Where do we go from here with Brunell?

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by SUNRA

I want to see Ramsey do well, because it was unfair for him to be thrown in a spot to come back like in the Giants and Bengals game. I also do not want to see the coaching abandon Portis who has proven he can't be contained if he's given the ball enough. I watched Portis wave off the coaching staff who wanted to pull him on third down. Instead he stayed in the game. I wouldn't recommend that in the future but I understood his point. Ramsey has to given the same plays that Brunell was given. Handoffs and short screens will get him into a rythm. Then open it up down field.

He is going to be blitzed and sacked a lot. Ramsey will also throw a bunch of picks. That said, it is WAY WAY WAY to early to write him off.

History says that it usually takes about 32 starts for the normal starting QB to develop. Right now, Ramsey is about a full season away from that point. He's definately got the talent to be a top notch QB; I think we should wait and see if his mental game develops over the course of the season before writing him off.

Your approach would have had Drew Brees getting the ax before this season - thus missing out on a hell of an improvement.

[JWsleep]

Ramsey needs some serious time with Gibbs, Breaux, and Buges coaching, evlauating, teaching him, and he needs time to get in synch with the receivers on the reads in Gibbs offense. In the mean time, he's going to get blitzed and harrassed and messed with by every D-coordinator we face, because he has such trouble reading defenses. Give him time.

As for Brunnell, he's a bust. And he cost a draft pick!!! I mean, no one was going to outbid Snyder for his services, but still we traded before the deadline. Ouch.

I bet Gibbs keeps him around as a backup. And don't be surprised if Ramsey goes down. He still holds the ball way to long, and he is less mobile than Rypien.

[htownskinfan]

hitman,and make it lok like an accident

[Redskins_P]

Ramsey only has 17 games under his belt. He needs more time to develop.

[SkinsRock]

Give Ramsey time. Brunell had 8 1/4 games to attempt to prove he could do it. Why should Ramsey get any less? Play Ramsey the rest of the season, and he will prove that he is the Redskins QB of the future...and the future is NOW!
As for Brunell, I don't think they can cut him after this year due to cap issues, so he should stay as the back-up through 2005....Then let him go. Yeah it'll still be a good sized cap hit, but sometimes you've gotta do what you've gotta do. He knows he's been sucking...and he seems like the type of guy that will work hard to be better in case he's needed and will help Patrick preparing for games.

[Riggo44]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

It's way too early to write off Ramsey. I know he's looked shaky but he really hasn't had a fair chance yet.

I agree. We need him to play for a few weeks before we can really judge him.

[Redskins_P]

It could be a good idea to have Brunell stick around and kinda tutor Ramsey.......

Maybe we can restructure his deal and give him the veteran minimum? Is that possible?

[SmootSmack]

Well, Brunell can always go into real estate

[skinsguy]

I say keep Brunnell on as a teacher/mentor, and hope that he is willing to play the role as back-up even third string. At this point I would not mind Hasselbeck getting bumped up to 2nd string because he looked really good last season in relief of Ramsey...not to mention he looked pretty decent in the pre-season. But, we all know football players' pride and accepting a role like that is probably difficult knowing that you went to a team that you felt you'd be starting for.

[Redskins_P]

Originally Posted by smootsmack

Well, Brunell can always go into real estate

LOL he just got 9.5 million for his beachfront house! He can take a damn paycut!

[joecrisp]

Originally Posted by SUNRA

I want to see Ramsey do well, because it was unfair for him to be thrown in a spot to come back like in the Giants and Bengals game. I also do not want to see the coaching abandon Portis who has proven he can't be contained if he's given the ball enough. I watched Portis wave off the coaching staff who wanted to pull him on third down. Instead he stayed in the game. I wouldn't recommend that in the future but I understood his point. Ramsey has to given the same plays that Brunell was given. Handoffs and short screens will get him into a rythm. Then open it up down field.

I totally agree with you on these points, SUNRA.

I was really disappointed that Gibbs seemed intent on calling for Brunell to pass so often early in the game (unless it was Brunell audibling out of running plays-- he was making adjusments at the line, maybe that's the case). Portis was getting some room to run, but for some reason they got away from the running game early on, which led to all those 3 & outs in the first half, giving the Bengals way too much time of possession, and putting the Redskins defense on the field way too much.

I was glad that Gibbs called for Ramsey to hand the ball off to Portis on his first two snaps, but after that, he really didn't give Portis much of a chance to get into a rhythm and, in turn, open up the passing game. Granted, the Skins were down by 17 points, but there was still a lot of time left in the game at that point (there was still 7 minutes left in the first half when Ramsey came in, I believe). Even in the second half, I felt like Gibbs should have been running a little more. Portis needs to get at least 20 carries a game-- preferably 25-- even if the Skins are playing from behind. Portis is the kind of back that can put you right back in the game with one long run.

I just felt like Gibbs needlessly put the pressure on Ramsey to generate the offense himself, when there was enough time in the game-- at least in the 2nd and 3rd quarters-- to put the game on Portis' shoulders a little more. In the 4th quarter, I can understand putting it on Ramsey's shoulders, but it just seemed like Gibbs panicked and abandoned the running game too early.

Hopefully, Gibbs will rely on Portis to get the Redskins wins against San Fran, New York, Minnesota, Dallas and Philly, who currently rank 17th, 18th, 22nd, 23rd and 27th against the run, respectively. He will have to do everything he can to take the pressure off of Ramsey. Pittsburgh's going to be tough, though. They've got the #1 defense (#2 against the run and #5 against the pass).

[celts32]

I don't know what to do with Brunell...bench? Cut? Whatever hurts the salary cap less I guess.

As for Ramsey, I don't want to live in the past but let me make one comparison point. The book on Rypien when he started for Gibbs early was that he had a cannon for an arm, but was imobile and proned to fumbles and interceptions. Same as Ramsey, so it's not time to abandon Ramsey yet. let Gibbs and his staf have some time to try and teach him how to play. The only menaingful games he has played were in Spurriers flawed system and 2 mopup performances in games that Brunell had already screwed up. Basically, it's way to early to make judgements on Ramsey.

[drew54]

*Snip*

Brunell has to go, cut our losses early, take all the $#!+ from the press, and have Ramsey lead us to a Superbowl.

That is the only option.

[redsk1]

Hey, the right decision was made yesterday benching Brunell. Now, lets give Ramsey some time to get comfortable. Ramsey should have had about 5 games under his belt this season, but thats ok. Most of the scouts and "football guys" agree Ramsey has some great skills. Lets be patient. We may lose some games but as long as he doesn't look as pitiful as Brunell, i can live with it. Ramsey will get better with playing time and an improved offensive line. Lets put Hass. as our #2 for now. As far as Brunell goes, i don't know the cap #'s for next year, but if we can keep him as a backup, lets do it.