Campbell Saying All the Right Things

After enduring weeks of speculation about the Redskins' affinity for Mark Sanchez, Jason Campbell is still the Redskins' starting quarterback. General manager Vinny Cerrato admitted they tried to trade up for Sanchez, which is a blatant slap in the face to Campbell, who is entering the final year of his contract.

Campbell, at least for the time being, is looking to be the antithesis of Jay Cutler. If his recent statements are an indication of how he'll treat things in the future, he's showing great maturity and taking everything in stride.

"Once you get to this point, it's all about putting everything else aside and just going out there to be the type of leader your coaches and teammates expect you to be," Campbell said. "I'm the quarterback of this team, I know Coach Zorn and the whole coaching staff is counting on me, and I haven't put in all this hard work to go out there now and let everybody down. Everybody always looks to the quarterback, so you understand it starts with you."

"Looking back isn't going to help me have a great year for our team. That's not going to help me be the type of quarterback I need to be to help us accomplish our goals. Right now, with minicamp, then with OTAs and training camp coming up, it's all about getting yourself prepared for the season. It's not about anything individual. I'm always going to put team goals ahead of myself, and right now I'm thinking about my coaches and my teammates. That's really what I'm focused on."

Look, he probably will have a bit of a chip on his shoulder, but that's only going to motivate him to work harder on his game. I feel like a broken record here, but does anyone else have interest in seeing Campbell with a second season in an offensive system? He still hasn't had one yet, and this one will qualify, unless they manage to replace him before September. Head coach Jim Zorn is very sound at developing quarterbacks, too, so Campbell should benefit from an extra year of his tutelage.

For now, the drama seems to be over. If we've learned anything from the Redskins' brass, though, it may only be starting.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

4-27-2009 @ 3:04PM

Adam said...

Campbell is a good guy, and you can't help but hope he has a great year. My concern is that he'll prove himself to be a winner, and then turn down the Skins' contract extension and go somewhere else. He doesn't seem that vindictive, but Danny and Vinny's antics could make someone do that.

Despite a lot of support for Colt Brennan, Cutler and Sanchez, most Skins fans supported Campbell all the way and wanted to see him have a second year. He and Zorn have a good relationship, and now that he has guys to throw to, this could not only be a breakout year for Campbell, but a complete and balanced Redskins offense. The biggest drawback is the o-line, which unfortunately was ignored in the draft, but there are a couple young guys from last year and new UDFAs who hopefully will step up.

5-15-2009 @ 5:05PM

Skinsaholic said...

"I feel like a broken record here, but does anyone else have interest in seeing Campbell with a second season in an offensive system?"

I constantly argue with buddies about this. I am a huge supporter of Campbell. Its his third year as a starter, which is supposedly the make or break year for QB's, and a contract year. Having continuity in a system has not happened for Campbell since high school. J Cam will be a top 10 QB this year.

4-27-2009 @ 4:03PM

A.J. said...

Everybody wants a Peyton Manning or a Tom Brady on their team, who can throw for 4000 yards and will his team to victory. Personally, I could care less whether or not Campbell comes close to breaking Tom Brady's TD record or Dan Marino's passing yardage record. The ultimate question is, can we win games with the QB we have? Look at Kerry Collins. Across the board, JC's numbers are equal or better. Kerry Collins will never be accused of lighting up a scoreboard - yet the Titans had a double-digit win year and made a playoff run with him.

To see Campbell throw for a good number of touchdowns would be great - but remember, we have a great running game, too, so Campbell doesn't necessarily need to throw for 30 TDs a year for us to have a great offense. He could throw 20 and Portis could score 8-10 times on the ground. Same number of points, right?

Can Campbell throw for 30 TDs a year? Possibly. Could we win games if he only throws for 20 a year? I think we could, especially because our defense is very likely going to be top 5 in the league next year. If we get pressure, we get turnovers. If we get turnovers, we more than likely get short fields for Jason to work with. If we get short fields for our offense, we can put more points on the board. That said, it's time for Jason to walk the walk. He needs to be the same person in the huddle as he is in front of cameras.

And to Adam, I doubt Campbell would do that, despite how badly management has treated him. From a football standpoint, wouldn't it just put him in the same bind as he's been in since high school? Any smart guy (and I believe Campbell is smart) wouldn't want to ruin a good thing.

