Seven games left
 

Since we've been blessed with the opportunity of being distracted from a 3-6 record... Let's talk more about tomorrow, and less about yesterday.

I'd love to hear some healthy logical thoughts/predictions about the remaining 28 quarters of football. Some huge questions need to be asked. What if Campbell bombs out, do we keep him on the roster? Where will the blame go if we keep losing? If we start winning? Finally, if anyone is interested; here's my two cents on two likely situations.

[B][U]Scenario 1[/U] [U]:( [/U][/B]
[B][U]-----------[/U][/B]

Campbell plays like crap, which in reality, makes alot of sense. He has no portis, and no defense to help him. We're throwing an inexperienced young Quarterback into a pit of sharks, with lazer beams on their foreheads. The season may shed little to no light on what is to come, and the juicy free agent QB's on Mr.Snyder's plate make their way to Washington.

Rob, full of offseason anxiety, sits in a corner after the season and knows JC will somehow be given away like Trent Green. Change appears to be the theme of the off-season once again, and Redskins reach the long awaited "[I]offseason superbowl[/I]" with high expectations. With our top 5 pick, Redskins trade down, and bolster both lines and the secondary.

[B][U]Scenario 2[/U] [U]:) [/U][/B]
[B][U]-----------[/U][/B]

The offense has a resurgence and Campbell shows flashes of brilliance. Betts, while clutching his fate of becoming an elite NFL back, rises to the occasion. The depth of our backfield proves to be the deciding factor of the second half the season, with newcomer T.J. Duckett characteristically playing solid football.

The receivers break out in the dramatically changed gameplan. "Downfield passing" is no longer the phrase Redskins fans shudder when they hear. The defense still struggles early, but develops the Greg Williams swagger as the secondary gains some much needed experience. The reskins fall short of the playoffs, but still spoil an NFC teams' chance at the wild card.

Redskins take their 12th overall pick and draft a defensive end, and use what's left on the lines. We turn to the FA for secondary help. All in all, a more optimistic possibility, and IMO more likely.

Re: Seven games left
 

campbell tosses really really nice deep balls, so i think there will be more downfield... but probably more ints from forcing balls into coverage.

betts isn't an elite back and won't be. he's a solid starter, but he doesn't create many yards when they're not there (compared to guys like portis).

we bring in a 1st round pick at DE, clements through FA, brandon fields at punter (7th or UDFA), use our 5th pick on a CB, 6th on ANOTHER OL guy that'll probably be cut, and the 7th on some minor need (blocking TE, wedge buster, punter, etc).

the thing about campbell - alex smith threw 1 td and 11 ints, and had a million fumbles last year... and this year he's actually playing alright, so 7 games might not be enough to judge campbell fully. hopefully he shows flashes though.

Re: Seven games left
 

[quote=That Guy;246867]the thing about campbell - alex smith threw 1 td and 11 ints, and had a million fumbles last year... and this year he's actually playing alright, so 7 games might not be enough to judge campbell fully. hopefully he shows flashes though.[/quote]I was going to make this point if you hadn't. You can't judge a QB on his first 7 NFL starts. So if Campbell completely sucks this season, I still would not worry about his development going foward. The JC you see vs. NYG week 17, and the one that plays opening day next season....it's gonna be night and day.

Re: Seven games left
 

[quote=That Guy;246867]campbell tosses really really nice deep balls, so i think there will be more downfield... but probably more ints from forcing balls into coverage.

betts isn't an elite back and won't be. he's a solid starter, but he doesn't create many yards when they're not there (compared to guys like portis).

we bring in a 1st round pick at DE, clements through FA, brandon fields at punter (7th or UDFA), use our 5th pick on a CB, 6th on ANOTHER OL guy that'll probably be cut, and the 7th on some minor need (blocking TE, wedge buster, punter, etc).

[B]the thing about campbell - alex smith threw 1 td and 11 ints, and had a million fumbles last year... and this year he's actually playing alright, so 7 games might not be enough to judge campbell fully. hopefully he shows flashes though[/B].[/quote]

I really really really want campbell to play well. If he plays mediocre or worse... there's going to be some drama. Will redskins stick by their faithful draft pick, or bring in another "veh-tran".

