Gibbs says "Mark's the man"
 

Mark brunell will be our starter this week. [url]http://msn.foxsports.com/story/3014918[/url]

This makes me think he may have started wavering:

"There's a temptation there," the Redskins' coach said Wednesday. "And you see it all the time. 'Let's change a person because it's an easy thing to do.' I want to do what's right. Right now, Mark's the guy."

so one of the league's worst offensive teams will remain one of the worst offensive teams, great

I must say that I have to agree with Gibbs for one more week. But if Brunell is still playing like crap at half time. I hope we bench his ass!

Gibbs is NEVER going to call out one of his players in the media, it's just not gonna happen no matter how poorly a player is performing. Standing behind his players in the press is his MO. He'll always deal with issues in-house.

Keep in mind that just because he publicly has Brunell's back it doesn't mean behind closed doors at Redskins Park he has the same stance. Gibbs has to see Brunell struggling, he also has to know that Ramsey's strong arm could add an interesting dimension to the offense.

Gibbs will make a change when he feels he has no choice. That choice could be coming soon. My prediction is Ramsey will be the starter after the bye if Brunell stinks up the joint in Chicago, and I wouldn't rule out Brunell getting the hook at halftime in Chicago if Brunell is playing poorly.

If we get blown out cause Brunell plays like sh*t, Ramsey should be our QB. I said after the game at Baltimore, that Gibbs should give Brunell one more shot, so I dont disagree with the decision to start him this weekend. However, if Brunell plays like complete crap, I think Ramsey needs to come in. So we'll see.

[QUOTE=cpayne5]
"There's a temptation there," the Redskins' coach said Wednesday. "And you see it all the time. 'Let's change a person because it's an easy thing to do.' I want to do what's right. Right now, Mark's the guy."[/QUOTE]Looks like 1-5 is on the way, at least the folks in Chicago will get to experience the joy of not losing this Sunday. How many losses is it going to take before Gibbs wakes up to the fact that Brunell is no longer a starting NFL caliber QB?

[QUOTE=DirtBagZ]Looks like 1-5 is on the way, at least the folks in Chicago will get to experience the joy of not losing this Sunday. How many losses is it going to take before Gibbs wakes up to the fact that Brunell is no longer a starting NFL caliber QB?[/QUOTE]

That's a great way to look at this week's game. To hell with a weak special teams and O line. Let's not even mention the bust that Portis has become. He's still thinking about the fumbles and hasn't been able to shake it off. If Portis is handling 90% of the handoffs we will certainly have another L in the column.

The offense just needs a spark and everybodies play will improve. I'm telling we get teh passing game going and things will open up in the run game. But you got to be able to throw the ball in the NFL its a passing league.

Brunell has to show he can push the ball up the field, he can't just sit back throw the ball away and hope something magical happen's to score points, if he's not showing he can do this, then give him the hook at halftime, I want to see consistant ball controlling drives, not a desperation bomb for a completion to pad stats.

"I would say if there's any person we could change on our football team that would help us, we would do it. ... I don't think I would hesitate to do it," Gibbs said. "But I also think that if somebody's earned that job and they're fighting their guts out doing everything they could and you look at it and say this guy's not the problem, that would be the wrong thing to do."

- Joe Gibbs

Joe Gibbs doesn't say one thing in public and then say another behind closed doors. There is no equivocation in the above statement.

Joe Gibbs isn't going to Pat Ramsey because Pat Ramsey just isn't ready to lead this football team, and Mark Brunell is not the problem. There are a host of reasons why the team isn't performing well on offense.

It wouldn't be wise to put Ramsey in there right now with the status of our transitionary offensive planning, our protection issues, and other issues on offense. It wouldn't be wise to put Ramsey in there with his current level of development as a quarterback. It would be too much to ask him to manage the offense effectively and also be an inspiring leader.

Furthermore it would send a message to the team that when the going gets tough, it's time to scapegoat someone - someone who is fighting his guts out and doing everything he can. That's not the Gibbs way, and that's not the Redskin way.

The best way to be happier is to change your expectations not your quarterback.

I'm hoping for a hamstring injury reoccurrence

[QUOTE=] Furthermore [putting Ramsey in] would send a message to the team that when the going gets tough, it's time to scapegoat someone - someone who is fighting his guts out and doing everything he can. That's not the Gibbs way, and that's not the Redskin way.[/QUOTE]

Excellent point.

Of all the justifications for continuing with Brunell, despite his obvious limitations, I think this is the most compelling. To switch to Ramsey when their are so many problems on offense right now is a relapse into the "Snyder Way", i.e. all it takes is one guy, one free agent, one hot draft pick, to turn this thing around.

While I don't think Brunell is cutting it, it does not appear that his teammates have given up on him. Until they do, neither should Gibbs nor the fans should.

Gibbs has made his choice, for good or ill, and will stick by it. This is something the players will probably respond to as it signifies a sea change from the majority of the Snyder years.

[QUOTE=Shane]
Joe Gibbs doesn't say one thing in public and then say another behind closed doors. There is no equivocation in the above statement.
[/QUOTE]
I think his former players might beg to differ

[QUOTE=Mattyk72]I think his former players might beg to differ[/QUOTE]

Joe Gibbs does not present one face publicly and then contradict that privately. No one honest would beg to differ about that.

It's not to say that he doesn't say things privately that he doesn't publicly - of course that is the case and that is entirely appropriate.

Here we have a definite statement from Joe about the quarterback situation. There is no way that he then goes behind the scenes and then says anything that contradicts that.

Joe is as honorable and good hearted a man as I know and he is honest. I know you didn't mean to say otherwise, but that statement might have led people to be confused about that.