The quarterback’s job status lit up the talk shows, dominated message boards and provided good fodder for disgruntled Redskins fans. Of which, after an 0-2 start and ugly loss in Dallas, there are many.
If only the Redskins’ offensive problems were that easy to solve.
Besides, Mark Brunell is the starter and that’s not about to change. There was no consideration to taking him out during Sunday’s 27-10 loss at Dallas.
“As long as Mark is healthy, we wouldn’t do that,” Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said.
In two games, Brunell has completed 57.4 percent of his attempts for no touchdowns, one interception and a passer rating of 67.7. At 36, it’s fair to ask if Brunell has started a fast descent.
“That’s one of the things Mark has to fight at this point in his career,” Gibbs said. “But I don’t see that.”
Center Casey Rabach said, “What else is new? Anytime [stuff] is going bad, they look at one guy no matter who it is. He’s the leader of the offense. Mark still has a lot in him.”
And Gibbs remains confident Brunell is not looking to throw the ball away too soon.
The offensive problems run deeper than quarterback, which is why the offense has scored 19 points. Brunell has been sacked six times, which isn’t just the line’s fault.
Three times Sunday, Clinton Portis’ backups — Ladell Betts and T.J. Duckett — allowed sacks and pressure by failing to pick up the blitz, an area Portis excels in.
Dallas played its safeties deep all game, which makes it hard to throw downfield unless a quarterback has time.
“You know all you need is a second here or second there,” wide receiver Santana Moss said. “You get [ticked] off because you beat a guy and finally get open and you can’t execute because Mark is running for his life. … It can’t get no worse than this.”
The running game has been stagnant minus Portis, too. Gibbs admitted they haven’t run the ball enough in the first two games, partly because they’re horrid on third downs — a combined six for 27 — and can’t sustain drives. A key to beating a cover-2, which they’ll continue to see, is running the ball successfully.
Also, the players say they’re not overwhelmed by new offensive coordinator Al Saunders’ famed 700-page playbook. Gibbs did say he’d consider changing his approach to preseason next year, not that it’ll help them now.
“We’re getting accustomed to the way things are going this year,” Redskins tackle Jon Jansen said.
“It takes [time],” Brunell said, “but we don’t have a lot of time.”
Week 3 notes
» Redskins running back Clinton Portis said there’s no doubt he’ll play against Houston Sunday. Then again, he said the same thing last week and didn’t play against Dallas.
And cornerback Shawn Springs says he feels better, but remains uncertain about his status. Springs has missed the first two games following surgery in his pelvic area.
“I can do all the movements I want to,” Springs said, “I can’t do it at the speeds I want to do it at.”
The Redskins need Springs to return and hopefully solidify the secondary.
“I would love to say that I make that much of a difference and toot my own horn,” Springs said. “I don’t know that that’s the case. I do know if I’m not 100 percent, it won’t make a difference if I’m out there or not.”
Portis said coach Joe Gibbs told him Wednesday he wouldn’t play against Dallas. They want his shoulder to heal so they’re not wondering every week if he’s going to play. Portis also said he has some soreness in his rotator cuff, but he termed that natural considering he had missed four weeks without contact.
» Kicker John Hall will continue to kick off for the time being. The Redskins did not like punter Derrick Frost’s kickoffs in the opener and Hall provided better directional kickoffs. He told the coaches last week that he could handle the increased role; the Redskins had wanted to reduce his load after he underwent groin surgery last year.
