Albert Haynesworth won’t determine the Washington Redskins’ fortunes this fall. Neither will Brian Orakpo, Clinton Portis, Chris Cooley or Santana Moss.
It all comes down to quarterback Jason Campbell. Eleven days before training camp opens, the Redskins still wonder if Campbell can lead them.
Four years after trading two first-rounders to draft Campbell, the Redskins twice tried to replace him over the offseason. First the trade for Jay Cutler didn’t work, then plans for drafting Mark Sanchez failed. Instead, Campbell is the lamest duck since Daffy.
Campbell is a free agent after this season. If he doesn’t play well, coach Jim Zorn probably exits, too. Their fortunes and futures are intertwined.
Owner Dan Snyder wants the second coming of Brett Favre. Instead, the Redskins are saddled with a passer dealt more aces and eights than Wild Bill Hickock.
Campbell’s biggest problem this season won’t be blitzing linebackers around the right side, but teammates in his own locker room. They know Campbell is not the future quarterback, barring a Pro Bowl year that forces the Redskins to re-sign him. If Campbell and the team falter, there’s curiosity over Colt Brennan getting his chance in the waning weeks.
That Campbell isn’t an outspoken leader has always been a problem. He suffers from Manny Acta disease — nice guys finish last. Quarterbacks need to be outspoken, even confrontational with underperforming teammates. Joe Theismann did it. So did Billy Kilmer and Sonny Jurgensen, even Brad Johnson. The problem with Jeff George was he did so too often. The Redskins haven’t seen right combination of savvy and assuredness since Mark Rypien in 1993.
Campbell should have responded to the attempted offseason moves with a swagger, saying this was his job no matter who arrives. Teammates would have noticed. Instead, Campbell seemed fragile. That’s not good.
However, this is Campbell and coach Jim Zorn’s second season together. The hope is second chances make a big difference. Zorn’s playcalling will be more fluid, as will Campbell. It must happen now or neither may return. It’s playoffs or the pavement.
Campbell can set himself up for a monster payday next season. Or he can become a journeyman. No team loves a quarterback more than the one that drafted him. The rest of the NFL will see Campbell as a journeyman backup who didn’t produce given his best opportunity.
We’ll soon know which way it will go.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail [email protected].
