Jump to content
Washington Football Team Logo
Extremeskins

What the Media Has to Say About Campbell & His NFL Debut


redskinsunshine

Recommended Posts

Here are some quotes from articles (and links to the articles) that reference Jason Campbell's first NFL start - Redskins versus Tampa. Overall, the media reaction to Campbell seemed favorable.

I thought it might be useful both for now and for historical purposes to have these media references to Campbell's NFL debut, so that when we watch him develop, we can remember how it all started.

Feel free to add media quotes/links re Campbell's debut that you've found to this thread.

From the Washington Post

Now Starting, A Glimmer of Hope

By Thomas Boswell

In the midst of another galling loss, this one a 20-17 defeat to the lowly Bucs on Sunday, the Redskins finally saw the first clear flicker of starlight leading them toward their future. That glow is still a ways off. But at least you can see it without a telescope.

The Redskins now have a kid quarterback with some poise, wheels and a rifle. He can avoid a rush, roll out of the pocket and throw across his body through traffic or he can drop back and wing it 60 yards directly between the hands of Brandon Lloyd. Not that Lloyd will catch it. Campbell can buy time in the red zone with his feet until he can find his third receiver, then zing the ball to the only available spot for a touchdown, as he did to Chris Cooley and Todd Yoder.

Despite making his debut on the road, Campbell can even complete 19 of 34 passes for 196 yards without an interception, take hits in the pocket without a fumble and run the offense without a single timeout caused by chaos or a delay-of-game penalty. The short version: Campbell ran the offense as well without Clinton Portis and Santana Moss as Mark Brunell did with them.

Campbell Comes Close on 1st Attempt

Redskins' Newest Starting Quarterback Is Steady Despite Loss to Bucs

By Les Carpenter

Campbell did not show the frustrations of a 24-year-old unaccustomed to failure. He didn't roll his eyes or throw up his arms. He held that same steady stare in the huddle that he kept all week during the flood of interviews where his answers were steady and impassive.

"He's cool, man," Lloyd said. "It's like he's been there before. He was calm. He didn't mess up any of our plays. Going out there for the first time it's like a culture shock, but it didn't seem to affect him at all."

This is the comfort the Redskins could take from their defeat Sunday. On an afternoon when yet another team slashed through their defense and their wide receivers couldn't hold on to perfect passes, Campbell brought some hope of a brighter future. He did not warily eye the Tampa Bay pass rush instead of looking for receivers. He didn't force plays that were covered by the defense. And when he spoke in the huddle, his voice was clear and there was never a doubt who was in charge.

Defenseless

QB Is Solid in Debut, But Familiar Flaws Drop Redskins to 3-7

By Howard Bryant

The focus of the week had been the NFL debut of 24-year-old quarterback Jason Campbell against the backdrop of a lost season. The Redskins were 3-6 and had seemed to adopt a rebuilding attitude: After an ineffective Mark Brunell could not elevate the Redskins, Campbell was the future and eventually the Redskins needed to see what he could do in a game situation.

But the truth, Redskins players sourly acknowledged after a poised and confident Campbell acquitted himself by completing 19 of 34 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns, is that Campbell's presence never did represent the white flag of surrender. That dishonor belonged to their defense, which gave up 181 yards rushing to a Tampa Bay team that had averaged 81.2, as well as sustained drives and big plays as it has all season.

Grading Campbell's Day

Campbell showed off that prized arm on a 50-yard bomb Brandon Lloyd dropped on the offense's opening play. He rarely threw the ball poorly. He did as well as could be expected.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

From the Baltimore Sun

Redskins fall short

Washington QB Campbell a bright spot in NFL debut

By Don Markus

"I felt I like I did some good things. I also feel like I wish I had a couple of throws back," said Campbell, who finished 19-for-34 for 196 yards. "They were possibly the keys to the game, keeping us in it. That's part of the learning process. Just got to keep your head up high and continue working."

One of those throws was the deep ball to Lloyd, who said after the game that he dropped the pass after being bumped by Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber. But Lloyd said he could have helped Campbell, and ultimately the Redskins, by making that catch.

"I need to make that play for him from a confidence standpoint," Lloyd said as he walked out of the stadium after the game. "You look at that play and how he handled himself. He moved on to the next play. That's the kind of poise you see from veterans."

Said veteran cornerback Shawn Springs: "I thought Jason played good enough for us to win today."

