Joe Gibbs (Kind Of) Questions Jason Campbell's Toughness

In Mike Wise's Washington Post column from this morning, you'll find a story about Jim Zorn and Joe Gibbs hanging out and shooting the proverbial, uh, well, you know. In it, you'll find discussions ranging from charity work to Zorn's admiration about the legacy Gibbs left as a great coach for the Washington Redskins.

Invariably, the subject of the Redskins' polarizing quarterback came up. Gibbs was specifically asked about how Jason Campbell handled the situation this offseason where the Redskins tried to replace him, not once, but twice. Alas, Jay Cutler is in Chicago and Mark Sanchez is in New York. The Redskins are "stuck" with Campbell and his big arm.

The following excerpt, including Gibbs' quote after he was asked if Campbell was mistreated, grabbed my eye.

"I have a different outlook on that," Gibbs said of shopping the quarterback he had plucked from Auburn. "At some point you're going to have to take the team down the field in a driving hailstorm to win the game. If you get all uptight about stuff as the quarterback -- if [trade rumors] is something that bothers you -- you're in the wrong position."

Translation: Buck up, Jason.

"You gotta realize an NFL quarterback is going to go through a lot -- all the ones I coached did," Gibbs added through that shrill laugh of his. "If it wasn't [Mark] Rypien getting benched in the middle of a season, it was Joe Theismann technically going to get benched. Or it was Doug Williams going through two teams and coming here when everybody thought his career was over."

I'm left scratching my head over the entire block. Did Gibbs really indirectly say Campbell needed to "buck up" as Wise states with the middle paragraph?

First of all, Campbell didn't pull a Cutler. He took his medicine and moved on as the leader of the team. He said he wanted to leave the past behind him when someone asked him if he was upset the team tried to replace him. Secondly, he did said he would demand a trade if they acquired another starter, but that's because he wants to be a starting quarterback, not because he's a baby. That actually shows some fire, in a "if you don't want me, I'll kick your ass" kind of way.

Gibbs simply said if trade rumors bother you, you're in the wrong position. Campbell took them in stride and said he's ready to concentrate on 2009. Is this simply a case of fanning the flames by a columnist?

Not completely.

In the second paragraph of quotes from Gibbs, it does seem like he's at least somewhat jabbing at Campbell. So what to make of all this?

Really, it's all part of being a quarterback. You're in the spotlight. When the team wins, you get the credit, even if it's undue (hello Eli Manning). When the team loses, you catch the blame, even if it's undue (hi, Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler).

It's a big year for Campbell. He's under a bigger microscope than ever, because most of the rest of the team seems to be a playoff caliber roster. Should they fail to make it, he and Zorn will be the most likely scapegoats.

And it looks like a line is already forming to at least kind of question Campbell's toughness -- starting with the great Joe Gibbs. In June.

Good luck, Jason.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

6-25-2009 @ 5:26PM

bears0492 said...

"Really, it's all part of being a quarterback. You're in the spotlight. When the team wins, you get the credit, even if it's undue (hello Eli Manning). When the team loses, you catch the blame, even if it's undue (hi, Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler). "

I couldn't agree more with this statement (and the examples)

6-25-2009 @ 8:38PM

Adam said...

I don't think Gibbs was jabbing or questioning Campbell at all, simply because what Gibbs was describing is exactly how Campbell has been acting. He hasn't been uptight or let the rumors bother him. In the middle of it all, he was at the Redskins facility lifting weights and working out. One of the reasons Gibbs liked Campbell so much and gave up a lot to draft Campbell is because he liked his character, and that good character showed up this offseason. Cutler was a diva, Campbell was class.

6-26-2009 @ 4:34AM

Steve said...

Matt Snyder MAKE OF IT WHAT YOU LIKE..from what i read Coach Gibbs (stiil in my mind) did not have a go at Campbell ..Funny how some people take things up when in fact they meant something totaly different so go ahead as ive said MAKE OF IT WHAT YOU LIKE...Best Regards Steve Dublin Ireland

6-26-2009 @ 12:25PM

Matt Snyder said...

Actually, Steve, your problems likely sit with the Washington Post columnist. As I said in the piece, he put "Translation: Buck up" about Jason Campbell. I'm defending Campbell.

I probably should have put a question mark at the end of the title to more accurately reflect my feelings on the subject.

6-26-2009 @ 9:43AM

Jeremy W said...

I think Gibbs was just being Gibbs. I think he was trying not to step on any toes of his former employer and the new coach. He was just saying that to be a successful NFL QB, you have to be tough enough to deal with whatever comes at you. I dont think he was saying that Campbell is not tough enough to be a NFL QB. I also think that if Gobbs had stayed and was still there, Campbell would be the starter and Snyderatto would have never even tried to make this deal. Because obviously Cutler is not the guy t drive down the field in a hailstorm and would not be a Gibbs guy. I think guys like Campbell, Portis, Moss, Cooley and the rest can take honor in being Gibbs guys. I think Gibbs knows what kind of man Campbell is and respects the way he handled the whole situation. But I do think if Gibbs was around he would still be driving the fact that "you have to be tougher" into JC over and over again. Just because he didnt lose his cool this offseason doesnt mean he doesnt have to "buck up" even more. Hopefully Zorn picked up some stuff, because Joe Gibbs is the best people person/motivator who has ever coached in this league.

6-26-2009 @ 11:50AM

Eric Sanders said...

Yeah, I think Adam hit it on the head. Gibbs can't be (kind of) questioning Campbell's toughness when Jas on has acted exactly like Gibbs was describing. I think Gibb's is careful to show loyalty to the Redskins franchise, at the same time he must hold some amount of respect for Campbell for acting in a way that shows maturity and integrity like Gibbs himself demanded from players

6-26-2009 @ 1:01PM

Hi Matt ..I seemed to have taken you up wrong,Yes i think a question mark at the end would have made the difference...Anyway apologies From this side of the pond..Best Regards Steve Dublin Ireland

6-26-2009 @ 1:31PM

Helen said...

You got it right when you said The Great Joe Gibbs! Love him!! Joe Gibbs didn't mean anything by his comments, he genuinely likes Jason Campbell.

6-28-2009 @ 12:06PM

we2gthrntex said...

hey i think its time someone speaks up bluntly and says it clearly ..jason campbell has proved to be inconsistent and unreliable as a qb..washington has more qb's in the camp who deserve chances to lead this team..for example colt brennan last preseason proved to be the better qb than what jason showed yet brennan sat on the bench most of the year..if you dont put the best players on the field you are not gonna win ballgames ..its time for jason campbell to either put up or shut up and move over for the good of the team ..

6-30-2009 @ 3:56PM

fd said...

I'm tired of People hating on Jason. He has proven that he is able to win games. He is still young and has time to improve. He is the leader of the Redskins. This is the year for the Redskins. Jason Campbell is going to lead them to the super bowl. Check out this video about Jason.
http://www.comcastsportsnet.tv/pages/videosredskins
and click on the video that says
Redskins: Can Jason Campbell lead the team to the Super Bowl?--6/29

Go Redskins