What if?? Warner vs. Brunell

Paintrain · 01-14-2009, 03:40 PM

I posted this over at ES as well, but for more conversation fodder...

When Joe Gibbs came back in '04 he hitched the franchise to the aging arm and legs of Mark Brunell. In the same offseason the Redskins acquired Brunell in a trade, former MVP and Super Bowl champion Kurt Warner was available as a free agent.

Warner was facing similar questions as Brunell about his health, his ability to still be a starting QB and drop-off in productivity. Some of the 'intangibles' cited in bringing Brunell (shared Christian faith, strong leader, etc.) were shared by Warner as well. The sole 'advantage' that Brunell had was his mobility but as we saw, that was greatly overrated as Brunell had numerous leg injuries throughout his Redskin tenure.

How would the Redskins fortunes have changed if they chose Warner over Brunell in that fateful offseason?

For comparisons sake
Kurt Warner ('04-'08)
56 games (51 starts), 64.2 completion percentage, 80 TD, 49 INT

Mark Brunell ('04-'08)
37 games (35 starts), 56.6 completion percentage, 38 TD, 20 INT

Other Redskins QB
Todd Collins ('07)
4 games (3 starts), 63.8 completion percentage, 5 TD, 0 INT

Patrick Ramsey ('04-'05)
13 games (8 starts), 61.1 completion percentage, 11 TD, 12 INT

Jason Campbell ('05-'08)
36 games (36 starts), 59.7 completion percentage, 35 TD, 23 INT

Overall Redskins QB totals
60.3 completion percentage, 89 TD, 55 INT

Daseal · 01-14-2009, 03:50 PM

I'm guessing none. The Redskins ran (still run) a conservative offense. Part of why Warner puts up the numbers he does is from throwing the ball often. We tried to run and play good defense, Warner slings it. Anyone in a run, run, pass offense typically won't put up good numbers.

SBXVII · 01-14-2009, 04:16 PM

I'm guessing he would have done about as good as Brunell due to the fact our O-line's back then were hurting and Brunell was constantly pressured or sacked. Sound familiar....JC last year. Plus we only had one really good WR, Moss. Basically if he has no talent around him he sucks also.

Skinny Tee · 01-14-2009, 04:20 PM

Warner would of had a cost free burial at FedEx Field if he came here.

At least Brunell had some legs leftover to move around from the pressure. I don't think he would have lasted here with our offensive focus and the amount of pressure he would of had.

Miller101 · 01-14-2009, 04:36 PM

I'd take Brunnel over Warner anyday! Warner not only has the ugliest wife I've seen, but she does all his whining and complaining for him too! Can you imagine it? All of us chanting "Ramsey! Ramsey! Ramsey!" and then its time for Warner to do his press conference............................yeah, I'm glad we took Brunnel over him! Even though he's in a championship game right now I'm still glad.

CrazyCanuck · 01-14-2009, 04:48 PM

If we're talking hindsight I'd say letting Pierce go to the Giants was the biggest mistake we've made in the last few years...

skinsfan69 · 01-14-2009, 04:53 PM

If you put a line in front of Warner he is as good as anyone. Warner's problems came cause he kept fumbleling the ball. It looks like he simply needed to be coached up in some areas. Warner is a better QB than Brunell so we might have been able to have a more effective offense and we might have been able to beat Seattle in 05. I think it might have made a difference. Towards the end of 05 Brunell was dreadful to watch.

#21Taylor4Ever · 01-14-2009, 05:02 PM

Are you serious?? If we'd took Warner over Brunell, who would've thrown those two TDs to Moss vs. Dallas??

firstdown · 01-14-2009, 05:58 PM

What if we brought in Jeff George instead of Brunell?

jamf · 01-14-2009, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by #21Taylor4Ever

Are you serious?? If we'd took Warner over Brunell, who would've thrown those two TDs to Moss vs. Dallas??

