Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

Dear Mark,

Regardless of how crappy the second and third stringers were you played against at Carolina were, you proved to me that you still indeed have gas left in the tank. The noodle, limp-wristed bitch arm that you showed last year gave way to something that we remember for the Mark Brunell of old. Not to take away NOR add anything to a simple preaseason game, I will say that just seeing that you have the ability to make throws makes me less fearful of having you come in during an emergency situation. I apologize for my negativity during last year and for booing you off the field against the Bengals, especially with your kids in the stands. Now, don't get me wrong and think I want you starting, now I DIDN'T say THAT. But if you do have to come in, you won't have to worry about this guy booing you off the field because I know you still have SOMETHING.

Sincerely,

Ben

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of Mark Brunell just yet. Whether Ramsey goes down with an injury or plays himself out of the job... either way I see Brunell still playing a vital role at some point with the Redskins.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72]I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of Mark Brunell just yet. Whether Ramsey goes down with an injury or plays himself out of the job... either way I see Brunell still playing a vital role at some point with the Redskins.[/QUOTE]
Is your real name Joe Gibbs, Matty? Cuz that sounds an aweful lot like what Gibbs said during the off season about Brunell. Maybe Gibbs actually knows what he's talking about.

I still don't like Brunell, though. :D

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72]I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of Mark Brunell just yet. Whether Ramsey goes down with an injury or plays himself out of the job... either way I see Brunell still playing a vital role at some point with the Redskins.[/QUOTE]
Matty I agree.. Without reading too much into the 1st game and the scrimmage, it's obvious that Ramsey is not the answer that the coaching staff is looking for. Unless we get out to at least a 5-3 start, I expect Brunell to get the call and for Campbell to finish out December if we are not in the playoff race. Ramsey is going to have to win games, not manage them to keep his job.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

Everything will look different come Week 1 of the real season. Brunell and Ramsey will both be gone before 2007, regardless of how either of them perform.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

Don't get me wrong, I'm still a Ramsey fan and I think he'll settle down and claim the job.

I'm not ready to toss in the towel on him after one preseason game, I think the most likely scenario is that Ramsey gets hurt and Brunell comes in and makes a few spot starts.

Gibbs doesn't play games, if he wanted an open QB competition he easily could have had one. He could have said look, Mark was hurt last year, more so than we let on and he's healthy now and ready to compete for the job. I believe him when he says it's Ramsey's job, but I think in the back of his mind he trusts Brunell and would go to him in a heartbeat if needed.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

Nice post, MC. I definitely don't mind having Mark Brunell as my backup QB. When he started last year, he never had anywhere close to the pass protection that Ramsey just enjoyed against the Panthers. And Brunell's arm looks sharper now.

I honestly don't think we lose much if something happens to Ramsey and Brunell ends up playing.

I still want Ramsey starting, of course. But Brunell doesn't make me vomit, I'll put it that way.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

[QUOTE=cpayne5]Maybe Gibbs actually knows what he's talking about.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, maybe we keep clinging to the hope that Ramsey is going to be our guy to lead us to the Super Bowl. But maybe there's a reason Gibbs wanted Brunell now and Campbell for the future. I'm not closing the book on Ramsey by any means, but he needs to "win" the job, not just be appointed the starting QB in a press conference

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

Nice thread Malcolm, I was at the game myself and behind the bench for the Skins. Brunell may not be the starter but there were quite a few guys chatting him up through the game on the bench.

If Ramsey slips I fear the hook with come quickly, at least quicker than it did for Brunell last year.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

[QUOTE=TheMalcolmConnection]...The noodle, limp-wristed bitch arm... [/QUOTE]

LOL I would've shot milk on that one. Nice letter, though... very sincere.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

MB will be the starter by week 3. PR does not have what it takes to be successful in the nfl. There's a reason why the OBC did not want him and Gibbs has no confidence in him and he showed it last year and again on Sat night.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

[QUOTE=irish]MB will be the starter by week 3. PR does not have what it takes to be successful in the nfl. There's a reason why the OBC did not want him and Gibbs has no confidence in him and he showed it last year and again on Sat night.[/QUOTE]
week 3?
like it or not Ramsey as long as he doesn't lose his arm (knock knock kcock)is our starter till ATLEAST POSITIVELY ATLEAST week 4 and that is only if he throws 10 ints. Week 8 if he is actually sucking. so get used to it because he is here for 3 months. now i want to giv e Ramsey the full shot cmon. if for any reason brunnel starts, that is IT for Ramsey in DC, cmon he is part of our TEAM part of us, we have to give him a shot.

