Jason Campbell Is the New Jay Cutler

Unless you're Vinny Cerrato, who appears to have the best job in sports (radio host, teevee personality, part-time executive vice president for an NFL team!), working for Redskins owner Dan Snyder must be an agonizing experience. He's forever overspending for big-name talent, is incapable of letting scouts and coaches do their jobs, and, ultimately, micromanages the team right into the ground. Every year.

So it should come as no surprise that Snyder is very interested in Jay Cutler, even though he currently has Jason Campbell -- the guy the 'Skins traded into the first round to draft in 2005 -- still under contract. I'll admit: Cutler is an upgrade over Campbell, but when considering all the factors -- the cost (two first-rounders, it sounds like), learning a new offense, playing in a new conference, etc. -- it hardly seems worth it.

But worth is relative. And for Snyder, it's the quickest way to a championship, even though he's owned the team for nearly a decade and that strategy has yet to work.

As is the case when decisions are made absent of thought and preparation, there are unintended consequences. The Washington Post's Jason La Canfora writes that in publicly lusting after Cutler, the Redskins now have to move Campbell to avoid the situation the Broncos currently find themselves after word leaked that they were interested in Matt Cassel.

Ironic, I know.

Compounding matters: if Washington just sends draft picks to Denver for Cutler, and Campbell remains on the roster, it would be virtually impossible to trade him for a second-rounder, which is the 'Skins current asking price.

... [B]ut two executives said that if the Skins are stuck with Cutler and Campbell, they may have to settle for a third[-round pick] or worse. No one would be rushing to help alleviate Washington's problems now, and the execs said it would be silly for a club to go ahead and trade a second for Campbell, given the uncertainty with the Cutler deal.

Ah, good times.

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon touched on this fiasco-in-the-making during Monday's Talking Points, with Willybuns' criticisms striking a familiar chord for anybody who even casually follows the team.

"The notion of the Redskins trading for him is the stupidest thing I've heard about the Redskins in, I don't know, 48 hours." When Mr. Tony suggested that he'd be "really surprised if [Cutler] ended up with the Redskins," Wilbon countered, "Why? It's what they do. It's what they do."

On the upside, if Washington loses out on Cutler and trades Campbell for something less than a second-round pick, there's still Colt Brennan. It's all about perspective, people.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

4-02-2009 @ 1:59PM

Adam said...

"On the upside, if Washington loses out on Cutler and trades Campbell for something less than a second-round pick, there's still Colt Brennan. It's all about perspective, people."

Oh, you must think you're sooo funny.

As I said in another post, JC isn't like Jay Cutler. He's probably annoyed this is happening, but he's not being a baby about it. If he stays in Washington, which I hope, he'll continue improving and could develop into a player just as valuable as Cutler. Except with character and leadership.

4-02-2009 @ 2:11PM

To demonstrate my point, Campbell was interviewd a few minutes ago, and the good people at ExtremeSkins provided a summary of what he said:

http://www.extremeskins.com/showthread.php?p=6279415#post6279415

JC is classy and the kind of guy you'd want in your locker room and on the field. No whining like Cutler, instead, this will make him work harder. I remember after the first Giants game last year when people were calling for Campbell's head, and he came out with a chip on his shoulder and played great for weeks. He knows where to direct frustration: on the opponents, not the coach or FO.

4-02-2009 @ 2:10PM

ryan said...

Adam,

I'm obviously joking about Brennan, although I suspect some would welcome that eventuality. To Campbell -- I agree. I think he's laid back enough to take all this in stride, but I'd also imagine it would bother the hell out of him. He's given this team three years under some pretty tough conditions, and they want to trade him? Even if he says all the right things, I have to think it'll irk him for the rest of his career. And rightfully so.

4-02-2009 @ 2:37PM

With Colt going by the wayside, at least for now, in favor of Cutler, I guess we should be calling it the Cult of Coltler?

Yeah, I'm sure it does irk him, and probably a lot more than just irk. But the Washington media and fanbase has been pretty harsh on him for a while, and he's been able to take it. Not every QB who has to deal with this stuff folds or whines.

Look at Donovan McNabb. He's had to put up with a whole lot in his career, from being booed on draft day, to being accused of choking in the SB, to being called injury prone, to being benched this past season. And he still plays, he still wins and gets to the playoffs. Maybe JC isn't as good as McNabb, at least not yet, but that same quality and determination is there. If he stays in Washington, I don't think it'll affect his game, and he'll chalk it up to Danny and Vinny being Danny and Vinny.

4-02-2009 @ 9:35PM

multidogs said...

Campbell sucks. Always has, always will.

