Now we know why Brunell kept dinking and dunking

[hesscl34]

I don’t understand what you guys are so upset about. What was Gibbs supposed to do? At the beginning of the season everyone was screaming Super Bowl. He knew there was no way a rookie was going to get us there, so he had to give Brunell a shot at it, even if he wasn’t 100%. I didn’t hear you all screaming about him letting Portis play injured, and how he was an idiot for not playing Betts the entire time. MB is a veteran, he's knows the players and the system and he can keep calm and make good choices in stressful situations. Gibbs has never been a coach to pin all the glory on the QB. They come and go with him and he believes it takes a lot more than a great QB to win a Super Bowl. I don't find it surprising at all that he chose to keep Brunell in for as long as he thought there was a shot. You all go way over board criticizing MB. He was a decent QB, and was totally capable of getting us to a Super Bowl. This season cannot and should not be pinned on him.

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by hesscl34

You all go way over board criticizing MB. He was a decent QB, and was totally capable of getting us to a Super Bowl. This season cannot and should not be pinned on him.

I don't think it's the least bit overboard to criticize the decision to continue starting a 36 year old quarterback with an injury that keeps MLB pitchers out of the lineup for a full year, no matter who's decision it was. Brunell obviously knew something was wrong with his shoulder and I'm not 100% convinced the coaching staff didn't know about it at all.

And I agree that Brunell would have been fine if the rest of the team executed every other of the aspect of the game perfectly, but when the team needed a playmaker Brunell was nowhere to be found. We'll never know truly how long his shoulder was injured, but either way, the plug should have been pulled on his season far earlier.

[irish]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

I don't think it's the least bit overboard to criticize the decision to continue starting a 36 year old quarterback with an injury that keeps MLB pitchers out of the lineup for a full year, no matter who's decision it was. Brunell obviously knew something was wrong with his shoulder and I'm not 100% convinced the coaching staff didn't know about it at all.

And I agree that Brunell would have been fine if the rest of the team executed every other of the aspect of the game perfectly, but when the team needed a playmaker Brunell was nowhere to be found. We'll never know truly how long his shoulder was injured, but either way, the plug should have been pulled on his season far earlier.

They were talking on Andy Pollen's show today (after reading the report) that MB had been injured from week 2 on.

[jsarno]

I think a lot of us here made speculation that Brunell was hurt during the season since his passing accuracy sucked anywhere beyond 10 yards.
I am quite annoyed at Brunell...he HAD to have had pain in the shoulder and never said a word???? Very disappointed.

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by irish

They were talking on Andy Pollen's show today (after reading the report) that MB had been injured from week 2 on.

Nice... So obviously it was known within the organization, and yet Gibbs would stand at the podium every week and talk about how well Brunell played and that he was fine, knowing he was injured...

[GREENSTHEMAN]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

The coaches should have diagnosed it when they kept watching the QB throw the ball 3 yards on 3-10.

I think now that the coaches new about the injury and it now makes sense why so many short passes where being used on the offensive game plan. It's too bad the coaching staff did not have more confidence in their back ups. What was the point of having Collins as the back up if he was never going to be used anyway??

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

Nice... So obviously it was known within the organization, and yet Gibbs would stand at the podium every week and talk about how well Brunell played and that he was fine, knowing he was injured...

Well, like I said

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

Well, like I said

Yeah, but I find it hard to believe that if Brunell was hurt in week 2, that no one else in the organization was aware of it until after the season. If that is the case, and Brunell was sacrificing the season just so he could keep his starting job, he should be cut. And I don't mean cut from the team, I mean cut with a rusty butcher knife...

[724Skinsfan]

I doubt Gibbs knew the severity of his injury, either. Gibbs probably asked him "How's the shoulder?" Brunell, not wanting to look like a pansy in front of the coolest dude ever, says "A little sore but usually after a couple days rest it feels better".

Does anyone honestly think that Gibbs would think "Hmm, my super good buddy Mark has a severely torn labrum which will prevent him from performing his duties. He's told me how bad it is but, hell, I don't care. I really don't. I loooove losing."

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

Yeah, but I find it hard to believe that if Brunell was hurt in week 2, that no one else in the organization was aware of it until after the season. If that is the case, and Brunell was sacrificing the season just so he could keep his starting job, he should be cut. And I don't mean cut from the team, I mean cut with a rusty butcher knife...

Right, but remember hurt and injured are two different things. Maybe he was hurt, aggravated it (tore the labrum), was benched and now it's being made public.

[Twilbert07]

Brunell might miss entire offseason program

By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com





Veteran quarterback Mark Brunell could miss the Washington Redskins' entire offseason program, and might not be ready until training camp in July, following Monday surgery to repair labrum damage to his throwing shoulder.
The question of Brunell's availability in the offseason, coupled with his scheduled base salary of $5.2 million for 2007, leaves his future with the Redskins uncertain. The 14-year veteran lost his starting job to Jason Campbell at midseason, and the youngster will go to camp No. 1 on the depth chart, meaning that Brunell will almost certainly be asked to rework his contract.
Brunell, 36, faces a grueling four- or five-month rehabilitation stretch on his left shoulder. And his base salary and the salary cap charges for 2007 are exorbitant for a player regarded as a backup. Washington officials are expected to approach several players about restructuring their contracts in the offseason. Brunell readjusted his contract in 2006 to help the Redskins. He is under contract through the 2010 season.
Coach Joe Gibbs reiterated last week that he would like to retain Brunell for 2007. Doing so would give the Redskins a proven backup and provide a steadying hand for Campbell, the team's first-round selection in the 2005 draft.
But with Brunell unlikely to be able to throw at all until June at the earliest, the Redskins might have to make some contingency plans. Little-used veteran Todd Collins is the other quarterback on the roster.
Brunell started the first nine games of the 2006 season for the Redskins but, with the team out of playoff contention, Gibbs finally turned to Campbell, who didn't take a single snap as a rookie in 2005. Campbell completed 110 of 207 passes for 1,297 yards, with 10 touchdown passes and six interceptions, and a passer rating of 76.5.
The former Auburn standout, who compiled a 2-5 record as the starter, had some rough spots, but also demonstrated great athleticism and a very live arm.
Senior writer Len Pasquarelli covers the NFL for ESPN.com.

[12thMan]

So now the question is does it makes sense for Gibbs to bring Brunell back in a back up role even after a retructure?

[hesscl34]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

So now the question is does it makes sense for Gibbs to bring Brunell back in a back up role even after a retructure?

Even though I'm a fan of MB, I would say no. Don't Brunell back..

[724Skinsfan]

I think that this now gives Brunell a very convenient excuse to retire. Not implying he's not hurt, I'm sure he is. Now he can say he's not quitting, he's retiring due to injury.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by 724Skinsfan

I think that this now gives Brunell a very convenient excuse to retire. Not implying he's not hurt, I'm sure he is. Now he can say he's not quitting, he's retiring due to injury.

I agree. At his age does he even want to tough out a grueling rehab to come back as a backup?? We'll see.