Brunell's likely the key to next year's Redskins

[Gryphon]

Brunell's likely the key to next year's Redskins
By Connor J. Byrne on June 6, 2006 12:26 AM

The Washington Redskins may have a great defense and legitimate offensive firepower, but their quarterback position has been the cause of some concern for the team's fans. Their starter from last year, Mark Brunell, is holding the job down as of now. However, he recently fractured his finger and will be sidelined for most of this month. In Brunell's absence, second-year man Jason Campbell and veteran Todd Collins will take the snaps during the Redskins' June workouts.

Assuming Brunell regains his health and maintains Washington's starting job, the onus will be on him in 2006 to help guide the Redskins to their second consecutive playoff appearance. Brunell pleasantly surprised most in the football world last year, throwing 23 touchdowns en route to the Redskins' 10-6 finish, which included five straight victories to end the regular season.

Thanks to Washington's top-notch defense and Brunell's steady play, the Redskins rose from the dead to win a wild card spot. They took out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the playoffs, then fought valiantly in Round Two against the eventual NFC champs, the Seattle Seahawks , and lost. Still, Brunell established a new sense of confidence that he wasn't simply a flash in the pan, as many believed him to be.

Thanks to the fact that Brunell will be 36 this September and his body's obviously wearing down, many are questioning how he'll do in '06. What's not helping was his somewhat pedestrian playoff performance over two games, when he completed 29-of-52 passes for 283 yards, along with a touchdown and an interception. Now, those numbers aren't terrible, but they leave something to be desired.

Although Brunell's clearly not at optimum physical condition, don't count him out next season. After all, the Redskins' offensive weapons will do plenty in helping him duplicate his success of last season. The 'Skins made a concerted effort this offseason to improve their offense, acquiring receivers Antwaan Randle El and Brandon Lloyd. Both are somewhat undersized, but make for a promising duo behind the team's ace wideout from '05, Santana Moss. Along with that capable receiving trio comes underrated tight end Chris Cooley, who finished with 71 receptions last year.

Also helping to take the load off Brunell will be running back Clinton Portis. Last season, Portis, a four-year veteran, rushed for over 1,500 yards for the third time in his already stellar career. There's little doubt that Portis will continue his torrid pace into next season, especially behind the Redskins' offensive line, led by Jon Jansen and Chris Samuels, two bookend tackles.

However, all the weapons in the league won't matter if a team doesn't have a proper coordinator, but the Redskins more than took care of that. Adding onto its busy offseason, Washington's biggest move may have been luring offensive coordinator Al Saunders from the Kansas City Chiefs . The Redskins threw some big dollars at the 59-year-old, who previously orchestrated tremendous offenses for the Chiefs. Under Saunders Brunell should flourish, as veteran QB Trent Green constantly did with Kansas City.

The final factor in Brunell's favor that should come into play is the Redskins' previously mentioned defense. Thanks to the genius of coordinator Gregg Williams, the unit has become among the most feared in the NFL. Because of the defense's brilliance, Brunell won't have any pressure on him to put up Peyton Manning-esque offensive numbers. In fact, all he really needs to do is avert turnovers, handoff to Portis, fling the ball and let his talented wideouts and tight ends handle the rest. Doesn't sound so tough, does it?

Even though the Washington Redskins ' overall team talent seems nearly limitless, it doesn't mean next season will be all fun and games for Brunell. If he begins playing like a washed-up veteran, head coach Joe Gibbs may be forced to turn to Campbell, who's never attempted a pass in his young career. Perhaps that would turn out well, but young quarterbacks usually perform disastrously.

Disaster relief will be Brunell's game in the next campaign. How will he handle it? We'll all find out soon enough.

[ghst187]

The title to the article is right on the money....
Brunell is the key....if he can play all season and does play all season...the skins have as good a chance as anyone to win the division, I don't think Campbell can do it and I really don't think he'll ever amount to a solid starting NFL QB. I couldn't believe they did what they did to draft him in the first round. The first thought in my head was...their version of QC.

[DGreenFan87]

The title to the article is right on the money....
Brunell is the key....if he can play all season and does play all season...the skins have as good a chance as anyone to win the division, I don't think Campbell can do it and I really don't think he'll ever amount to a solid starting NFL QB. I couldn't believe they did what they did to draft him in the first round. The first thought in my head was...their version of QC.

i definitely agree that our offense can be as good as it wants to be, but without brunell we're not gonna be much.

in all honesty, i believe jason campbell can be a good starting QB (obvious bias there). i don't know why you feel that he can't ever be a starting QB, but we'll never know until he actually plays. so while we can debate this all we want, we'll just have to wait and see.

[Gent]

We've got a similar concern. Bledsoe isn't much younger than Brunell and he takes too many hits.

-Gent

[ghst187]

i definitely agree that our offense can be as good as it wants to be, but without brunell we're not gonna be much.

in all honesty, i believe jason campbell can be a good starting QB (obvious bias there). i don't know why you feel that he can't ever be a starting QB, but we'll never know until he actually plays. so while we can debate this all we want, we'll just have to wait and see.

