A QB controversy that doesn't exist
By: Rick Snider
Examiner Sports Columnist
August 28, 2009
It's a civil war of quarterbacks.
Some Washington Redskins fans want Jason Campbell cut after playing New England on Friday. Certain ones want Colt Brennan over Campbell, but others Chase Daniel over Brennan. Somehow Todd Collins goes from backup to kingpin in different scenarios.
For the math geeks (sorry, fantasy league players) keeping score, it's (A>B + C>D) + (D>C + C>A + B>A) - (A + C) = ?
No wonder it seems confusing. Well, let's make it simple since nothing has changed from day 1 and nothing will change during final cuts on Sept. 5.
Campbell starts.
Collins is No. 2.
Brennan is the third-stringer.
Daniel is on somebody's practice squad this fall.
What is sports radio supposed to discuss now after devoting nearly every non-Michael Vick mouthful over the past month to a four-sided debate? Washington fans love a good quarterback controversy even when there isn't one and now they're chewing on both sides of the depth chart.
Campbell hasn't helped himself with two shaky preseason efforts. Coach Jim Zorn can rationalize incompletions all he wants, and some were excusable, but in the end Campbell needs to show more entering the final year of his contract. Otherwise, the 2010 offseason is all about a new quarterback.
Collins stays under the radar, does his job and seems to have the tenure of a college professor. His faithful fans swear the 4-0 season-ending run in 2007 means the career backup is for real. They forget the Seattle playoff loss.
Then there's the whole clipboard debate. Last year's favorite son versus this year's favorite son. Daniel seemed to have usurped Brennan's karma with two touchdowns against Pittsburgh. Brennan has stumbled twice after making big plays last year.
Zorn says it's close. Of course he does. Zorn's not going to disrespect Daniel when the rookie has played well. However, Brennan is running the real offense while Daniel is playing pitch-and-catch against defenders who will soon be trying out for the UFL. It's an apples-and-oranges comparison. Brennan could end this debate with a scoring throw against New England, but it would be surprising for the Redskins to cut the second-year passer who has significantly improved.
Still, the New England game will be scrutinized by onlookers. Campbell will play at least half the game in the starters' longest outing. If he stumbles, the chatter only will increase.
Pick your sides -- this might last all season.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail rsnider@washingtonexaminer.com.
