Jason Campbell made stone soup out of a recipe for disaster.
The No. 1 receiver was inactive against Detroit on Sunday and No. 2 spent the second half in street clothes. Given no other receiver caught a pass in the first three games, the Washington Redskins could have relied on running back Clinton Portis. Instead, three other receivers caught their first pass of the season as the gameplan didn’t waver.
Campbell made his 12th start the best yet in a 34-3 victory. He completed a personal high of 23 completions and a 125.3 pass rating — nearly double his rating after two games.
It was just “pitching and catching” as the old Ballcoach used to say. After Antwaan Randle El was done following seven catches in the first half, Plan B went seven players deep. Campbell’s favorite target of last year — Chris Cooley — finished with four and a touchdown. Mike Sellers grabbed three and a score. Keenan McCardell gained 20 and 19 yards just six days after signing. Clinton Portis, James Thrash and Ladell Betts had two receptions each while even Brandon Lloyd made a cameo for a nine-yarder. Reche Caldwell also made his Redskins debut without a grab.
Receivers were buzzing across FedEx Field and Campbell just kept finding new ones. The downfield game was curtailed some, but there were enough double-digit gains to set up the backfield to rush for 118 yards.
“It’s a growing process, but at the same time I felt like I grew a lot [Sunday],” Campbell said.
Campbell will need to grow by Paul Bunyan-esque proportions in coming weeks. He’s about to face a legend and a dynasty in the next three weeks. The Redskins travel to “the frozen tundra” of Green Bay on Sunday where Campbell’s counterpart is Brett Favre. Two weeks later, it’s New England and quarterback Tom Brady.
The measuring stick may come down on Campbell like Sister Mary Ellen’s ruler. He still hasn’t played a full season yet, but Campbell will determine his place in the NFL pecking order by midseason.
Three scoring plays against Detroit showed Campbell’s growing potential. The first touchdown pass — a 7-yarder to Cooley just past the goalline — replicated an 8-yard score versus the New York Giants on Sept. 23. That’s experience at work.
The 8-yard touchdown throw to Sellers for a 24-3 lead came after Campbell scrambled for time. Instead of trying to run like last year, Campbell awaited his chance. A play intended for Cooley instead went to Sellers. Campbell did it again on the ensuing two-point conversion to Cooley.
“Coach [Al] Saunders always teaches us to try to stay alive as long as possible,” Campbell said. “If you can, run and get the first down but if you can’t buy time then if the guys uncover themselves, do that. … As a quarterback, just try to stay alive.”
Stay live — there are worse fates than that.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at rsnider@dcexaminer.
