RedskinsVision
07-27-2004, 09:56 PM
http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2004/072004/07252004/1442716
the 16 year old prodigy writer Grant Paulsen at it again..
ON THE SURFACE, the Washington Redskins' offseason looks just like several that preceded it. Yet again, the Redskins made an enormous splash in free agency, spending early and often for the fifth straight year. Also, an abundance of major contributors from last season led an exodus out of the Redskins' locker room and into new cities.
Over 20 new faces came aboard to try to help turn the team back into a winner, and 15 should compete for major playing time. New starters will line up all over the field: up to five on offense and half a dozen on defense.
And, as he has done in three of the past five offseasons, impatient owner Daniel Snyder hired a new head coach. The difference this time is that the teacher with the whistle is a former champion, Joe Gibbs.
One difference this season is the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position. In years past, the team has entered training camp with a favorite, and in most cases has already known who will be No. 1 come September.
The coaching staff continues to assert that there will be a battle for the job and that neither veteran free agent Mark Brunell nor incumbent Patrick Ramsey has the upper hand.
Quarterback is one of a select few positions that should remain undetermined until deep into camp. Brunell and Ramsey will go toe-to-toe throughout camp.
Brunell signed a prodigious contract for a signal-caller who may end up holding a clipboard; the 33-year-old makes nearly $5 million more than his younger adversary.
Ramsey is a 24-year-old with 16 career starts in two pro seasons in Washington. He initially won the job midway through his rookie season and played at a high level despite injuries throughout much of his sophomore campaign.
Ramsey and Brunell are about as opposite as two quarterbacks can be. One throws left-handed, one tosses with his right; one's in the waning days of his career and one is entering what should be his prime. Brunell has been to the playoffs, most recently in 1999, while Ramsey has not.
No matter whom Gibbs chooses, the Redskins should be in good hands. Brunell has shown throughout his career that he can be among the game's most efficient passers when given adequate time. Last season Ramsey was thrown to the wolves behind a line using college blocking schemes, but still managed to thrive at times under ridiculous pressure.
Choosing a starting quarterback might be the first of many tough decisions that Gibbs will be forced to make in his bid to return the Redskins to glory. Luckily for him, though, he is choosing between two seemingly capable players.
The question isn't whether they can get to the next level, but how soon they'll attain greatness.
the 16 year old prodigy writer Grant Paulsen at it again..
ON THE SURFACE, the Washington Redskins' offseason looks just like several that preceded it. Yet again, the Redskins made an enormous splash in free agency, spending early and often for the fifth straight year. Also, an abundance of major contributors from last season led an exodus out of the Redskins' locker room and into new cities.
Over 20 new faces came aboard to try to help turn the team back into a winner, and 15 should compete for major playing time. New starters will line up all over the field: up to five on offense and half a dozen on defense.
And, as he has done in three of the past five offseasons, impatient owner Daniel Snyder hired a new head coach. The difference this time is that the teacher with the whistle is a former champion, Joe Gibbs.
One difference this season is the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position. In years past, the team has entered training camp with a favorite, and in most cases has already known who will be No. 1 come September.
The coaching staff continues to assert that there will be a battle for the job and that neither veteran free agent Mark Brunell nor incumbent Patrick Ramsey has the upper hand.
Quarterback is one of a select few positions that should remain undetermined until deep into camp. Brunell and Ramsey will go toe-to-toe throughout camp.
Brunell signed a prodigious contract for a signal-caller who may end up holding a clipboard; the 33-year-old makes nearly $5 million more than his younger adversary.
Ramsey is a 24-year-old with 16 career starts in two pro seasons in Washington. He initially won the job midway through his rookie season and played at a high level despite injuries throughout much of his sophomore campaign.
Ramsey and Brunell are about as opposite as two quarterbacks can be. One throws left-handed, one tosses with his right; one's in the waning days of his career and one is entering what should be his prime. Brunell has been to the playoffs, most recently in 1999, while Ramsey has not.
No matter whom Gibbs chooses, the Redskins should be in good hands. Brunell has shown throughout his career that he can be among the game's most efficient passers when given adequate time. Last season Ramsey was thrown to the wolves behind a line using college blocking schemes, but still managed to thrive at times under ridiculous pressure.
Choosing a starting quarterback might be the first of many tough decisions that Gibbs will be forced to make in his bid to return the Redskins to glory. Luckily for him, though, he is choosing between two seemingly capable players.
The question isn't whether they can get to the next level, but how soon they'll attain greatness.