The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

'04 Player Preview: Mark Brunell


July 22, 2004




Brunell has rushed for 2,211 yards in his career, with 14 rushing TDs and a 5.2 yards per carry average. (Photo by Mitchell Layton)
Joe Gibbs knows the value of veteran quarterbacks. Each of the Redskins' three Super Bowl Championships was won with seasoned quarterbacks. So when Gibbs returned to his beloved Redskins after 11 years, one of the first things he did was trade for veteran quarterback Mark Brunell to compete with and help mentor Patrick Ramsey.
Brunell brings talent, experience and a winning attitude to the Redskins. Before coming to Washington, the 6-1, 217-pound lefty threw for 25,793 yards and 144 touchdowns with a career passing rating of 85.2, 11th best in NFL history. He was selected to three Pro Bowls and led the Jacksonville Jaguars to the playoffs four seasons in a row from 1996-99.

In training camp, all eyes will be on the competition between Brunell and Ramsey. Gibbs has said they will compete for the starting job. In comparing the two quarterbacks, Gibbs finds a lot of similarities.

"The biggest thing about quarterbacks is that they have to be tough and smart," Gibbs said. "Mark and Patrick are both extremely tough and they have good arms. They're also high quality guys."

For Brunell, the opportunity to play for Hall of Fame coach made coming to Washington an easy choice.

"He's one of the finest coaches to walk a sideline in the NFL," said Brunell. "To be a part of this team and this organization, with the goal to get another Super Bowl trophy, is really special."

Since arriving in Washington, Brunell has focused on adapting to the Redskins offense. He says there aren't a lot of differences between the offenses he ran in Jacksonville to the offense that Gibbs has implemented in Washington.

"Both offenses really emphasize a good, strong running game-which every offense in the NFL should be doing because that's how you win football games," Brunell said. "Both offenses also have an effective passing game and emphasize being smart with the football."

Gibbs and team officials have surrounded Brunell with plenty of playmakers, from running back Clinton Portis to wide receivers Laveranues Coles and Rod Gardner.

"Every player on this offense seems to have his own strength," Brunell said. "We've got it all: size, speed, power, smart players, hard workers, receivers who run great routes. It's one of the best offenses I've been around. I couldn't be more pleased."

CAREER STATISTICS

Year Team GP/GS Att Cmp Yds TD Int Rtg
2003 Jacksonville 3/3 82 54 484 2 0 89.7
2002 Jacksonville 15/15 416 245 2788 17 7 85.7
2001 Jacksonville 15/15 473 289 3309 19 13 84.1
2000 Jacksonville 16/16 512 311 3640 20 14 84.0

1999 Jacksonville 15/15 441 259 3060 14 9 82.0
1998 Jacksonville 13/13 354 208 2601 20 9 89.9
1997 Jacksonville 14/14 435 264 3281 18 7 91.2
1996 Jacksonville 16/16 557 353 4367 19 20 84.0
1995 Jacksonville 13/10 346 201 2168 15 7 82.6
1994 Green Bay 2/0 27 12 95 0 0 53.8
1993 Green Bay 0/0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 122/117 3643 2196 25793 144 86 85.2




Memorable Game:
On Jan. 4, 1997, Brunell and the Jaguars pulled off one of the NFL's greatest upsets in toppling heavily favored Denver in a divisional playoff game. At Mile High Stadium, Brunell was 18-of-29 for 245 yards and two touchdowns in the Jaguars' 30-27 victory. He also ran for 44 yards on seven carries, including a 29-yard scamper in the fourth quarter to set up the Jaguars' final touchdown. The win sent Jacksonville to the AFC Championship Game in just their second year of existence.

From the Files
Throughout his career, Brunell has been active in the community. He started the Mark Brunell Foundation, committed to enriching the lives of children who face chronic or life-threatening illnesses, and has contributed more than $700,000 to Jacksonville's Wolfson Children's Hospital. His foundation also supports Wolfson's STARBRIGHT World, a private interactive computer network created by Steven Spielberg for hospitalized children and

Brunell brings talent, experience and a winning attitude to the Redskins.

RhodeSkin wrote:I can't even express how glad I am that Dan gave up on failing, overpaid talent (a-la Deion Sanders, Danny Wuerffel, Tony Banks)

Steve Spurrier III wrote:Not to be an ass, but grouping Sanders and Wuerffel together is a mistake.

Sanders was old an overpaid. Wuerffel was cheap, very cheap, and was an outstanding option for Spurrier. If Snyder made any mistake it was hiring Spurrier in the first place, not signing a cheap backup who knew the Fun 'N Gun by heart...

Thanks for having my back, Steve...Spurrier??? OBC, is that really you???

Don't hate on the Wuerffmeister!!!

Steve Spurrier III wrote:Wuerffel was cheap, very cheap, and was an outstanding option for Spurrier.