The white flag flew over Redskin Park waving towards 2007.
Quarterback Jason Campbell will start against Tampa Bay on Sunday. Mark Brunell is out. Frankly, I’m shocked coach Joe Gibbs finally recognized reality in a season of denial. It took him an extra few weeks, but Gibbs swapped passers a whole lot sooner than expected.
Gibbs looked like a POW forced to make a statement during his Monday press conference. His body language betrayed words that this move was anything but forced; not by owner Dan Snyder, but a 3-6 record and mounting public pressure.
In the Gibbs I era, there was no Internet, major cable news, or sports talk radio. He could isolate himself at the old Redskin Park where only a handful of writers and a smattering of TV and radio reporters watched. Now, it’s a small army and the buzzing never stops.
Gibbs finally understands the NFL is a whole lot different and his stubbornness over starting Brunell was coming off badly. He looks as befuddled as Donald Rumsfeld over recent months. People weren’t buying the answers. Fans knew Gibbs was pandering to them and massaging a message they didn’t believe. Maybe last week’s elections showed Gibbs the public’s disdain can sweep clean.
Fans were finally exhausted from this charade that things were not so bad at Redskin Park. Long-time supporters were talking boycott. Even more surprising, they were calling for Gibbs’ firing. That’s like the French forgetting the U.S. military saved them twice when denying airspace access during the Iraq war.
Gibbs made the move as reluctantly as one can short of chains and whips. Even the team — sans quarterbacks — weren’t told as they left for their day off. That’s akin to firing people on Friday afternoon so co-workers have the weekend to get over it. Imagine how players felt hearing the news from the media. That’s another misstep by Gibbs.
Now, the real question shifts to whether Campbell can play. The Redskins will be lucky to learn over seven weeks, but even some flashes of talent would be enough to make watching the final games worthwhile. Seriously, can Campbell be any worse than scoring three points offensively to three division rivals?
“This thing is so topsy-turvy I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Gibbs said.
True, but that’s the fun part. Having seen Campbell some in practice, he has good mobility and a strong arm. The vertical passing game will return. Look for Brandon Lloyd to suddenly get busy.
“We’ll learn a lot about ourselves,” Gibbs said.
At least you get credit for trying something different, Joe.
Rick Snider has covered local sports for 28 years. Contact him at [email protected].
