Daniel is giving Colt a scare for No. 3 QB job
ASHBURN – The newest hot quarterback stood off to the side, answering questions about: how many text messages he got; if he understands the fuss being made over him; if he can win a roster spot. Four cameras pointed at him; another five or so reporters gathered around Chase Daniel. The new “It” guy.
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Meanwhile, the old hot quarterback was forced to answer questions about his sputtering preseason. A couple reporters gathered around Colt Brennan. Is he now the old “It” guy?
Saturday, Daniel, the undrafted free agent, made his preseason debut completing six of eight passes for 58 yards and two touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Brennan completed three of five passes with one ill-advised pass that was intercepted. And in his first game he posted a 10.1 passer rating.
All of which means there’s a developing battle for the No. 3 quarterback job, once thought to be secured by Brennan. It still may be, but it’s not a gimme.
“It will be a hard decision,” Redskins coach Jim Zorn said.
One thing Brennan won’t be doing is competing for the No. 2 job with Todd Collins.
And, in the end, all that Saturday might have done is put a scare into him. Daniel still is a short quarterback (listed at 6-feet) who admittedly has a lot to learn. The passes he completed Saturday were considered safe throws.
Regardless, it was a good night for the undrafted Daniel, a star at Missouri and a longshot in the NFL. After the game he said he received 95 text messages and his phone rarely stopped ringing. But he’s not about to buy into being the new hot thing in Washington.
“Man, all I’m trying to do is get a spot on this team,” he said. “Colt still is. This is one game for me, man. I’m just glad I had a great game.”
Meanwhile, Brennan has a deeper knowledge of the offense, having played last season. He’s running more plays than last season and the coaches like some improvements in his technique. But the on-field results aren’t there.
“The first two weeks didn’t go the way I wanted them to,” Brennan said. “I won’t let that deter me or discourage me at all. I have two more opportunities to make something happen. That’s what preseason is about. You go in and have two great drives and that’s all everyone gets to see and that’s all everyone comments on. If I have a good drive and throw a pick, everyone remembers the pick.
“Right now I don’t have things going my way, but that doesn’t mean next week or the week after it won’t be the opposite.”
Daniel also knows what he now must do in his next outing. He has to top a two-touchdown performance.
“Yeah,” he said. “I have to throw three next time.”
