Ramsey learning from the master, Gibbs
Posted: Monday August 2, 2004 3:49PM; Updated: Monday August 2, 2004 4:08PM
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -- Before he could learn Joe Gibbs, Patrick Ramsey had to get Steve Spurrier out of his system.
The departed coach from Florida had Ramsey holding the ball high, right at the shoulder pads, when dropping back to pass. And the way Spurrier taught his quarterbacks to read defenses was unique in the NFL.
After two years of working doggedly to master the Spurrier way, Ramsey finds those unorthodox teachings of little use in the current training camp's competition for the Washington Redskins starting job.
"That's the way it goes in this league -- that's what I'm learning," Ramsey said. "Hopefully we'll have some continuity (from now on) and run the same offense, and hopefully I'll be able to master this one."
Ramsey knows he has to learn quickly. Gibbs, known to prefer veterans, replaced Spurrier in January and promptly traded for Mark Brunell, who signed a seven-year, $43 million contract. Ramsey was taken aback and initially demanded a trade, relenting after Gibbs assured him there would be an open and fair competition at camp.
Gibbs appears to be keeping his word. The work has been evenly divided among Brunell, Ramsey and Tim Hasselbeck during the first three days of full pads at Redskins Park, although Brunell usually goes first. Gibbs said he won't decide on a starter until the final week of preseason, and that it would be stupid to choose a player with a higher salary or better reputation if someone else has clearly performed better.
"That's the first thing the team is going to look at: 'Who are they picking to start? Is it the guys who deserve it?' They're looking at the films with us," Gibbs said. "We'll decide who's going to start. And the other great thing about football -- that may last two weeks, and somebody else gets the spot."
There are no hints as to an early leader from the first few practices, which have been very ragged. The occasional good throw downfield stands out only because of the fumbled snaps and wayward incompletions in between. In fact, the only quarterback Gibbs has made a point to praise is Hasselbeck.
Ramsey was considered the franchise's quarterback-of-the-future when he was selected in the first round of the 2002 draft. He quickly won over Spurrier and started five games as a rookie and 11 last year before a foot injury cut his season short.
It was a merciful ending to a tough season. Ramsey is as tough as they come, but he took a beating -- 30 sacks -- in a Spurrier system that put more emphasis on getting receivers downfield than on protecting the quarterback.
With that in mind, Ramsey can find some positive carry-over from the last two years: He's learned how to operate in a hurry.
"Recognizing the defenses, things like that," Ramsey said. "And the experience I gained just from going back there under pressure, and the speed of the game. Those are kind of inherent things you learn as you play the game."
By contrast, Gibbs' first point of emphasis on offense is protecting the quarterback. Gibbs also likes to run the ball, a game plan reinforced by the blockbuster trade for Clinton Portis.
Ramsey doesn't speak ill of Spurrier, but it's clear he likes this system better. Asked how he well he could have played last year with Gibbs' protection schemes and Clinton Portis in the backfield, Ramsey answered "No comment" -- his dramatic pause and accompanying smile spoke volumes.
Ramsey and Brunell are similar people with different styles. Ramsey is right-handed; Brunell's a lefty. Ramsey's a pocket passer; Brunell still has some legs at age 33. Ramsey throws as hard as anyone in the league, sometimes catching receivers off guard after they've adjusted to the slower speed of Brunell's passes.
Both have clean-cut personalities, although Ramsey perhaps shows a bit more grit. Either way, teammates say it's a shame that there's not room for both of them in the starting lineup. "You can't do one in the first quarter and third quarter and one in the second quarter and fourth quarter," long snapper Ethan Albright said. "That doesn't work. It's a tough business like that. We're playing teams that wish they had one guy. They've got a bunch of bad apples to choose from. We've got a good situation."
A friendship between Ramsey and Brunell is forming, but they're not best buddies yet. Although both like to fish, hunt and golf, Ramsey isn't yet ready to show Brunell the good hunting spots.
"That's for later," Ramsey said. "We've got to be sure we're going to be that close first."
link: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/f ... index.html