The crowd let their feelings known, some chanting for Jason Campbell; others opting simply to boo Mark Brunell. Others around the league have their opinions, too, agreeing with those wanting change.
And none of that matters to Joe Gibbs.
He’s sticking by Mark Brunell.
“Certainly, right now, changing Mark is not the answer,” Gibbs said. “If I felt it was one person, I would certainly change that person. … I’m not afraid to change anything.”
Brunell has completed 62.1 percent of his passes for 1,239 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. But many passes have been thrown horizontally.
“I saw that in the playoffs,” one NFC general manager said. “He couldn’t get the ball downfield. As the season wears on, his arm wears out.”
In the 25-22 loss to Tennessee on Sunday, Brunell showed the good and bad. In the first half, he completed 11 of 14 passes — the majority again were screens and dumpoffs — for 103 yards and a touchdown. In the second half, he was five of 16 for 77 yards and an interception.
Against the Titans, Brunell threw 18 passes at receivers — and 15 were thrown to Santana Moss, even when surrounded by multiple defenders. At least three times Brunell threw to him when two or more defenders were close to Moss.
“We want the ball to be more spread out than it was,” receiver Antwaan Randle El said. “It was heavy-loaded to Santana. We understand there will be games like that. But that’s a bit extreme.”
Two plays stood out:
» On the first play of the second half, Brunell underthrew a double-teamed Moss; but an illegal contact penalty was called. However, receiver James Thrash, who started on the same side as Moss, had broken open deep over the middle a couple seconds before the pass was thrown. No defender was near him. Brunell never looked his way.
» Brunell threw a deep ball intended for Moss on the Redskins’ last play from scrimmage. Five Titans could be seen near the ball; it was intercepted.
“A foolish throw,” Brunell said.
Brunell did throw a touchdown pass to Chris Cooley in part by freezing the safety. That play also showed how Moss can help without catching the ball because the other safety rolled his way, leaving Cooley open. The same thing could have happened to Thrash had he been spotted.
“I’m a playmaker, I don’t say, ‘Don’t get me the ball,’” Moss said. “It’s all how it presents itself. If it’s open, go at that guy.”
Week 7 notes
» The Redskins added a corner Monday — and they might have lost one, albeit temporarily.
Washington signed veteran defensive back Troy Vincent, who was released by Buffalo with an injury settlement last week. But starting corner Carlos Rogers might miss Sunday’s game at Indianapolis after breaking his thumb against Tennessee on Sunday.
Rogers had three screws inserted in his thumb Monday. He’s likely day to day. If Rogers plays, he would need to wear a protective cast.
Vincent played two seasons in Buffalo with current Redskins secondary/corners coach Jerry Gray, who was his defensive coordinator.
Vincent earned five Pro Bowls as a corner with Philadelphia, but played safety in Buffalo. Gray called him a “player-coach.”
He’ll likely play safety in Washington, but could get looks as a nickel corner. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Vincent tied for the team lead in interceptions with four.
“Obviously I’m not the answer,” said Vincent, who played in the first game then went on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, “but I do bring value.”
Also, corner Shawn Springs said Monday he’s not ready for full-time duty after missing the first five games.The Redskins released safety Curry Burns.
» Defensive tackles Cornelius Griffin(hip) and Joe Salave’a (calf) will both try to practice Wednesday, with the hope of playing against the Colts. Both missed Sunday as the Titans rushed for 194 yards.
“Those are key guys,” Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said. “It would help us to get them back.”
