What If...?
 

First off, let me just preface this by saying that I am really rooting for Ramsey to succeed and I think that he's more than capable of being a very good QB in the NFL for years to come.

But suppose, just suppose, that in the preseason Ramsey really struggles and Brunell (or even Campbell) on the other hand really plays well. Or at the very least, outplays Ramsey. Does Gibbs go back on what he said about Ramsey starting and go with the hot hand that gives them the best chance to win right now or does he just go ahead and throw Ramsey into the fire and let him learn on the job. At the expense of sacrificing another season?

I mean I don't think Gibbs would go back on his word. And I know he has talked about it not being a "quick-fix solution" here in Washington. But I think he must feel some pressure (internally at least) to have a winning record this year, if not a playoff appearance. So I don't know, just something I was thinking about today.

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You know what...I think he sticks with Ramsey. I think Ramsey is really really going to have to stink up the joint to get pulled before the start of the season....but if this is the case, I really hope Gibbs skips over Mark and goes right to Campbell

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Interesting scenerio. I think it would basically boil down to down to wins and losses. If we go say, four and two..then five and two, or something. I think Gibbs sticks it out with Ramsey, no matter how he's playing. Gibbs will deflect concerns about Ramsey's performance and say, "Well Patrick's been really stickin it out for us the last couple of games and making some real good plays for us, but a couple of those balls could have gone either way.....if we could just get a couple of those passes back....Patrick's our starter, like I said at the begginning of the season. I don't see Gibbs pulling him before the half-way mark, especially if we have a winning record. Now let's flip the script...if we are say 2 and five or 2 and six, I think Gibbs will pull him at the half-way mark. And depending on who is number two at the time, will get the nod. As much as Skins fans would love to see JC get in there, he won't leap-frog over Brunell, much to our dismay, and get the call.

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I don't think that if Ramsey has a bad pre-season Gibbs will pull him. Like Gibbs says himself, there were years that in his first time with the team they went 0-4 in pre-season then went on to win the Super Bowl. I am not saying that will be the case this year, but he gave those QB's a fair shot in the regular season so I think that will be the same with Ramsey....

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I hope for the best with Ramsey...

I really liked Brunell back in the day, but I think he's creeping up there...

I'm excited about seeing what JC can do.

I am also concerned by Gibb's recent comments during the press conference...or lack there of when it comes to Ramsey.

Did you guys hear him say anything which would lead you to believe he is excited about Ramsey's prospects? I remember him singling out several players as extremely motivated, but heard no such comment or excitement about ramsey.

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[QUOTE=everest3k]I am also concerned by Gibb's recent comments during the press conference...or lack there of when it comes to Ramsey.

Did you guys hear him say anything which would lead you to believe he is excited about Ramsey's prospects? I remember him singling out several players as extremely motivated, but heard no such comment or excitement about ramsey.[/QUOTE]

I gotta agree. I was listening to the comments thinking "well, that was a less than enthusiastic endorsement". I had to replay them a second time to make sure I wasn't imagining it.

Gibbs seemed to be saying: "Well, we're gonna give Ramsey a shot and hope he shows progression. He looks like he is maturing - but I'm not convinced."

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Yikes. That is frightening. Let's hope that Patrick exceeds everyone's expectations and becomes the Antonio Pierce of our offense. :dallas:

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That's a big what if, but anything's possible.

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I think that Ramsey will be playing against 1st string defenses and Brunnel against 2nd string defenses. They are not competing for 1st string like last year. Because of this, you won't be able to draw any conclusion from preseason on who should be QB. Ramsey will start the season (barring injury).

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I also like Ramsey FINALLY getting all the reps with the 1st team.

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[QUOTE=JoeRedskin]I gotta agree. I was listening to the comments thinking "well, that was a less than enthusiastic endorsement". I had to replay them a second time to make sure I wasn't imagining it.

Gibbs seemed to be saying: "Well, we're gonna give Ramsey a shot and hope he shows progression. He looks like he is maturing - but I'm not convinced."[/QUOTE]

I noticed the same thing. I can't wait for Ramsey to "light it up".

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In the preseason, I dont think so. If Ramsey is doing terrible through the first three or four regular season games, I wouldnt be surpsied so see him out alot quicker than Brunell last season. Preseason is like night and day. I am really, really, really pulling for Ramsey to prove his haters wrong though, and I think he will.

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I'm not gonna even play the what if game.

Ramsey is the man and I expect big things from him this year.

The starting QB job is all his unless he gets hurt.

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[QUOTE=GoSkins!]I think that Ramsey will be playing against 1st string defenses and Brunnel against 2nd string defenses. They are not competing for 1st string like last year. Because of this, you won't be able to draw any conclusion from preseason on who should be QB. Ramsey will start the season (barring injury).[/QUOTE]

That's a good point that I really hadn't thought of....I should have also prefaced my original post by saying that I was totally sloshed out of my mind when I started thinking about this. Yes, there I was doing shots with some friends of mine and I suddenly thought "wow, what if Brunell really plays well this summer?"