I thought he was a good college QB but he was good only because:
1) he had Cadillac and Ronnie Brown
2) he had an amazing defense
3) he didn't have to make very many throws for them to win
4) he was good at managing the game and limiting his mistakes

I'm a skeptic of his because I question his ability to throw the ball downfield accurately and consistently. Just never got the feeling that he had starting NFL-QB talent.
I watched Auburn a LOT his last year there and I'm not trying to hate on the skins or anything, I just never saw Campbell as a starting NFL QB. I always saw him as a decent backup at best and it has nothing to do with who drafted him. Just my honest assessment. I imagine we'll find out at some point fairly soon if I'm right or wrong.

[SultanOfSix]

then fought valiantly in Round Two against the eventual NFC champs, the Seattle Seahawks , and lost.



Really? Producing the lowest offensive output total ever in the playoffs against a defense that isn't even considered remotely close to other great defenses in the past is fighting valiantly?

[big dog cowboy]

We've got a similar concern. Bledsoe isn't much younger than Brunell and he takes too many hits.
You mean he used to. Those days are over. His sack total goes way down this year.

[Gfunk]

sounds about right

[Bob Sacamano]

their quarterback position has been the cause of some concern for the team's fans.

you wouldn't know that from reading ES

[Bob Sacamano]

We've got a similar concern. Bledsoe isn't much younger than Brunell and he takes too many hits.

-Gent

well unlike Brunell, Bledsoe has shown that he can take a beating and keep on going

[Billy Bullocks]

Key for Wash...Brunell
Key for NYG...Tiki Barber
Key for Phlly..McNabb's play, his WR's, and the RB position
Key for Dallas...OL

[MossBurner]

Why are there so many articles about Brunell's age and fragility? There are many other 'old' QBs in the league, yet they receive no such negative attention.

Brunell 35
T Green 35
Favre 36
Bledsoe 33
B Johnson 37
Warner 34
McNair 33
K Collins 33
Garcia 36
Kitna 33

Mark played great last season. He only received a nagging knee injury at the end of last season by an illegal hit - Nick Greisen tackled him by the knees in week 16. The Skins offense stunk in the playoffs last season because two strong defenses figured out how to concentrate on Santana and take him out of the game, not because Brunell slowed down. Teams won't be able to double and triple him on every play this year. Mark will be fine.

[Bob Sacamano]

Favre and Bledsoe hardly ever miss time, frailty and their names don't belong in the same sentence

[burmafrd]

Only a skins homer would not look at Brunnells past record on injuries. Only a skins homer would not look at late season and see that he wore down.

[Derinyar]

Why are there so many articles about Brunell's age and fragility? There are many other 'old' QBs in the league, yet they receive no such negative attention.

Brunell 35
T Green 35
Favre 36
Bledsoe 33
B Johnson 37
Warner 34
McNair 33
K Collins 33
Garcia 36
Kitna 33

Mark played great last season. He only received a nagging knee injury at the end of last season by an illegal hit - Nick Greisen tackled him by the knees in week 16. The Skins offense stunk in the playoffs last season because two strong defenses figured out how to concentrate on Santana and take him out of the game, not because Brunell slowed down. Teams won't be able to double and triple him on every play this year. Mark will be fine.
He slowed down as the season progressed, not just in the playoffs. No 200+ passing yard games after the 10th game. I think thats more of what people are talking about. Aslo a 36 year old QB who has played 28 games in the last 3 seasons is bothersome.

[DC Cowboy]

I thought he was a good college QB but he was good only because:
1) he had Cadillac and Ronnie Brown
2) he had an amazing defense
3) he didn't have to make very many throws for them to win
4) he was good at managing the game and limiting his mistakes

I'm a skeptic of his because I question his ability to throw the ball downfield accurately and consistently. Just never got the feeling that he had starting NFL-QB talent.
I watched Auburn a LOT his last year there and I'm not trying to hate on the skins or anything, I just never saw Campbell as a starting NFL QB. I always saw him as a decent backup at best and it has nothing to do with who drafted him. Just my honest assessment. I imagine we'll find out at some point fairly soon if I'm right or wrong.


I am a die hard Boys fan and could care less but you make no sense at all. All the reasons you just mentioned are the same reasons they gave for Burnell to have a good year. Skinz have a good running back, good defense,you said he was good at managing the game? so tell me what's your point or real reason you don't feel he would be a starting QB in the NFL?

[burmafrd]

If he stays healthy all s eason the Skins will be in it. BUT what is his record for playing 16 games a season?

[Derinyar]

If he stays healthy all s eason the Skins will be in it. BUT what is his record for playing 16 games a season?
Recently, not that good.

