ESPN: Skins' Campbell won't go quietly

[SMOSS89]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/11182/skins-campbell-wont-go-quietly

Try as he might, there's no way Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell can tune out the talk radio or even the random folks who recognize him at the movies. He's once again involved in a familiar storyline in which his team's fanbase (and perhaps the front office) yearn for the next franchise quarterback.

Never mind the fact that Campbell somehow put up respectable numbers during a season in which he lined up behind arguably the worst offensive line in the league. Campbell was set up to fail by an administration that neglected the offensive line for the better part of a decade.

No quarterback in the league took more of a beating than Campbell, but even when given the opportunity to tap out, he kept showing up in the huddle. And given the way owner Dan Snyder and his former henchman Vinny Cerrato treated him, I'm sure Campbell thought taking a play or two off might lead to a full-time demotion. For the record, Campbell actually enjoyed his time with interim play-caller Sherman Lewis, who was plucked from a bingo-calling assignment by Cerrato.

The Redskins played themselves into the No. 4 overall pick in this April's draft, so all the speculation is that new head coach Mike Shanahan will select either Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford or Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen. But until further notice, Campbell remains the starting quarterback of this team. He'll be an unrestricted free agent, which means he'll likely receive the highest contract tender of roughly $3.1 million. And if the Redskins are shopping Campbell, they're doing a pretty nice job of keeping it a secret this offseason.

I caught up with Campbell via phone Thursday and asked him about his initial impressions of Shanahan. The two sat down in Shanahan's office and talked about the organization's future. But what about Campbell's future?

"The plan is that I'm going to be here," said Campbell. "[shanahan] told me that he liked how I'd handled everything over the past couple of years and the whole conversation was real positive. But we really didn't talk much about the past. When a team goes 4-12, most of the bad publicity goes to the quarterback. But I was still able to put up one of my best seasons despite all the turmoil."

Campbell showed a lot of loyalty to former coach Jim Zorn, but he knew early on that the organization was asking Zorn to wear too many hats. Campbell, who has lost count of how many offensive coordinators he's played for dating back to his Auburn days, said that Shanahan has brought instant credibility to the Redskins.

"With Coach Shanahan and Bruce Allen, there's already a new feeling to the team," said Campbell. "Guys are going to follow [shanahan] because he has a proven résumé. The main thing we need is discipline, and you can already see that guys are carrying themselves in a different manner."

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[Chicken Fried]

:doh::doh::doh::doh::doh::doh::doh::doh::doh::doh:

It's been real guys.

On the bright side, at least we don't have Jamarcus Russell.

EDIT: I don't like the fact that he acts as if he had a great season despite his team dragging him down. He may not have meant that, but that's how I read it. He seems to have that attitude that it's not all his fault. Granted, it's not, but he needs to act more like a leader and say, "We didn't play well as a team, and it starts with me. I'm going to regroup this offseason and work on my weaknesses."

[SkinsHokieFan]

JC preparing like a pro as always. You have to admire him for that.

My personal bet is he isn't here in September/ We'll see though, the tea leaves are hard to read on this one

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

If that's the plan, it's time to draw up a new one.

Hail.

[TheDiplomat]

I read this article and just had no more emotion in me to even be stirred up. I want this QB thing to be all over like NOW. While I do have a preference I'll root for whoever is behind center. And JC we know you had no O-line. We watched all 16 games. Don't keep reminding us in every interview how average you were behind a horrible o-line.

[wvuskins15]

i think campbell can can get it done with an improved line and more open offense they they will have this year. gotta get the next chris samuels in the first

[grego]

how average you were behind a horrible o-line.

therein lies the debate.

[ArmchairRedskin]

JC being here wouldn't be the worst thing. Our shiny new draft pick can sit a year while Campbell leads us to 8-8. Or maybe he'll lead us to 5-8 before the new guy gets put in. Who knows. The important thing is we need a vet QB to take the reins opening day.

It's in JC's best interest to go forward as if he were to be that guy. It's in our team's best interest as well as it would force other teams to assume that he'll be our starter and put that into consideration if they were so inclined to try and deal for him.

[zCommander]

Why would a coach tell him won't be here if he wants to trade him. Food for thought.

[Soup]

JC being here wouldn't be the worst thing. Our shiny new draft pick can sit a year while Campbell leads us to 8-8. Or maybe he'll lead us to 5-8 before the new guy gets put in. Who knows. The important thing is we need a vet QB to take the reins opening day.

It's in JC's best interest to go forward as if he were to be that guy. It's in our team's best interest as well as it would force other teams to assume that as well and put that into consideration if they were so inclined to try and deal for him.

I expect the redskins to play hard nose football in 2010 no matter which QB is under center. The whole season will be dog fights, low scores and relying on the defense and running game.

[Cwoolery]

Further proof that God is a Cowboys fan.