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Gibbs stuck with Brunell last year in the same type of situation. I think he sticks with Ramsey unless it becomes clear that he isn't the answer.

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[QUOTE=TAFKAS]...there I was doing shots with some friends of mine and I suddenly thought "wow, what if Brunell really plays well this summer?"[/QUOTE]

now I understand...To think that you must have have quite a few!:)

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I don't think Gibbs is sold on PR just yet, so he is not going to give him credit left and right - but coach believes in him, I'm pretty certain of that - Ramsey is tough, smart, and patient, and has a strong arm, what can't Gibbs like about him??

I think people need to stop talking about Campbell, quick! He won't see the field this year, we are builiding this kid up in the same manner we built up Gibbs last year, Campbell might not even make it to camp!!!

I'm calling it - 19 TD's 9 INT's, 3500 yards for PR, leads us to a 9-7 record but we miss the playoffs on the last day of season.

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I honestly won't even say that he's not sold on Ramsey. I'll just say that we could have a very bad QB controversy next year, even IF Ramsey does great.

Say he does well, it's a contract year... Do you hold onto him for what will easily be a huge contract?

So he does poorly, would you rather NOT have a promising backup or would you rather have a journeyman a la Jeff George?

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Let's cross that bridge when we come to it. Hopefully everything will work out for the best, we'll soon find out how the QB picture is shaping up.

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Exactly. I fully expect us to not even be having this discussion year next.

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I knew I said I wasn't going to play the what if game but what the heck, I'm bored anyway.

If PR struggles this preseason, (I don't see how he will), but for the sake of discussion let's say he stinks it up. And let's say Brunell looks sharp, I mean really sharp. Then I'd say Gibbs definitely has a tough decision to make, and honestly if these two things happen I wouldn't be at all surprised if Gibbs makes the switch back to Brunell.

I think Ramsey would have to look pretty bad to lose the QB job at this point, and someone behind him would have to look pretty good. I don't see these two things both happening though, but I guess you can never say never.

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[QUOTE=Mattyk72]I knew I said I wasn't going to play the what if game but what the heck, I'm bored anyway.

If PR struggles this preseason, (I don't see how he will), but for the sake of discussion let's say he stinks it up. And let's say Brunell looks sharp, I mean really sharp. Then I'd say Gibbs definitely has a tough decision to make, and honestly if these two things happen I wouldn't be at all surprised if Gibbs makes the switch back to Brunell.

I think Ramsey would have to look pretty bad to lose the QB job at this point, and someone behind him would have to look pretty good. I don't see these two things both happening though, but I guess you can never say never.[/QUOTE]

I'm glad you decided to play! :biggthump

Isn't this more fun than speculating and complaining about players that aren't even on the team anymore (Champ, Pierce, Smoot, Barrow, etc.) At least there is some possibility to this scenario since they're both still Redskins

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If Ramsey struggles then we'll see how much Brunell really has left in the tank. I don't see this happening, Ramsey just has to get more comfortable with the offense and realize he doesn't have to win games. PR just has to run the show, get the ball to our playmakers and stay away from turnovers. If the offensive line can improve and keep PR clean then we'll win more than 6 games this year.

But given Gibbs' history and the developments of the past year I think Gibbs believes that greater competition at the qb spot will raise the level of play for the entire team. I think if anyone can get Ramsey to play at a high level Gibbs can, and I don't think keeping PR comfortable is part of that plan.

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Hmm...

My initial post here @ the warpath said that I was discouraged @ the prospects of the upcoming season because of all of the turmoil surrounding the team this offseason. I posted it to the boards here trying to get some positive perspective... (I largely got pounced on...even got accused of being a philly fan! :vomit-smi )
Gibbs came through with it in his press conference the other day...
He essentially said that offseason turmoil is part of the chess match. And that it's just part of the NFL...all teams deal with it. I have faith in Gibbs, and feel confident that he'll deal with whatever adversity that has/will arise with sound strategy.

...as for the QB stuff. I'm hoping for a really solid performance from the O-Line this year. We need to get back to Hog status! I remember Ramsey getting killed last year. Anyways, If the O-Line plays strong, Ramsey will need a few solid games (4 to 5) to really get confident and on top of his game. If we win these, and the O-line keeps him safe, (by blocking and also by setting up solid holes for Portis!) then I think Ramsey will take off...and start to play to the potential we hear so much about. I would envision @ least a wild card...with an even better 2006/2007 season ahead for Ramsey (not to mention a big fat paycheck)

On the other hand...if the O-Line doesn't hold tough the first 4-5 games and Ramsey takes a beating...I expect he'll get benched, and request a trade to another team in the offseason where he will eventually find the protection he needs and he'll find his rhythm.

This scenario would set us up for the notorious 'QB controversy', and with the front office banking on JC for this club's future... I think it would take 3 years or so for us to be contenders.

Bottom line, I think these first 4 to 5 games are absolutely pivotal. For gibbs, ramsey, the team....all involved. We've really got to come out swinging for us to get back to the glory! Come on O-line!! Fingers crossed for no injuries!!

Looking @ the schedule. These games are going to be tough ones too. 3 of the 5 are out of town. Luckily game 1 is at home such that we can get some momentum.

