weneedcharlesmann wrote:Yes, I don't think anyone is trying to minimize Brunell's contribution. But there's no doubt that towards the end of the year he started slowing down. People are often fond of comparing Brunell's numbers to Hassleback's, but look at their last game. We lost to a Seattle team without Alexandaer, after forcing three turnovers. Neither us nor the Seahawks had our main running threat, but Hassleback managed to lead his team to 20 points. What makes that more impressive is that Hassleback had to do it against a better defense than Brunell did.
Just as we shouldn't minimize Brunell's contribution, we should also not overlook when he's had trouble. After all, many people on this site are not willing to do that for lavar, or for derrick dockery, take your pick. The fact is that in his last 7 games, Brunell threw for over 200 yds in just one game, threw 9 tds (4 in the cowboys game) and 6 interceptions (3 in the cardinals game). During that stretch he also had 4 fumbles. On the other hand, during the first 9 games, he threw 15 TD's, 5 ints, and went over 200 yds 7 times.
Some of the discrepancies come with a change in philosophy. A bigger commitment to the running game limited Brunell's throws. But, when your QB has to throw, you'd like to see him produce. Brunell produced for many games this year, but it seems like he just wore out. That's not a condemnation, that's just an observation. If anyone has information undermining that observation, I'd welcome it.
I agree with this assessment, and I have said that his age is a valid critcicism. I admit that. What I am talking about is this.
People went into the year hating Brunell, and understandably so. Brunell did an admirable job this year and shut many of them up. Then we lose to the #1 seed in the playoffs and now the same characters come back out and try and use his statistics to prove themselves right all along.
To me, that is just plain weak.
The guy is getting old and that is why Joe Gibbs, the Hall of Fame Coach, traded picks to get Jason Campbell this year. The same people who criticized Brunell were ardent Ramsey supporters, and they hated that trade.
So here we are. Gibbs made the right move by trading for Campbell. He has a year of learning already and we are ahead of the game when it's time for him to start. But instead of admitting their own misjudgments, these people come out after the season and get back on their soapbox about how the sky is falling because Brunell is the QB.
I understand he is getting old, and that is why Gibbs handpicked a 6-5 230lb mobile and accurate collegiate player to groom for the future.
Who knows when he will see action, but at least be real when you are discussing Brunell. Don't spin the facts to support your own agenda.
As for Seattle, we had our opportunities, but I don't blame Brunell alone. I love Clinton and I think we have a good O-Line but we couldn't run the ball at all. They made us one dimensional, and you have to give them credit. They stopped us in the Red Zone, and their defense was good all year from 30 yds and in. Give them credit too, don't just say it's Brunell's fault.
In that game Brunell was 22/37 for 242 yds and 1 TD.
Hasselbeck was 16/26 for 215 yds 1 TD.
When we opened it up late in the game, we connected on some things, but couldn't punch it in from the Red Zone.
I don't blame any one person. Just like I don't blame the corners who were covering D-Jack who had 143 receiving yards on us, I don't blame Brunell or Clinton. We simply didn't get it done.
