[skinsguy]

My thing is this. Let's rewind back to the Giants game. We were up 14 points in the second half. If I seem to remember correctly, didn't the Giants get the ball first in the second half? Didn't they score a TD on that drive? Maybe I'm wrong, but I was thinking this is what happened. So, basically, the Redskins had a 7 point lead when they received the ball. So, the 'skins get the ball back, do a quick three and out and the Giants come back and score again. Now, we're all tied up! So, is it the offense or defense or both? Hhmmm... Now, on the the real point....

If we throw three incomplete passes down field, stopping the clock each time we do this, then how is that any better than a ball controlled approach? Yeah, there is more time left for us to get the ball, but at the same time, it puts our defense back on the field just as fast, if not faster. Ok, well let's just pass on first down and run on second. Ok, well suppose that first down pass is incomplete. Are we going to run on second down? If we get a minimal gain on second down, we set ourselves up for a third and long. We throw an incompletion on that down, we still have to punt after a three an out, and we still stop the clock. This gives the opposing team more time and more opportunities to score.

I can see why Gibbs or any coach would want to apply a more ball controlled approach with a basically a rookie QB in the line up. Now, certainly you can say, "Well Romo is in the very same situation that Campbell is in." Yes, I agree, but the big difference is Dallas's receivers are doing a better job of catching the ball. Our receivers have dropped quite a few balls so far this year. If we had a few key passes caught from Moss, we would've beat both Miami and Philadelphia by larger margins. And, receivers doing a better job with catching the ball gives the QB more confidence to throw the ball down field AND gives the coach more confidence to open the offense up. But, that hasn't happened, and it sounds to me like those are problems with EXECUTION!

The point I'm making is this. You run more on first down. Even if you only gain a minimal amount of yards, you still have the opportunity to either pass or run again on second down. If either gives you a third and short, then you still have that option to either run or pass. And, you have higher percentage plays to choose from....plays that keep the clock running, keeps your offense on the field, and shortens the game.

This is what Gibbs is wanting to do for Campbell. He wants to shorten the game for the guy. Yes, being too conservative can bite ya in the butt and there is a fine line to follow with playing like this. However, it is better to bring a QB up like that, rather than to put him in the fire and expect him to win every game himself. Campbell is not Tom Brady or Peyton Manning...YET! He's Jason Campbell. He might be better than those guys in a couple of years, but we all have to learn patience. I've said this time and time again. Do I like to lose? Heck no. But, I like things being down right. I am much like Gibbs when it comes to paying attention to detail. I don't want to assume anything. With Gibbs, he's still trying to figure out what type of players he has. He is still trying to see what Campbell can really do for us. It's going to take this season for the coaching staff and the fans to really know what Campbell can do. And yet, we're still 2-1 and have a good chance at having a winning record this year. We all should see that Jason Campbell isn't quite there yet, but this is what is so exciting. The fact that he is just getting started, making his mistakes, but still leading his team to a winning record. We all want perfection right away. Well, it's not going to happen right away.