The offseason got underway Thursday, and the Patriots wasted little time in franchising Matt Cassel. What they plan to do with him remains a mystery, but there are plenty of teams in need of quarterback help. In fact, if you believe National Football Post's Michael Lombardi, nearly a third of NFL franchises could stand an upgrade at the position. The Lions and Vikings top the list, obviously, but Lombardi also thinks the Redskins could be in the market for a new quarterback, if not this offseason, then in a year's time.
The 'Skins are going to live and die with their current quarterback, Jason Campbell, and have put the word out that they will not be players in the free-agent market. However, they will need to consider making this move and should do their homework before they dismiss the notion of a trade. Trust me on this, a year from now the 'Skins will be looking for a quarterback.Just to reiterate: the Redskins aren't interested in Cassel, although Lombardi thinks they should be. That's fine -- the offseason's all about speculation, anyway -- but I'm just not sold on Cassel as a legitimate NFL starter. He had a fantastic 2008 season, but there were mitigating circumstances. How do we know he's not the next Derek Anderson? Last offseason, I don't remember many people predicting that Anderson would follow up a Pro Bowl season with a spot-on Charlie Frye impression. And now look at him.
Whatever the future holds for Cassel, it sounds like he won't be in a Redskins uniform. It also sounds like that Campbell has one more year in Washington, regardless of how he plays next season. His contract is set to expire after 2009, and general manager Vinny Cerrato apparently isn't interested in discussing an extension.
No idea how this plays out, but I'll just mention this: midway through the season, when the 'Skins were 6-2, ESPN's Ron Jaworski pegged Campbell as his first-half MVP. Of the entire league. Then the wheels fell off. Still, if I'm running an NFL team and I need a quarterback, there's no way I'm taking Cassel over Campbell. But what do I know, I was shocked Brandon Lloyd and Adam Archuleta didn't work out in Washington. Definitely didn't see that coming.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
2-06-2009 @ 3:00PM
Adam said...
Campbell will have half of the 2009 season. If he doesn't get it done, it's time for Colt Brennan. If/when it's time for Campbell to go, most of the Redskins fans would much rather see Colt given a shot than for the Skins to pick up an expensive outsider. The Cult of Colt is strong.
The 2010 doesn't have a very good QB free agent market either, so it's probably Campbell or Colt for the time being. And honestly, most of us would like to see an open QB competition in this year's training camp between the two.
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2-06-2009 @ 3:34PM
TRavis said...
There won't be a qb comp I have realized this im the biggest Colt Brennan Fan ever and there wont be
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2-06-2009 @ 3:36PM
alexananer07 said...
Speak for yourself, the "Cult of Colt" cult (because that's exactly what they are) are dreamers. Delusions of grandeur that he'll be the next Tom Brady.
I agree that Campbell will get another full season. And truth be told, it would be shocking if Cerrato didn't lock him up after that. Even in this woeful offense that Zorn implemented, Campbell still passed for over 3000 yards, had 62% completion, was the #1 QB in the NFL with regards to interceptions and turnovers in general, and set career highs in yards, completions, completion percentage, INTs, rushing yards, and passer rating. No reason to think that improvement won't continue. This guy's a player, and if he isn't the Redskins QB of the future, he will damn sure make some other franchise happy that he hit the open market.
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2-06-2009 @ 4:41PM
Adam said...
I give Campbell a break more than most. It takes more than one season to learn the West Coast offense, and going 8-8 in the first year with the stats he had, isn't bad. If we saw the most we'll ever see from Campbell this past season, it's not good enough, but I think he has a higher potential than that. He won't be Tom Brady, but maybe McNabb or Matt Hasselbeck? Is that too optimistic?
It would be better if Campbell had better receivers too. Moss has like 4 or 5 good games a year at most, ARE is a good 3rd WR, not 2nd. If last years rookies step up, it would really help Campbell's development.
The Skins front office needs to focus on both lines, maybe a RB to share with Portis and if they do it right, we could have a darn good team.
2-06-2009 @ 4:34PM
lazyindiankid4 said...
Campbell is a joke. PERIOD. i agree with one of you on the top that there should be an open competition for the 2009 season because Campbell is just not performing. I have always been on his side but when you go 6-2 in the first half of the season and dont make playoffs is just a HUGE joke. I say we give Colt a little more polishing and groom him this offseason and then get a few decent recievers besides chris cooley and santana. Because Antwaan is a joke also.
HAIL TO THE REDSKINS
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2-06-2009 @ 4:45PM
cassanova0721 said...
I don't know why everyone is ready to throw JC under the bus. People need to realize that the demise of this offense was not "entirely" his fault. In the beginning of the year, the skins benefited by having a very strong offensive line, however, attrition kicked in and though a strong offensive line, we are very old at each position. Lets face it, the o-line got tired at the end of the season and couldn't help to keep JC upright. This is not JC's fault not one bit. I am so sick and tire of the Cult of Colt crap. Zorn is still pegging him as a project. Wow, Colt came in and put up numbers in the "preseason" against "3rd stringers". My fellow skins fans, you should be tired of the revolving door policy that the skins administration has implemented for the past 4 or 5 years. Lets keep the continuity going. GO JC!! Im in your corner!
HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!!!!!! SUPER BOWL OR BUST NEXT YEAR!!!!