4-27-2009 @ 4:44PM

jeremiah said...

anyone that comments on this article who is going to blame the O-line should just not even leave a comment. the problem isnt the O-line its Campbell, thats why we tried to get Cutler and Sanchez. everyone who knows football whould agree. if your QB isnt getting time to throw, you change up your play calling and call screens, short pass plays like slants or hitches, but mainly your suppose to hit your hot read if your under pressure to slow down the pass rush. Tom Brady is a perfect example of what a QB is supposed to do. when teams blitzed him he we hot to Walker on a slant or hitch, then teams would stop blitzing linbackers and have them stay with Walker. then later in the game when the safties started cheating up on a blitz, Tom would see it and check off deep to Moss. Zorn came in and tought Campbell to Completely ignore the pass rush, in todays game the D ends are to good at getting to the QB so QBs need to be able to move around in the pocket and make throws, which Campbell doesnt do. when he was at Aubrun he did it all the time and even ran to pick up yards all the time. the only reason Colt Brennan looked like a star is bc he would run out of the pocket if he needed to to make plays. when Campbell finishes his drop back his feet stop moving and he doesnt throw the ball. in the NFL you play with the best of the best and your lucky if you get three seconds to pull off a pass play and every Qb has that clock in there head but it looks like Campbells is broken. ask any pro QB and they will tell you by the last step in your drop back, you better know where your throwing the ball or your most likely going to get hit. during preseason Brennan would have the ball out of his hands by the last step in his drop or he would push the pocket to by time and even run out of it if he needed to to make a play. QBs do foot work all the but Campbell just doesnt move. you cant sit back in the pocket all day and not expect to get sacked playing in the NFC East. Cutler and Sanchez both move there feet thats why they are the Skins tried to get them.

4-27-2009 @ 5:10PM

Hilarious you used Brady as an example. New England has one of the best o-lines in the league. Any QB behind a line like that can play well; just look at Eli Manning. He'd be subpar behind a crappier line, like ours.

And you can't call screens, slants and hitches for an entire season. Eventually, a QB needs more than 1-2 seconds and allow for plays to develop, even in a WCO. That strategy works for teams like NE because they know opposing defenses will back down on the pressure. With us, opposing defenses know they can get sacks and pressures with 3 or 4 guys regularly, which allows them to double cover and gives nowhere for Campbell to throw. A good o-line is as much a deterrent as it is functional.

Besides, we saw Campbell play great in the first half of the season. By the second half, the line got tired and injured because they're all old. Similarly, Portis wasn't nearly as effective the second half of the season than the first, again because the o-line wasn't effective. Nobody's calling to replace Portis, so why want to replace Campbell? Lack of production out of Campbell and Portis is a symptom of the problem, so we should address the cause instead of blaming the symptom.

4-27-2009 @ 8:08PM

Garrett said...

Its fine if people are against JC and dont think he is that good. Everybody is entitled to their opinion. Have enough sense not to use the how good Colt Brennan looked argument. Considering he played like three quarters in the preseason against people who are not on NFL rosters right now. As for your other argument, JC and Cutler's ratings and starting record are similar. Sanchez played in the Pac 10 where they dont play defense. Neither one of them would be upgrades with our receivers in line.

4-27-2009 @ 10:42PM

who from the O-line was injured mid way through the season? before Brady took over there O-line was a C grade. a good QB understands what defences are trying to do and how his line can protect him. his O-line is over rated, the only reason they look good is because he knows to throw the ball to hot routes so his O-line doesnt give up sacks. if they were that good he would have had time to throw the ball against the Giants in the super bowl. now your going to say the Giants have a good D-line but the giants didnt break his leg. Brady is always throwing right before he gets hit. so your just blaming the O-line for Campbell sucking. i love how everyone uses that excuse and then they say the line is old and they got tired half way threw the season. so please explain to me, if the were soooo tired, how did Portis lead the NFL in rushing??? did Mike Sellers plow everyone over bc late time i checked you need a O-LINE to block. if you call slants, screens and hitches it will eventually slow down the pass rush and give you time to throw. if the WR are being DC then you bring in a 3rd WR and you play catch with your tight end. Portis played threw a twisted knee that he got against the Steelers bc Campbell cant read defences and bombed that game and he still seemed to make it to the pro bowl. thats why the Redskins arent looking to replace him. Campbell cant seem to put up points, last season he went all the way to week 8 before he threw a TD to a WR and Collins came in and was throwing TDs left and right and lead us to the playoffs. the reason the team wants to replace him is bc of his lack to produce point. he avg almost 300 yards of total offence at Auburn and were lucky to see him put up 150. in my eyes hes a bust! since his knee injury he is affraid to throw the ball.

4-28-2009 @ 5:49PM

toborn3 said...

Great job Adam. People want to look at gb play and say we need a QB. Team = Units In order to win in the NFL all of the units have to do something to put the other unit in a position to win.

4-27-2009 @ 4:56PM

penn said...

Jason, here is a BIG A%$ CHIP...put it on your shoulders and go have a hell of a year and then tell all the naysayers to shut the Hell up

4-27-2009 @ 6:27PM

lazyindiankid4 said...

agreed. Jason Campbell has been one of the classiest players I have ever seen in a while through this whole crappy process. I back him up every bit, and hope he proves all his nay sayers WRONG!

HAIL

4-27-2009 @ 5:15PM

obamaizadope said...

wow, you campbell supporters are delusional. campbell seems like an ok guy, but he ain't hurrying off to mensa meetings if you get my drift. as a starter, he's a perennial 8-8 guy at best. the skins deserve much better..

4-27-2009 @ 5:20PM

marc said...