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The bottom line here is winning games. Everyone is going to be anxiously waiting to see what kind of start the team gets off too in 05, and loosing games is not an option.Gibbs is going to be feeling the heat if the team gets off to the same kind of start as last year. While Ramsey has been named the starter means little if he fails to perform to that level he needs to win games. Therefore I don't think Gibbs will be reluctant to pull him if he's not performing to expectations. It's not about who starts, it about who finishes. Gibbs stuck with Brunell much too long last year while we continued to loose games and I don't think he'll make that same mistake again this year. For the sake of positive results let's "hope" Ramsey will take off with the opportunity he has been given and any change at QB will become an afterthought.Again, the bottom line is winnimg.

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[QUOTE=everest3k]Hmm...

My initial post here @ the warpath said that I was discouraged @ the prospects of the upcoming season because of all of the turmoil surrounding the team this offseason. I posted it to the boards here trying to get some positive perspective... (I largely got pounced on...even got accused of being a philly fan! :vomit-smi )
Gibbs came through with it in his press conference the other day...
He essentially said that offseason turmoil is part of the chess match. And that it's just part of the NFL...all teams deal with it.[/QUOTE]

Well I don't want to take this thread off-topic here, but that's basically what 12thMan said in [URL=http://www.thewarpath.net/showpost.php?p=92943&postcount=16]response[/URL] to your initial post on this board

"First of all, I love you guys! Secondly, I couldn't agree with all of the positive coments more! [B]These so called negative elements that occur during offseason are frankly a part of coaching and running a professional football team.[/B]"

We love you too 12thMan

Re: What If...?
 

The potential backlash by not only the media, but more importantly in the lockerroom, if Gibbs pulls Ramsey for Brunell could possibly dismantle the team this year with the fallout causing problems maybe even next year. Ramsey needs to be given atleast 10-12 games seeing as to how Gibbs gave Brunell about that much time even though the switch should have come @ about week 4-5. And I've also wondered if Gibbs is saying and doing these things as motivation to further drive Ramsey to excel and fully capture the leadership role of the Redskins.

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I think ramsey's gonna do great. If he gets injured we will see brunell. I really feel that Brunell kinda made it into Gibbs "circle of trust" when he gave him a ride to the hospital after gibbs went into a diabetic fit at brunell's house, and Gibbs sticks by "his" guys. I've always kinda felt that's why it took so long to jerk him even though he was blatantly struggling in every game he played last year. Do any of you guys think that might have something to do with hanging on to him?

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[QUOTE=everest3k]Hmm...

My initial post here @ the warpath said that I was discouraged @ the prospects of the upcoming season because of all of the turmoil surrounding the team this offseason. I posted it to the boards here trying to get some positive perspective... (I largely got pounced on...even got accused of being a philly fan! :vomit-smi )[/QUOTE]

I remember you mr. grimm... I was wondering if you were some kind of other fan too, just because you seemed a little too skeptical, and your name wasn't Daseal. I saw several posts to your thread that were positive and I think that my reply to you was my best post on this thing, and I REALLY was trying to spread a little enthusiasm about whats going on from the "Redskins Eternal Optimists Club". By the time I was finished answering you I was already making plans for a February trip to Detroit.

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Ramsey is going to be fine this year. A lot of things are going to fall into place. Our Line is healthy and better, Portis is happy with new blocking schemes. Gibbs will open up the offense. But I have read that a lot of you think that Ramsey will throw less than 20 TDs this season. If that is the case we are in for a way worse season than the same people are predicting. No way he throws less than 20 TDs and we go for more than 7 wins. NOt going to happen. That is barely 1.5 TDs/game. If he can get us 22-25 this year we are in trouble. Which is more realistic, him getting 22-25 or Portis going from 5 to 13-14???

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[QUOTE=RedskinsJunkie]Ramsey is going to be fine this year. A lot of things are going to fall into place. Our Line is healthy and better, Portis is happy with new blocking schemes. Gibbs will open up the offense. But I have read that a lot of you think that Ramsey will throw less than 20 TDs this season. If that is the case we are in for a way worse season than the same people are predicting. No way he throws less than 20 TDs and we go for more than 7 wins. NOt going to happen. That is barely 1.5 TDs/game. If he can get us 22-25 this year we are in trouble. Which is more realistic, him getting 22-25 or Portis going from 5 to 13-14???[/QUOTE]

That is an excellent point about the 20+ tds. I guess that mainly stems from last season and the fact that we're concentrating more on the running game and bringing in some bruiser backs in the draft. That makes it look more like we'll have to score from inside the redzone, as we have a bit more conservative approach to the pass, utilizing our running backs, but if you stop to think about it... with all the wheels we have at WR, someone is bound to take a few to the house. Then we have Cooley, Royal, and Portis's/Betts recieving TD's. We should be set.

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Is this a contract year for Ramsey? If so, then I say he puts up probowl #s. They always seem to when it's a contract year AND they've got a $$ rookie waiting in the wings.

Nothing like money and rookies to motivate you.

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Or if you're Drew Brees.