[DGreenFan87]

while brunell's age and injury prone-ness are definitely factors in why he didn't last last season, i don't think that that was the only factor, nor the biggest factor. i think in the end of the season, we had nobody for brunell to throw it to. by the close of the season many teams were catching on to the fact that santana was his #1 target. he started geting covered hard and we all know we didn't have much talent at WR after moss. portis was getting banged up and although i think he's one hell of a soldier, he couldn't carry the load as well as he could in the beginning of the season. and cooley, basically our only other option, was getting owned after our second game against you guys. so with no options to throw to, brunell couldn't get the stats. so while everyone blames his age for his stats slipping at the end of last season, remember that there are more things that contribute to how well a QB plays than his own abilities.

[burmafrd]

Key is: he is not anywhere near as sturdy as Bledsoe is; so its much more likely that he will get injured and miss games.

[Future]

We've got a similar concern. Bledsoe isn't much younger than Brunell and he takes too many hits.

-Gent

But bledsoe is far less injury prone than brunell, the guys has been hurt what, once maybe twice in his career?

[Derinyar]

while brunell's age and injury prone-ness are definitely factors in why he didn't last last season, i don't think that that was the only factor, nor the biggest factor. i think in the end of the season, we had nobody for brunell to throw it to. by the close of the season many teams were catching on to the fact that santana was his #1 target. he started geting covered hard and we all know we didn't have much talent at WR after moss. portis was getting banged up and although i think he's one hell of a soldier, he couldn't carry the load as well as he could in the beginning of the season. and cooley, basically our only other option, was getting owned after our second game against you guys. so with no options to throw to, brunell couldn't get the stats. so while everyone blames his age for his stats slipping at the end of last season, remember that there are more things that contribute to how well a QB plays than his own abilities.
I'm sure thats part of the case. I'm just very doubtful in the ability of Brunell to play at a high level all the way through a season. I also would be surprised to see him have another complete season this year.

[31smackdown]

All I know is that he ran for 25 yards on that third down and 27 last year, which basically gave them a chance to stay in the game. How you let that happen.. I still don't know.

Let's face it, not many teams are going very far without their starting QB.

[KINGBRICE_28]

Really? Producing the lowest offensive output total ever in the playoffs against a defense that isn't even considered remotely close to other great defenses in the past is fighting valiantly?

Had Alexander NOT gone down we would've won that game......

When he got hurt Matt just started throwing that ball up ( attacking a thin 2nd'ry )

Had Alex been there they would've run-run-pass......not Pass-pass-pass....lol...

As for the defense.....last season they played great and the season before they finished #1 in DEFENSIVE points allowed.......

I give'm credit for being a group of nobodies.......

Bottom line.......Just line the article says......Brunell is the key.....Campbell should be decent because he's sat for so long but I would rather not see him until we either are out of the playoff race or until week 17. Keep in mind Brady was a LATE pk who sat behind Bledsoe for a while......only time will tell......until then "predictions" are nothing more than predictions......

[Billy Bullocks]

Why are there so many articles about Brunell's age and fragility? There are many other 'old' QBs in the league, yet they receive no such negative attention.

Brunell 35
T Green 35
Favre 36
Bledsoe 33
B Johnson 37
Warner 34
McNair 33
K Collins 33
Garcia 36
Kitna 33

Mark played great last season. He only received a nagging knee injury at the end of last season by an illegal hit - Nick Greisen tackled him by the knees in week 16. The Skins offense stunk in the playoffs last season because two strong defenses figured out how to concentrate on Santana and take him out of the game, not because Brunell slowed down. Teams won't be able to double and triple him on every play this year. Mark will be fine.

As it's been said, no 200+yrd games after week 10, that's slowing down. 28 games played in the last 3 seasons. That's not good.

And I'm not sure what your point with that list is. Besides Favre, who gets by on reputation at this point, Green, and maybe Bledsoe none of htese guys get any recognition as competent QB's anymore. None of the other guys on that list garnish much attention at all, for obvious reasons. If you really want your starting QB in the same company as Kitna, Warner, Collins, and Garcia, then you've pretty much shown everyone why Brunell is such a concern.

[leotisbrown]

Ha har har!!

Deadskins fans among the stupidiest propositionals on the net with their de voted type love for money grub Snyder and his shenaganins with salary cap manipulates and holy thna thou Gibbs with his scripture readings during practice times and his refusal to be a good sport-- not hand shaking Parcells and not supending Sean "THUG" Tailor for his criminal activitations and spitting etc. etc.

Brunell has one leg and one knee. Riddles me this: "What will he has left after Big Bad Roy knocks him loose with a blinded side type blitz on him and he lay in a heap on the ground crying and beggiung for Mommas milk on Sunday night football game 2?

HA hah HAR HAR ha ha HAR!! Deadskins fans and their over all dumbness amke me laugh and smiles with gusto and gleeful.

HA HA HA HAR HAR HAR!!

[Sonny#9]

Ha har har!!

Deadskins fans among the stupidiest propositionals on the net with their de voted type love for money grub Snyder and his shenaganins with salary cap manipulates and holy thna thou Gibbs with his scripture readings during practice times and his refusal to be a good sport-- not hand shaking Parcells and not supending Sean "THUG" Tailor for his criminal activitations and spitting etc. etc.

