The pass sailed high over Santana Moss’ head, exposing Jason Campbell’s learning curve. The play called for a three-step drop by Campbell. He took five. That threw off the timing. That resulted in an incomplete pass.
And that third-and-four play against St. Louis revealed a flaw in Campbell’s game, one the Redskins hope is corrected in the offseason. Sometimes his throws are high; sometimes they’re short. Or they’re a bit late. Or wide.
“The timing is off and that’s to be expected,” Redskins associate head coach/offense Al Saunders said. “The timing and rhythm takes the longest to come because it’s the thing he’s done the least.”
The Redskins are pleased with Campbell’s progress. They like his poise in the pocket and how well he throws the deep ball. But he’s completed just 50.6 percent of his passes. And, of his 89 completions, a combined 59 have gone to tight end Chris Cooley, running back Ladell Betts and receiver Santana Moss. But the first two often are in favorable spots for a quarterback. Connecting with receivers on intermediate routes has been another story. It doesn’t help that one, Brandon Lloyd, has been unproductive with only 23 catches.
Campbell already is making plans to work out with Moss in Miami in the offseason. Campbell rarely had a chance to throw to his receivers before becoming the starter.
The result in this timing-based offense are throws made after the receiver makes his cut.
“All of that comes with time and trust,” Campbell said. “I trust my receivers, but as a quarterback when you’re just starting out, you tend to wait a little bit because you want to make sure. You still feel like you can get it in there because you’ve got a strong arm.”
Moss said, “We know we can count on him to get us the ball. At the same time he’s only been with [the starters] for six weeks. You start from scratch with him. It’s best to get a feel for him to put in his mind that, ‘Hey, when he gets here, I can go ahead and release the ball earlier instead of waiting for him to get out of his break.’”
But Saunders said he’s seen improvement in practice, saying Campbell can make throws there that he couldn’t two weeks ago. Also, playing in a different system each of the past six seasons has not helped.
“That’s why there’s such optimism about his development,” Saunders said, “because what he’s doing now is just his natural ability.”
Week 17 Notes
» Running back Ladell Betts has a chance to set a franchise record with another 100-yard rushing effort. That would give Betts six straight, topping a mark he currently shares with Clinton Portis (2005) and Rob Goode (1951).
“I think about it a little bit,” Betts said. “But at the same time I’m more focused on getting a ‘W’.”
» The Redskins placed cornerback Shawn Springs (fractured right scapula) on injured reserve Wednesday. Springs will end up having missed seven games.
The Redskins also cut corner Mike Rumph and signed defensive backs John Eubanks and Leigh Torrence to the active roster. Eubanks, originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Mississippi in May, was promoted off the practice squad.
Torrence, in his second season out of Stanford, played 10 games with Atlanta in 2005, but was cut by the Falcons before the season.
Also, the Redskins signed tackle Calvin Armstrong and receiver Ryan Hoag to the practice squad.
» Potential free agent guard Derrick Dockery said he and his agent, Todd France, have been in discussions with the Redskins.
“You always want to do what’s best for your family,” Dockery said. “There’s no doubt I want to be here.”
» Linebacker Khary Campbell (hamstring) and safety Troy Vincent (illness) did not practice Wednesday. Campbell is questionable vs. Giants; Vincent is probable. For New York, offensive lineman Rich Seubert (shin) is doubtful and tight end Jeremy Shockey (ankle) is questionable.