Brunell and Troy Vincent will always have a special place in my heart

GTripp0012 · 01-14-2009, 06:07 PM

Probably would have been mostly the same, although Warner would have likely had a significant better 2004 season since Brunell was hurting that season. Warner's had a stronger career though, so it definitely wouldn't have hurt. Probably wouldn't have helped much either.

SkinzzFan · 01-14-2009, 06:27 PM

Instead of trading for Brunell we should have brought in Heath Shuler and Tony Banks to compete for the starting job! Just kidding, I like this thread but I really think Brunell fit our offense at the time better than Warner. Like others have said, the run heavy offense doesn't fit Warner's style. Plus Brunell was running for his life (even on rickety legs he's more mobile than Warner) that first season and Warner would have been killed! There are alot of personnel moves we can question (which is fun and all) but the bottom line is we are who we are right now. Honestly, I like where this team is at right now and with the right moves this offseason we can be even better next year.

HAIL!

SmootSmack · 01-14-2009, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Probably would have been mostly the same, although Warner would have likely had a significant better 2004 season since Brunell was hurting that season. Warner's had a stronger career though, so it definitely wouldn't have hurt. Probably wouldn't have helped much either.

I don't get how you're assuming Warner would have had a better season in 2004?

Riggo44 · 01-14-2009, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by #21Taylor4Ever

Are you serious?? If we'd took Warner over Brunell, who would've thrown those two TDs to Moss vs. Dallas??

Exactly!

SkinDogg · 01-14-2009, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miller101

I'd take Brunnel over Warner anyday! Warner not only has the ugliest wife I've seen, but she does all his whining and complaining for him too! Can you imagine it? All of us chanting "Ramsey! Ramsey! Ramsey!" and then its time for Warner to do his press conference............................yeah, I'm glad we took Brunnel over him! Even though he's in a championship game right now I'm still glad.

How old are you?

01-14-2009, 03:40 PM	#1
Paintrain Pro Bowl Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Age: 54 Posts: 5,006	What if?? Warner vs. Brunell I posted this over at ES as well, but for more conversation fodder... When Joe Gibbs came back in '04 he hitched the franchise to the aging arm and legs of Mark Brunell. In the same offseason the Redskins acquired Brunell in a trade, former MVP and Super Bowl champion Kurt Warner was available as a free agent. Warner was facing similar questions as Brunell about his health, his ability to still be a starting QB and drop-off in productivity. Some of the 'intangibles' cited in bringing Brunell (shared Christian faith, strong leader, etc.) were shared by Warner as well. The sole 'advantage' that Brunell had was his mobility but as we saw, that was greatly overrated as Brunell had numerous leg injuries throughout his Redskin tenure. How would the Redskins fortunes have changed if they chose Warner over Brunell in that fateful offseason? For comparisons sake Kurt Warner ('04-'08) 56 games (51 starts), 64.2 completion percentage, 80 TD, 49 INT Mark Brunell ('04-'08) 37 games (35 starts), 56.6 completion percentage, 38 TD, 20 INT Other Redskins QB Todd Collins ('07) 4 games (3 starts), 63.8 completion percentage, 5 TD, 0 INT Patrick Ramsey ('04-'05) 13 games (8 starts), 61.1 completion percentage, 11 TD, 12 INT Jason Campbell ('05-'08) 36 games (36 starts), 59.7 completion percentage, 35 TD, 23 INT Overall Redskins QB totals 60.3 completion percentage, 89 TD, 55 INT __________________ Paintrain's Redskins Fandom 1981-2014 I'm not dead but this team is dead to me...but now that McCloughan is here they may have new life! Jay Gruden = Zorny McSpurrier Kirk Cousins = Next Grossman Last edited by Paintrain; 01-14-2009 at 03:41 PM. Reason: Spelling

01-14-2009, 04:16 PM	#3
SBXVII Franchise Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 7,766	Re: What if?? Warner vs. Brunell I'm guessing he would have done about as good as Brunell due to the fact our O-line's back then were hurting and Brunell was constantly pressured or sacked. Sound familiar....JC last year. Plus we only had one really good WR, Moss. Basically if he has no talent around him he sucks also.

