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Pasquarelli on Campbell
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 9:17 am
by Skinsfan55
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/s ... id=4661910
Diplomacy personified, Jason Campbell nodded toward the Redskins' locker room following Sunday afternoon's upset victory at home over the Denver Broncos and noted: "It really makes you feel good to see guys … feeling that happy about something."
The Washington Redskins' fifth-year quarterback reveled in the postgame merriment, as well, at least vicariously, but he had to wonder in a private moment just how much more often he might be able to celebrate if he were in a different locker room and with a different team.
He would never admit it, of course, because Campbell isn't one to demonstrate even the slightest hint of discord. But know this: Campbell's next NFL team -- because there's pretty much no way he is going to play his full career in a Redskins' uniform -- could get a steal.
Underappreciated in Washington, Campbell could be in his final two-month stretch with the club that brought him into the NFL via the first round of the 2005 draft. If a lot of people are looking forward to the possibility that Campbell could be an unrestricted free agent next spring, he isn't part of the group.
At least not publicly.
Insisted Campbell on Sunday evening: "This is still my football team."
But a change of scenery and a change in offensive philosophies would be beneficial to Campbell. Of course, that could happen next season only if there is an extension to the NFL's collective bargaining agreement and Campbell qualifies for unrestricted free agency. Without a new labor deal, and saddled by an uncapped season in 2010, the former Auburn star would be only a restricted free agent, and the Redskins could retain his rights by simply making him a one-year qualifying offer. Because he has trade value, Washington probably would do so.
That scenario is too bad, because it would be very interesting to see what the talented Campbell could do with a new club and with an offense that better accentuates his strengths.
Starting-caliber quarterbacks such as Campbell almost never become available in the NFL. That said, 10 of the league's current starters (excluding Eli Manning and Philip Rivers, who were traded for each other in the first hour of the 2004 draft) began their professional careers with teams other than the ones for which they currently play. But half of those starters changed venues in trades. Rarely has a quarterback with Campbell's youth (27), experience (45 career starts) and skills become available in free agency.
If some quarterback-needy franchise were to sign Campbell as a free agent, or acquire him in a trade, it would get a player whose best football is still in front of him. And whose professional decorum in the spring, when the Redskins attempted twice to replace him via trade or the draft, was admirable. Washington tried to trade for Jay Cutler and tried to move up in the first round to grab Mark Sanchez.
Campbell wasn't particularly sharp against the Broncos in Week 10 (17-for-26, 193 yards), skipping the ball yards in front of intended receivers several times. But for all the criticism heaped on him, Campbell is having a pretty good year. His completion rate (66.1 percent), yards per attempt (7.36) and passer rating (87.9) are the best of his career. Coming into this season, Campbell had completed 59.7 percent of his attempts and averaged 6.41 yards per pass play. If he possesses a maddening weakness, it's in his inability to protect the football; he has fumbled 30 times (lost 12) since the beginning of the '07 season.
Under coach Jim Zorn, Campbell is stuck in a West Coast offense that is ill-suited to his strengths. His solid completion percentage aside, Campbell is not the classic "touch" passer. Instead, he's a quarterback with superb pocket stature (6-foot-5, 230 pounds) and a strong right arm, and is much better throwing the ball vertically than he is completing 5-yard timing routes.
Maybe my assessment of Campbell is all wet and a new team wouldn't be a panacea, but give him a change of scenery and I'll take my chances. You think Steve Young would have developed into a Hall of Fame quarterback if he had not been traded from Tampa Bay to San Francisco? Hall of Famer Sonny Jurgensen, an influential confidant of Washington owner Dan Snyder, originated his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, not the Redskins, with whom he is most associated. Even the much-traveled Vinny Testaverde wasn't successful until he finally left the Bucs after six seasons.
Although Campbell would never admit it, upsetting the Broncos must have been particularly satisfying. In the spring, when Denver was dangling Cutler as trade bait, Broncos coach Josh McDaniels bypassed Campbell and chose the less physically talented Kyle Orton as his quarterback, completing a swap with the Chicago Bears.
Hopefully, the next coach with a chance to grab Campbell in a trade or free agency won't make the same mistake.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.
This is a great article. One one hand, we all see Jason Campbell as a bust. He was drafted 25th overall (one pick after Aaron Rogers! Arg!) and since then he's played in 3 pro offenses. As a 6'5'' 230 pounder with a rocket arm he's miscast in the WCO. Not only that but he's a REAL pro. A guy who is all about putting the team first is very rare in today's NFL. Campbell handled all this offseason drama like a man. He didn't hold out, stamp his feet and complain about being dangled in trade talks or our pursuit of a new signal caller (and look at how Cassel, Cutler and Sanchez are doing.