Brunell has one leg and one knee. Riddles me this: "What will he has left after Big Bad Roy knocks him loose with a blinded side type blitz on him and he lay in a heap on the ground crying and beggiung for Mommas milk on Sunday night football game 2?

HA hah HAR HAR ha ha HAR!! Deadskins fans and their over all dumbness amke me laugh and smiles with gusto and gleeful.

HA HA HA HAR HAR HAR!!

Yes, and you just exude intelligence and class...

I am worried about Brunell's health - as any non-homer should be. However, like most of Gibbs' QBs he doesn't have to win the game, just not lose it.

Can the same be said of Bledsoe? Not with that running game.

Everyteam has their question mark:

Dallas - The OL/Running Game
Skins - The QB
Giants - Defense/Eli's Progress
Iggles - Health/Rec. Corps

[Alexander]

All I know is that he ran for 25 yards on that third down and 27 last year, which basically gave them a chance to stay in the game.

He ran it like Kirk Gibson running the base paths that one time for the Dodgers in the World Series. Completely blew my mind.

[DGreenFan87]

Ha har har!!

Deadskins fans among the stupidiest propositionals on the net with their de voted type love for money grub Snyder and his shenaganins with salary cap manipulates and holy thna thou Gibbs with his scripture readings during practice times and his refusal to be a good sport-- not hand shaking Parcells and not supending Sean "THUG" Tailor for his criminal activitations and spitting etc. etc.

Brunell has one leg and one knee. Riddles me this: "What will he has left after Big Bad Roy knocks him loose with a blinded side type blitz on him and he lay in a heap on the ground crying and beggiung for Mommas milk on Sunday night football game 2?

HA hah HAR HAR ha ha HAR!! Deadskins fans and their over all dumbness amke me laugh and smiles with gusto and gleeful.

HA HA HA HAR HAR HAR!!

wow, was english your second language?

no but really, very classless post. try to be a little more intelligent with your statements and maybe you'll gain respect from others.

[burmafrd]

The Boys have some questions on O line- but we got good backs that will run through the holes. THe skins have no one that will be able to step up when Brunnell's brittle bones get rattled badly enough.

[5Stars]

wow, was english your second language?

no but really, very classless post. try to be a little more intelligent with your statements and maybe you'll gain respect from others.

Respect this!

Here Gibbs...come boy....GIBBS...here Gibbs come....!

:dissskin: Good dog, Gibbs! Damn good dog...



That the respect you want, fool?

:star:

[5Stars]

The Boys have some questions on O line- but we got good backs that will run through the holes. THe skins have no one that will be able to step up when Brunnell's brittle bones get rattled badly enough.

I saw all I needed to see from Brusmell during this years NFL QB Challenge! He can't hit a moving target if he wanted....! All he's good for is tossing the ball way up in the air and hope that someone can get under it....

But, as far as accuracy...all you needed to see was the NFL QB Challenge...that proves a lot!

:star:

[leotisbrown]

Yes, and you just exude intelligence and class...

I am worried about Brunell's health - as any non-homer should be. However, like most of Gibbs' QBs he doesn't have to win the game, just not lose it.

Can the same be said of Bledsoe? Not with that running game.

Everyteam has their question mark:

Dallas - The OL/Running Game
Skins - The QB
Giants - Defense/Eli's Progress
Iggles - Health/Rec. Corps


Ha ha ha ha ha!!

That's the sounds of me laughing it up after a quickly reading of your sillynesses as defines in a post you filled up with so much unsmartly filled comments.

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!

First off you teams has no hopeless for the future. Ever hear of cap hell-- well its comeing to you for good but soon and rejoycing to follow from me when it gets time for it!!

Second you filled with all sorts of weaknessess not just at the QB positions. Too much weak for you to spen a lot of time in discusings on it but you knows I'm write and if you don't not know it for sure then this only proves how Deadskins are not filled with braininess but have heads filled with Elmers glue and feathers.

Third the oline for us is gonna get the turn arounding to greatness as Mr Bill is gonna ride em into the dirt during trainings time and then put the fear of God in em so bad that they will find playing in games and blockings folks as easy as eating spare ribs and fried chicken sandwiches wrapped around wonder bread at a picknickle party.

Forth even if things don't not work out at first we have got us our secret weapon of weapons-- MISTER JERRY JONES!! He won't not let things fall two pieces on a sinking ship going under with no life bnoats Titanic style. He'll make us some special secret tradings for unknown gangster style players with big buttoxes and a swagger of toughnesses on them that Mister Bill likes to work out with and get ready for them to be mean and nasty on and off the field.

So you bettr start up respecting and fearing on the "Boys because we gonna mash you little Deadskins into submiss and vomitings after the game from all the high scorings on you that we'll be doing next seasons!!

HA HA HA HA HA HAR HAR!! (The sounding of me laughing at you and your're pathetics.)

[5Stars]

Ha ha ha ha ha!!

