The Ramsey Dilemma

So it's pretty apparent that Ramsey hasn't done anything to earn Gibbs' trust as a starting QB to start the season. Some guys on ESPN say that they think Ramsey will finish the season but that Gibbs wants Brunell early on in the season to basically serve as on-field coach until Gibbs settles back into the NFL-and its new substitution rules since he left.

Here's the thing though. To me the biggest difference is not the talent. Put them in a straight throwing competition and I'm sure Ramsey wins just about every time. But it's the intangibles-checking off receivers, knowing when to throw the ball away, etc.

All that comes from experience. So here's the Catch-22 then. Ramsey can't become better if he's not playing can he? Practice can only do so much and yet we can't really afford to have him on the field right now. Not the way he's been playing

So what do you guys think? If you were Joe Gibbs-wouldn't that be sweet!-how do you help Ramsey become a better game day QB without sacrificing the team's immediate success?

You can develope a QB in practice, especially one who has in game expierience such as Ramsey, he know's the speed of the game, it's just a matter of him learning the offense, and trusting his reciever's in the new offense, once he feel's comfortable with that he will be fine, we also have to take into account matchup's in this competition, as well as we are very bland right now which is making the job of both QB's tougher.

I think that this season is extremely important for Ramsey. Once Brunnell is named the official starter and Ramsey can settle down and just be himself I'm curious how he'll play. He needs to get his habit of holding on too long and his slow release fixed. Let him watch Brunnell for a bit and settle in. If he still plays like this come the end of the season, I'm going to be curious if he is indeed the heir to this team.

One thing for sure is that Gibbs does not like to lose, thinks this team can win now and won't play Ramsey before he's ready. That's why he brought in Brunnell. Give Joe some credit for recognizing early that he needed a veteran until Ramsey is ready.

Gibbs is patient developing QBs and Patrick is more gifted than any of the 3 QBs that Joe took to the Superbowl. Ramsey will be a Superbowl winner someday. We have to be patient too.

"The realization is growing that, relative to most quarterbacks his age, Ramsey has had very rudimentary football schooling. In high school, he was nationally known as a javelin thrower as much or more than a quarterback. At Tulane, hardly a college power, he spent most of his time proving his courage behind poor offensive lines. Then, finally, as a Redskin, he spent two years of his career learning the one offensive system on the planet that is of no use whatsoever to an NFL quarterback: Steve Spurrier's chuck 'n' duck"
(Thomas Boswell)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40551-2004Aug28.html?nav=headlines

I am beginning to think that Patrick Ramsey may have had it right when he made noises about wanting to be traded after Mark Brunell arrived. The Redskins are in a big push to win as soon as possible. Can Ramsey learn fast enough? Time will tell.

I think Ramsey would be better off playing for a team that is not in the race for the playoffs, who need to develop a young quarterback, and who might give him some starts.

Why does Ramsey have to start now?
Why would it be better for him somewhere else?
He's in a no pressure situation this year.
He's being tutored by a Hall of Fame coach.
Would he be better off in Arizona or San Diego getting pummeled starting for a losing team?
I think he got plenty of that last year and he's no better for it.

The team that wanted Ramsey wasn't exactly Arizona or San Diego. It was Miami.

Miami is in a world of hurt. He's still in a better situation here.

The team that wanted Ramsey wasn't exactly Arizona or San Diego. It was Miami.

I think he would be better off with another team, like Miami, because I am skeptical that he is going to learn the ropes fast enough to fit with the Redskins' agenda.

We want to win a Super Bowl sooner rather than later and I don't think people will have the patience to wait for Ramsey to develop - if he ever does adequately, which is not a guarantee. Ramsey might be better off with a team that isn't going to feel like its title hopes would be jeopardized by letting him grow into the job.

He does have good character and plenty of talent, but his experience is very limited, as Boswell points out.

Besides the development issues for him, I don't know if his confidence is very high right now and that can translate into leadership issues if he were called into action. If he isn't sure of himself in this system, how can he inspire others to believe positive things are going to happpen when he gets into the huddle?

Well, when Miami wanted Ramsey, yes he would have. A strong TE, an elite Running back, and a pro-bowl callibre receiver. Ricky Williams alone could have helped Ramsey develop making teams be cautious with the blitz.

I'm glad we still have him, but back then Miami would have been a good option.