Saunders’ new system is the sixth offense Campbell’s been forced to learn in six seasons. He admits he’s frustrated by the constant change. With each new playbook comes a déjà vu of deep routes and five-step drops. It’s thrown him out of rhythm.

“Every time I get ready to go out there and just be myself, I’ve got to turn around and know a whole new offense again,” he said. “Now you’ve got to think and play at the same time once again, instead of just being yourself and everything just being second nature to you.”

It’s especially frustrating for Campbell. Catching his rhythm lets his talent come out. He has the arm strength, size (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) and college pedigree (31-9 at Auburn, including the nation’s third best pass efficiency rating his senior year) that almost promises NFL success.

But until Campbell finds his rhythm, the 25th overall pick of the 2005 NFL Draft won’t be the quarterback.

Again this season, it’s expected he’ll watch rather than play.

Maybe that’s why he put in somuch offseason time improving his footwork and quickness.

Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said Campbell’s size often works against him, as his stride and throwing motion are elongated due to his large frame. So Campbell worked to shorten his motion, which Gibbs said resulted in a faster release without a decline in accuracy.

Through a week of practice and Saturday’s scrimmage against Baltimore, Campbell has looked rushed at times. He said he feels more mature and poised than at this point last year. He’s close, but he’s not in rhythm yet.

“You understand that you’re the quarterback of the future, but at the same time, you don’t know when that future’s coming or when it’s going to get here,” Campbell said. “So you have to continue to prepare yourself every day, so when that time comes, you know the plays inside and out and can be comfortable and just be yourself.”

There’s no hesitation in saying “that time.” He knows it’s coming. He just wants it to be here soon.

He’s also aware there won’t be a quarterback competition this season. Next season, who knows?

This much is clear: Sooner or later, it’s all going to be about “you.”

Training Camp Notes

» Rookie safety Reed Doughty admitted Saturday’s scrimmage against Baltimore was not his best. Maybe it was because that was, by far, the largest crowd he’d ever played in front of. At Northern Colorado, the biggest crowd he saw was approximately 22,000, at Montana. Northern Colorado’s home games drew around 8,000 fans. “I’ve got to play the way I practice and not let the big crowd and excitement get to me,” said Doughty, in good position to win a roster spot. “I don’t think the crowd got to me, it was just something different.”

» Cornerback Carlos Rogers (back) and running back Ladell Betts (hamstring) both are expected to return to practice today. Neither played inSaturday’s scrimmage. Rogers has not practiced since Wednesday.

» Rookie linebacker Rocky McIntosh is still learning the terminology of the Redskins’ defense, an obstacle to him winning the weakside job. “He’s playing in English and we’re speaking Russian to him at times,” assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams said. “Physically, he’s solid and strong at the point of attack. He’ll get better when he’s more comfortable with the verbage.”

» Running back Jesse Lumsden garnered the most attention after rushing for a 12-yard touchdown against Baltimore. But third-year back Kerry Carter might have been more impressive. Carter rushed for 20 yards on three carries and caught two passes for 14 yards. He made defenders miss at the line, ran through a defensive back and fell forward for extra yards after getting hit.