That's the sounds of me laughing it up after a quickly reading of your sillynesses as defines in a post you filled up with so much unsmartly filled comments.

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!

First off you teams has no hopeless for the future. Ever hear of cap hell-- well its comeing to you for good but soon and rejoycing to follow from me when it gets time for it!!

Second you filled with all sorts of weaknessess not just at the QB positions. Too much weak for you to spen a lot of time in discusings on it but you knows I'm write and if you don't not know it for sure then this only proves how Deadskins are not filled with braininess but have heads filled with Elmers glue and feathers.

Third the oline for us is gonna get the turn arounding to greatness as Mr Bill is gonna ride em into the dirt during trainings time and then put the fear of God in em so bad that they will find playing in games and blockings folks as easy as eating spare ribs and fried chicken sandwiches wrapped around wonder bread at a picknickle party.

Forth even if things don't not work out at first we have got us our secret weapon of weapons-- MISTER JERRY JONES!! He won't not let things fall two pieces on a sinking ship going under with no life bnoats Titanic style. He'll make us some special secret tradings for unknown gangster style players with big buttoxes and a swagger of toughnesses on them that Mister Bill likes to work out with and get ready for them to be mean and nasty on and off the field.

So you bettr start up respecting and fearing on the "Boys because we gonna mash you little Deadskins into submiss and vomitings after the game from all the high scorings on you that we'll be doing next seasons!!

HA HA HA HA HA HAR HAR!! (The sounding of me laughing at you and your're pathetics.)


:lmao:

Preach it, bro!

[DGreenFan87]

Respect this!

Here Gibbs...come boy....GIBBS...here Gibbs come....!

:dissskin: Good dog, Gibbs! Damn good dog...



That the respect you want, fool?

:star:

nice, real mature that was. you really got me good with that one. :rolleyes:

[5Stars]

nice, real mature that was. you really got me good with that one. :rolleyes:

How about this one, Mr. Mature!? (or is it Mr. Manure)?

:dissskin:


Oh, tell little Art I said...."REDSTINKS SUCK"!

:starspin


By the way...I see you dont post your little age? Ya little flunky....!

[Chief]

Ha ha ha ha ha!!

That's the sounds of me laughing it up after a quickly reading of your sillynesses as defines in a post you filled up with so much unsmartly filled comments.

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!

First off you teams has no hopeless for the future. Ever hear of cap hell-- well its comeing to you for good but soon and rejoycing to follow from me when it gets time for it!!

Second you filled with all sorts of weaknessess not just at the QB positions. Too much weak for you to spen a lot of time in discusings on it but you knows I'm write and if you don't not know it for sure then this only proves how Deadskins are not filled with braininess but have heads filled with Elmers glue and feathers.

Third the oline for us is gonna get the turn arounding to greatness as Mr Bill is gonna ride em into the dirt during trainings time and then put the fear of God in em so bad that they will find playing in games and blockings folks as easy as eating spare ribs and fried chicken sandwiches wrapped around wonder bread at a picknickle party.

Forth even if things don't not work out at first we have got us our secret weapon of weapons-- MISTER JERRY JONES!! He won't not let things fall two pieces on a sinking ship going under with no life bnoats Titanic style. He'll make us some special secret tradings for unknown gangster style players with big buttoxes and a swagger of toughnesses on them that Mister Bill likes to work out with and get ready for them to be mean and nasty on and off the field.

So you bettr start up respecting and fearing on the "Boys because we gonna mash you little Deadskins into submiss and vomitings after the game from all the high scorings on you that we'll be doing next seasons!!

HA HA HA HA HA HAR HAR!! (The sounding of me laughing at you and your're pathetics.)


This post is a masterpiece. :muttley:

[5Stars]

This post is a masterpiece. :muttley:

"Deadskins are not filled with braininess but have heads filled with Elmers glue and feathers." :lmao:

Yeah, that about sums it up!

Talke to us leotisbrown!

:star:

[SultanOfSix]

Had Alexander NOT gone down we would've won that game......


LOL. So, losing arguably one of the best running backs in the league makes the team better?

How can I argue with that logic.

[5Stars]

LOL. So, losing arguably one of the best running backs in the league makes the team better?

How can I argue with that logic.

I read that...and thought? Why? Just why should I comment on a statement like that?!!!

RedStink logic, my man....there is always an excuse! From St. Gibbs all the way down to their "little Marching Band"...! :rolleyes:


:starspin

[ghst187]

I am a die hard Boys fan and could care less but you make no sense at all. All the reasons you just mentioned are the same reasons they gave for Burnell to have a good year. Skinz have a good running back, good defense,you said he was good at managing the game? so tell me what's your point or real reason you don't feel he would be a starting QB in the NFL?

the point was Campbell was little more than an average QB at the COLLEGE level. If you can merely manage a game at the pro level, you can get by. But if that's all you've ever proven at the college level...doesn't really inspire much confidence that he'll turn into a quality starting NFL level QB.
Point was that I never saw Campbell shoulder Auburn, or make any big throws, or deep throws, or ever really look like he was capable of such. If you would've put Campbell on about any other team in college that year, he may have not even gotten drafted IMO.

