By Joseph White Associated Press Wednesday, October 13, 2004; 6:26 PM
Joe Gibbs is sticking with Mark Brunell at quarterback even though the Washington Redskins' offense is one of the NFL's worst.
"There's a temptation there," the Redskins' coach said Wednesday. "And you see it all the time. 'Let's change a person because it's an easy thing to do.' I want to do what's right. Right now, Mark's the guy."
The scrutiny has intensified since Brunell completed 13 of 29 passes for just 83 yards in Sunday's 17-10 loss to Baltimore. Brunell had completed 60 percent of his passes entering this season, but this year his 53 percent completion rate is last in the NFC and his quarterback rating of 73.3 is nearly 12 points below his career average.
Still, Gibbs did not consider a switch to backup Patrick Ramsey for this weekend's game at Chicago.
"I would say if there's any person we could change on our football team that would help us, we would do it. ... I don't think I would hesitate to do it," Gibbs said. "But I also think that if somebody's earned that job and they're fighting their guts out doing everything they could and you look at it and say this guy's not the problem, that would be the wrong thing to do."
Brunell is the 16th quarterback to start a game for the Redskins over the last 12 seasons. Gibbs was loyal to his starters during his first stint with the Redskins from 1981-92, but he made the late-season switch from Jay Schroeder to Doug Williams in 1987 en route to winning the Super Bowl.
Ramsey has a stronger arm than Brunell and could restore the deep passing threat that has disappeared in recent games. Brunell is more mobile, however, which helps behind an offensive line that has already allowed 12 sacks.
The main case against Ramsey is that he hasn't shown he would be any better. He played poorly when given a chance to win the job in training camp and threw three second-half interceptions in Week 2 against the New York Giants after Brunell left early with a hamstring injury.
Plus, there's no guarantee that a new quarterback would improve the other parts of an offense that is averaging just 14.2 points per game. The rushing game is sputtering behind an inconsistent line and the hot-and-cold running of Clinton Portis. Rod Gardner and Laveranues Coles have dropped passes, and they've had trouble getting open because Gibbs' scheme puts fewer receivers downfield to maximize quarterback protection.
"You can't put it on one guy's shoulders," Coles said, "because that's not the type of offense that we're in. The offense is divided evenly among everybody. It's not an offense that is really going to feature one guy."
This is a good call it give Brunell one chance to show Gibbs something if not it gives Gibbs two weeks to prepare Ramsey for GB
EXACTLY!!! I posted the same thing about 30 min. ago and it makes great sense. I didn't even realize that the bye week was so soon approaching. I wanted Gibbs to put Ramsey in this week, but if he does what we both think he's going to do then he has proved me wrong.
I have to agree. I've been very adamant in my support for Gibbs' decision to keep Brunell in there, but I think if he can't produce against the Bears, Gibbs will lean towards replacing him. The way Gibbs's said "right now, Marks the guy" gives him a bit of wiggle room in case after this week Mark isn't the guy. I'll say this though, if Ramsey does replace Brunell, he's going to be under the microscope like never before.
so who's the QB of the future for the 'Skins now? We know Ramsey's and Brunell's limitations... I've been in favor of a switch lately, not because I think Ramsey is any better, but because I want to see something different... every game has been the same... one decent drive, lots of bad passes, dropped balls, poor decisions, no open receivers, no running game, poor job picking up the blitz, turnovers for touchdowns, zero times that the QB drops back and throws the ball in rhythm, etc... I want to see something different, but Ramsey has issues as well, he still has every bad habbit he had when he arrived in Washington and he certainly hasn't gotten more mobile... so I'm already starting to worry about next year... are we going to happy if Brunell has another terrible game, but the defense wins in for us, and nothing changes two weeks from now?
This is my concern. Mark's performance against a mediocre Bear's team will further solidify him in the starting role. But squeaking out a victory against the Bears is not gonna get it done against Minnesota, Green Bay, Philthy X2, Gnats...pretty much the majority of our remaining schedule. So we'll then be right back where we are now. Of course I'm speculating...Mark and the offense could finally figure it out and "break out" against the Bears, carrying them through the rest of the season. But there's two sides to every coin. He could also continue to stink up the joint, meaning every start for Brunell is less trigger time for Patrick to develop. So I guess we'll just have to trust the Gibber...
<~~~~~Runs with scissors X
(_E=mc2_)
“This is where I'm most comfortable, ... This is my life, where I work. I'm definitely glad to be back.” #21
As has been brought up before (ad infiitum) - the system works, it has not been executed as the coaches want it done. IF the system needs adjusting, these are the people who will make the decisions on what needs to be done to "work".
Everybody is anxious about where we are because of the record.
I do not think that these coaches are going to make changes in style or with players until they think this is what is needed.
Patience NOT change is what is required for now. We all (at least , most of us) know that the results are going to come, hopefully sooner than later!
Until recently, Snyder & Allen have made a lot of really bad decisions - nobody with any sense believes this franchise will get better under their guidance Snyder's W/L record = 45% (80-96) - Snyder/Allen = 41% (59-84-1)
Ramsey has bad habits, but most if not all young QB's do. Manning did not read defenses well, locked on to one WR and threw Int's. Harrington is a much better QB this year, but what did he do his first two years and the same for Carr. It takes these guy's time to become good. The only QB I remember that played well his first season was Marino and he's the exception not the rule. Young QB's throw Int's you just hope the TD's out number the Int's and Ramsey's do.
I say keep Brunnell in there. We've had this revolving door of players and coaches and I'm sick of seeing it. It seems like every year we replace the quarterback with high hopes of a better one. What these guys need is continuity. Something this team hasn't had in a while.
Brunnell is in a new system with a new team in a new town. It will take time for him to get comfortable with the system. Besides, putting Ramsey in won't change anything for the better. The recievers will still drop passes, Ramsey will still get sacked, and portis will still get 3.3 yards a carry and maybe fumble on occasion. The only thing it will do is get people to shut up about switching quarterbacks.
Ramsey will get sacked, but he has a quicker release than Burnell and does not hold the ball any longer. The running game will improve due to the ability to throw downfield. Does anyone believe Gibbs calls 4 & 8 yard routes for LC because he wants too? Gibbs wants to avoid mistakes which Burnell does, but I would take the mistakes from some TD's. When Ramsey intered the game aqainest the Giants the passing game opened up and we scored. He did throw 3 picks, but he also moved the team (2 not his fault). Int's can be reduced with coaching, but arm strength can not.