From the Examiner

Campbell good, teammates not so much

Rick Snider, The Examiner

The Campbell Era began with a loss, but it was a solid effort. Two touchdowns, 196 yards and no turnovers is a heckuva start for the second-year passer. He worked the entire field, withstood the pass rush and best of all, counterpunched when the Bucs scored.

Tampa Bay may be a lousy team, but Campbell proved the change from Brunell was long overdue. If the Redskins are going to stink this year, at least get Campbell ready for 2007. Based on his first game, things are looking better.

Campbell never looked rattled. He opened the third quarter with a touchdown drive for a 10-3 lead and rallied the team late to close within three. Also, you gotta love the Redskins letting Campbell go deep on his first snap.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch

REDSKINS REPORT CARD

Richmond Times-Dispatch

Jason Campbell, in his second season, made his NFL debut at quarterback and acquitted himself well. He stayed calm, bought time, found open receivers and made smart plays. He threw some passes too high and some too low, but that's to be expected in a quarterback's first NFL game. The running game never got going, but part of that had to do with the low number of plays the Redskins ran when the game was close. Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd could have helped the cause considerably by holding on to the bomb Campbell threw on the Redskins' first play of the game.

Guilty of non-support

Limp defensive effort spoils Campbell's debut at QB; opening-play bomb is a dud

BY PAUL WOODY

Campbell made the first appearance and first start of his NFL career yesterday. And he gave the Redskins (3-7) a chance to win. He completed 19 of 34 passes for 196 yards. He threw a few deep balls that had not previously been part of the Redskins' offense.

He was able to buy time by moving around in the pocket or by rolling out. He took good care of the ball, throwing no interceptions and two touchdown passes.

"I felt like I did some good things," Campbell said. "I also wish I could have a couple of throws back. Today, I feel like I belong in the NFL."

From the Daily Press

Skins, Campbell fall, but it's a start

Jason Campbell is impressive in his first start, but the Redskins can't find a way to beat the Bucs.

BY MELINDA WALDROP

"I thought (Campbell) was well-prepared," Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said. "I thought he handled things well - everything, including the two-minute drive there at the end of the ballgame. I wish we could have found a way to win it for him."
Link to comment
Share on other sites

From the Washington Times

Not bad, kid

By Ryan O'Halloran

Joe Gibbs was so impressed with his young quarterback's composure, so pleased with his ability to slide out of trouble and so satisfied with his patience that the Washington Redskins' transition to Jason Campbell wasn't near the top of his list of worries after another road loss marred by more defensive breakdowns.

"I'm probably more concerned about the other things on our team because I feel like Jason is going to play well," Gibbs said.

And play well Campbell did in his NFL debut yesterday at Raymond James Stadium, the lone bright spot in a 20-17 defeat by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The loss was the fifth in six games for the Redskins (3-7).

Campbell finished 19-for-34 for 196 yards and two touchdowns, appearing comfortable in the pocket, in control of the huddle and his nerves and willing to take chances in the passing game.

Make way for new gun in town

By Dan Daly

If [Campbell] was nervous, he hid it well. Both touchdown passes -- the other being a 4-yard toss to Todd Yoder with 32 seconds left -- came in close quarters, near the goal line, with the Bucs bearing down in on him. In each case, he waited patiently until someone came open and delivered the ball.

"I'm the last guy who's going to get the ball on that play," Cooley said. "Jason just worked through his progressions. ... It's really impressive when a guy does that. He made that play."

And it looks like he might make a few more plays before he's through. His arm is strong and accurate ("even when he's rolling out," Cooley noted), he's nimble enough to avoid the rush and he clearly possesses a certain coolness under fire. Now he gets to play his next three games in the far friendlier environment of FedEx Field. Get ready, Redskins Nation. Here he comes.

Campbell leaves impression

By Roger Mills

Jason Campbell did not seem like a first-time starter to the veterans on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense.

The Washington Redskins' quarterback played yesterday for the first time in his NFL career, replacing benched starter Mark Brunell. The Redskins lost 20-17, but Campbell turned in a mistake-free, two-touchdown performance that impressed his opponents across the line of scrimmage.

"They did a good job of preparing him to play," defensive lineman Greg Spires said. "It might be his first year playing, but it's not his first year in the league. The guy is back there for a reason. I'll say this -- he's not a rookie."
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Campbell leaves impression

By Roger Mills

Jason Campbell did not seem like a first-time starter to the veterans on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense.