Alternatively, remember that Brunell was once one of the best QBs in the NFL and was a heck of a lot more than a game manager, not to mention the fact that he can still be deadly accurate on occasion and still flashes some solid arm strength every now and then.

[Billy Bullocks]

Yes, and you just exude intelligence and class...

I am worried about Brunell's health - as any non-homer should be. However, like most of Gibbs' QBs he doesn't have to win the game, just not lose it.

Can the same be said of Bledsoe? Not with that running game.

Everyteam has their question mark:

Dallas - The OL/Running Game
Skins - The QB
Giants - Defense/Eli's Progress
Iggles - Health/Rec. Corps

Health shold be said about all teams.
Tiki's age should be mentioned for NY.

ANd I dont know if the running game itself is nessecarily a weakness. I would say we have 2 very capable RB's, the OL play has been very average for the last 8 or so years at least here in Dallas. We wont see any 8 man fronts with TO this year, add that to the mix.

We went 10-6 with Quincy being a bus driver, with a worse RB, WR corp and defense.

[Sonny#9]

Health shold be said about all teams.
Tiki's age should be mentioned for NY.

ANd I dont know if the running game itself is nessecarily a weakness. I would say we have 2 very capable RB's, the OL play has been very average for the last 8 or so years at least here in Dallas. We wont see any 8 man fronts with TO this year, add that to the mix.

We went 10-6 with Quincy being a bus driver, with a worse RB, WR corp and defense.

Yeah Tiki is 31-32 and I have a feeling he'll hit a wall like Martin did last year.

Julius Jones is in the I'll-believe-it-when-I-see-it filing...and I've had him on my Fantasy Team the past 2 years so I know his MO. I don't know much about Barber - but neither is close to Portis and Betts is a typical Gibbs back up - not flashy, blue collar type.

As far as 10-6 w/ Quincy - wierder things have happened...I feel like that was lucky breaks and an easy schedule more than anything else - like the Skins going 3-1 under Spurrier to open the '04 season.

[Gent]

It would be nice if Tiki slowed down this year, but don't get your hopes up. He only recently turned 31 and doesn't have high mileage. His career attempts (1890) are only about 10 games ahead of guys like LT (1702) and Alexander (1717). They are about the same as Fred Taylor (1831) and less than Edgerrin James (2188).

-Gent

[Billy Bullocks]

It would be nice if Tiki slowed down this year, but don't get your hopes up. He only recently turned 31 and doesn't have high mileage. His career attempts (1890) are only about 10 games ahead of guys like LT (1702) and Alexander (1717). They are about the same as Fred Taylor (1831) and less than Edgerrin James (2188).

-Gent

Very good point about that.

Fred Taylor has taken a beating, and he is injury prone, so he would be a bad example in my book, but I see your point.

He still can probably crank out a good year or two, and I don't expect him to just flat line this year. However, not many RB's have been very good when they hit that 31-32 year age mark. I'm just saying his age has to be a concern....Manning needs to pick it up, because I dont see Tiki coming with the same type of year he had last year (his career best I would say).

[kartr]

Why are there so many articles about Brunell's age and fragility? There are many other 'old' QBs in the league, yet they receive no such negative attention.

Brunell 35
T Green 35
Favre 36
Bledsoe 33
B Johnson 37
Warner 34
McNair 33
K Collins 33
Garcia 36
Kitna 33

Mark played great last season. He only received a nagging knee injury at the end of last season by an illegal hit - Nick Greisen tackled him by the knees in week 16. The Skins offense stunk in the playoffs last season because two strong defenses figured out how to concentrate on Santana and take him out of the game, not because Brunell slowed down. Teams won't be able to double and triple him on every play this year. Mark will be fine.

Exactly, and some of the qb's on that list has had their share of injury problems too.

[kartr]

I thought he was a good college QB but he was good only because:
1) he had Cadillac and Ronnie Brown
2) he had an amazing defense
3) he didn't have to make very many throws for them to win
4) he was good at managing the game and limiting his mistakes

I'm a skeptic of his because I question his ability to throw the ball downfield accurately and consistently. Just never got the feeling that he had starting NFL-QB talent.
I watched Auburn a LOT his last year there and I'm not trying to hate on the skins or anything, I just never saw Campbell as a starting NFL QB. I always saw him as a decent backup at best and it has nothing to do with who drafted him. Just my honest assessment. I imagine we'll find out at some point fairly soon if I'm right or wrong.

You seem to forget that Campbell's running backs at Auburn didn't run wild every game. You said good at managing games and limiting his mistakes, that's exactly what starting qb's do. You also seem to forget that Campbell didn't have very good receivers at Auburn. Clinton Portis is much more a proven back than what Campbell at Auburn and the Redskins receivers are ten times better than the receivers Campbell had at Auburn. When Gibbs talks about Campbell, he absolutely drools about his potential. Campbell will do just fine when called upon. PS. QC got us to the playoffs in 2003, beating both Bledsoe and Vinny, our last two starting qbs. So in comparing Campbell to QC, you're comparing him to a playoff qb, what's so bad about that.

