Gibbs Benches Ramsey, Elevates the Man with the Noodle Arm
Coach Joe Gibbs has benched Patrick Ramsey, naming Mark Brunell the starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins’ game Monday night against the Cowboys in Dallas. After informing Ramsey of the move, Gibbs announced it this afternoon at his weekly day-after-the-game press conference at Redskins Park.
“I made the decision that we’re going to start Mark,” Gibbs said, “and I know this is something that I’m saying to every fan out there and every person that thinks the world of the Redskins and pulls for them.
“I know a lot of people will disagree with this, and I understand that. For me personally, I felt like it was a decision I had to make. I think we’ve got a situation where two quarterbacks there can go in and win ballgames for us. I just felt like at this point, the best decision for us and for the Redskins was to start Mark.”
Well, count me among the disagreers. The Redskins spent the offseason adding speed to the receiving corps in David Patten, Santana Moss, and Kevin Dyson. That speed is going to be frittered away on a quarterback who proved Sunday that he can’t throw a ball 50 yards.
The simple fact is that Patrick Ramsey never was Joe Gibbs’ guy, and he was never going to be. As much as I admire Gibbs, he never gave Ramsey a fair shake, never gave him a line that could protect him for the requisite five seconds, and never allowed him to demonstrate that cannon he has for an arm.
Instead, he signed Brunell and pushed Ramsey into a QB controversy after Ramsey spent a whole year getting his brains beaten out my opposing defenses and showing the entire league his toughness and willingness to take one (or twenty) for the team. Then the team drafted a rookie QB and essentially told us all that the kid was the future, even though Ramsey is still quite young and still learning the game.
Brunell’s soggy spaghetti arm is going to cost the team at least two games and his happy feet is going to cost them one more. Considering that Ramsey has reportedly asked for a trade (Miami? Are you listening?), the Redskins just traded a potential playoff season for one where they’ll be lucky to break .500.
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Category: My Beloved Redskins
Your blood pressure is sky-high right now, isn't it?
Mine too.
It certainly was last night. What in the world is Gibbs thinking?
I agree that Brunell is not the answer but at what point does Ramsey's continued turnovers off-set his ability?
Ramsey has the opportunity to be a good quarterback but not with the skins, I hope he is traded to a team with an opportunity but I'm afraid that He's too much like a quarter back in Denver, lots of skill but has too many turnovers. Don't give up on this team we can make the playoffs, the only way it would be easier would be to have the colts schedule…what is up with that!
Heh … Jimmie, oh brother of mine … it seems we're on the same page today.
I have to disagree, Doc WNC. Ramsey has never had a full season where he's had the Coach's complete confidence and a competent offensive line with a professional-level pass-blocking scheme. I don't know that any QB would perform well in the conditions under which Ramsey's had to play.
Sure, he throws interceptions. He has a cannon for an arm, and he's young. He's going to try to use that cannon to force passes sometimes. I, personally, would rather have the occasional interception along with a bunch of big plays than few interceptions along with no passes going more than 30 yars because the QB can't throw the ball farther than that. Besides, with the defense the 'Skins have, we can afford the occasional interception deep in the other team's territory. I do remember, though, that Brunell threw an early INT Sunday that was only called back because of a penalty.
I really do think that Gibbs is giving away what could have been a surprisingly good year because he can't quite bring himself to let Ramsey grow into his job.
Robbie – This does not surprise me.
I guess those of you who think Brunell has a weak arm didn't watch any of the preseason games. Mark had a rifle of an arm and hit his targets with much more accuracy than Ramsey.
I saw the game Sunday, and that wounded duck that needed a tailwind to go 50 yards, man.
Brunell just threw an INT…I'm pretty sure that was you I heard cursing.