As far as Betts, I probably phrased it wrong with the possibility of him becoming an elite back... but he has the potential to be a "solid starter" like you suggested.

I don't see us keeping him either way. If he plays well, he gets a good offer by another team. If he sucks, we don't keep him around either.

Re: Seven games left
 

[quote=GTripp0012;246877]I was going to make this point if you hadn't. [B]You can't judge a QB on his first 7 NFL starts.[/B] So if Campbell completely sucks this season, I still would not worry about his development going foward. The JC you see vs. NYG week 17, and the one that plays opening day next season....it's gonna be night and day.[/quote]
You can enough to flex the possibility of bringing in "competitive insurance".

Re: Seven games left
 

[quote=RobH4413;246882]You can enough to flex the possibility of bringing in "competitive insurance".[/quote]You want to bring in a vet (if you let MB go), but you don't want to make Campbell insecure for his job. That's not helpful to a young guy's development.

Of course, I could see something like that happening.

Re: Seven games left
 

I think it will happen regardless of Campbells play.

I don't see us holding on to Brunell (cap reasons), so I'm assuming we'll hold on to Collins and either draft a late round QB, or pick up a veteran via FA.

Re: Seven games left
 

scenario 2 appeals more to me that anything else.

Re: Seven games left
 

[quote=GTripp0012;246877]I was going to make this point if you hadn't. You can't judge a QB on his first 7 NFL starts. So if Campbell completely sucks this season, I still would not worry about his development going foward. The JC you see vs. NYG week 17, and the one that plays opening day next season....it's gonna be night and day.[/quote]

This is well put. Plus he is going to get all of the off season work and that is going to help a ton. Plus he will be in the same system for two straight years.

Re: Seven games left
 

I truly think its gonna be more of a 1 senario- that said, i praying for 2.

if you are a realist, 1 is most likely.

Re: Seven games left
 

The NFL is a 3rd down league. #8 has been absolutely horrific on 3rd down this year.

If JC comes in and just does okay on 3rd down, the Skins will show a very significant improvement during these next 7 games. Many things he brings to the table lead me to suspect that he will do well on 3rd down. This is why I am optimistic about what we will see the rest of the season.

Converting 3rd downs will help all offensive categories as well as help the defense.

Once again, one very obvious and signifcant difference is that JC throws right not left (like #8). This will impact both pass selection and protection.

The big question is JCs ability to not give away the ball.

Re: Seven games left
 

call me crazy, but I think we will be a better team. over the next 7 games, we will be over 500 in them. I think teams will have to respect the athletic ability of Campbell, his strong arm and ability to move around. that said, he will face a lot of blitzes sunday, if he can hit a couple of deep balls early that will be great. With Campbell i think we will be forced to run the ball more, 25 to 30 times a game. Duckett is going to be huge. Hopefully we can play Redskin football the last 7 games. I think this will energize our Defense and they play better also!!. Run the ball, punch somebody in the mouth, hit em deep with play action. When the 4th quarter comes around, all the O-lineman will be telling the D-line whats coming and daring them to stop us!!


BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZz,,,,

man I just had the craziest dream!

Re: Seven games left
 

If we end up over .500 as you say, in all likelihood we make the playoffs. That's a scenario that would be like World Orgasm Day coming early!

Re: Seven games left
 

i do think that campbell will struggle a bit. it shudn't be surprise. i just want us to get our struggles out of the way now that this season's playoff chancing are dim.

i sure hope he shows those signs of brilliance though.

Re: Seven games left
 

It's actually kind of depressing we only have seven games to watch this year. :(

I remember last year, our first playoff birth in years, all the hype surrounding it. MAN, here's hoping Campbell can bring us back come next year.

Re: Seven games left
 

[quote=That Guy;246867]campbell tosses really really nice deep balls, so i think there will be more downfield... but probably more ints from forcing balls into coverage.[/quote]

I will gladly take a 60-yard INT on 3rd down over a 35-yard Derrick Frost punt on 4th.

Re: Seven games left
 

Think the real answer will be somewhere between scenarios 1 and 2. Campbell will show flashes of serious promise, making some impressive throws from time to time, with deep accuracy, and he'll show some ability to move around and avoid the pass rush. But he'll also show periods of being a serious youngster - take sacks in bad situations, force throws into coverage, etc.