If any of you had paid any sort of attention, we signed several offensive lineman and have a few from last years draft who were unfortunately injury plagued. We needed a guard not a tackle, so we brought back Dockery, Chad Rinehart will also be there and not injured hopefully. Having said, our Rb didnt rush for 1500 yards on his own. Der Der Derrrrr

4-27-2009 @ 10:48PM

THANK YOU!!!! everyone bags on the line for being tired and lazy the second half of the season. i guess they think Portis flew in a jet plain for those 1500 yards......

4-27-2009 @ 6:02PM

Jeremy W said...

"General manager Vinny Cerrato" Thats kind of a reach. More like Snyders Monkey Boy. Feels great too root for the only team in the league dumb enough to put a guy like Cerrato in charge.
FIRE VINNY!!! FIRE VINNY!!!

4-27-2009 @ 6:07PM

Gerry Herndon said...

like Sonny said about Trent Green goes for Cambell too..he's got "happy feet" you've got to set up and release the football quit dancing around waiting for something to happen QB's suppose to make it happen he's no Mike Vick ...did I get back to that again..sorry

4-27-2009 @ 6:33PM

SkinnedAlive said...

ok let me explain a couple things my fellow skins fans...

JC has NEVER been in the same system for more than 1yr. and believ it or not that is a HUGE DEAL. how can you have any consistency when his (HS,college,and even the pros) teams have never had the same system in place for him to EVOLVE into what we want him to be. honestly...its like being up "shitcreek" withouta paddle. what can you do!

second is his feet...yes they could be a lil quicker but really they are fine...he stands tall in the pocket,steps into his throws and yes he can RUN for a first down. guys realize hes 6'5 hes got long legs his strides are long and thats where yall are getting slow feet when in reality hes ok in that department...not gr8 but good enough.

JC's problem really lies in his head fellas...we all know confidence key in any thing...more so in sports. and now danny boy and cerrato have damaged what lil he did have. these guys remind me of dope pheens...they get addicted to big names and have been since they took over...realize hey we gotta change..so they go to rehab and get help(joe gibbs). then as soon as evryone thinks they have actually changed and the doc is gone (gibbs) they go back to the pipe with cutler and sanchez. they make me sick sometimes...like a family. you gotta lovem but time to time you just wanna beat some sense into them.

we will be really good this yr if our wr besides moss can actually run a GOOD route and yes randle el is HORRIBLE!!! CUT HIM NOW! save some money and MAKE our other wrs STEP UP AND BE MEN!!!

guys cerrato was right on the draft...only 4-5 GOOD OT and only 2-3 Centers next yrs draft is loaded on the off. line and in all areas too. we got dock back and the kid williams was a 4 ovrall pic 4 yrs ago...injuries have done him in tho...if he stays healthy hell be a gr8 picup for the league minimum. next yr no matter where we are at we will be able to load up then.

oh one last thing...thers our 3rd pic outa maryland this yr...in houston we gotta DB names dunta robinson hes an absolute joy to watch play. that kid from maryland is a spittin image of him...i really like that pic seperated shoulders dont last too long..ask portis about it lol

HAIL TO THE 2ND BEST DEF. IN THE NFL THIS YR!!!!
(SORRY PITTSBURG STILL SCARES ME)

4-27-2009 @ 7:51PM

Bujinkan said...

"he's a perennial 8-8 guy at best"

OK, which explains why Auburn was undefeated his final year.

"Oh but he had a great TEAM around him!"

So does Brady.

4-27-2009 @ 7:58PM

Jesse said...

I am not even a Redskins fan, seen this same dance years ago with Doug Williams, seems to be a trend with them, Campbell is a CLASS ACT, and he should not be blamed or scapegoated, a lot of you guys said some very true things about him, FACTS and you guys are true football fans, I saw a negative post from some guy who's TV must be blurry so i am not going to say any names but you guys said it all, Jason C deserves way more respect than the Skins have showed him. I am praying the guy has a good healthy season and wishing the best to the skins because of HIM!

4-27-2009 @ 10:51PM

the only reason JC is a class act is bc he knows hes not producing and he doesnt want to lose his job!

4-27-2009 @ 11:34PM

Elliott said...

"Hilarious you used Brady as an example. New England has one of the best o-lines in the league. Any QB behind a line like that can play well; just look at Eli Manning. He'd be subpar behind a crappier line, like ours."

Every year I hear this excuse and with every year it seems more toothless. Brady's o-line turned to paper in the Super Bowl, but he still held himself together long enough to throw a go-ahead touchdown in the last three minutes (which could only be negated by the Tyree-Manning miracle play). Big Ben's o-line this year was considered a liability but he did well enough. Two or three years ago the Giants' o-line was downright craptacular; there was this one game I remember against the eventual NFC champion Eagles where Eli was sacked like eight times and he still threw a touchdown to win the game in overtime.

Okay, so maybe the Skins' o-line isn't the best. But perhaps part of the blame needs to fall on JC and other factors. Stop thinking that a spectacular o-line is going to fix everything, 'cause it's worth squat if you don't have a quarterback that can bring you back from behind.