Joe Theismann: Jason Campbell poised to earn first Pro Bowl bid
Former Redskins QB Joe Theismann thinks that despite the offseason drama the current Washington QB has faced, Jason Campbell may be bound for his best season ever.
Campbell stood by while the Redskins tried to obtain Jay Cutler from the Broncos and then flirted with moving up in the draft to acquire Mark Sanchez. He's said he's unfazed by those non-moves, however, and wants to concentrate on the upcoming season, after which he'll be a free agent.
Theismann said on Sirius satellite radio that the consistency of being in head coach Jim Zorn's offense for the second year will help stabilize Campbell.
"He's finally in a system where he actually gets to practice the same things that he practiced last year and he gets to grow from them," Theismann told Sirius. "And as a quarterback or as anybody studying film, when you look at yourself on film, you know why you made certain decisions. In Jason's case, seven of the last nine years, or eight years, both college and professionally, when he looks at film, it doesn't apply to the coming year because it's all different, so he's never really growing during the season. He will in this particular year. I watched him in spring ball, in the OTAs and the minicamps (and he's) much more confident, much more comfortable."
Theismann even said he thinks Campbell, who played so well in the Redskins' 6-2 start last season that some analysts suggested he could be an MVP candidate, could make the Pro Bowl this season.
"Last year, Jim Zorn rebuilt his throwing style," Theismann said. "He's got great size, he's got a great arm, he's got a terrific work ethic. I think that this young man -- and he's in the last year of a contract, so there's super motivation there -- but I think he's going to have a football team around him that will be a much better football team than it was a year ago."
and from PFT...
Theismann thinks Jason Campbell is bound for the Pro Bowl
Posted by Mike Florio on July 9, 2009 6:57 PM
NFL_campbell1.jpgThe Redskins made no secret about their interest in potentially upgrading the quarterback position during the offseason.
In the end, neither Jay Cutler nor Mark Sanchez joined the team.
And so the job remains in the hands of Jason Campbell.
One former Redskins quarterback doesn't think that's a bad thing.
Joe Theismann thinks that Campbell is headed for the Pro Bowl. The man we used to call "Joey Sunshine" (when he was, you know, relevant) threw some of his positivity toward Campbell during a Wednesday night spot on Sirius NFL Radio's Late Hits with Brian McGovern and Carl Banks.
"I think the one thing that I see more than anything is there's going to be some be consistency around him," Theismann said. "He's finally in a system where he actually gets to practice the same things that he practiced last year and he gets to grow from them. And as a quarterback or as anybody studying film, when you look at yourself on film, you know why you made certain decisions. In Jason's case, seven of the last nine years, or eight years, both college and professionally, when he looks at film, it doesn't apply to the coming year because it's all different, so he's never really growing during the season. He will in this particular year. I watched him in spring ball, in the OTAs and the minicamps [and he's] much more confident, much more comfortable.
"Last year, Jim Zorn rebuilt his throwing style. He's got great size, he's got a great arm, he's got a terrific work ethic. I think that this young man -- and he's in the last year of a contract, so there's super motivation there -- but I think he's going to have a football team around him that will be a much better football team than it was a year ago."
Actually, we agree. The Redskins comfortably are flying under radar, and they could put together a surprising season.
Indeed, if they find a way to upset the Giants on the road in Week One, the 'Skins could reel off four straight wins, since they play the Rams, Lions, and Bucs to finish the first fourth of the season.
I have to agree as well. After the Skins and Campbell lit it up in the first half of last season, as Zorn expanded the playbook going into the second half of the season, I believe Campbell simply became tentative in his play due to his unfamiliarity with the system. Midway through the season last year, Zorn said they simply had to move on with system implementation. Another factor is that Zorn is a perfectionist, saying he expects Campbell to "be right with the ball every time." So again, I think the unfamiliarity with the system and the pressure Zorn was putting on Campbell caused him to be tentative with his throws, in addition to the woes of the offensive line.
A second year starting in the same system should make a world of difference. Like Theismann, I too believe Campbell could have a career year.