)
The fact is, Campbell is pretty good. So far in 2009 he's completing 66% of passes, he's racking up the yards. This season he's on pace for 18 TD's 3,300+ yards... not to mention 50 sacks behind a terrible offensive line.
Here's his scouting report from Scouts Inc:
Grade: 76 | (Good Starter)
Comment: Campbell had a very solid season as the Redskins' starting signal caller in 2008. He has progressed over his four years in the league. He adjusted to a new system under first-year head coach Jim Zorn and showed the ability to be patient in the pocket to find second and third options in the passing game. He can power the ball into tight windows or get it deep on long throws as well as showing good touch on shorter routes. He has improved his vision and ability to read defenses over the past two seasons which has made him a much more efficient passer in Zorn's West Coast offense. He runs well for his size and position and can ball the ball down to move the chains. He has improved his improvising in 2008 but needs to continue to improve in this area. Campbell has all the tools to be an excellent quarterback in the NFL and should continue to improve in his second season in Washington's new offensive philosophy.
Len's article is about Campbell having success elsewhere, but is it too late for Campbell to have success here? Should we trade him for picks as part of a rebuilding effort? I guess time will tell. [/quote]
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 9:39 am
by USAFSkinFan
He's a heck of a guy, but he just doesn't have "it"
I don't know if "it" is talent level or personality or leadership skills or thick skin or arrogance or what, but there's always been something missing...
Maybe it's possible to be too nice to be an NFL QB...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 9:51 am
by SkinsJock
Man I hope that some other team thinks like Skinsfan55 and FAT Lenny
I'm afraid that these 2 great sources of knowledge about the NFL don't hold a lot of credence with many but how great would it be if we can get something for Campbell and not just anything but maybe a player that can help here
I know that we'll see a lot of changes here and Campbell's future will depend on who's running this team next year and what other QBs are available until we can get a great QB in here - my feeling is that while I know it was not all Campbell's fault that we have looked so bad on offense he just has not stepped up his game and also he has not provided the leadership this franchise needs at QB
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:27 am
by VetSkinsFan
I still think that JC's in the wrong system. He's not going to be Montana or Marino, but in a vertical game with a average line or better, he would be a lot better. Victim of circumstances.
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:04 am
by frankcal20
The chances of us having a "Great" QB are very slim. "Great" QB's are few and far between. There are only like 5 in the NFL now out of 32 teams and they say that right now is the age of the NFL QB - more very good QB's than ever. We don't know where JC is going to go with his game but I think under a different system, he will flourish like Vet said.
Re: Pasquarelli on Campbell
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:21 am
by Irn-Bru
Lenny P wrote:Underappreciated in Washington
Underappreciated, my ass. Campbell has gotten as fair a shot as
anyone could ask for, if not more so. He just isn't producing like he needs to be. Yes, we have problems on the O-line and we have receivers who can't catch the ball. But that doesn't mean Campbell
isn't a problem.
This is Patrick Ramsey all over again. I would bet money that Campbell never starts on a playoff team if he leaves the Redskins. In fact, I suspect he wouldn't start with any regularity, and that three years from now you'd have to use Google just to know what team he is on.
Starting-caliber quarterbacks such as Campbell almost never become available in the NFL.
Uhh . . . only 2-3 times a year. Exaggerate much, Lenny?
If he possesses a maddening weakness, it's in his inability to protect the football; he has fumbled 30 times (lost 12) since the beginning of the '07 season.
Words that could only be spoken by someone who hasn't watched Campbell play. Fumbling the ball is far from being his only or even most maddening weakness. Quick decision making, accuracy, and killer instinct concerns for me rank much higher on the list.
Campbell is not the classic "touch" passer. Instead, he's a quarterback with superb pocket stature (6-foot-5, 230 pounds) and a strong right arm, and is much better throwing the ball vertically than he is completing 5-yard timing routes.
OK, Lenny has definitely convinced me he doesn't watch Campbell. When was the last time JC threw a 40-yard beauty of a ball, right on target? It happens, but not often enough. Certainly not enough to call that his strength.
