Brunell is the starter

[Shane]

Brunell made the first step toward being a true Redskin in this game. Before tonight he was a Jaguar with an Indian on his helmet.

Brunell started to come alive for the first time in a Redskin uniform tonight after the sluggish start. John Madden with his usual insight pointed it out just when he started to get sparked in the second quarter.

The touchdown throw to Gardner with the game in the balance - it does not get better than that, manuevering to avoid the sack and throwing that frozen rope into the end zone.

He made a statement. He just needs to build on it. He has to show that kind of leadership not just in the most charged emotional circumstances like tonight, but consistently.

You can't question his arm. Brunell has a strong arm. Is he going to need to improve his conditioning a little with all the designed rollouts and the pressure? He will, but he found his second wind on the last two drives and made the big plays.

Brunell has to have the passion to win, the desire to be a Redskin champion. This was a real step forward.