Jason Campbell Upbeat About Offense, O-Line Could Be Biggest Issue

Although it's tough for some fans and media (looks in mirror) to turn the page on the Redskins' "Anybody But Jason" offseason tour, the guy caught in the middle, Jason Campbell, has done just that. Unlike Jay Cutler, who bellyached his way out of Denver, Campbell (save one moment of weakness) has said all the right things. He's moved on -- even if we haven't -- and is looking toward the 2009 season.

Detractors like to point out that Campbell isn't consistent (or smart) enough to be an NFL starter, but they often leave out an important little fact: he's played in three different offenses in five seasons.

When he arrived from Auburn, Joe Gibbs was calling the plays. In 2006, Al Saunders and his world-renowned 700-page playbook were hired (and two unproductive years later, fired), before Jim Zorn's West Coast Offense came to Washington last fall.

Now, for the first time in his career, Campbell sounds comfortable. Assuming Dan Snyder isn't still trying to dump him, that's a good thing:

"Last year, it was all new. But just from [minicamp] last year to this year, you can see a lot of guys making those strides to get to where we want to be. I know I feel good about what we're trying to do, and you just feel more relaxed when you're comfortable with everything going on around you. This still is only the beginning, and there's a lot of hard work ahead to put it all together, but you always want to get off to a good start."

Campbell's right: it's important to feel comfortable, and perhaps more importantly: it's only the beginning. We're not even a week into May, so a lot has to be decided. And for the National Football Post's Michael Lombardi, the biggest issue isn't quarterback, but the five fat guys tasked with protecting him.

Last season, the offensive line was a mess, and other than bringing left guard Derrick Dockery back to Washington (and, I guess, signing Mike Williams), it's the same cast of characters.

[The o-line] ranked 22nd in sacks allowed, giving up 38, with a west coast-based offense that prides itself on getting rid of the ball quickly. They had breakdowns at every level on the line, and now they're bringing back the same cast of characters -- all a year older. ...

The burden of winning from the front office perspective seems to lie on the shoulders of Jason Campbell, whose position was the one area the 'Skins wanted to improve on offense. And yes, I have been very critical of Campbell in my posts. I don't see him as a west coast quarterback, as the system does not fit the player's skill level. However, I feel that the failure to address the critical areas of concern this offseason will, in large part, affect Campbell and ultimately kill the 'Skins chances.

And that's the thing: it's fine to put this all on Campbell, but it's also worth recognizing that not many quarterbacks would've had success behind the Redskins' offensive line last season. And with four of five returning in '09, should we expect anything to be different? Lombardi adds that "In the NFC East, you must win games with your ability to pass protect, your ability to match the physical power of both lines. Having an old, injury-prone line is not giving yourself the best chance."

Lombardi also points to something his former boss Bill Walsh used to say: in Year 1, coaches teach players the system; in Year 2, coaches develop their skills. This is Year 2 for the 'Skins offense. And depending on how things play out, it could be the last one in D.C. for both Campbell and Zorn.