PFW: Redskins would make a major mistake by signing Brunell

[oafusp]

Don't know if this is already posted...
But I am glad there is finally an article out there that is not adding more suspense to this whole thing...an ANTI-PASTABELLY, PRO-RAMSEY aticle:

http://profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/NFC/NFC+East/Washington/Features/2004/fedotin021004.htm

By Jeff Fedotin (jfedotin@pfwmedia.com)
Feb. 10, 2004

The 2003 football season may have ended, but the NFL offseason gives a rush to any hard-core fan. The possibility of acquiring a marquee talent offers a great feeling of anticipation, and this year’s offseason, not yet two weeks old, already has its first big fish.

The Mark Brunell sweepstakes is heating up, and no team has expressed more interest than the Redskins. On Monday, Joe Gibbs met with Jaguars QB Mark Brunell to work toward a possible deal.

With the owner’s penchant of bringing in big-name players like Deion Sanders and Bruce Smith, no matter their age or cost, this move screams Dan Snyder. However, sources have indicated that Gibbs, not Snyder, has pushed for this trade.

No matter who is swirling the trade winds, acquiring Brunell would be a major mistake for the Redskins.

I have always been a big Brunell fan. The quarterback, who will turn 34 in September, has a lot left. Although a lacerated elbow limited the ninth-ranked passer in NFL history to three games this past season, he still completed 54-of-82 passes for 484 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Those numbers account for an 89.7 QB rating. Making the statistics more impressive, Brunell did not have the luxury of throwing to the Jaguars’ three best wide receivers. Jimmy Smith sat out a league-mandated four-game suspension, and Kevin Johnson and Troy Edwards were not signed off waivers until midseason. Brunell also did not reap the benefits of a stellar defensive unit that jelled late in 2003 once the Jaguars moved Rashean Mathis to cornerback and Mike Peterson adjusted to the MLB position.

The Redskins would get a productive player, but the problem involves Washington’s talent, not Brunell’s. The team has major holes at running back, defensive tackle, defensive end and offensive line. RB Trung Canidate is on the way out, and RB Ladell Betts cannot give Gibbs the kind of offensive balance he likes to employ.

Washington does not have the horses to rush the passer. DE Bruce Smith, who is not exactly in his prime, had the most sacks of any Redskins defensive lineman and will not return. The 25th-ranked defense produced only 27 sacks in 2003. OLT Chris Samuels, the third overall pick in the 2000 draft, may be a big name, but he has struggled the last two years. As a result, the Redskins allowed 43 sacks, and QB Patrick Ramsey took a beating that eventually ended his season. Samuels has the tools to get out of his rut, but the offensive line has more needs than the QB position. Plus, the Redskins must re-sign unrestricted free agent Champ Bailey, one of the league’s true shutdown cornerbacks.

If they place the franchise tag on Bailey, the team would be right at the salary-cap limit. Brunell has said that he would rip up his current contract and sign a long-term deal. Nonetheless, any deal for Brunell would put the team over the cap. Restructuring contracts or releasing other players would free up more money, but Washington must use its resources to address a myriad of problems, particularly on the defensive side.

And what is wrong with Ramsey?

Sure, the quarterback, who enters his third year in the league, will continue to go through some growing pains. He bears the responsibility for some of the sacks that stalled the offense. Ramsey has mastered his Drew Bledsoe impersonation, holding on to the ball forever, waiting for a receiver to get open and letting the defense collapse upon him. But Gibbs, an offensive mastermind who has won three Super Bowls behind three different starting quarterbacks, could fix Ramsey’s flaws. Ramsey still completed 179-of-337 passes for 2,166 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2003. He needs to complete more than 53.1 percent of his passes, but overall he played very well, considering his position takes years to master and that Steve Spurrier designed a deep-ball-oriented offense that nearly got him killed. The tough Ramsey also impressed his teammates by playing through a foot injury that would require surgery.

As expected, the 24-year-old has been less than thrilled with the possibility of the Redskins adding Brunell. Brunell masterfully handled the QB controversy in Jacksonville, supporting QB Byron Leftwich and offering advice. However, even under the watch of a great pacificator like Gibbs, the addition of Brunell has the potential of hurting team chemistry.

The Redskins are not the only players in the Brunell derby, but the team has expressed the most interest and made it very public. Other suitors include more QB-needy teams like San Diego, Miami, Dallas and even Tampa Bay, but Washington’s interest has driven up the market for this very hot commodity.

The Jaguars become the real winner in any deal. Because Brunell is due to receive a $2 million bonus on March 1, the Jaguars had planned to release him by that date. However, NFL teams cannot make a trade before March 3. So, confident in the amount of compensation they will receive for their former franchise quarterback, the Jaguars are willing to pay the bonus, which will count as dead money against the cap. One source claimed the Redskins have already dangled a second-round pick (41st overall). The team has also mentioned Redskins WR Rod Gardner, a top receiver who would fill one of Jacksonville’s biggest needs, as trade bait. The Jaguars could very well wind up with a first-round pick out of the deal.

Behind a stout, sixth-ranked defense, the Jaguars played as well as anyone down the stretch following a horrific 1-7 start to the season. With that strong defense and a young quarterback with tremendous potential, the future looks bright in Jacksonville.

But for Washington, signing Brunell could dim the prospects of a franchise that looked so dazzling upon the hiring of Gibbs.

[oafusp]

I totally agree with this.

1. Why are the Redskins once again stirring everything up in the offseason...sick of it?
2. If we are going to stir things up, we should at least do it for the correct position, right? I want to hear crazy news about Jason Taylor being pursued in a trade by the Skins...NOT MARK BRUNELL.

All this trade stuff should be focusing on players we need...DLine, Running Back, TE, Safety.

We have a lot bigger problems at other positions. So Gibbs, go get Taylor, or KGB, or Kearse, or sombody that would not make us fans SCRATCH ARE HEAD AND GET ULCERS!

[Skinsfan55]

*clap, clap, clap*

I wholeheartedly agree with everything Mr. Fedotin said

I agree that a veteran backup is a good idea, but Mark Brunell is far too expensive.

[dallasisdead2004]

I like the article and totally agree with this guy's analysis of P-Ram.

Didn't someone say earlier that this news source is biased? I guess it doesn't matter, as the article is only food for thought...

[NC43Hog]

We still need to shore up our quarterback situation with a veteran proven player IMO. Cost is the issue. One is coming (Brunell, Dilfer, Garcia, etc.) so P-Ram needs to be ready to compete and win the starting position - what's wrong with that.

Good points tho - we have definite holes to fill - more than I would like.

[hailskins666]

why do all these experts criticize the o-line? i thought they did ok considering they were on their heels 90% of the time. they may have had a subpar year, but, i don't see the o-line as a glaring need, does anyone else?

[Skinsfan55]

I don't see the O-Line as a glaring hole, but center could stand improvement.

I think Derrick Dockery will be a very solid guard in the future, will Fiore, Moore or Friedman be the center? I think upgrading would be a good idea...

Besides Fiore is a little expensive right?