Why Are We So Divided On Jason Campbell?

By nature the QB always gets too much credit when things are going well, and takes too much blame when things aren't going so well.

What's amazing is through all the drama and injuries this year he's still playing solid. Yeah he's not a put the team on his back and carry you kind of player, but really when you look around the league there's not many QB's that are. In reality you're talking about 3 guys, maybe 5 tops.

That said I think a change of scenery is in order for both sides. He has the skills you want in a QB but I don't think his time here has been ideal as far as the way you want to break in a QB in this league. New systems every other year, ownership trying to pull the rug out from under you multiple times, and a broken down offensive line.

He did put the team in position for 6 additional points that would have won the game for us, without shanks from Suisham.

You can't honestly blame Campbell for the loss, he played great, especially with an already weak line losing Rinehart. He was clearly better than Romo. More accurate, more productive, despite being pressured a lot more.

Campbell wasn't on the field when Dallas was allowed to drive for their only TD.

I have a problem with that last line. Our defense gives up only one score all game and it's their fault we lose? REALLY? C'mon man, JC has got to be able to put up more than 6 points in a game like that... The O has to be able to consistently score in the 20's for us to make the next step towards respectability.

I think too many people give QBs too much credit and blame. The fact is that very few QBs are so good that they can overcome serious talent deficiencies around them to perform well. We're talking like Manning and...

We're divided because too many people suffer from thinking our team is better than it really is. They think we're just good QB play away from winning 10 games easy. We're not. Yesterday was a shinning example of why we aren't. Campbell played pretty well. But we had no real passing game beyond 8 yards because we ran 3 step drops the whole day. When we didn't JC was running for his life. I think JC is too inconsistent to ever be a top tier QB but I also think he is good enough to lead just about any decent offense in the league rather capably. I think you can win games with JC at QB. I think you can win a lot of games. In NE he throws for 3800 yards and 30-some TDs. He does. Very little he does says otherwise. In NY he has similar stats as Manning. Is he awesome in a Brady/Manning/Brees way? N0. In the Rivers/Rogers mold? Not quite. But he's the next level down with 6-7 other QBs. But most people want results and think that a QB can magically create a pocket and open WRs for himself it seems.

Good post.

We are so divided on Campbell because he has played as a middle-of-the-road qb. Not bad but not great, either. This situation invites projections and criticisms from both sides, especially in Washington, where Monday morning quarterbacking is a revered tradition.

I think the issue stems from there not being a true leader on offense. I feel like Campbell can be a successful QB in this league, but at this point, I'm not sure he'll ever get a fair shake in DC. He needs to put things aside and be The Leader of this offense. Guys have been waiting for this to happen, and I honestly don't think it will. The offense so desperately wants Campbell to take charge and lead them into battle. And while he's got the physical tools to make things happen, he doesn't have the tools mentally to be the leader he needs to be.

Doesn't this exactly summarize the argument as I laid it out. One side - stats showed he did well, Other side - yeah but he didn't make "the play"

The "IT" group (as demonstrated by FD here) need to realize no one is calling for JC to be anointed as QB of the future, and the Stat group (as demonstrated by Buster's post) need to stop (if they are) trying to demonstrate Campbell's profiency. One thing I am certain of is - if someone is not in the Stat group now, no amount of numbers are going to sway them.

I am willing to bet (and offer it as a suggestion) that if a poll were posted with 4 options : keep JC with fat cat contract; keep but only with a 2nd round tender; keep but w/ a 3rd round tender; get rid of the bum today, we would see that we all feel about the same. Any chance of adding that poll Mods?

keep with 3rd round tender. someone will do that

I honestly thought that the Dallas game was Campbell's best of the season. He didn't quit on reads too early, and he kept his focus down field, accepting that he was going to get hit upon releasing the throw. Starting 10 for 10 on third down passing is doubly impressive given the constant pressure that he was under. You can bet that this performance will open another team's eyes if Campbell is allowed to walk.

I am increasingly lost on this "leadership" stuff. What is it that he doesn't do? He isn't outwardly rah-rah or overtly animated...but what have we had to get him excited and who cares whether he is animated in conversations like Peyton Manning. Doesn't it just matter whether he is having the conversations? By all accounts he puts in proper work, his teammates like him and come foward to defend him. It sounds like he has a lot of respect in the locker room. Sounds leaderish to me.

I honestly thought that the Dallas game was Campbell's best of the season. He didn't quit on reads too early, and he kept his focus down field, accepting that he was going to get hit upon releasing the throw. Starting 10 for 10 on third down passing is doubly impressive given the constant pressure that he was under. You can bet that this performance will open another team's eyes if Campbell is allowed to walk.

I bet he's already on Oakland's and San Francisco's radar?

Maybe a straight up trade Campbell for Alex Smith?

He played well yesterday. He just needs to continue it in the next game.