You think Steve Young would have developed into a Hall of Fame quarterback if he had not been traded from Tampa Bay to San Francisco? Hall of Famer Sonny Jurgensen, an influential confidant of Washington owner Dan Snyder, originated his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, not the Redskins, with whom he is most associated. Even the much-traveled Vinny Testaverde wasn't successful until he finally left the Bucs after six seasons.
What?!? "Here's a list of several great quarterbacks who happened to be traded." Uh, thanks, Lenny. Neat info.
Relevance?
I'm a bit disappointed, SF55 . . . that may have been the worst Campbell article I've seen in months. It's basically Lenny saying "hey, maybe a new team would turn this kid into an all-star!" Well, OK. Maybe. But if his past play is any indication . . . that ain't happening any time soon.
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:23 am
by SkinsJock
one thing we do know is that no matter what system, or what coach or what players you put around him,
Campbell is not going to be a good QB for this team - I hope Campbell gets into the HOF as a QB, I have nothing against him - he just is not getting it done here and we need to move on - we might not get a great QB but we will have a QB that gives us a better chance at winning
thanks for everything Jason and all the best wherever you go - I just hope for our sake you are on another team next year
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:35 am
by Irn-Bru
SkinsJock wrote:Man I hope that some other team thinks like Skinsfan55 and FAT Lenny
I couldn't agree more. The best of all worlds, IMO, is one where Campbell clearly won't be staying here but he also has a reasonable trade value.
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:38 am
by frankcal20
I love our fanbases' frame of mind. It reminds me a lot of our owner, "Grass is always greener on the other side."
Re: Pasquarelli on Campbell
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:38 am
by RedskinsFreak
Lenny P wrote:Campbell is not the classic "touch" passer. Instead, he's a quarterback with superb pocket stature (6-foot-5, 230 pounds) and a strong right arm, and is much better throwing the ball vertically than he is completing 5-yard timing routes.
Which mean's he's PERFECT for the WCO!
What QB is Lenny watching? There's too much slow-ness in his technique. Slow to read defenses, slow to see how pass patterns will break, slow in his delivery of the ball, inability to place the ball where the receiver is GOING TO BE in, say, the half-second it'll take for the ball to get there.
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 12:45 pm
by RedskinTexan
If his strength is the vertical game then he needs to be shipped to the Raiders who have a huge disappointment in JaMarcus Russell. The Raiders even have two third round picks (we have none) so they could move one for Campbell.
Re: Pasquarelli on Campbell
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 12:50 pm
by markshark84
Irn-Bru wrote:This is Patrick Ramsey all over again.
Except Ramsey only got 24 starts and NEVER got a full season (only started 11 games in 2003 and 7 in 2004 -- that's it). This isn't even Patrick Ramsey, it's worse.
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 12:55 pm
by frankcal20
First - It's after the trade deadline - so not going to happen now
Second - We are most likely going into an uncapped year and we will hold his rights for another year. Unless there is a QB - that none of us know about - on the market at the end of a season who has been in this offense, or whatever offense we will run with a new coach/gm/etc - I can't see why JC wouldn't be here. He know's the personnel and if it is Shannahan, with his type of zone running, downfield passing offense, I would think he would want JC to be here. He's hit passes, it's just not as often as some would like. He's not Brett Favre or any of the HOF QB but he can be under the right structure and again, continuity of coach/offense, etc.
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 1:02 pm
by SkinsJock
Irn-Bru wrote:SkinsJock wrote:Man I hope that some other team thinks like Skinsfan55 and FAT Lenny
I couldn't agree more. The best of all worlds, IMO, is one where Campbell clearly won't be staying here but he also has a reasonable trade value.
we should be so lucky
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 1:11 pm
by Deadskins
Pastabelly wrote:Rarely has a quarterback with Campbell's youth (27), experience (45 career starts) and skills become available in free agency.
How right you are, Len. Those three attributes are rarely combined in one player.
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 1:39 pm
by SkinsJock
Frank - your support for Campbell is okay, but, all things considered, there is really such a small chance that Campbell is going to be here next season - the guys in charge here have made it clear that they do not want him - I also think that Campbell, if given the choice to stay or go is going to decide to look at another team and hope that he can "find his inner dragon" with them
I have nothing against Campbell, I just hope we can get something for him because he's not worth anything to us as a QB
Re: Pasquarelli on Campbell
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 1:46 pm
by Irn-Bru
markshark84 wrote:Irn-Bru wrote:This is Patrick Ramsey all over again.
Except Ramsey only got 24 starts and NEVER got a full season (only started 11 games in 2003 and 7 in 2004 -- that's it). This isn't even Patrick Ramsey, it's worse.