[dougonthebench]

smack Brunell inthe mouth,and Game Over!

[Hostile]

You seem to forget that Campbell's running backs at Auburn didn't run wild every game. You said good at managing games and limiting his mistakes, that's exactly what starting qb's do. You also seem to forget that Campbell didn't have very good receivers at Auburn. Clinton Portis is much more a proven back than what Campbell at Auburn and the Redskins receivers are ten times better than the receivers Campbell had at Auburn. When Gibbs talks about Campbell, he absolutely drools about his potential. Campbell will do just fine when called upon. PS. QC got us to the playoffs in 2003, beating both Bledsoe and Vinny, our last two starting qbs. So in comparing Campbell to QC, you're comparing him to a playoff qb, what's so bad about that.Speaking of drool, here we go again.

Why don't you just become a Redskins fan? Honestly what's the hold up?

[5Stars]

Campbell will do just fine when called upon. PS. Crankcase got us to the playoffs in 2003, beating both Bledsoe and Vinny, our last two starting qbs. So in comparing Campbell to Crankcase, you're comparing him to a playoff qb, what's so bad about that.

Fixed...

:star:

[Billy Bullocks]

You seem to forget that Campbell's running backs at Auburn didn't run wild every game. You said good at managing games and limiting his mistakes, that's exactly what starting qb's do. You also seem to forget that Campbell didn't have very good receivers at Auburn. Clinton Portis is much more a proven back than what Campbell at Auburn and the Redskins receivers are ten times better than the receivers Campbell had at Auburn. When Gibbs talks about Campbell, he absolutely drools about his potential. Campbell will do just fine when called upon. PS. QC got us to the playoffs in 2003, beating both Bledsoe and Vinny, our last two starting qbs. So in comparing Campbell to QC, you're comparing him to a playoff qb, what's so bad about that.

Dude, you are such a Skins fan. I've never seen you make any positive comments about the Boys, all you do is praise the Skins.

PS. Redskinsfans = Internet for LOL

[ghst187]

You seem to forget that Campbell's running backs at Auburn didn't run wild every game. You said good at managing games and limiting his mistakes, that's exactly what starting qb's do. You also seem to forget that Campbell didn't have very good receivers at Auburn. Clinton Portis is much more a proven back than what Campbell at Auburn and the Redskins receivers are ten times better than the receivers Campbell had at Auburn. When Gibbs talks about Campbell, he absolutely drools about his potential. Campbell will do just fine when called upon. PS. QC got us to the playoffs in 2003, beating both Bledsoe and Vinny, our last two starting qbs. So in comparing Campbell to QC, you're comparing him to a playoff qb, what's so bad about that.

well here's the deal, I don't think Campbell is very good and I don't think he's ever going to be very good, at least not starting good.
really, can you tell me anything about him that impressed you at Auburn? The only thing I can think of is that he didn't lose games for Auburn...but that can be said for any OU QB of the Stoops era but none of them ever turned into anything in the pros.
Meanwhile, there's a guy named Leftwich that had exponentially more talent and ability than Campbell ever thought about coming out of college and a lot of analysts are saying Lefwich is on the hotseat this year.
I just don't see that much potential in Campbell. I think Ramsey had a much better chance of becoming a decent starter.
And here's the deal about QC, he sucked and always did. He can't even make it in the CFL now, its because he sucks and always has.

[AtlCB]

You seem to forget that Campbell's running backs at Auburn didn't run wild every game. You said good at managing games and limiting his mistakes, that's exactly what starting qb's do. You also seem to forget that Campbell didn't have very good receivers at Auburn. Clinton Portis is much more a proven back than what Campbell at Auburn and the Redskins receivers are ten times better than the receivers Campbell had at Auburn. When Gibbs talks about Campbell, he absolutely drools about his potential. Campbell will do just fine when called upon. PS. QC got us to the playoffs in 2003, beating both Bledsoe and Vinny, our last two starting qbs. So in comparing Campbell to QC, you're comparing him to a playoff qb, what's so bad about that.
I can definitely tell that you haven't watched many Auburn games. Both Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown were over 100 yards in most of the games that season. Both Williams and Brown were better college backs than Portis is an NFL back. The OL at Auburn was a better college OL than Washington has for an NFL line. Ben Obumanu was a decent college WR. Santana Moss is a better NFL receiver than Obumanu was a college WR, but none of the other Washington receivers are proven.

Campbell was good because he didn't have to throw often. When he did, he was rarely under pressure and had some decent receivers to throw to.

