ASHBURN, Va. -- He is the man, the myth, the legend around these parts, the quarterback who will finally lead a hungry franchise back to the promised land. He is a fan favorite, a cult hero, a promise of a bright future.And he has never taken a regular-season snap.
Colt Brennan finds himself in an intriguing situation as he enters his second season with the Washington Redskins. On the one hand, he'll once again be his team's third-string quarterback -- stuck behind oft-criticized Jason Campbell and 15-year veteran Todd Collins. On the other hand, a growing number of Redskins fans think he is the missing piece to their championship puzzle.
They want him in the lineup. Right now.
"It gives me something to play for, if there's that many people out there really supportive of me already, when I haven't even become a starter yet," Brennan told FanHouse on Thursday after Washington wrapped up its final practice of a four-day minicamp. "It feels good that there are a lot of people excited to see me.
"It motivates me, drives me to get out there and show them what I'm all about, that I appreciate the love."
The groundswell of love for Brennan has come at the expense of Campbell. In the 2005 NFL draft, Washington gave three picks to Denver for the No. 25 selection, then chose Campbell out of Auburn. By mid-2006, Campbell was starting full-time for the Redskins.
Now, just three years later, people are ready to run him out of town -- including some in Washington's front office. Earlier this offseason, Campbell was at the heart of trade rumors involving then-Denver QB Jay Cutler. Even though that deal fell through, the message was clear: the Redskins are not completely happy with Campbell's development.
"He's been the starter here and he's trying to build this team and lead this team to the playoffs," Collins said of Campbell, "and anytime you hear about maybe the organization not thinking highly enough to keep you there, that doesn't make you feel good."
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FLOWERY BRANCH, GA - MAY 9: Running back Thiomas Brown #27 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on during minicamp at the Falcons Complex on May 9, 2009 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Thomas Brown
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FLOWERY BRANCH, GA - MAY 9: Linebacker Tony Gilbert #51 of the Atlanta Falcons works out during minicamp at the Falcons Complex on May 9, 2009 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tony Gilbert
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FLOWERY BRANCH, GA - MAY 9: Safety Thomas DeCoud #28 of the Atlanta Falcons returns an interception during minicamp at the Falcons Complex on May 9, 2009 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Thomas DeCoud
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FLOWERY BRANCH, GA - MAY 9: General Manager Thomas Dimitroff of the Atlanta Falcons looks on during minicamp at the Falcons Complex on May 9, 2009 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Thomas Dimitroff
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FLOWERY BRANCH, GA - MAY 9: Safety William Moore #24 of the Atlanta Falcons works out during minicamp at the Falcons Complex on May 9, 2009 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** William Moore
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FLOWERY BRANCH, GA - MAY 9: Wide receiver Brian Finneran #86 of the Atlanta Falcons breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Roddy White #84 during minicamp at the Falcons Complex on May 9, 2009 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brian Finneran;Roddy White
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FLOWERY BRANCH, GA - MAY 9: Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder of the Atlanta Falcons during minicamp at the Falcons Complex on May 9, 2009 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brian VanGorder
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FLOWERY BRANCH, GA - MAY 9: Quarterback D.J. Shockley #3 of the Atlanta Falcons attempts a pass during minicamp at the Falcons Complex on May 9, 2009 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** D.J. Shockley
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FLOWERY BRANCH, GA - MAY 9: Running backs Jerious Norwood #32 and Thomas Brown #27 of the Atlanta Falcons look on during instruction by running backs coach Gerald Brown during minicamp at the Falcons Complex on May 9, 2009 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jerious Norwood;Thomas Brown;Gerald Brown
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FLOWERY BRANCH, GA - MAY 9: Quarterback John Parker Wilson #4 of the Atlanta Falcons drops back to pass during minicamp at the Falcons Complex on May 9, 2009 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Parker Wilson
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For his part, Collins is the man stuck in the middle between Campbell and Brennan on the depth chart. Should Campbell falter in 2009, or suffer an injury, it would likely be Collins -- not Brennan -- who gets the nod. Collins' experience is a huge part of the reason why, but Brennan's also still very much in his developmental phase. An injury cost him much of last offseason, then he rode the pine all season.
Only now does Brennan feel comfortable as an NFL quarterback -- but feeling ready, and actually being ready to lead a team, are very different things.
