AP:It's a new day, with new pressure, as Ramsey opens season for Redskins

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It's a new day, with new pressure, as Ramsey opens season for Redskins

By JOSEPH WHITE / Associated Press

Patrick Ramsey is the Washington Redskins' opening day starting quarterback for the second time in his career. So, what's the difference between this time and last time?

"The only thing different really is we're playing on a different day," Ramsey said Wednesday. "We're playing on Sunday instead of Thursday."

Ramsey wasn't joking and wasn't trying to be sarcastic — he was trying to give an earnest answer, even if it defies belief. Two years ago, Ramsey was the undisputed quarterback of the future as he opened for coach Steve Spurrier in the so-called "JetSkins" Thursday night NFL opener against the New York Jets. This year, playing for Joe Gibbs, he knows Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears will be his last Redskins season opener if doesn't have a good season.

But there's a more subtle difference. Ramsey has such a boyish look and an aw-shucks charm about him that it's easy to think of him as an eternal youngster. He's not. He's now 26 years old and this is his fourth NFL season. Yes, there is more pressure on him now, but there is also more maturity to go with it.

"He's so much more confident," said right tackle Jon Jansen, one of Ramsey's closest friends on the team. "Not just in himself, but in the offense. He's got confidence that he knows what he's doing. He's not walking up to the line of scrimmage trying to figure out where his protection is, where the hot read is. He's walking up knowing he's protected, knowing that guys are going to get open, and it's just his job to deliver the ball. He's grown so much in the last two or three years."

Ramsey has improved in other ways. He has honed his touch this year, a result of learning when to drop a pass over a receiver's shoulder instead of relying on a fastball every time.

"We all know he's got a gun," Gibbs said. "Passing the football, taking a little something off, I thought he stepped up with that."

Ramsey will need to be steady and sure because he has little room for error. Thirteen-year veteran Mark Brunell and first-round draft pick Jason Campbell are standing in line behind him, ready to take over if the offense starts to sputter. Ramsey could have erased any doubts about a quarterback controversy with a strong preseason, but he was inconsistent in training camp practices and led the first-team offense to only two touchdowns in 20 drives and threw four interceptions in four games.

The interceptions particularly bothered Gibbs, and Ramsey knows it.

"One thing I would like to do is cut down on turnovers," Ramsey said. "The fewer of those you have, the more successful we're going to be."

Gibbs isn't expected to be very patient with Ramsey. The coach is reeling from last season, when the offense was ranked 30th in the league. Ramsey replaced Brunell during the season, and this year the offense has been redesigned. Results are expected — and quickly.

Ramsey has never been one to give flashy answers, make bold predictions or express any bitterness. Gibbs has undermined him to some extent two years in a row — by trading for Brunell last year and drafting Campbell this year — but the closest expression of disenchantment from Ramsey came over the summer when he said his time in the league has taught him to "just roll with the punches."

Still, there's a little extra tension in the air as opening day draws near. Ramsey flashed his occasional smile, laughed his gentle laugh and shuffled a water bottle back and forth between his hands during his amiable talk with reporters, but nothing he said was more relevant than the simple "I'm anxious to get started."

For that matter, Gibbs didn't have much to say, either. Asked what final piece of advice he might give Ramsey on Sunday, the coach replied: "The talking's pretty much done. Stay on the plan."

Notes:@ There will be a hearing Thursday in Florida for safety Sean Taylor's motion to postpone his felony assault trial until after the season. The trial is scheduled for Monday, but both sides expect the judge to grant the postponement. "No comment on the trial," Taylor said after Wednesday's practice. "We'll see." ... Jansen, who broke his thumb Monday, practiced with a mammoth cast on his left arm. "I'm glad I did it early in the week, so I can get used to how I want to put the cast and everything," he said. "Obviously, I'd rather not have to do it, but it's going to be fine." Jansen left no doubt he will play Sunday, especially after missing all of last season with a ruptured Achilles. "This week, even if it hurts, there's going to be so much adrenaline, I'm going to be so excited, it's not really going to matter," he said. ... WR Taylor Jacobs (toe) practiced but is listed as questionable for Sunday. S Ryan Clark (knee) and LB Chris Clemons (hamstring) did not practice and appear unlikely to play.