He sees the other young quarterbacks leading upsets, making big plays, proving their worth and showing their promise. It’s hard not to notice.
Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell also knows he’s in a different spot, and he’s happy about this: Last week, he got to call his own team’s plays in the huddle.
It’s a start.
For a week, with Mark Brunell taking time off during the bye, third-stringer Campbell got to take snaps with the starters, splitting time with No. 2 quarterback Todd Collins. It’s the first time Campbell did that since the summer. Call it a baby step.
“For me, when my time does come, it’s just to get into that rhythm,” Campbell, a first-round pick in 2005, said. “It’s hard to come out and just think magic will happen. You have to get yourself back into that rhythm. I do think that once I get into that rhythm that I can do some things.”
But there’s no way of knowing when Campbell will get that chance. Brunell remains the starter, a fact coach Joe Gibbs stated again Monday.
However, at 2-5, it’s debatable how long Gibbs will stick with Brunell. But Gibbs believes Campbell can learn while sitting.
“Many times you learn more from watching someone else do it,” Gibbs said. “He’s worked extremely hard since he’s been here. Hopefully it will have been time well spent.”
That leaves Campbell’s career in a holding pattern.
“You have to understand you’re in this position for a reason and just understand that it will all pay off for you one day,” he said. “I have to stay patient and stay confident.
“I’ve seen guys who have been thrown in there who weren’t ready and I’ve seen guys who have had to wait. Philip Rivers, for example. He’s having a good year because of that so there are both positives and negatives.”
That doesn’t mean the 6-foot-5 Campbell hasn’t thought about what he could do on the field.
“The thing I probably can add is if something breaks down I can just get out of the pocket and get 5 or 10 yards,” he said. “That means a lot and it’s something the defense has toaccount for. I’ll see some things that some guys can’t see because I’m a little taller.”
And, yes, Campbell has heard the crowd’s calls for him at home games.
“It makes you feel awkward,” he said. “I know if I’m the starter it would make me feel awkward. You know the fans like you, but they probably shouldn’t do that in games.”
Week 9 notes
» The Redskins’ defense, save for its middle linebacker, is getting healthy. The offense, on the other hand, is not. At least not yet.
Three key players missed practice Monday and a fourth was limited.
Quarterback Mark Brunell (ribs), running back Clinton Portis (ankle) and receiver Santana Moss (hamstring) did not practice. Receiver Antwaan Randle El (foot) was limited. Brunell is expected to return Wednesday and Randle El said he would play Sunday.
But the other two aren’t certain of their status for Sunday’s game against Dallas (4-3).
“It’s not where I can do what I want to do,” Moss said. “If you go out and try to be Superman, you can prolong the healing process. I don’t want to do that. Hopefully I can play Sunday. I really don’t want to miss Sunday, but I don’t want to miss any Sunday.”
Portis, who missed the Dallas game in Week 2, said the mild high ankle sprain is “coming along.”
“I hope so,” Portis said, when asked if he was confident he could play against Dallas. “I don’t want to miss it for a second time.”
Middle linebacker Lemar Marshall was the only defensive starter to miss practice.
» Statistically speaking: After Sunday, Washington had the NFL’s 26th-ranked defense. The Redskins were also 30th against the pass, better than only San Francisco and Green Bay. The only defensive stat where Washington ranks in the upper half is against the run. The Redskins are 15th.