"I'm throwing way better, way more confident," Brennan said. "There's so much you have to be responsible for, especially as a quarterback in the NFL. There's so many things this year, whereas I was thinking about them [last season], they're second nature to me now."
Brennan's ability to grasp the mental part of the NFL game has been as difficult -- perhaps even more so than taking steps forward physically.
"I walked up to him when he was on the line of scrimmage and said, 'Listen, we're telling you about all this technique and stuff, but eventually you've just got to play,' " Washington coach Jim Zorn said, recalling a moment from Thursday's practice. "It's about knowing those things, and just doing them naturally. He's got a ways to go, but he's progressing very fine."
Brennan came to Washington in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL draft as a bit of an unknown. There were questions about Brennan's arm strength, technique and decision-making. More than that, teams had concerns that Brennan's time in a wide-open spread offense at Hawaii would make it tough for him to move into a pro-style scheme.
"It's funny to see the bias about [spread quarterbacks], yet you look at the Patriots or Colts, how many times do you see them in shotgun slinging the ball around?" Brennan said. "There's a stereotype out there, but I'm not in the stereotype -- I can help break the barrier."
To smash those preconceived notions, though, he'll need to get a chance to play.
Misguided or not, the hope from plenty of Washington fans is that he'll have that opportunity very soon.
Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Colt may just be as good as people say, but the time for campbell may not be quiet over. A quarterback is only as good as his weapons. If the WR position does not drastically improve it really wont matter who the quarterback is, because the offense will not put points on the board. The O-line has to stay healthy and pick up the blitz for Zorn's offense to reach its full potential. Address those two issues and if Campbell doesn't improve then by all means Colt may just be the answer.
So Colt thinks that because the Pats and Colts occasionally run the spread, he can too? Haha. He seems like a nice guy, but he'll never be a starter. He has a noodle arm and subpar mechanics. Even if Campbell does horrible this coming season, Colt will not become the starter. Colt might not even beat out Todd Collins for 2nd-string.
Campbell is the best chance we have at winning, and I think he'll end up having a huge year and will solidify his place as a the Redskins long-term QB.
well said adam. I personally think Jason Campbell has the chance of being a very elite QB and win a few QBs. now people who are starting to laugh at that, just WAIT. I'll back it up a little.
1. His statistics have been on the rise every year--GOOD
2. He plays very solid and can lead a team to a good record. For example, if his running game is good and his O-line can maintain well, then we can easily be a playoff team. (WE WERE 6-2, before our O-line and running game become mediocre and not holding up last season)
3. He is a classy QB who doesn't let things get in his head
4. Has an elite Defense to back him up
5. His WR corps are consistently getting younger and probably more talented.
I got a bunch of other reasons up my sleeve, but hey we must believe in this guy because hes been a new Offense about every season. I wish JC and the SKINS all the best for a break out year and a playoff year.
ENOUGH SAID
HAIL!
I love the Skins, but it's unbelievable to me how much people like to bring up Jason's stats. Honestly, I don't give a damn about his stats and don't even try to blame the offensive line either. I sat back and watched JC be hesitant and show little heart all season until the last couple of games. I know Colt has the heart to lead the team and it's only a matter of time before we all get to see that. I hope Jason has a great year, but if he keeps nipple feeding the ball, we need to take his a$$ out and put in CB5. He will be out Collins for the backup job.
HAIL!
man hes not the answer at all. the best colt is at TEXAS and he'll be available mid 1st rd next yr. by the way can campbell get 2 yrs in an offense please before we throwem to the wolves!
DT, and Kelley our 2nd yr WRs MUST STEP UP THIS YR!!!
HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!!!
I don't get it. People either talk about Colt like he's a god, or like he's terrible. Honestly people, you both have no clue what you're talking about. Until we actually see him out there in the regular season, no one actually knows for sure. I'm sick and tired of people criticizing Colt. From what you've seen of him, he's been excellent. That's why so many people are in love with him. On the other hand, you've only seen him in the preseason, so you have no grounds to make an assumption on him.
Yes, you can already notice that he has mediocre arm strength, but you can also notice that he has excellent accuracy.
In the end, no one really knows what type of quarterback he is. We're all just guessing here, so we should hold any judgment.
