His 2008 season revealed all we need to know about Jason Campbell: When everything is going well for him, he can flourish; when it isn’t, he won’t. Just like a lot of quarterbacks, but certainly not like a franchise one. Ben Roethlisberger can get sacked and pressured almost as much as any quarterback, yet still made big plays and led his team to a Super Bowl.
Could Campbell? Many have their doubts. During the whole Jay Cutler talk, one GM told me he liked Campbell’s toughness and was OK with his accuracy, but questioned his instincts. That, he said, would hold him back. Forget the numbers about receivers dropping passes and the minutia about his accuracy; does he pass the eye test? Do you get the sense he could become an occasional Pro Bowler?
As a Cleveland Indians fan, I remember the team trotting out statistics to say what a good defensive shortstop Jhonny Peralta was in 2008. They looked convincing. But nobody bought the argument. Guess what? The Indians moved him to third this season.
Nonetheless, as 2008 showed, Campbell is not a horrible quarterback. Nor is he a franchise one. If the line comes through … if the line stays healthy … if Malcolm Kelly or Devin Thomas excel … if the defense is dominant… then Campbell doesn’t need to be one for Washington to reach the playoffs. However, that’s a lot of ifs.
Just look at his first eight games: He posted a passer rating of 100.5. Why? Because the offensive line was fine (16 sacks, not great, but not all their fault as Campbell held onto the ball too long at times while learning a new offense); and Clinton Portis was on an MVP pace. But when things unraveled, so did Campbell. The line allowed 22 sacks in the second half; Portis had one 100-yard game in the final eight games. And Campbell posted a 70.7 passer rating (only two starting QBs posted a lower one for the season).
Now, the caveat. In the first half, the Redskins faced just three defenses that eventually finished in the top 10. Still, with other parts clicking, he had passer ratings of 108.4 or above in two of those games. Don’t forget: the Redskins were 6-2.
In the second half, facing four top-five defenses and seven in the top 13, he had five games where he had a passer rating of 73.4 or worse. And a 2-6 finish put Campbell on the hot seat.
The lesson: when the line plays well, and the running game is going strong, Campbell can do well. When it isn’t, he can’t. His failings are an indictment on other aspects of the team; his success is an equal indication of those around him.
That’s who Campbell is; an average quarterback capable of big games that leave you wanting more. And capable of bad games that leave you wondering. It’s why the Redskins pursued Cutler and Mark Sanchez. It’s why other teams did not see Campbell as the answer to their situation. It’s also why he has his defenders. He looks the part.
The good news for Campbell is that the Redskins play seven games against defenses that finished in the top 10 last year. The bad news? Dallas, Philly and the Giants make up six of those games.
Still, in the first eight games, they play only three; five others were 24th or worse. Clearly things can change for those defenses in a year. But it also provides a chance for something Campbell clearly needs: a good start.
However, that will only soften, not silence, his critics. For Campbell to succeed and quiet his doubters for good he must prove that he can play well, and win, when other parts of the team are suffering. Can he? We’ll probably find out in the second half. And until he does, the debate over his talent and potential will continue.
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