The receivers add pizzazz to the offense, giving the Redskins a Super Bowl hero and a young guy capable of jaw-dropping catches. The new play-caller brings his own sizzle, exciting the players with his four-inch thick playbook – one they hope brings them a large trophy by season’s end.
That’s fine.
But there’s still this other factor:
“If the quarterback doesn’t do his job, you won’t do anything,” Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell said. “It’ll always be that way.”
And that is perhaps the biggest question surrounding the Redskins’ offense as it nears training camp: How much does the 35-year-old Brunell have left? Was the end of last season a foreshadowing? Was it the result of injured wide receivers and playing with a banged-up knee?
That can only be answered after camp, and the season, begins. Until then, it’s speculation. After last season, several NFL sources reiterated their worry whether Brunell could be effective for an entire campaign, not to mention stay healthy. One source said Brunell looked worn down after the playoffs.
The Redskins counter with this: Down the stretch, Sananta Moss was Brunell’s one effective receiver.
Another retort from the Redskins: New offensive coordinator Al Saunders’ offense is the perfect antidote for Brunell. Saunders likes how Brunell, in the organized team activities, showed he could handle the volume of the offense. There’s a premium on quick dropbacks and releases.
“He can get the ball out of his hands extremely fast,” Saunders said. “He’s more accurate than I expected him to be … .He’s adjusted to the offense quicker than I thought. He’s probably one of the guys I’m most excited about.”
The Redskins say Brunell’s age isn’t a factor, or the predictor of an imminent slide. They point to Rich Gannon, when he was with the Raiders, and Kansas City’s Trent Green.
But there’s a caveat. In his first 13 seasons, Gannon played in 99 games; Green played in 104. Brunell has played in 147, giving him an edge on experience but also leaving him more battered.
“You can’t give him [anything] that he can’t handle,” Saunders said.
The new offense, plus new receivers Antwaan Randle El and Brandon Lloyd, have invigorated Brunell.
“This is exciting,” Brunell said. “It’s a challenge. [But] it’s similar to things I was doing in Jacksonville for a long time. We’re not reinventing the wheel here.”
No, they’re not. But they need to make sure the wheels keep rolling.
“We know what this guy can do,” Gibbs said. “We’re counting on that.”
On the Mark?
» In the first eight games last season, Brunell threw 12 touchdowns and three interceptions; in the last eight games he threw 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
» In the postseason, Brunell completed 29 of 52 passes for 283 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