2-06-2009 @ 4:48PM
lazyindiankid4 said...
i agree adam, espically at the lines one. Our offensive line needs to get younger and faster to let Campbell have some time back there but yes it would def help if our "great" rookie WR's came and stepped up. I believe we took an unwanted risk there tho, we should've passes on Devin Thomas because the kid just played one spectacular season. So hopefully we can pick a good line in the draft, a good WR in the 4-5 round, and even maybe a reliable kicker would be good in the free agency. And hopefully we can go from there
HAIL TO THE REDSKINS
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2-06-2009 @ 5:10PM
Jay said...
Whoever said it above was correct, Jason's done nothing but improve in his time here. The only problem with his stats were numbers of TD's, but hey, when your best receiver is 5'11'' and always double covered, you have no running game and you're getting hit every other snap because there's no pass pro, I wouldn't expect those stats to be off the charts. Jason doens't have the components he needs around him to succeed. Every great QB still has weapons to make plays for them.
Colt? Really? good one, sorry but I to was impressed with the job he did against those 3rd/4th string defenses in the preseason too. I don't see him being this teams signal caller if he can't get rid of the ball faster and/or change his release. An idea I do like is starting him in some preseason games next fall, so he can get looks against the top pass rushers and coverages. But it shouldn't be an "open" competition.
Whoever said they should address the position in future free agency is in my opinion the wrong way, if Jason isn't the guy then find someone in the draft. That's better than getting a washed up McNabb or other 80 year old who would give them a year before hanging up the cleats.
Seriously, this can't keep going on, the Redskins problems are not going to be fixed through free agency. They need to build their future rosters through the draft.
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2-06-2009 @ 5:23PM
lazyindiankid4 said...
i actually agree now with this jay guy because i do believe that colt isn't polished enough to play with 1st stringers and etc. And i also agree that we pretty much need to rebuild our whole offense. But i am definitely done with JC if he doesn't succeed this next season though. All said i am looking forward to an awesome 09-10 season and hopefully we can get into the playoffs and go from there.
HAIL TO THE REDSKINS
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2-06-2009 @ 6:01PM
Jay said...
haha, well the Skins kind of have a pattern going where they make the playoffs in the odd seasons:
'05 - make playoffs
'06 - miss playoffs
'07 - make playoffs
'08 - miss playoffs
'09 - keep it going!
'10 - break the pattern! lol
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2-07-2009 @ 10:43PM
AlCostantino said...
Yes, I think we are close to being contenders. We just need to focus on the O line and D line in this years draft. We need dept along both lines. We are tight in all other positions!
Go Skins! Smash mouth Football! Remember the glory days!
2-06-2009 @ 6:47PM
A.J. said...
It's this kind of propagandist B.S. that makes me hate sports reporters. You're stating things that most people who have read up on the subject already know.
Of course, Cerrato isn't interested in an extension - there's nothing worse than giving an extension to a guy and watching him fall in love with his money too much and get lazy on the field or just plain prove to be overrated (coughLadellBettscough). Kerry Collins proved that you don't have to light the world on fire stats wise to make your team a contender. Mostly all of Jason Campbell's stats were better than those of Kerry Collins.
That said, I'd take Campbell as the quarterback over Cassel. I wonder what Campbell's stats would look like if he had been in the same system for his entire career and had Randy Moss and Wes Welker to throw to? Just a thought.
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2-06-2009 @ 7:46PM
cabrave said...
J.C. will have a banner year in 09', after all he has to earn a promotion. Matt Cassell is your typical system quarterback and will have to prove otherwise.
HAIL!
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2-06-2009 @ 9:10PM
nganassim said...
Campbell's stats have improved every year. There's no reason to think that will stop. I expect him to continue to improve and to be the Skins starting QB for a long time.
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4-20-2009 @ 4:45PM
Hello, Walter ! said...
thankyou @ least there is 1 person who aggrees...
2-07-2009 @ 2:36AM
Dewan said...
As most have realized jason is only as good as that sorry $)# line we have. Joe Montana would look bad if he got hit as much as jason. Now Jason can get better cause he threw some questionable passes but our play calling can get better and I think Devin Thomas is going to be a player. Give him the rock and look to trade santana moss because he is whodini.
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2-07-2009 @ 9:59AM
Redskins0492 said...
Atleast give Colt a chance to compete in Training camp... Jason is not the QB of the Future. He's shit.
We should try to trade Todd Collins, because he's too old and didn't play well in preseason because he didn't understand the scheme
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2-07-2009 @ 10:43AM
sameer ali said...
how do u forgive jason for what he did if the skins went 6-2 in the half
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2-07-2009 @ 11:19AM
Jay said...
Trade Santana? Our best weapon on the perimeter and leave it up to a guy who hasn't proved two shits yet? I'm cool with dealing El, but not Moss.
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2-07-2009 @ 11:56AM
steven said...
UGH time and time again im embarrassed to be a redskins fan. I'm tired of the idiot fans we have, start Colt Brennan??? are you nuts colt brennan is not good enough yet, look at the georgia game if colt played against NFL starters we wouldnt win a game. jason campbell IS the qb of the future, hes a good qb give him some tall recievers jason campbell is 6 foot 5 his receivers are 5 foot 9 thats why the balls fly over there heads there too SHORT...vinny dont allow campbell to leave washington hes our qb of the future build that offensive line you idiot thats why campbell looked terrible in the second half of the season because that offensive line is HORRIBLE there too OLD! trade down acquire more picks and draft the guard from oklahoma duke robinson and the center from cal alex mack we need young STUDS on the offensive line the team is talented across the board to make the superbowl push we just need offensive lineman to KEEP the offense running smoothly
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