You misunderstand me. I'm glad that Campbell got the chances he did. Yes, it didn't work out in the end, but you can't judge a decision like this based solely on its outcome. Campbell looked like he was putting some pieces of the puzzle together, but in the end it didn't all come through.
What I meant by "Patrick Ramsey" were the constant cries about how we were giving up a quality QB when we let him go. Of course, no one says that now.
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:41 pm
by Champsturf
frankcal20 wrote:The chances of us having a "Great" QB are very slim. "Great" QB's are few and far between. There are only like 5 in the NFL now out of 32 teams and they say that right now is the age of the NFL QB - more very good QB's than ever. We don't know where JC is going to go with his game but I think under a different system, he will flourish like Vet said.
You must've read something other than what I did. I didn't see that Vet said he would flourish, but only be a lot better. To me, any improvement would be a lot better.
Like many have said, I don't think that Campbell is a bad guy, just not a good QB. We (most of us anyway) know that the WCO doesn't suit Campbell, but I don't really recall him "lighting it up" before the WCO came to town. He can't hit the deep ball with ANY regularity, which I find to be fairly important in a vertical passing game. So if he can't do that in a vertical offense and doesn't have the "touch" and a quick release needed for the WCO, what offense could he succeed in?
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:19 pm
by SnyderSucks
SkinsJock wrote:Frank - your support for Campbell is okay, but, all things considered, there is really such a small chance that Campbell is going to be here next season - the guys in charge here have made it clear that they do not want him - I also think that Campbell, if given the choice to stay or go is going to decide to look at another team and hope that he can "find his inner dragon" with them
I have nothing against Campbell, I just hope we can get something for him because he's not worth anything to us as a QB
I think there is a much better chance that he's here next year than most would guess. Whoever is in charge will have to decide what to do with the first round pick. If they go O-line, then I think it's likely that Campbell returns. Washington can keep him for a very cheap contract, and I don't see another team bowling them over with a big trade offer.
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:29 pm
by frankcal20
I don't see a team willing to trade for him because most around the league expect both to part ways. With that being said, if there is a chance to sign him to a short term deal - 3 years or whatnot, that would allow him a chance to get some better film and allow Washington to bring in a young QB who can learn the nuances of the NFL before being thrown to the wolves while this line is being rebuilt.
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:29 pm
by brad7686
SnyderSucks wrote:SkinsJock wrote:Frank - your support for Campbell is okay, but, all things considered, there is really such a small chance that Campbell is going to be here next season - the guys in charge here have made it clear that they do not want him - I also think that Campbell, if given the choice to stay or go is going to decide to look at another team and hope that he can "find his inner dragon" with them
I have nothing against Campbell, I just hope we can get something for him because he's not worth anything to us as a QB
I think there is a much better chance that he's here next year than most would guess. Whoever is in charge will have to decide what to do with the first round pick. If they go O-line, then I think it's likely that Campbell returns. Washington can keep him for a very cheap contract, and I don't see another team bowling them over with a big trade offer.
I agree, there's a good chance he will still be here, much to everyone's delight.
A) There won't be a cap, he will be restricted as a free agent
B) If a qb is taken first, its good to have a contingency plan for a rookie qb.
C) The offensive line is worse than Campbell.
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:35 pm
by Paralis
But then the question is whether Campbell reports. As an RFA, the Skins have the exclusive right to offer a contract tender, but Campbell's under no obligation to sign (especially as, IIRC, the RFA tenders in the uncapped year are no longer guaranteed).
Basically, I don't think there's any way Campbell signs an RFA tender (or an equivalent one-year contract) without at least an agreement not to tag him at the end of 10 season. Whatever points he'll get for being a good teammate and good employee, he's already earned. Somebody's going to have to sell him on being a Redskin at this point.
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:51 pm
by Redskin in Canada
We need more Pastabelly !!!
More, more, moooooore ...
We need trade value.
Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 1:55 am
by Bones21
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 6:27 am Post subject:
I still think that JC's in the wrong system.
He's not in the wrong system - he's in the wrong sport. Campbell doesn't have football instincts. Doesn't have "It," as someone said previously.
Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 4:13 am
by jeremyroyce
I have watched Jason Campbell since he has been drafted and it's now what almost 4 years in the league, 3 years starting. He sucks and I'm tired of all the excuse as to why he can't perform. He is one of the most excused QB'S in the league along with Tony Romo.