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Brunell's likely the key to next year's Commanders
By Connor J. Byrne on June 6, 2006 12:26 AM
The Washington Commanders 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 Commanders' 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 Commanders to their second consecutive playoff appearance. Brunell pleasantly surprised most in the football world last year, throwing 23 touchdowns en route to the Commanders' 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 Commanders 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 Commanders' 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 Commanders' 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 Commanders 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 Commanders 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 Commanders' 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 Commanders ' 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.
By Connor J. Byrne on June 6, 2006 12:26 AM
The Washington Commanders 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 Commanders' 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 Commanders to their second consecutive playoff appearance. Brunell pleasantly surprised most in the football world last year, throwing 23 touchdowns en route to the Commanders' 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 Commanders 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 Commanders' 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 Commanders' 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 Commanders 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 Commanders 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 Commanders' 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 Commanders ' 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.
