His growth is evident in tense situations. Take last week, for example. Jason Campbell, off-target much of the game and ineffective an entire quarter, sprang to life in the final moments. He split New York Giant defenders, who were left swiping at air as the ball zipped past.
And his need for more growth is equally obvious. He hasn’t improved his accuracy. The poise he shows in the pocket wasn’t evident on the final play vs. New York when he rushed the team to the line of scrimmage.
His games are filled with good and bad moments, making a prediction of his future difficult.
“There are a lot of positives,” said former Redskins manager Charley Casserly, now a CBS analyst. “The guy can make some big-time throws and he has real good touch on the deep ball. You’ve got to take the positives and be patient with the results.
“[But] can you have a good defense and a young quarterback and be a playoff team? That’s usually not a great mix. … Eli Manning now looks better than ever. So it’s something you have to live with.”
Teammates say Campbell is handling blitzes better and has improved at the subtleties, such as looking off the safety as he did in the final minutes against New York, creating a tiny opening through which he squeezed a pass to Antwaan Randle El.
He’s now started 10 games in the NFL and some things are becoming obvious with Campbell:
» Poise. In a hostile environment at Philadelphia, Campbell coolly drove the Redskins downfield before halftime — and then tossed a feathery pass to Chris Cooley for a 16-yard touchdown with 14 seconds left. Playing in a hostile environment was supposed to present a challenge.
“I felt comfortable,” he said.
» He runs when necessary. Campbell has run 14 times for 80 yards. Of his runs, five have resulted in first downs. When defenses respect his feet more, it’ll help him improve as a passer.
“[A mobile quarterback] changes your thought process and what type of coverages you play against that team,” assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams said. “It negates what another team can do against him from a scheme standpoint.”
» Accuracy. On deep balls? Yes. On other throws? Not so much. Campbell has completed 52.9 percent of his career passes. After hitting on 53.1 percent last year, that number was supposed to rise but it hasn’t, instead dropping to 52.4, one reason they’ve scored more than 20 points only two times in his starts. One teammate, who likes Campbell’s future, said, “he needs to be more consistent on the easy throws.”
Casserly said, “He’ll be a certain type of quarterback; I don’t know that he’ll radically change his accuracy.”
Redskins notes
» The Redskins will work out receiver Keenan McCardell next week. The veteran wideout would provide added insurance if Santana Moss has to miss time because of his strained groin. McCardell, a 15-year vet, has caught 861 career passes.
» The Redskins will induct receiver Gary Clark into their Ring of Fame during the Oct. 7 game against Detroit. Clark spent eight seasons in Washington (1985-93), four of which ended with Pro Bowl trips. Clark finished his career with 699 receptions for 10,856 yards and 65 touchdowns.