[Derinyar]

You seem to forget that Campbell's running backs at Auburn didn't run wild every game. You said good at managing games and limiting his mistakes, that's exactly what starting qb's do. You also seem to forget that Campbell didn't have very good receivers at Auburn. Clinton Portis is much more a proven back than what Campbell at Auburn and the Redskins receivers are ten times better than the receivers Campbell had at Auburn. When Gibbs talks about Campbell, he absolutely drools about his potential. Campbell will do just fine when called upon. PS. QC got us to the playoffs in 2003, beating both Bledsoe and Vinny, our last two starting qbs. So in comparing Campbell to QC, you're comparing him to a playoff qb, what's so bad about that.
QC was a playoff QB, agreed. I still have no clue who sold their soul to get that team into the playoffs, it just wasn't good enough to be there. If getting to the playoffs once and then being out of the league two years later is a good bar for a QB, then more power to you.

Auburn was a heavy running team with a dominant OL. No the pure talent at Auburn wasn't as good as the pure talent that Washington has on its line. But realize that the pure talent that Auburn has on its line isn't as good as the pure talent that the worst OL in the NFL has on it. Thats the same that can be said across the board, on both sides of the ball.

Auburn had a running game, that for college football, was the equivalent of anything you could see in the NFL. Their line would have been equivalent to one of the top 3-4 in the league. In that situation your basically giving the ball to the QB and saying, "Don't **** it up." I think the skins majorly reached with that pick, just like the Bills did in taking Losman.

Just remember that talent wise almost every player in the NFL was one of the top starters for thier schools before they hit the NFL. The worst player on an NFL roster was one of the best players on thier college roster.

[wileedog]

The Skins offense stunk in the playoffs last season because two strong defenses figured out how to concentrate on Santana and take him out of the game, not because Brunell slowed down. Teams won't be able to double and triple him on every play this year. Mark will be fine.

It was obvious long before the playoffs that Moss was the only threat in the passing game (and to a lesser extent Cooley). Certainly other teams late in the season were also concentrating on Moss as well. I think you are taking Brunnel wearing down as the season progressed way too lightly.

We watched it happen 2 years ago with Vinny. He was 5 years older than Brunnell, but also much bigger and stronger. Still, even as the season progressed you could see him wearing down game by game.

Lastly, I still don't think Randel El and Lloyd are guys who will take much pressure off Moss. Both can be single covered if you have a decent secondary, and everyone else in the division does. Time will tell I suppose.

But if I were a Skins fan, Brunnell would definitely be my #1 worry.

[Gamebreaker]

Really? Producing the lowest offensive output total ever in the playoffs against a defense that isn't even considered remotely close to other great defenses in the past is fighting valiantly?

So they played the Bucs and Seahawks on the same field? :rolleyes:

[Vintage]

You seem to forget that Campbell's running backs at Auburn didn't run wild every game. You said good at managing games and limiting his mistakes, that's exactly what starting qb's do. You also seem to forget that Campbell didn't have very good receivers at Auburn. Clinton Portis is much more a proven back than what Campbell at Auburn and the Redskins receivers are ten times better than the receivers Campbell had at Auburn. When Gibbs talks about Campbell, he absolutely drools about his potential. Campbell will do just fine when called upon. PS. QC got us to the playoffs in 2003, beating both Bledsoe and Vinny, our last two starting qbs. So in comparing Campbell to QC, you're comparing him to a playoff qb, what's so bad about that.

Can you make a post that does not contain QC, Carter, Quincy, or any other variations of Quincy Carter or ellude to the former QB Quincy Carter?

Bill Parcells....HOF caliber coach, cut him.

Methinks Parcells knows more about Carter's abilities than you do.

And the Jets; Herman Edwards' former team, cut him as well. Maybe, just maybe, these coaches are onto something....

[DGreenFan87]

It was obvious long before the playoffs that Moss was the only threat in the passing game (and to a lesser extent Cooley). Certainly other teams late in the season were also concentrating on Moss as well. I think you are taking Brunnel wearing down as the season progressed way too lightly.

We watched it happen 2 years ago with Vinny. He was 5 years older than Brunnell, but also much bigger and stronger. Still, even as the season progressed you could see him wearing down game by game.

Lastly, I still don't think Randel El and Lloyd are guys who will take much pressure off Moss. Both can be single covered if you have a decent secondary, and everyone else in the division does. Time will tell I suppose.

But if I were a Skins fan, Brunnell would definitely be my #1 worry.

brunell is my number one worry. i'm not going to sit here and say that he's gonna be superman and last throught the entire season no matter what. yes he's old and yes he has a record of injuries. but i think that he's not as brittle and sensitive as everyone makes him out to be. brunell worn down at the end of last season AND he had a limited number of recievers. but i wanna also bring up the big hit he took during the giants game. it wasn't some little tap on the leg. so taking that into consideration his leg WAS banged up. i don't feel like it was because he's fragile, but because he took a big hit at the end of the season. and with no time to heal or rest, he had to play with a injured leg. now, loyalties aside, brunell can make it the entire season healthy with our O-line and portis running the ball effectively and our recievers keeping the defense away from him. but i would be very worried if he got hit bad enough cause it's tough to say whether or not he can take it.