[sportscurmudgeon]

gortiz:

Since you asked, let me tell you why this year is "put up or shut up" for Patrick Ramsey.

I am 100% convinced that Joe Gibbs has not wanted Patrick Ramsey to be his QB from the first time he reviewed the game tapes from the Steve Spurrier Era. I'm sure that Joe Gibbs would be thrilled beyond belief if Ramsey was able to "step up" and "make big plays" and lead the Skins to the playoffs. I don't think Gibbs is speaking with forked tongue when he says that Ramsey is his QB and the one they want to lead the team to victory. But if he tanks it again this year ... I think he's finished in this town.

The first personnel move Gibbs made was to fly around the country to woo Mark Brunell to come to the Skins. Remember the dinner where Brunell had to take Gibbs to the hospital? Remember Danny Boy sending Darrell Green to talk to Brunell because if Danny Boy had done it he would have faced tampering charges?

Brunell had that job for 8 games when it was clear to everyone not living in Mongolia that he couldn't play - maybe due to injury or maybe he's just finished. But it wasn't until Brunell became embarassing last year that Gibbs went to Ramsey.

Then faced with the possiblity that Brunell was never going to be anything more than a shadow of what he used to be, the Skins went and spent next year's first round pick plus another pick to move up in the draft to get - - a QB.

That's why - statistics aside - Ramsey has to get it done this year or he will be picking and choosing where he wants to "resurrect his carrer".

You may choose to live in a fantasy world where this is Ramsey's second year if that suits your needs; but sadly, he is in the 4th year of his contract - - which means that the time at which he will become "financially burdensome" to the team if they keep him is racing toward the Skins very quickly. If he has another year with a QB rating of 75 or less, I think he's outta here - unless the Skins win the NFC East in spite of him. Winning cures EVERYTHING.