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Ramsey says he'll start on Sunday against Saints

By Edward Lee
Sun Staff
Originally published November 25, 2003

ASHBURN, Va. - As long as Patrick Ramsey is healthy, he will be the starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins.
Coach Steve Spurrier confirmed that scenario yesterday, reasserting that Tim Hasselbeck will continue to back up Ramsey, who has been playing despite an aggravation of a fractured bone in his right foot.

Ramsey started in Washington's 24-23 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday night, but left the game in the first quarter with a concussion.

Despite that, Ramsey said he plans to start against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at FedEx Field at 4:05 p.m.

"My expectation and my desire is to play and play for the remainder of the season," said Ramsey, who wore a protective boot on his right foot. "Whether reality holds up with that, we'll find out. But ... hopefully, I can finish out."

Ramsey is the NFC's eighth-best passer with 2,166 yards and 14 touchdowns. But the second-year pro has also been sacked 30 times - only the Buffalo Bills' Drew Bledsoe (32 sacks) and the Philadelphia Eagles' Donovan McNabb (32) have been sacked more often - and while few question his durability, some wonder whether Ramsey is setting himself up for a major setback.

Spurrier said he trusts Ramsey to tell him if he can't play.

"We'll base that on what the doctors say and how Patrick feels as far as his physical condition," Spurrier said. "If he says, 'Coach, I'm ready to play,' then he'll be our guy and away we'll go."

If Ramsey can't play against the Saints, Spurrier said he has confidence in starting Hasselbeck, a journeyman who had thrown three NFL passes before completing 15 of 30 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown in Miami.

Hasselbeck said he understands his role and is grateful for the experience.

"For this organization to bring me in this situation and trust me to be a backup and pretty much play an entire game, I'm extremely thankful for that," he said.