Why Brunell is Struggling

[Schneed10]

Not that we need more Mark Brunell threads, but I wanted to post this as a piece of information that not a lot of us, if any, have picked up on. We've all noticed Brunell's suckiness but it's been tough to pinpoint the exact problems.

From today's Washington Post:

The coaches want to work more closely with Brunell, especially on his dropbacks on passing plays and his reading of defenses. While Brunell is a more accurate passer this year than a year ago, the coaching staff wants to emphasize to him that, in associate head coach Al Saunders's offense, decision-making must be immediate. Brunell's habit of dropping into the pocket, scanning the field and then patting the football has disrupted the timing of the offense, coaches say, and forced him to throw to a safety-valve receiver, most often a running back.

This is a good explanation for why Brunell is always checking down to underneath stuff. We know he's been checking down, but we didn't really know why. He doesn't have the timing part down yet, and he's missing his window of opportunity to throw to the WRs. He should have it down by now, IMO.

Good reporting by the Post.

Redskins Assess the Damage - washingtonpost.com

[MTK]

I wonder how much of that is due to adjusting to the new offense.

Whatever it is, they need to get him straightened out and quick.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I wonder how much of that is due to adjusting to the new offense.

Whatever it is, they need to get him straightened out and quick.

When I think about it, Brunell has never run a timing offense like this one before. In Jacksonville and in his first two years here, he was able to survey the field for a while. Now Saunders is asking him to get the ball out quickly, it's got to be an adjustment.

But I mean jeez, he's had all offseason and now seven games, and it's still not there.

[Hog1]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

When I think about it, Brunell has never run a timing offense like this one before. In Jacksonville and in his first two years here, he was able to survey the field for a while. Now Saunders is asking him to get the ball out quickly, it's got to be an adjustment.

But I mean jeez, he's had all offseason and now seven games, and it's still not there.

Maybe if you put a shocking dog collar on Brunell and gave the control to Al, he could get the ball out more quickly?

[theJBexperience]

I remember reading that Mark responded to Collins' comment that it would take a full year to learn Saunders' offense by saying something to the effect, "I'm 35 years old. I don't have a year to learn an offense." Well, it looks like he was right. I remember thinking then that his comment didn't really bolster any confidence in me as how he was going to approach or grasp the new offense.I doubt he really inspired any of his teammates either.

So, given this year learning curve. Why didn't we just trickle in the new 700 page playbook with Mark and keep what worked last year? While JC undertook the full Saunders beast. Also, why not JC in the first place? If it really takes a year, we need to get him in ASAP, so that year isn't another 2-14 year next year.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I agree. And it's nice to finally get some kind of explanation.

[Eriwar]

Yeah he is a shot QB that does not know the offense still. More reason to start Campbell!!!!

[MTK]

I hate to keep going back to the same thing, but Todd Collins said it would take a full season for the QBs to get up to speed in this offense. When I first heard that I was like yeah right, but maybe now it seems he was indeed telling the truth.

Getting back to your point Schneed, I agree Brunell has never been the prototypical dropback, pocket QB. Right now he's struggling with adjusting to this new style of offense, and he doesn't seem to trust what he's seeing.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I hate to keep going back to the same thing, but Todd Collins said it would take a full season for the QBs to get up to speed in this offense. When I first heard that I was like yeah right, but maybe now it seems he was indeed telling the truth.

Getting back to your point Schneed, I agree Brunell has never been the prototypical dropback, pocket QB. Right now he's struggling with adjusting to this new style of offense, and he doesn't seem to trust what he's seeing.

That's a very good point. Given that the playbook is supposedly 700 pages, it's no surprise that Brunell has struggled a bit to get plays downfield. Perhaps because Mark is relatively unfamiliar with the playbook, he is not comfortable with throwing to a spot and anticipating that a receiver will be there.

[illdefined]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I hate to keep going back to the same thing, but Todd Collins said it would take a full season for the QBs to get up to speed in this offense. When I first heard that I was like yeah right, but maybe now it seems he was indeed telling the truth.

Getting back to your point Schneed, I agree Brunell has never been the prototypical dropback, pocket QB. Right now he's struggling with adjusting to this new style of offense, and he doesn't seem to trust what he's seeing.

that's why the decision to try and teach Brunell this whole new offense this late in his career, has to be questioned. it just has to.

with the dire (and mostly unavoidable) state of our defense, you look to the QB to pick the team up and try and win games. 5 losses (especially the WAY we've lost them) has been too many to realize that Brunell wasn't about to "win now".

he's obviously struggled with it despite the ENORMOUS investment in him, while we now risk losing another season trying to teach this system to the next quarterback.

[Chief X_Phackter]

Originally Posted by illdefined

with the dire (and mostly unavoidable) state of our defense, you look to the QB to pick the team up and try and win games. 5 losses (especially the WAY we've lost them) has been too many to realize that Brunell wasn't about to "win now".

Our defense has lost us the games...not our offense. You can't seriously be thinking Campbell would be able to put up more points than Brunell has to this point, just learning the offense himself, can you?

[illdefined]

Originally Posted by Chief X_Phackter

Our defense has lost us the games...not our offense. You can't seriously be thinking Campbell would be able to put up more points than Brunell has to this point, just learning the offense himself, can you?

yeah i think Campbell could definitely get us more points than Brunell on physical abilities alone. all our recievers are going to complete waste, and i know Campbell would escape alot more rushes and wouldn't be so quick to check down.

at this point, a long bomb on a broken 3rd down play is worth more to us than a 3yd check down and guaranteed punt. even if its an INT 50yds downfield, at least its DOWNFIELD.

[Eriwar]

Originally Posted by Chief X_Phackter

Our defense has lost us the games...not our offense. You can't seriously be thinking Campbell would be able to put up more points than Brunell has to this point, just learning the offense himself, can you?

Do you remember the playoff game we won against Tampa Bay. Your boy MB set a record passing ( 41 yards in a winning effort with 1 interception). MB is washed up.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Eriwar

Do you remember the playoff game we won against Tampa Bay. Your boy MB set a record passing ( 41 yards in a winning effort with 1 interception). MB is washed up.

That's great but we're talking about this year and what the defense has done, or hasn't done to be more specific.

[TheBloodSkin]

This is my first post, but I have been viewing the site for a few years now. It's good to be able to rejoice together and spew together. With that said, everyone knows Brunell is on his way out as starter whether it be this season or (MY God) hopefully next. Spending time trying to get him to learn this season (2-5) will result in Campbell taking all of next season trying to get acclimated to the system. When does the madness stop????????? WE MUST SEE IF CAMPBELL IS THE MAN FOR THE JOB OR NOT!!!