Jason Campbell faked the handoff, rolled to his right, stopped and threw exactly where he needed to: down the field, over the heads of the defenders, right at the proper goal post and directly into the arms of Santana Moss.
The pass, they said — but didn’t need to — was perfect. The target was near the upright and down the right hash and thrown before the receiver breaks free. That’s what Campbell did. And this touchdown against New Orleans was also an example of what Campbell gives the Redskins.
It’s not just that he has the arm and the accuracy to throw downfield, it’s also that he has the desire. And, after five starts, it’s a part of his game that is starting to evolve.
“Jason can throw the deep ball,” Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said.
Which is becoming obvious. But as much as having the physical ability to do it, it’s also a matter of liking to throw long. The Redskins would like Campbell to understand when it’s better to look off the deep route and throw underneath. But they love that it’s not the reverse.
“You’d rather have an aggressive quarterback,” Redskins associate head coach/offense Al Saunders said. “Trent [Green] was that way. He was very, very aggressive. It’s easier to get a guy to back off those throws than to get a quarterback to get aggressive with those throws. I’d rather have a guy with Jason’s mentality.”
Campbell has completed 10 passes of 20 yards or more in his five starts; five of those have come in the last two games. Had Brandon Lloyd not lost a ball in the lights Sunday, it could have been another long scoring play.
As the Redskins’ offense continues to grow under Saunders and Campbell, it could resemble Washington offenses of old: strong ground games complemented by big passing plays downfield.
Sunday, Campbell said he noticed the defense backing off after they completed the pass to Moss.
“You’ve got to continue taking those shots,” Campbell said. “Even if you don’t complete them, it still makes people honor it.”
His line and backs have protected him well, giving him time and allowing him to feel comfortable in the pocket. Still, Campbell does not see the rush, instead keeping his eyes downfield.
That’s where the big plays are; that could be where the Redskins future is.
“In order to maximize what the offense can do,” Saunders said, “we need to stretch the field vertically.”
Week 16 Notes
» Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels said it hasn’t gotten old being told he’s going to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Samuels made it for the fourth time when the teams were announced Tuesday.
Maybe this is the reason: “It’s a ball,” he said of the trip. “You practice only 40 minutes, then you party all the time.”
Samuels is the only Redskin to earn a berth. Safety Sean Taylor is a first alternate; linebacker Marcus Washington, tight end Chris Cooley and punt returner Antwaan Randle El are third alternates.
» Washington (knee) and right tackle Jon Jansen (calf) both are questionable for Sunday’s game at St. Louis. Neither practiced yesterday. Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said there was swelling in Washington’s knee. But Washington is optimistic about playing. He has missed one game in his seven seasons, and none here. Jansen is likely a game-time decision.
Linebacker Lemar Marshall (knee), center Casey Rabach (hand) and Samuels (knee) did not practice, but are probable.
Also, receiver James Thrash missed practice after his wife gave birth to their third child, a daughter, on Tuesday.
» Rams receiver Torry Holt on Taylor: “He’s a phenomenal player with a lot of range. He’s good in pass coverage, very physical in the run game. You have to be aware of where he is on the field. Ronnie Lott was a lot like that. You know he’s in the area by the way he hits you.”