The Washington Redskins' quarterback played yesterday for the first time in his NFL career, replacing benched starter Mark Brunell. The Redskins lost 20-17, but Campbell turned in a mistake-free, two-touchdown performance that impressed his opponents across the line of scrimmage.

"They did a good job of preparing him to play," defensive lineman Greg Spires said. "It might be his first year playing, but it's not his first year in the league. The guy is back there for a reason. I'll say this -- he's not a rookie."

You mean they weren't thanking him for the victory? lol

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From the Virginian-Pilot

Thrown into mix, Campbell appears ready

By JIM DUCIBELLA, The Virginian-Pilot

TAMPA - Jason Campbell so wanted his first regular-seasson pass in the NFL to make a statement. In the end, however, the way he handled his 62 other plays Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers spoke more loudly.

Campbell completed 19 of 34 passes for 196 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers. He was hardly the reason the Washington Redskins fell 20-17 at Raymond James Stadium.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

From the Sports Network

Bucs spoil Campbell's debut

Jason Campbell, taking over the ineffective Mark Brunell under center, ended 19-of-34 for 196 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He was solid in his first game after being inactive for the first 27 contests of his career, but without a strong running game the Redskins were doomed.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

From SI.com - Don Banks

Campbell didn't win his NFL starting debut, but he didn't embarrass himself by a long shot. The Redskins' second-year quarterback's 19-of-34 passing day produced 196 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 92.3 passer rating.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think we can all agree that Jason did a superb job out there in his very first NFL game, and his first complete game in a couple of years. He's gonna still make some mistakes and I know that his first INT is coming sooner than later, but that's fine with me. Get it out of his system, take his bumps now and learn from them and get ready for next season.

Great thread- it's convenient to get this much information in one place. Should be stickied and added to as more opinions come out.:2cents:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From the Associated Press (at MSNBC):

Showing why coach Joe Gibbs drafted him in the first round and benched veteran starter Mark Brunell this week, Campbell led a 14-play, 80-yard drive that he capped with his second TD pass, a 4-yarder to Todd Yoder.

''He showed a lot of poise. He's got a big arm. He showed good command,'' Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. ''I thought the Redskins rallied around him, too. I was impressed.''
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yea, I was pretty upset when Lloyd dropped that pass. But that showed right off the bat what he was capable of. Just the fact that the ball was on the money was enough to make Tampa think twice about stacking the box. Makes me wonder why we only rushed 15 times...

I concur with both your astute observations, as well as with your concise articulation(s) thereof. Bravo! :applause:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great thread, good job I was hoping there was some analysis from the mechanics standpoint (where is Ron Jaworski when you need em). Are there any QB coaches on this message board?

Everyone's a quarterbacks coach on this board. We have GM's too. I'm a qb specialist and he played well. ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm sorry but after the showing Jason just had, if anybody boos him at FedEx, they should be thrown over the outside railing. J. Campbell has just given us the first look at what could be a long awaited Franchise Quarterback.

110% agree. if anyone boos this kid on sunday, they're complete and utter morons. this was his first NFL game. imagine what hes capable of with moss/portis and 7 games under his belt next year??

Link to comment
Share on other sites

110% agree. if anyone boos this kid on sunday, they're complete and utter morons. this was his first NFL game. imagine what hes capable of with moss/portis and 7 games under his belt next year??

He won't give them a reason to boo. He doesn't throw it 2 yards when you need 15. Anyone who boo's just doesn't like 6'4 230 pound quarterbacks with laser rocket arm, poise and mobility.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From Michael Wilbon's Chat House (WP):

Redskins Future?:
So, what is your take on Jason Campbell?

Michael Wilbon:
Good afternoon everybody...I'm in Jacksonville for tonight's Monday Night game between the Jags and Giants...And of course, even with the Michigan-Ohio State game, Soriano's defection to the Chicago Cubs (Yeahhh!) and a ton of NFL-related news, we have to start with Jason Campbell's performance yesterday down in Tampa...I thought the kid looked pretty good. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out. He looked poised, certainly got the ball downfield, stayed away from big mistakes, moved around without getting overly anxious...All in all, he played pretty well. Obviously, the quarterback position isn't all that has ailed the Redskins, as we found in another defeat...But Campbell's performance, as Tom Boswell wrote in this morning's Post, offers a glimmer of hope of what's to come from the most important position in sports.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...