Washington quarterback Jason Campbell was injured, but Todd Collins may be the one hurt most.
The Redskins decision over a backup passer has suddenly ramped up from reliever to starter. With Campbell “day-to-day” with a bruised knee — on a hit that was nearly season-ending in the 12-10 loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday night — the Redskins have the sobering decision of possibly starting Mark Brunell or Collins against Baltimore this weekend.
Actually, Baltimore isn’t the concern. It’s figuring out a default starter for the regular-season opener against Miami on Sept. 9. No matter what anyone says right now, you never know how fast Campbell will heal. Miami is the focus and the Redskins will spend the Baltimore game clarifying their options.
Mark Brunell is a career starter. Collins is a lifetime backup. Brunell has played 157 games while Collins has rested more over the last decade than a lifeguard in the desert.
If the Redskins considered their backup merely a spare part who might play in a pinch, Collins would get the nod. But the Redskins must now admit their young quarterback is vulnerable and the backup must be able to start. That means Brunell.
Brunell isn’t a reliever. Then again, Sonny Jurgensen was a heckuva reliever late in his career after being a Hall of Fame starter. After 14 years, Brunell’s savvy enough to steal a game.
Collins has been sharp in two relief appearances. He knows the system and can keep defenses off-balanced in an emergency. Notice how he scored on the first drive against Pittsburgh and only a field goal afterwards. But … and here’s the rub … give opponents a week to prepare for Collins and his edge becomes dulled by the film room. Defenses will know his weaknesses. This makes Collins a better reliever when surprised defenses have less time to react, much less anticipate.
Still, it’s worth letting Collins start against Baltimore just to see if he can beat a very good defense that has at least the minimum of preparation. Give Collins the real test versus no second-stringers or backups soon to be cut. Put Collins against Ray Lewis and Co. to see if he merely survives or thrives. The Redskins know what they have in Brunell. Provide Collins his chance to see just how much depth the Redskins have at quarterback in a preseason game that doesn’t matter.
Campbell’s injury means the full starting offense may never play together in the preseason. Running back Clinton Portis has been rested. Receivers have taken turns with ailments. The left side of the offensive line is more uncertain than Iowa voters. That uncertainty makes it more important to start Brunell because everyone in the huddle knows he’s a proven starter. The same can’t be said about Collins.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
