There has been a lot of talk this week about the short leash quarterbacks are now being given in the NFL, what with multiple "starters" being benched just one or two games into the new season. Many teams that missed out on the playoffs last year -- and even some that reached the postseason -- put a new set of hands under center to spark the franchise, create more offensive opportunities and, ultimately, increase their win totals from a year ago.
One such team, the Oakland Raiders, brought in veteran quarterback (and former Redskin) Jason Campbell, essentially promising fans that things were heading in a more consistent and stable direction (but let's be honest... after drafting JaMarcus Russell, more stability isn't exactly difficult to accomplish). Unfortunately, Campbell played poorly through the first 6 quarters of the 2010 season and has been benched in favor of the quarterback who finished the season last year, Bruce Gradkowski.
One such team, the Oakland Raiders, brought in veteran quarterback (and former Redskin) Jason Campbell, essentially promising fans that things were heading in a more consistent and stable direction (but let's be honest... after drafting JaMarcus Russell, more stability isn't exactly difficult to accomplish). Unfortunately, Campbell played poorly through the first 6 quarters of the 2010 season and has been benched in favor of the quarterback who finished the season last year, Bruce Gradkowski.
New scene, same result. (Jed Jacobsohn / Getty)I'm not sure why I've been a Campbell apologist for the past however-many years, but really, has any other quarterback in the NFL been treated more poorly than him? The former Auburn standout learned 8 different offensive schemes in a span of 8 years (dating back to college), sat patiently while the Redskins wined and dined Mark Sanchez in 2009 and Sam Bradford earlier this year, and was told this spring that he'd have a chance to remain the starter, only to learn that a blockbuster deal to bring in Donovan McNabb was in the works (all while playing in front of one of the worst offensive lines in football).
Campbell was hurried, hit, sacked and thrown around so often during his tenure in Washington that it's a minor miracle that he's even still playing. He was knocked out of a game against the Bears 3 seasons ago not once but twice, the second time for good (making way for Todd Collins to finish the season).
Does Campbell have the skill-set to be a good quarterback in the NFL, assuming he has a decent offensive line and more than a split-second to make decisions? Sure. He may not be a franchise-savior, as he still lacks that certain confidence and ability to adapt that all great quarterbacks have, but he's absolutely worthy of being given a shot.
Unfortunately, it looks like Al Davis disagrees, and it turns out that not only is Campbell relegated to back-up duty, but he's now being told that he can't speak to the media. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I think JC has been dealt a really bad hand since entering the NFL, and being such a nice guy, it's hard not to feel just a little bit sorry for him.
On the flip side, it's nice to know that for all the criticism the Redskins deal with, there's an owner in the league who is more impatient and about ten times more bat-shit crazy than Dan Snyder.
Campbell was hurried, hit, sacked and thrown around so often during his tenure in Washington that it's a minor miracle that he's even still playing. He was knocked out of a game against the Bears 3 seasons ago not once but twice, the second time for good (making way for Todd Collins to finish the season).
Does Campbell have the skill-set to be a good quarterback in the NFL, assuming he has a decent offensive line and more than a split-second to make decisions? Sure. He may not be a franchise-savior, as he still lacks that certain confidence and ability to adapt that all great quarterbacks have, but he's absolutely worthy of being given a shot.
Unfortunately, it looks like Al Davis disagrees, and it turns out that not only is Campbell relegated to back-up duty, but he's now being told that he can't speak to the media. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I think JC has been dealt a really bad hand since entering the NFL, and being such a nice guy, it's hard not to feel just a little bit sorry for him.
On the flip side, it's nice to know that for all the criticism the Redskins deal with, there's an owner in the league who is more impatient and about ten times more bat-shit crazy than Dan Snyder.
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