The wide receiver with the shifty moves was asked to comment on the backup quarterback decision. So the wide receiver with the shifty moves quickly scooted away from the topic.
“Not at all,” Antwaan Randle El said, when asked if he had a comment.
Another receiver, unfamiliar with the news, begged off when told of the arrangement.
“I’m staying out of it,” Brandon Lloyd said, laughing.
But, while backup quarterback Todd Collins admitted being surprised and disappointed by the news, to the coaches the decision makes perfect sense.
It’s unique. In essence, both Collins and Jason Campbell are No. 2s; if something happens to Mark Brunell in a game, then Collins enters. But if there’s a week to prepare, Campbell would get the start.
“I was a little bit surprised,” Collins said. “It’s a little bit unconventional. I don’t know if there’s disappointment. Well, yeah, everyone wants to be the guy. [But Redskins coach Joe Gibbs] has his reasons to go with the plans he made.”
The reasons are simple, associate head coach/offense Al Saunders said. Campbell is considered the better talent, but if he had to enter during a game, the Redskins would not have an offense best suited for him at this stage of his career. But Collins could be inserted without having to scale back the offense or change it much because of his experience in the system.
“That was a big part of it,” Saunders said. “If we have a whole week to prepare, then we could change up a lot of things we do for someone with the foot speed and athletic ability that Jason has.
“Jason has progressed dramatically. He picks things up very fast. The question is picking it up and then transforming it into action on the field when you have to make that decision.”
For Campbell, it’s a promotion from last season when he was the No. 3 as a rookie. Collins was signed largely to help tutor him.
“It shows tremendous trust,” Campbell said. “I feel I have enough under my belt to understand the offense.”
There’s always the chance Collins could play superbly in a relief role, forcing Gibbs to rethink his decision about then turning to Campbell.
“We’re still dealing in hypotheticals,” Collins said. “Neither Jason or I are starting Monday night. I don’t know what will happen in the future.”