[McD5]

He needs to be given another five years to show what he has.

Championship!

[mistertim]

If that's the plan, it's time to draw up a new one.

Hail.

Thank you, mister Hog Heaven. I and my scouting department will take your expert opinion into...consideration. Don't call us, we'll call you. Thanks again for the help.

[grego]

i just heard BLC was shopping for shower rods.

[Chump Bailey]

he needs to act more like a leader

Sure does.

[SWFLSkins]

Further proof that God is a Cowboys fan.

Blasphemy. :fly:

[mistertim]

EDIT: I don't like the fact that he acts as if he had a great season despite his team dragging him down. He may not have meant that, but that's how I read it. He seems to have that attitude that it's not all his fault. Granted, it's not, but he needs to act more like a leader and say, "We didn't play well as a team, and it starts with me. I'm going to regroup this offseason and work on my weaknesses."

When did he say he had a great season? He said he was able to put up one of his best seasons besides a bunch of turmoil. If you watched last season and don't think the word "turmoil" applies to the cluster**** that was going on all the way from the OL falling apart to the coaching to the moronathon of an FO, I don't know what to tell you.

Like it or not, what he said is true. When you go 4-12 the QB is always the biggest one under the microscope. I'm guessing he is at least a bit sick of people pointing the finger at him and talking about how he is horrible and its mostly his fault, even though he was one of the few people on offense that actually even showed up.

I get it. You all want him to come out and just admit that he stunk and put all the burden on his shoulders, even if it is complete BS. That is being a leader? "Well, everyone seems to think this...so I guess I'll just say it to appease them". That sounds more cowardly than sticking up for yourself. It isn't like he threw certain players or coaches under the bus. He simply stated another fact: he did get pressured very quickly, all the damn time.

[Horton_Predator48]

The best part of this offseason is that you can see a vast difference in how the team is being run. It seems the only information coming out of the organization is the information that Bruce and Shanny want out.

Personally I don't think anyone in reality is going to come in and do any better than JC next year. I'm not saying he is Montana or anything, but the team has higher priorities. A solid Oline is going to make JC look even better. I would rather see us draft oline in the 1st and 2nd. All I can think about is Ryan Leaf. Call me chicken, just me.

[JimmyConway]

The best part of this offseason is that you can see a vast difference in how the team is being run. It seems the only information coming out of the organization is the information that Bruce and Shanny want out.

Personally I don't think anyone in reality is going to come in and do any better than JC next year. I'm not saying he is Montana or anything, but the team has higher priorities. A solid Oline is going to make JC look even better. I would rather see us draft oline in the 1st and 2nd. All I can think about is Ryan Leaf. Call me chicken, just me.

That's exactly what I took away from this. The organization is now playing their hand close to the chest, which is something we haven't experienced in a long, long time. It seems like this offseason will be a very quiet one.

The other positive, he described players already acting differently. That's because the players now realize that Shanlen is running the show and it doesn't matter what name is on the back of their jersey. Either they play, and play hard or they GTFO of D.C. aka being held accountable.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Shanahan

Thank you, mister Hog Heaven. I and my scouting department will take your expert opinion into...consideration. Don't call us, we'll call you. Thanks again for the help.

Yout welcome Coach. Any time I can be of service.

*Rides of in the black BoB van saying "I love it when a plan comes together!" .

Hail.

[Scamp1]

Further proof that God is a Cowboys fan.

No futher proof , teenagers shouldnt burn weed and post here.:dallasuck

[Loyal2Washington]

If that's the plan then... Well we already know how bad it can get so WTF lets try it again. Second verse same as the first.

The more I read coming out of Redskin Park the more confidence I lose. A perfect rebuilding time is upon us and it's the SOS. So I guess the excuse next offseason is Campbell was playing behind a young inexperienced line, things will be better in year 2 under Shanny.

[icbmayday]

Give the guy a O line and some good play calling and JC can defaintely be a top 10 qb in this league. It is so many QB's in the NFL who he had a better year than including Matt Ryann.................

I hope he can prove all the naysayers wrong

[mistertim]

If that's the plan then... Well we already know how bad it can get so WTF lets try it again. Second verse same as the first.

The more I read coming out of Redskin Park the more confidence I lose. A perfect rebuilding time is upon us and it's the SOS. So I guess the excuse next offseason is Campbell was playing behind a young inexperienced line, things will be better in year 2 under Shanny.

So if Shanny and Allen decide to go heavy on OL this draft instead of doing what you apparently want (drafting a QB) does that still qualify as the "SOS" to you, seeing as how this team has been neglecting the OL for the last decade? Sort of seems like you only qualify Campbell as the "SOS".

[Warhead36]

I think we resign him to a 1 year deal while drafting a QB with our 4th pick. Shanny won't get rid of him unless some team offers the farm, which nobody will.