Campbell threw 20 touchdowns to 15 interceptions last season, and had the 15th best passer rating in the NFL. Photo courtesy of thestartingfive.files.wordpress.com
Now that the Redskins finally seem to be making logical personnel decisions with the hiring of new coach Mike Shanahan and General Manager Bruce Allen, the need for patience and consistency should be stressed. Whether the Redskins are truly reforming their ways will become evident in the debate over Jason Campbell: should he start at quarterback next year, or should the Redskins look elsewhere?
Currently, Campbell has been tendered by the Redskins, meaning that another team can sign him only if they can eclipse the current contract offer and give up a first round draft pick. In other words, Campbell will likely be on the roster next season, but not necessarily at the top of the depth chart.
The Redskins need to bring Campbell back as the starting quarterback. Throughout last season, Campbell faced adversity from the coaching staff with a revolving door of play callers and an inept coach in Jim Zorn. But despite all of the chaos in management, Campbell kept his cool, exhibited strong leadership skills and kept the team together.
On the field, Campbell overcame a seemingly infinite number of obstacles. He began the season without a real second wide receiver opposite Santana Moss and a makeshift offensive line. At the start of the season, no wide receiver stepped up to fill the hole in the offense and an already porous offensive line lost its two best starters in Chris Samuels and Randy Thomas. Tight end Chris Cooley, often regarded as Campbell’s safety net and star running back Clinton Portis went on the injured reserve mid-season, further hurting an offense already decimated by injuries.
Despite all of the obvious setbacks Campbell faced, he still ranked as the 15th best QB with a passer rating of 86.4. He recorded 20 touchdowns with 15 interception— not a great ratio, but impressive considering how much pressure he was under from defenders. During the regular season, Campbell was sacked 43 times, 3rd most in the league, while Peyton Manning, the league MVP, was sacked just 10 times.
Campbell was put into the league’s worst situation for a quarterback and came out in the middle of the pack. He had no time in the pocket, a below average receiving core, mayhem from the play callers and an absurd number of injuries. All of this considered, Campbell could thrive in an environment with a consistent coaching staff, healthy athletes, a respectable running game and an average offensive line.
Redskin management should not waste a high draft pick on a young, unproven and unready rookie quarterback when there are so many more pressing issues with the team. Drafting offensive linemen and running backs need to be the highest priority, or the offense will stay ineffective. Campbell showed that he can be a servicable starter in such a horrific situation, and that he can be even better with some help.
A friend
Friday, May 21, 2010 @
THIS IS SO IRONIC NOW.