All in all he will leave us thinking he has what it takes to be a good NFL QB someday, but also wondering whether Gibbs and the Redskins have the patience to allow him to develop. Come the offseason, we'll all be on pins and needles wondering if the 'Skins will sign a new vet QB - and this board will flame up with QB controversy discussions.

Re: Seven games left
 

I just hope we play more agressively with campbell, I know we are trying to "protect" him with conservative play, however, the season is lost, so let him take his shots downfield, I hope Al Saunders feels the same way. Anyone can complete dink and dunks, even brunell

Re: Seven games left
 

If I said they would go on a 1985-Jay-Schroeder-style win streak you would respond that I was an unrealistic fan. So I won't say that;-)

Re: Seven games left
 

[quote=Eight in the Box;246944]I will gladly take a 60-yard INT on 3rd down over a 35-yard Derrick Frost punt on 4th.[/quote]

Right, I'd rather him throw an INT deep, and give us a chance to tackle, rather than a Brunell INT 3-4 yards down the field and have it taken to the house.

Re: Seven games left
 

[quote=Schneed10;246945]Think the real answer will be somewhere between scenarios 1 and 2. Campbell will show flashes of serious promise, making some impressive throws from time to time, with deep accuracy, and he'll show some ability to move around and avoid the pass rush. But he'll also show periods of being a serious youngster - take sacks in bad situations, force throws into coverage, etc.[/quote]

That's about what I'm expecting and all I want to see. I don't expect Campbell to come in and light the place on fire. I just want to see some promise and flashes of brilliance. I don't care if he throws a few picks, and hopefully Gibbs won't yank him if he struggles a little bit.

Re: Seven games left
 

[QUOTE=Jason72;246950]If I said they would go on a 1985-Jay-Schroeder-style win streak you would respond that I was an unrealistic fan. So I won't say that;-)[/QUOTE]

I'll say it then :)

Re: Seven games left
 

If we see Campbell come in, beat TB IN TB and then come home to beat the Panthers, I'll know we have some serious talent on our hands. I've resigned myself to knowing that we won't make the playoffs, but if somehow fortune smiled on us one more time and we won three-in-a-row, hope might spark once more.

Re: Seven games left
 

I really don't know why some people are afraid that Gibbs will have a short leash with Campbell. Gibbs gave Ramsey the last 7 games in 2004, so I'm not sure why he wouldn't give his own handpicked QB the same chance.

I think he's quite aware of the fact that Campbell is going to face some struggles. With the team basically out of the playoff race it would make no sense at all to have a short leash with him. I think the coaches are going to want to get a good look at him over these next 7 games to determine what direction the team will take in the offseason.

Re: Seven games left
 

Not only that, what point would it be to put Brunell BACK in? Salvage the season?! HA. If anything, let Campbell take his lumps and give us a low pick in the draft.

Re: Seven games left
 

[quote=Mattyk72;246966]I really don't know why some people are afraid that Gibbs will have a short leash with Campbell. Gibbs gave Ramsey the last 7 games in 2004, so I'm not sure why he wouldn't give his own handpicked QB the same chance.[/quote]

The only reason I'm worried about Campbell getting yanked is because when Gibbs was doing his radio show on Monday, and someone asked about Brunell's future he said that "Mark will sit back in the backup spot, rest up and get healthy, and we'll see where it goes from there". Maybe he was just trying to lessen the blow for Brunell, but that doesn't sound like he's done for good to me.

Re: Seven games left
 

[quote=Mattyk72;246966]I really don't know why some people are afraid that Gibbs will have a short leash with Campbell. Gibbs gave Ramsey the last 7 games in 2004, so I'm not sure why he wouldn't give his own handpicked QB the same chance.

I think he's quite aware of the fact that Campbell is going to face some struggles. With the team basically out of the playoff race it would make no sense at all to have a short leash with him. I think the coaches are going to want to get a good look at him over these next 7 games to determine what direction the team will take in the offseason.[/quote]

I personally wouldn't be worried about Campbell having a short leash this season. But I'd be worried about what Gibbs will do going into next season. Will he trust Campbell and let him go with it, or will he bring in another vet?

