If there's one thing I've learned about Redskins fans in writing for FanHouse, it is that they seem pretty evenly divided concerning their opinion about Jason Campbell's ability to become the franchise's quarterback of the future.Sunday's loss to their division foe, the New York Giants, did little to clear anything up. The Redskins lost and failed to get much offense going until the game was virtually decided. On the other hand, Campbell's final stat-line actually looks pretty good: 19-for-26 (73.1 percent), 211 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 8.1 yards per attempt and a 93.6 quarterback rating. So both sides of the fence have ammunition to continue the argument. For what it's worth, Redskins head coach Jim Zorn was pleased with Campbell's performance, other than the pick.
"His decision making (was good), all except for throwing the ball three yards past the line of scrimmage." Zorn said. "He had about six yards and he threw the ball past the line of scrimmage, and plus it was an interception. It was poor. I like almost everything else he does, but he will look at it. He felt terrible about it last night as we talked about it. I can say, 'Hey, obey the rules. You have to throw the ball behind the line of scrimmage.' He knows that. He just lost sight of where he was and thought he could get into Santana [Moss]."
Another thing Zorn liked was Campbell's ability to step up in the pocket to avoid the pass rush, other than on the Giants' defensive touchdown.
"He does it. On that play he was waiting for a back to uncover," the second-year coach said of his quarterback. "The instincts are; take a look and then get rid of the ball. Take a look and make a decision. He didn't make a decision on that play."
Simply put, Campbell played well, but there is room for improvement.
This Sunday, he needs to show it. Considering it's the home opener, the fans have a bad taste after the opening loss and the opponent brings a much lesser defense than the Giants had.
Consider this:
- This past Sunday, the Redskins faced a Giants defense who ranked fifth in both yards allowed and points allowed in 2008. Furthermore, the Giants got Osi Umenyiora back, as he had missed all of 2008 with an injury.
- This coming Sunday, the Redskins face a St. Louis Rams' defense who allowed more points than everyone except the winless Lions last season. They ranked 28th in total yards allowed. The Rams have a new coach and a few new players, but their initial effort in Seattle wasn't great. Julius Jones piled up 117 yards on 19 carries, including a 62-yard touchdown -- his longest run since 2006. Matt Hasselbeck was 25-for-36 with 279 yards and 3 touchdown passes. Of note, though? The Rams took the ball away from the Seahawks three times.
Basically, Campbell should be able to steer the Redskins to a victory and pile up a solid stat-line in the process. Doing so would help to gain him some support both with the fans and in the locker room -- not that it's lacking, but it never hurts to reinforce a quarterback's ability to help your team win. Plus, he could probably use a confidence boost.
The Rams shocked the Redskins in FedEx Field last season. Should that happen again, Campbell's job as the starting Redskins' quarterback will dominate discussion in our nation's capital for the foreseeable future.
Thus, Sunday is not just another game for Jason Campbell. He better take care of business.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-16-2009 @ 8:50PM
jb574s said...
Jason Cambell seems to be a good guy but his abilities to be the leader of the Redskins Team on Offense is not going to happen. The sooner the Coaching Staff realizes this and makes changes the team will turn around and start winning.
Please prove me wrong and lets get on with a winning season and at least make the play-offs.
A SAD FAN.
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9-16-2009 @ 9:34PM
jdavis6938 said...
Am I the only one who sees this? Jason Cambel sucks as a quarterback and will never lead this team, Zorn sucks as a play caller and has no bussiness being a coach in the NFL, these 10 yard passes Zorn comes up with dont work, Cambel cant conect on the long bomb, hes not even close, I suck at spelling but not as bad as the Redskins are gonna be this year, 5-12 if there lucky
9-19-2009 @ 3:33PM
Harry Brower said...
What are you talking about that loss was more on JIM ZORN than anyone (poor play calling}!! It is amazing even portis wants Jim Zorn to allow Jason C to throw the ball down field more in order to pen up the run game. When JIM ZORN realizes this we will start blowing teams out !!! JC now knows the plays and we have enough receivers !!!! JC needs to throw the ball 30 plus times a game and we will win !!!! LET JASON PASS !!!!!!!!!
9-16-2009 @ 9:26PM
Cougs-Skins-Avs said...
This is the year for Campbell to prove himself. The previous years were all with different coordinators and it usually takes a season to work out the kinks in a new offense and to fully understand the timing and motions. This is the second year of this offense and Campbell is the one in charge of making the field decision to make it work. He's got the skills and abilities - he now needs to take the bull by the horns andmake it work.
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9-17-2009 @ 8:53PM
Welcome Coyote said...
That is more excuses for a quarterback that can not
lead his team to the end zone....he has no feet to
get out of harms way...no matter what system ...you
have to be able to score..and get out of harms way.
The skins will never be successful with Campbell as its Qb
9-17-2009 @ 7:39AM
albepo said...
Cambell and Zorn are both 2nd stringers where they belong!
We should keep Cambell on the bench holding a clip board and demote Zorn to Quarterbacks coach.
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9-17-2009 @ 9:11AM
Jared said...
