With all that has transpired with the Washington Redskins this season, who would’ve thought that the team’s biggest problem heading into a do or die showdown with their archest of rivals to make the playoffs would be a decision regarding their quarterback?
The Dallas Cowboys will roll into FedEx with the top seed in the NFC firmly in hand, and looking to rest starters. The Redskins will enter the game with Redskins Nation desperately needing a victory to ease the memories of a slain teammate, timeout malfunctions, and other miscues that plagued the team for the better part of this season. Oh yeah, and three straight victories with a journeyman back-up QB in Todd Collins.
But there’s so much more juicy copy out there to be digested, so let’s talk about the quarterbacking future of the franchise for a second.
A story in yesterday’s Washington Post ponders the likelihood of Jason Campbell returning for a potential wild-card playoff push, but has head coach Joe Gibbs on record saying that Collins will finish out the season. It would be an interesting premise if this were the early-to-mid portion of the season, but it’s pretty much set in stone who the quarterback should be for any present and future hope for the Washington Redskins:
Jason Campbell.
Sure, Todd Collins has been named the NFL Player of the Week since stepping in for the injured Campbell, who dislocated his kneecap a couple of weeks ago. Sure, he hasn’t thrown an interception, and sure, the team looks much more fluid on offense with him under center. But it’s critical to note that Collins is 36 years old, and has one less career start than Campbell over his 12-year NFL career with three different franchises.
Potential for longevity aside, Campbell will grasp the nuances that Collins has amassed over his career. Besides, Gibbs has never been one to rely heavily on the play of any quarterback, as he’s the only coach in NFL history to win three Super Bowls with three different guys at the position. And more than that, the same praise that’s being heaped upon Collins now, was the same praise being heaped upon Campbell late last season, and early this season.
I know pro sports is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business, but for the Redskins, and those who love the team, what’s been done lately shouldn’t equate to what should be done next year. Injuries, personnel issues and coaching all went into the Redskins’ deficiencies as much as Campbell’s poor decision making late in games, but his decision making was only a factor after he kept the team close enough to win. And there’s a few second, third and fourth-year quarterbacks that don’t have that distinction.
The Redskins happen to have one of the 12th year variety that happens to be on a well-timed hot streak.
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