I go by what the coaches say and do. Zorn has been critical of Colt since he got here, and it's pretty clear they don't think he can be a starter, otherwise he would be. He probably won't even beat out Todd Collins for #2. The coaches see what players are capable of, and if they thought Colt was the answer, I'm sure they wouldn't hesitate to move him up to be the starter.
Rock Cartwright plays with a lot of intensity and is a good guy to have on the team, like Colt, but would you want Rock to replace Portis and be our starting RB? I wouldn't.
And seriously, saying that he can do what Peyton Manning and Tom Brady do-- the two best QBs in the league and two of the best ever-- is just delusional. Look what it took for those two to occasionally use the spread: years of work, great receivers, great o-lines and freakish talent and execution. Colt nor the Skins have that. The spread will never work as a full time scheme in the NFL because defenses can counter it way more easily than in college, so Colt either needs to develop into a true pro-style QB with good dropback and throwing mechanics and field vision, or he'll stay as #3.
What makes Colt special is how he affects the rest of the team in positive ways. Colt is always one of the biggest fan of his own team. He exudes confidence when given the leadership role and believes he can win no matter how the odds may be stacked against him.
he was a late round pick for a reason...he doesnt have a strong enough arm. he's a fan favorite because he's a backup QB and redskins fans are the worst fans of the NFL. every backup QB becomes a fan favorite if the starter isnt throwing manning like numbers.
Redskins fans are no where near the worst in the NFL.
Do the Panthers even have fans?
You know how I know your gay? Because you are a Panther fan? Who likes the Panthers? Go to your own website and shut up! You talk junk about us being the worst fans in the NFL? At least the Redskins have fans. I live near Charlotte and I dont know ANYONE who likes the Panthers! Go away...you dont even know what you are talking about
he's not the next tom brady. sorry. I'm a hardcore skins fan, and i think alot of our fans are idiots for thinking brennan is going to even be close to campbell or collins performance-wise. i think people just like his name. its a pretty cool name. maybe he'll develop into a pro QB, but that's not happening this season. the skins should try something they never do. stick with the same QB and coach for a couple years. it'll do wonders. We have a championship caliber D and if the o-line can hold up, we have the pieces to snatch the lombardi trophy
"the quarterback who will finally lead a hungry franchise back to the promised land. He is a fan favorite, a cult hero, a promise of a bright future."
Someones been doing their research on IDIOT.com....
Im a big fan of Colt. But he has the odds stacked against him. He lacks size, arm strength, and pro style offense and NFL experience. And his coach doesn't believe in him. But he'll be given another shot in the preseason. I hope he stays healthy and has a good showing then. He's really fun to watch and I think he could be good. But it's gonna take a team that can take a chance with him and I don't know if Zorn has the b@lls to do it.
letz move forward skins campbell or colt jus choose 1 please i mean if we see colt last year with dat last touchdown in preseason againtz da colts, so if we r tryin 2 gut 2 da playoffs letz jus give colt a chance becuz JC been a starter since 05' til 08' dis is me. HAIL 2 DA REDSKINS
Wow your comments here are just as uneducated and stupid as your replies to ads.
Besides my 12 year old son I dont personally know anyone who really thinks Colt Brennan should start.
Are you serious? There are Redskins fans everywhere that want Colt Brennan to start. Pull up any Redskins message board or blog and you'll see what I mean or go count the Brennan jerseys at a Washington home game.
All this talk about strong arms. These guys didn't have the strongest of arms, Montana, Marino, Brady. All were passed over in the draft. Like Colt. If its a strong arm you want you should have signed Leftwich. Maybe Culpepper. But wait these would not be improvements. Like the play of Jason Campbell. It doesn't take additional years in an offense to see that Campbell misses wide open recievers, has problems with his acurracy and can't be counted on in pressure situations, but he has a strong arm. we had a srong arm guy in Pittsburgh for a few years, his name was Bubby Brister, wish we had Marino. Anyway Colt looks better than Campbell to me. Campbell had plenty of opportunity and has faultered. The redskins need to be looking else where.
Any quarterback behind the redskins offensive line would look bad.......Their good run blockers, but all but heyer and samuels are terrible in pass protection, and both were injured by the end of the season. I like the idea of moving Jon Jansen to center, maybe him and rabach can split playing time to keep them healthy, and keep Heyer at right tackle and maybe a quarterback can actually make a 3-5 step drop and have a pocket without defenders all over him like in the steelers and ravens games.