Quote:
Originally Posted by dgack
I don't think the call for respect means we owe Jason some debt of gratitude. What I do think some people (myself included) are tired of is comments that lower the fanbase to looking more like Eagles fans than Redskins fans.
I've defended Campbell on this board, both statistically and subjectively. Not because I think he's a franchise QB or the QB of the future, but because I believe that he's a decent QB who works hard, is durable, reasonably accurate, young, and has good character. If you can win a Super Bowl with Trent Dilfer, I'm pretty damn sure you could make the playoffs with Jason Campbell. But that's neither here nor there, because that's not the way we've approached team building in the past, and the signing of McNabb is a clear indicator that Win Now is still the team's mantra.
Anyway, regardless of where you place the blame for the team's performance over the past few years, IMO the vitriol that is aimed at JC17 is really uncalled for. Statistically the guy has improved year after year, he has always worked his ass off, has taken more physical punishment than any Skins QB not named Ramsey, and has generally just fallen short of our lofty expectations.
That shouldn't earn him a ticker tape parade, but it shouldn't earn him scorn and derision, either. When you think about the carousel of failures, idiots, and prima donnas we've had on this team in the last few years: Lloyd, Archuleta, Jason Taylor, Portis, Rogers, and don't even get me started on Haynesworth.. you've got "me first" players everywhere you look.
Jason wasn't what we all hoped he would be, but I think the annual Snyder spending sprees have dulled some of you to just how rare it is to have a guy who is team first through and through who gives it everything he has and (pardon the expression, Saint Joe) "fights his guts out".
Personally, I appreciate that, even if it didn't lead to the results I wanted. It's the same reason I love Gary Williams and would be revolted if a guy like Calipari were ever to be hired to coach the Terps, but then again there are a lot of people screaming "Fire Gary" because he isn't landing the one-and-done walking recruiting violation blue chippers. YMMV I guess.
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Extremely well stated. My thoughts exactly.
I can't help but wonder, if Campbell was more of a "me first" type guy and was more vocally critical of the complete lack of protection he was receiving whether this sadistically fickle fan base would have been more supportive of him. Seems like nice guys generally get thrown under the bus and just because he wasn't all up in people's faces bitching and moaning he doesn't get the benefit of the doubt.
Clearly the "team"...yeah, this is a team sport, didn't meet expectations under Campbell. Has a quarterback ever met expectations of this fan base other than Theismann, Williams, or Rypien...all for one season only?
Can't help but believe McNabb will be the the victim of the Washington faithful's wrath after a few of his signature dump offs to the dirt, or anti-aircraft fire over throws. They will happen...the question is how will we respond?