01-14-2009, 04:20 PM	#4
Skinny Tee The Starter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Redskins Nation Posts: 1,715	Re: What if?? Warner vs. Brunell Warner would of had a cost free burial at FedEx Field if he came here. At least Brunell had some legs leftover to move around from the pressure. I don't think he would have lasted here with our offensive focus and the amount of pressure he would of had. __________________ Redskinsly, _________Skinny Tee_________

01-14-2009, 04:36 PM	#5
Miller101 Special Teams Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 362	Re: What if?? Warner vs. Brunell I'd take Brunnel over Warner anyday! Warner not only has the ugliest wife I've seen, but she does all his whining and complaining for him too! Can you imagine it? All of us chanting "Ramsey! Ramsey! Ramsey!" and then its time for Warner to do his press conference............................yeah, I'm glad we took Brunnel over him! Even though he's in a championship game right now I'm still glad. __________________ "And the Redskins went down there and manhandled them and they basically undressed them and now everybody's been lining up to get a piece of them." - John Riggins on the last game we played in Texas Stadium

01-14-2009, 04:48 PM	#6
CrazyCanuck Serenity Now Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 2,008	Re: What if?? Warner vs. Brunell If we're talking hindsight I'd say letting Pierce go to the Giants was the biggest mistake we've made in the last few years...

01-14-2009, 03:50 PM	#2
Daseal Puppy Kicker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arlington, Virginia Age: 41 Posts: 8,341	Re: What if?? Warner vs. Brunell I'm guessing none. The Redskins ran (still run) a conservative offense. Part of why Warner puts up the numbers he does is from throwing the ball often. We tried to run and play good defense, Warner slings it. Anyone in a run, run, pass offense typically won't put up good numbers. __________________ Best. Player. Available.

01-14-2009, 04:53 PM	#7
skinsfan69 Living Legend Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 17,335	Re: What if?? Warner vs. Brunell If you put a line in front of Warner he is as good as anyone. Warner's problems came cause he kept fumbleling the ball. It looks like he simply needed to be coached up in some areas. Warner is a better QB than Brunell so we might have been able to have a more effective offense and we might have been able to beat Seattle in 05. I think it might have made a difference. Towards the end of 05 Brunell was dreadful to watch.

01-14-2009, 05:02 PM	#8
#21Taylor4Ever Camp Scrub Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Montgomery County, Md Age: 48 Posts: 20	Re: What if?? Warner vs. Brunell Are you serious?? If we'd took Warner over Brunell, who would've thrown those two TDs to Moss vs. Dallas??

01-14-2009, 05:58 PM	#9
firstdown Living Legend Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: chesapeake, va Age: 60 Posts: 15,817	Re: What if?? Warner vs. Brunell What if we brought in Jeff George instead of Brunell?

01-14-2009, 06:07 PM	#11
GTripp0012 Living Legend Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Evanston, IL Age: 36 Posts: 15,994	Re: What if?? Warner vs. Brunell Probably would have been mostly the same, although Warner would have likely had a significant better 2004 season since Brunell was hurting that season. Warner's had a stronger career though, so it definitely wouldn't have hurt. Probably wouldn't have helped much either. __________________ according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

01-14-2009, 06:27 PM	#12
SkinzzFan Special Teams Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Queensbury, NY Posts: 273	Re: What if?? Warner vs. Brunell Instead of trading for Brunell we should have brought in Heath Shuler and Tony Banks to compete for the starting job! Just kidding, I like this thread but I really think Brunell fit our offense at the time better than Warner. Like others have said, the run heavy offense doesn't fit Warner's style. Plus Brunell was running for his life (even on rickety legs he's more mobile than Warner) that first season and Warner would have been killed! There are alot of personnel moves we can question (which is fun and all) but the bottom line is we are who we are right now. Honestly, I like where this team is at right now and with the right moves this offseason we can be even better next year. HAIL! __________________ "Baseball is what we were, football is what we have become"

What if?? Warner vs. Brunell

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