellichek decided to go with Brady after Bledsoe played so well in the Steeler game the week prior.

I was living in Boston from 2000-2004; I was there and there was a huge QB controversy leading into that first SB win in 2001. It was not an easy decision for Bellichek, the city was leaning more towards going with the vet Bledsoe. It was a very unpopular decision in Boston that he went with Brady. Despite all of this pressure, the very young 6th round draft pick (Brady) did just fine.
That is real pressure, getting picked to start the SB over a multi-probowl player and having that probowl player HEALTHY on the side line ready to go.
With Ramsey's weak confidance with Brunnell on his team, he would not have handled this situation since it is more tense.

Healthy competition is one thing, but it really seems like Gibb's doesn't want Patrick period.

No, he just wants to have back up incase Ramsey gets hurt or cannot handle the pressure.
Gibbs would have traded Ramsey when teams were offering high 2nd round - low 1st round picks for him last year. What did Gibbs say at that time? No, Ramsey is our future QB.

Last season Ramsey IMO didn't have muck of a chance to see the field at the start of the season, this season he's the incombent, he will start, I agree with others if Ramseys play is hurt because we drafted a backup then he's not the QB for us. Drew Brees situation was far worse than Ramseys and he stepped up and took the bull by the horn's and so should Ramsey.

I will say this, I don't think Gibbs drafted Campbell with the intention of him being a 3 year project, I do believe Gibbs will be chopping at the bit to get Campbell some field time this season, I do believe Campbell has to see some field time this season as well, he need's to be showcased for a trade after Ramsey proves his metal this season. The one thing I will say about Gibbs great strengths of the past is to make a QB look better than he is, and in so doing extracting nice trade value out of him down the road ALA Jay Schroeder, who knows if both players step up Campbell may bring back a couple of #1's, that would help to make this draft day trade a little more palatable.

Matty, it was pretty obvious that Brunnel wasn't taking anyones job (though he took it for too long.) Also, not all players respond the way Brees did with someone breathing down their throat. Honestly, some players aren't good at blocking that whole "Im going to lose my job" aspect. Think of it in your work place, do they have a guy sitting at the desk right behind you, just waiting for you to screw up so he can take your job? Do you get nervous when people closely inspect what you do constantly? It happens.

Why can't we give Ramsey a year where he's the starter hands down, no one to take his spot, no drama.

Gibbs has repeatedly said Ramsey is the starter for 2005 and beyond, the only drama is coming from the media and fans.

Besides, if Ramsey can't handle the pressure, I don't want him here, who wants a QB who can't handle pressure??

If Ramsey was one of the top QBs in the league it would be different. Problem is he hasn't earned the right to not have his job challenged.

......Why can't we give Ramsey a year where he's the starter hands down, no one to take his spot, no drama.

I thought we already had that, is was 2003. Or does that not count for whatever reason...?

2003 QB Stats:


Player Att Comp Yds Comp % Yds/Att TD TD % INT INT % Long Sack/Lost Rating
Patrick Ramsey 337 179 2166 53.1 6.4 14 4.2 9 2.7 64 30/206 75.8
Tim Hasselbeck 177 95 1012 53.7 5.7 5 2.8 7 4.0 40 9/44 63.6
Rod Gardner 3 2 46 66.7 15.3 2 66.7 0 0.0 36 0/0 149.3
Rob Johnson 7 5 39 71.4 5.6 0 0.0 0 0.0 14 3/15 84.8
Gibran Hamdan 2 1 7 50.0 3.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 7 1/2 58.3
Bryan Barker 1 1 3 100.0 3.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 3 0/0 79

Forgive me for joining this discussion late, but about McCants and special teams, I have one question.

Does anyone remember Rod Gardner ever playing special teams?

I sure as hell don't. If not, why did Gardner get a free pass all last year to the starting squad while he had one good performance every 6 or 7 games, all while not playing a single time on special teams?

Gibbs has repeatedly said Ramsey is the starter for 2005 and beyond, the only drama is coming from the media and fans.

Besides, if Ramsey can't handle the pressure, I don't want him here, who wants a QB who can't handle pressure??

If Ramsey was one of the top QBs in the league it would be different. Problem is he hasn't earned the right to not have his job challenged.


As much as I like Ramsey and want to see him as our starter I have to agree with Matty on this one.