4-02-2009 @ 2:02PM

obamaizadope said...

"Cutler is an upgrade over Campbell" Gee, ya think? How about an upgrade like an SL 65 AMG from a Pontiac Bonneville?

4-02-2009 @ 2:58PM

doomycota said...

I don't think so. Campbell is whovthe Redskins need, as well as a consistent offense for more than 1 year. This is a freaking joke right, there is no way in hell that Cry Baby Cutler is an improvement over Jason Campbell, not in my humble opinion. The chemistry would not be there if the reports are true and Danny boy wants the Cry baby. Honestly, Campbell has been the professional in this entire B.S.

4-02-2009 @ 2:13PM

johnny said...

Have a nice career Campbell...Come on and make your self at home Jay.

4-02-2009 @ 2:57PM

hatrick said...

Attention Dan and Vinny: we NEED a 1st round pick stud like Cush, Rey or Clay from USC, don't waste any picks on a whiner like Cutler. USC is ripe with talent!

Greetings from SO CAL, go Skins!

4-02-2009 @ 4:00PM

drummininthebridge said...

how can people think jay cutler isnt an improvement over jason campbell?! forget about being a professional, look at the skill set, look at the football mentality. jay cutler is a quarterback jason campbell will never be. the problem is what our egotistical running back will have to say, or if theyd be able to get along, and the same with santana moss, who can be fiesty. then again, jay did work with brandon marshall and a couple of pothead running backs

4-02-2009 @ 4:07PM

rea2667 said...

ughhh i really hopes J.C stays with the Skins, and i wish someday soon we get an ACTUAL owner that knows what the hell he's doing. Thats unlikey to happen knowing Snydners love affection with the Skins...So i guess the skins wont be good for a while...he's a curse.

4-02-2009 @ 4:24PM

#1SkinsFan said...

OK, I wrote on the Cutler-DC-rumor that I didn't want this and that Snyder is slowly turning in to Jerry Jones.

I take that back. Snyder is turning in to Al frickin' Davis.

I've been a Skins fan for 25 of my 34 years (even stabbed my poor dad in the back because he grew up a Steelers fan) and I just can't believe what Daniel "I WILL buy a championship" Snyder is doing to my poor Skins.

PLEASE, let Campbell have a solid year with a decent offense and some time in yet another new scheme. Cutler will delay any chance of the Skins winning anything longer than the Cowboys chances of making up for the T.O. fiasco which has turned that program (Tom Landry is turning in his grave).

Things started going downhill when the Skins lost the great Jack Kent Cooke. And losing Bobby Bethard has been the worst thing that ever happened. We Skins fans have a long road to walk with our team now that Danny-boy is in control.

4-02-2009 @ 4:26PM

Tim said...

I really hope this deal does not happen! The redskins problem is they haven't had stability on the offensive side of the ball Campbell has had too many coordinators in his young career. With this being his second year in Zorn's system i expect big things from him he has all the tools! So why would we give that up and teach Cutler a new offense? Not to mention at least a first round pick (we already gave up three to get campbell in '05)

4-02-2009 @ 4:35PM

I can't remember where I read it, but someone made an excellent point:

Cutler played in the AFC West, a total turd of a division, while Campbell got beat up by the NFC East, THE monster division of the NFC and probably the second best, if not the best, in the NFL.

4-02-2009 @ 5:03PM

Greg said...

How come every team in the league has a salary cap, except for the redskins?

4-02-2009 @ 5:48PM

Skins are about $9.5 million under the cap right now. Hard to believe; they must have some cap wizards working there.

4-04-2009 @ 3:01PM

Cyril Moody said...

If Money Bags decides to bring the BIG BABY to Fed Ex, so goes team continuity. The only way the redskins will get in the super bowl in 09-10,will be with a ticket. J.C. is a class-act;give the man another year.

4-02-2009 @ 5:33PM

Jeremy W said...

If Campbell stays with the team, he will be big enough to come out everyday and play. If he is bitter the best thing he can do is play his ass off, make the pro-bowl and the play offs, and then when Snyder is drooling all over him, he can tell him so long and sign somewhere else for a huge contract.

racerx005 said...

Redskins need a solid healthy offense. Last season they were just worn down offensively with injuries etc. JC is a young quarterback with good potential, I doubt that trade will give Dan Snyder the instant victory he thinks it will. Hasn't he figured out there's a difference between a ballteam and a corporation?

4-02-2009 @ 5:41PM

m00nmaster09 said...

now the questions is this..

with jay cutler now in chicago

is dan snyder still going to try to get rid of jason campbell

because to me it seems like him an cerrato dont want him