Talent Evaluation?

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by offiss

Couldn't agree more, I know many will disagree but one of the biggest problems I have had with Gibbs is the way he just flat out pushed Ramsey out of the picture without really giving him a fair chance, last season when things became so bad he had no choice but to play Ramsey, Ramsey responded and won the starters job, only to have Gibbs looking for any excuse whatsoever to put in his guy Brunell, pretty lowsey thing to do someone to promise them the starters job all off season and then 1 quarter into first game yank him as if the guy has went 2-5 in his last 7 games. I defiently came away with a different opinion of Gibbs after watching how he handled that situation and it left a bad taste in my mouth, if Ramsey failed, ok he failed, but he deserved the opportunity to go out there and prove it one way or the other.

Yes Brunell has played well when given the time, but considering the state of the team was it really a wise decision to bring in an ageing QB if we are in fact still rebuilding? Wouldn't we be better off right now if Ramsey had been playing over the coarse of the last 2 seasons? If you believe no that's fine, I just believe that Ramsey would have greatly improved his play as he became comfortable in Gibbs system, Just like Brunell.

I would but the blame on three people (in no particular order):

Gibbs-I think it was a mistake for him to declare Ramsey the starter before even mini-camp started. Especially if he knew that Brunell was hurt the past season and that some time to recuperate would help him. He backed himself into an unnecessary corner by declaring Ramsey the starter when I don't think he really believed it. It also brings up the misconception that Gibbs owes something to Ramsey (I'll bring that up later)

Ramsey-In spite of finishing 3-4 as a starter last season, Ramsey did a pretty solid job. However, when he played during the preseason I didn't see someone who was any better than when he left the field against Minnesota to wrap up the 2004 season. I know people say that he wasn't given a fair chance, but I think that he had several months in the offseason to work on basic fundamentals that, in my opinion, he either didn't work on or if he did he didn't improve significantly upon them. Ramsey should have had the mentality "OK, I've been given the starting job and now I'm going to step out on the field and put so much distance between me and the next QB that there's no question I should be the guy"

The Fans-I can understand being frustrated, feeling that Ramsey was perhaps not given a fair chance. But here's the thing, Gibbs owes Ramsey nothing in my opinion. It sounds harsh I know. But when Gibbs was brought here, he was brought here to bring a winner back to DC. I'm pretty sure that Snyder, as much as he may love Ramsey, didn't tell Gibbs to help him bring back a Super Bowl trophy "but make sure Ramsey is a part of it" If Gibbs thinks that the answer is Brunell now and Campbell next year (or the year after) I think that's fine to disagree but I don't think it should be because you think he owes anything to Ramsey. (and offiss, I'm not singling you out here, just happen to be quoting your post)