Only time will tell. One would think Gibbs will give Campbell a good chance given that Gibbs hand-picked him; then again Gibbs loves the cagey old vets.

Re: Seven games left
 

[quote=The Zimmermans;246947]I just hope we play more agressively with campbell, I know we are trying to "protect" him with conservative play, however, the season is lost, so let him take his shots downfield, I hope Al Saunders feels the same way. Anyone can complete dink and dunks, even brunell[/quote]

yes, they will tailor the game plan, I think the ? is, are we conservative in the # of plays, the type of plays or both?
I hope Al simplifies the play set but includes some downfield stuff that JC can let go. wonder if we'll see bootleg/rollout calls?
I'm looking forward to seeing JC run for a 1st down. The 2nd drive of the dallas game on 3rd & 2, MB could've run & slid, instead threw to Loyd & almost got picked in the end zone.

Re: Seven games left
 

But you also don't want to kill his confidence by having him throw downfield and get picked 4-5 times.

Re: Seven games left
 

If he can't handle pics, then he won't be the guy in the end. We need someone who is mentally strong, especially in this city. We need someone who takes risks in order to make the big play, and to not doubt themselves.

Re: Seven games left
 

He's thrown picks before. in fact didn't he throw a pick in pre-season and then responded very well on his next series?

Re: Seven games left
 

exactly, I'm not worried about pics hurting his confidence, he knows they are gonna come. So I think we should worry less about "protecting" him and more about showing what he's capable of. He's got a good offensive foundation around him, he's got the tools, let's see em in action. God I hope the first play is a pass play.

Re: Seven games left
 

[quote=Southpaw;246974]The only reason I'm worried about Campbell getting yanked is because when Gibbs was doing his radio show on Monday, and someone asked about Brunell's future he said that "Mark will sit back in the backup spot, rest up and get healthy, and we'll see where it goes from there". Maybe he was just trying to lessen the blow for Brunell, but that doesn't sound like he's done for good to me.[/quote]

I said it in another thread, I think Joe is just too nice of a guy to shut the door on Brunell. I don't think the comment really applies to the rest of this season, I think he's talking next year. And even then, if Campbell looks promising the rest of the way he'll leave Gibbs with no choice.

Re: Seven games left
 

[quote=Schneed10;246975]I personally wouldn't be worried about Campbell having a short leash this season. But I'd be worried about what Gibbs will do going into next season. Will he trust Campbell and let him go with it, or will he bring in another vet?

Only time will tell. One would think Gibbs will give Campbell a good chance given that Gibbs hand-picked him; then again Gibbs loves the cagey old vets.[/quote]

cap wise, how do you see Brunell fitting in next year?

Re: Seven games left
 

I hope to God Brunell doesnt' fit in next year. I think collins is a viable enough backup considering he knows the system and would be a lot of help to campbell in the offseason

Re: Seven games left
 

I think that Campbell is probably a bust. I hope not, but that's what my gut tells me.

They will have to blow the team up. I hope in doing so, they begin to find a way out of the constant cap b.s and restructuring and robbing Peter to pay Paul, etc. If we have to suck for a few years thern so be it. We suck anyways.

Re: Seven games left
 

[quote=The Zimmermans;246987]If he can't handle pics, then he won't be the guy in the end. We need someone who is mentally strong, especially in this city. We need someone who takes risks in order to make the big play, and to not doubt themselves.[/quote]
I was talking to my good friend the other night after watching the SEC chapionship game highlights. What struck us both was the fact that after Campbell made a couple poor decisions, he didn't sulk and flop around... but rather changed his intensity, made some plays, and won the game.

Granted, just one game. But it made an impact.

Re: Seven games left
 

[quote=70Chip;247060]I think that Campbell is probably a bust. I hope not, but that's what my gut tells me. [/quote]

He hasn't played a game yet and that's what your gut is telling you?

Possibly further evidence for why people should use their brains rather than their entrails.

Re: Seven games left
 

I don't think he'll be a bust, but our past track record leaves us to expect anything but.

Re: Seven games left
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;247069]I don't think he'll be a bust, but our past track record leaves us to expect anything but.[/quote]

Don't go by our past track record, go by Gibbs past track record. That should settle the stomach. Oh, and Cary Conklin doesn't count.