"Jason Campbell struggles against the Steelers"

[12thMan]

I keep hearing people say all we need for Jason Campbell to do is manage the game. Then they go on to point to the Ravens stellar Super Bowl defensive unit as evidence that you can win championships in the NFL with a mediocre quarterback and a top notch defense. While that may be true, it's the exception and not the rule in the NFL.

I think that logic is flawed on two fronts. First, that Raven's defensive unit could arguably go down as the most dominate defensive unit of all time. Possibly. We're talking a few Hall of Famers on that team too. In no way does the Redskins current defensive unit resemble that Ravens Super Bowl team.

Secondly, isn't that what the Redskins were doing last year anyway. Get a lead and sit on it? It's not that Jason can't manage a game, the offense just became too predictable down the stretch. I don't care how well you manage a game in the NFL, you still need more points than the other team. The Ravens Super Bowl defensive unit could actually score touchdowns when the offense didn't. If the Redskins can't put up more than 21 points per game this year, I don't care how much Campbell has improved we won't win that many games.

The two starting quarterbacks in last year's Super Bowl, had more fumbles and lost fumbles than Jason Campbell. Campbell had a total of 7 fumbles last season and lost only one. Roughly half the number he had the previous year. Big Ben had 14 fumbles last season and lost seven. Kurt Warner had 11 fumbles and lost seven. I think it's worth noting that Campbell only had six interceptions as well. Compared to Warner and Big Ben, Campbell is taking care of the ball.

So it's not just about managing the game, but managing the momentum of the game. Campbell needs to take more risks with the ball and let the chips fall where they may. Now whether that's a coaching decision or a Jason Campbell decision, I don't know. But we will soon find out.