HAIL TO THE REDSKINS AND HAIL CONSISTANCY

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

I don't see Gibbs having a quick hook with PR unless he's seriously stinking it up. Gibbs doesn't play musical chairs with his QBs.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72]I don't see Gibbs having a quick hook with PR unless he's seriously stinking it up. Gibbs doesn't play musical chairs with his QBs.[/QUOTE]

Not sure if I agree on this Matty, Yes Gibbs history is he will stick with his guy, but this is a little different. Ramsey is not "his guy" and he also made the comment last year that he felt he should have pulled Brunnell sooner than he did to give Patrick a shot. If we are 0-4 I think he will pull the trigger.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

[QUOTE=irish]MB will be the starter by week 3. PR does not have what it takes to be successful in the nfl. There's a reason why the OBC did not want him and Gibbs has no confidence in him and he showed it last year and again on Sat night.[/QUOTE]

if we go 0-4 he might get benched, i don't see us losing to the bears, and after dallas the next three gamess are against better teams.. then in 4 weeks we have the giants 49ers and bucs and at that point we should be at least 4-4, which is better than the record brunell got us.

either way, i'm waiting till the bears game before making dire predictions.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

[QUOTE=Red Robert]Not sure if I agree on this Matty, Yes Gibbs history is he will stick with his guy, but this is a little different. Ramsey is not "his guy" and he also made the comment last year that he felt he should have pulled Brunnell sooner than he did to give Patrick a shot. If we are 0-4 I think he will pull the trigger.[/QUOTE]

0-4 would be seriously stinking it up in my book.

But let's say we're 2-2 and Ramsey is playing ok, not great but ok. I don't see Gibbs pulling the plug on him unless he's a disaster.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

i see us going 2-2 or 3-1 during the first 4 games i mean, bears is a win hopefully knock knock knock. Dallas is a good game but we can winknock knock knock. then we have our bye week, it sucks that early and then i believe it is seahalks broncos. both are teams that should be great, but the broncos are favorite to be last in their division and I know we can beat the seahalks knock knock knock . I like the first 4 weeks and if we lose all of the games(kncock knock knock) then there is either a serious problem w/ Ramsey or it is something that is seriously wrong with the fundamentals of our team.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

My main reason for this thread is because I guess a lot of us just needed a scapegoat last year and he was the most vulnerable target because most of us wanted Ramsey to be the man from the get-go.

Basically I just wanted to state that I now feel more comfortable having him as a backup. I'm also with everyone else who feels Ramsey will step it up and get it done.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

I was impressed with what I saw of Mark during the game against us Saturday night. He is a veteran QB with a ton of skills, and even though he may have lost some of his touch, he still has what it takes to be a starter in the NFL, in my opinion. That being said, I doubt Gibbs will pull Ramsey without some pretty serious provocation to do so.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

I hope Brunell continues to show us improvement like he did against Carolina. After watching the game again on NFL network, I am actually feeling better about our offense....I know that might sound stupid, but I do.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

I've gotta agree with the apology letter. I was at the Packers game and booed Brunell, but after reading the article about him, I wish I hadn't booed anybody. While I'm hoping Ramsey turns in a solid year for us, everything mentioned about Brunell's performance against Carolina gives me some peace about our qb "sitcheation."

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

[QUOTE=PantherFan007]I was impressed with what I saw of Mark during the game against us Saturday night. He is a veteran QB with a ton of skills, and even though he may have lost some of his touch, he still has what it takes to be a starter in the NFL, in my opinion. That being said, I doubt Gibbs will pull Ramsey without some pretty serious provocation to do so.[/QUOTE]

Congrats on the game Pantherfan. Your defense was aggressive and you guys know who your starting QB will be.......sigh! Good Luck this coming season.


Condolences on Sam Mills---a good guy with too short a life...........
P.S. why didn't you guys wait until the real season started to retire his jersey?

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

As much as I like Burnell as a person (good character guy) I thought his arm was spent and he was done. So I was surprsingly impressed to see some ole zip in his arm.
But it's too early to really assess the QBs......I want to see them play some more.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

I did feel bad when I heard Brunnel talk about how he was getting booed with his kids in the stand... but thene again, he really sucked. bad.

I felt better when I remembered he could take his kids out to he ice cream store after the game and not have to worry about the money... or he could buy the ice cream store...

Mark looked like the guy we wanted last year in the first preseason game. He has to understand though that when you get paid like an elite player you have to play great. He didn't even play mediocore. Lets all hope he is back. (but remember that the guys reporting from camp have not been impressed)

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

I never dreamed I would read anything that sounded in the least bit positive about Brunell after the way he was so badly trashed for his performance last year. It just goes to show how you're only as good as your last play in the NFL. I said on more than one ocasion early in the off-season that all of what happened last year was not Brunell's fault,but a combination of things. It was vedry easy to make him the goat because many of us wanted Ramsey from the get-go.