All this talk about benching him; replace him with whom? He gives us the best chance to win right now. Collins was good in the other offense because he was in it for many years. Woodson has been on the team for 2 weeks and Colt is on IR. We need to accept the fact that JC is the starter. Noone is perfect, mistakes will happen. The winning formula is the same for every team. Take care of the ball (we didn't do that Sunday) and play solid defense (we didn't do that either). It takes a team effort to win. Sure JC should have felt Osi coming and stepped up but Samuels could have blocked him better. That was the play of the game. Take a step back and think about it for a minute and you can clearly see it is not entirely JC's fault we lost. Redskins' fans are the most passionate fans, but we are routinely the quickest to want to axe the coach and QB. Try having a little patience because consistency in personnel breeds success in the NFL.
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9-17-2009 @ 12:58PM
jerry said...
first of all jc has been in washington going on 5 years, 2nd he stayed on the bench learning the first 2 years then this is the 3rd year of him starting and our defense is pretty good i think but when your defense stays on the field all the time because jason keeps going 3 and out well why do you think the defense wears down because they are on the field all the time i will stand behind jason and root for him but i think he has had to many chances to prove himself and he just cant do anything , he overthrows the recievers all the time and fumbles as well and holds the ball to longafter this season he will be gone as well as zorn and maybe we will finially get a real QB in there for once in a long while
9-17-2009 @ 8:32PM
rperry2593 said...
Jared good post most of the Campbell haters know little or nothing about football. Its not that Campbell is a bad QB they just don't like HIM. Campbell stats last year were just as good or better than Eli ,and Ben look it up hater,plus his stats were better than over half of the NFL QB,and like u said who could we replace him with? I'm so happy we didn't get the turn over Machine Cutler. We know our problem was with no stable offensive system and our O-line. Hell we have been bad for the last decade so give Campbell at least one year. Give Campbell time and he will be a GOOD QB FOR someone. Even if Campbell has a lights out year there still will be people out there complaining, because they don't like Campbell.
9-17-2009 @ 5:12PM
davidjebo11 said...
Jason Campbell is not the problem! It is very obvious that the team/coaching staff does not have any confidence in his abilities. Sundays game was virtually the same game we played last year, SAFE and CONSERVATIVE! When Campbell had the ability to run the offense in the 4th quarter he put up above average numbers (211 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 8.1 yards per attempt and a 93.6 quarterback rating). The main problem is confidence and play calling, 3rd down and 8 and we choose to run the ball, no other team in the NFL would call that play!
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9-19-2009 @ 4:37PM
Dave said...
Campbell is a decent QB, better than Romo in any case. Zorn needs to cut him loose, and let him toss some long stuff, that is his strength.
On the Zorn front, he needs experience, and he's not going to get it here, Snyder will not let that happen, especially with all the big names sitting on the sidelines this year, Billick, Gruden, Dungy, Cowher, etc. I would like to see him stay on as QB coach, but he is sure to return to Seattle with his buddy Mora.
9-18-2009 @ 10:01AM
possumkatskipper said...
Line is not good enough for Campbell to hold the ball more than a three count. Everybody in the world knows Zorn will run on first down; probablyPortis up the middle.
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9-18-2009 @ 4:13PM
joetinva said...
Has anyone looked at the Redskins schedule this year. They should win 8 games against inferior teams without any game they might win in the NFC East. This will not make them a good team - they are not. If they luck in to the playoffs, it will be one and done. Campbell is TOO DUMB to be a starting QB. Dan and Vinnie are the big prolems with the Redskins.
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9-19-2009 @ 3:38PM
rhwhitney said...
I don,t think cambell has what it takes ! He holds the ball to long then makes supid decisions he is unable to move the team down feild I,m just tired of watching him he should have been replaced a long time ago during the off season. You cuold try trading him but I don,t know any team that would take him. His perfomace is poor I would like to see Colt but he,s IR soo give Collins a chance remember when cambell got IR and Collins in for Cambell took the team to the playoffs then Cambell was back and lost the game stop making excusses for him hes is a has been we need someone who can produce a win for fans we have lost are faith in Cambell make a decision before it is to late.
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9-19-2009 @ 9:55PM
Scott said...
last time I checked the game of football was a TEAM sport. Does everybody agree with that? I think if you are a "True Redskin Fan" you know that our time is coming. So until it does, Please for the love of god and our team, THINK POSITVE! Do what I do and except it win or lose. I know it hurts when we loose, believe me I know. But all this talk about getting rid of Campbell and Zorn are detrimental to the team and those of us who believe in our guys. Rome wasn't built in a Day. Zorn is a quality coach,if I recall correctly it was coach Gibbs who suggested he be hired. As far as Campbell. I think hes good too. Hes no Tom Brady we all know that, but would you guys rather have Favre next year? I'm sure Danny can afford him. So be careful what you wish for. I personally would like to see the team as a unit stay together. This new coach a year trend hasn't won to many Super Bowls. We need to learn one scheme and master it. Then we will be a dominating franchise. Hopefully it comes sooner than later(on my knees praying). So the point of the story is think positive, as hard as it is, and good things will happen. HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!
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