Is This a Make or Break Season for Jason Campbell?

I think it is, for several reasons.

First of all, no team is going to break the bank for the top DT in football, pay $8.5M to a 34 year-old DE who was injured last season but who has demonstrated All-Pro ability in the past, and sign two other high-priced FA’s unless they intend to make a strong playoff run in the upcoming season.

Secondly, the Skins have not given Campbell a new contract and I don’t think they will unless he proves to them this year that he is a franchise QB. They’ve already given him a new LG to work with and I believe that they’ll probably sign a RT in Free Agency to further bolster the OL, rather than risk putting the position in the hands of a rookie. So the OL should be good enough to give him adequate protection.

I don’t think that anyone in the Redskins organization will cut him any slack this season because he’s played in however many different offensive systems for however many offensive coordinators. They have got to know if he is the right player to invest in as the leader of this team before they sign him to a big deal.

Now, I don’t think he needs to be a Pro Bowl QB to keep his job and earn a nice, big payday. But he does need to make enough key plays - on his own if necessary - for the team to win. It’s really the same formula that the Steelers used to win the title this year and the Giants used to win it last year which is a very stout defense complemented by an offense that good enough to win with as long as the QB can make some plays. Big Ben made some big plays last season with pass rushers all over him. Jason will need to do that, too, this season - not all of the time but enough times to win. In short, I think that he will need to lead us to the playoffs to keep his job.

By the end of the upcoming season, I think that Jason Campbell will either be entrenched as our starting quarterback for the foreseeable future or he will be on his way out of town.

This season is it for him.

I don't think we can decide whether it's a make or break year, without deciding first what the hell that means.

I don't think we can decide whether it's a make or break year, without deciding first what the hell that means.

Make: "Ok Jason, your our QB. Heres your new contract. Can't believe you got snubbed for the pro bowl this year but thanks to you we got deep in the playoffs."

Break: "Would you sign for the vet min? Oh and you'll be competiting for the QB job with Colt and our new 1st round pick."

I don't think we can decide whether it's a make or break year, without deciding first what the hell that means.

Good point but I interperet this thread as JC needs to show more consistency in '09 to be considered a solid QB. If he does not show improvement in accuracy and decision making then we need to look elsewhere at QB.

One thing I'll be interested to see is if Zorn draws up a couple of designed runs disguised in other formations. Campbell's feet were a great weapon down the stretch.

I am going to stay medium on all threads about JC this year.

JC will be money this season and beyond if the FO continues to upgrade the o-line. He was money to start the '08 campaign but as the line seriously broke down (Rabach and Thomas in pass protection, injuries, etc) and Portis got nicked up he had little chance to make plays.

Basically, I think it's up to the FO to make or break Jason's season. If they want him for our franchise QB solidifying the RT position w/ a stud, after the recent gift of DD back at LG, is a necessity. If the FO is still on the fence about him they'll only give him the single upgrade this year, Dock, and let him struggle w/ what is still a mostly smaller, older, slower line than any franchise QB in the league has to work with.

Good point but I interperet this thread as JC needs to show more consistency in '09 to be considered a solid QB. If he does not show improvement in accuracy and decision making then we need to look elsewhere at QB.

I should have made my point clear. I think he will need to lead us to the playoffs to keep his job.

All that I know is things seem to be getting easier for him.