If Ramsey plays poorly, he plays his way to the bench. If he plays great, we wont be able to afford him when his contract expires because someone will show him the money, and it will be far more than we will be able to invest in the QB position now that JC is aboard. If he dosen't improve his play sometime in the near future he's looking at a journeyman status to define his NFL career.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

I don't think you guys remember Brunell's games last year...Ramsey couldn't do THAT bad if he tried.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

He's making 43 million bucks. He SHOULD be able to throw the dang ball! We have nothing to apologize for.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

[QUOTE=Longtimefan]I never dreamed I would read anything that sounded in the least bit positive about Brunell after the way he was so badly trashed for his performance last year. It just goes to show how you're only as good as your last play in the NFL. I said on more than one ocasion early in the off-season that all of what happened last year was not Brunell's fault,but a combination of things. It was vedry easy to make him the goat because many of us wanted Ramsey from the get-go.[/QUOTE]

True, there were a few of us who said that. But the reality is that the QB will always get more credit than he deserves when things are going well and more blame when they aren't. Brunell needed to step up this offseason and so far he has. Good for him. Good for all of us

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

I would like to take this time to reapologize to Brunell, YOU STILL STINK!

When's he going to apologize to us? 43 mil and a second rounder???????????????????????????????????????

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

well he did lighten the cap load

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

A part of me would almost like to see Brunell start, play well all season and shut up people like Lenny P. who said he was washed up.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

That's my point, PR will stink it up. I dont think the skins will go 0-4 but no matter what the record, I dont see PR getting the job done. Gibbs has no faith in him at all and PR has done nothing to change Gibbs view. MB will be the starter for game #4 and next season it will be Campbell. I dont see PR even being on the squad next year.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

Well, 8/12 for 77 yards isn't exactly horrible, especially considering how bad he was last year at this time.

He'll have to be alot worse than that to lose the job.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

I'm not ready to see Brunell in a regular season game. He will have to do alot more than a few nice drives against the Panthers 2nd/3rd stringers, for me to calll for him. Keep in mind, I'm/was a huge Brunell fan. I still like the guy, but not as the player anymore. I hope he stays on the bench unless PRam goes down with injury.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72]A part of me would almost like to see Brunell start, play well all season and shut up people like Lenny P. who said he was washed up.[/QUOTE]

I'm kind of with you on this one. I don't doubt that most people aren't really upset that he played so poorly last season. Sure, that was unsettling, frustrating even. But what really gets to people is his big contract and the fact that the Skins gave up a 3rd round draft pick for him. However, to blame him for agreeing to that contract (which he later restructured anyway), and making that trade seems sort of ridiculous to me. So does the impression some seem to have that he played poorly on purpose.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

Those who are beating up Patrick for not performing well (which is an arguable point) should keep in mind that our run-first offense was primarily passing. In fact, since Portis (1 carry) and Betts (4 carries) were done very early, the "first team offense" was playing with the third-team RB (Cartwright) - which was an easy tell as to what type of play was coming next. Carolina's defense rarely rushed more than the front four, allowing the LBs to drop into coverage. That made for a crowded secondary, and a more difficult passing game.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

Joe Gibbs had been out of coaching twelve years and before knowing the names of a half dozen players, he felt the need to acquire a veteran QB that could run his offense the way he wanted. I'm sure when Bugel decided to follow Joe back to Washington the two of them had a long discussion relevant to Patrick Ramsey. Bugel had been brought in the year before at the behest of Snyder to access the team and it's struggles under then coach Spurrier. I feel safe in beleiving that after Buges had the opportunity to observe Ramsey from a distance he saw enough to convince Joe that it may be wise to make an attempt at a veteran QB with the tools to run the system. While things didn't work out really well last year, this is a new year and it's not Brunell's fault the team decided to pay him what they did. Further, there are players (not fans) on the team who have readily admitted the fact that much of their struggles early on last year did not rest at the feet of any one individual.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

[QUOTE=irish] Gibbs has no faith in him at all and PR has done nothing to change Gibbs view. [/QUOTE]

I think it's a little overboard to say that Gibbs has no faith in PR. Though he may have some reservations, which will play themselves out on the field this year, I don't think it's safe to say Gibbs has no faith in PR.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

I think trading draft picks for a borderline over the hill qb then the next year drafting a qb with the teams 1st pick all the while having a qb with 3 years in the league tells me Gibbs has no faith in PR. If he did there would have been no need to draft Campbell. Gibbs will give PR his shot but he wont stick with him too long when/if things go bad.

Re: Dear Mark, I'm sorry...
 

Agreed. But let's not ruin Ramsey's trade value by giving him a bad name like we did with Gardner. Catch my drift? Oh. He dropped it, again. :oink: