Joe Gibbs and Veteran QB's

I've heard this rumor alot about Joe Gibbs, mainly that he had a track record of sticking with veteran QB's, and not benching them even when they struggled at times.

I am too young to remember Joe Gibbs' first time around, although i know well of the veteran QB's that he won super bowls with.

But is it really true? Did he really stick with the vets over younger, possibly better options? I only remember the 2006 season when Joe Gibbs benched Brunell, and i remember nearly all media at that point believed that Brunell was not the problem, that he was only a scapegoat for a team that was completely under-performing.

So was it fan pressure that led to Brunell's benching? Campbell was not really that much better, so why not play Campbell for those remaining games to see what they had, evaluate, and then have a position battle the next year?

He got rid of Schroeder after starting one year due to injury with Doug Williams, Doug Williams got injured after winning the SB the following season and was replaced by Rypien. So I would say no.

I see what you are saying. It seems like he had no choice due to injury at the position. I'm just talking about when a guy was just plain struggling, not moving the ball, etc...

When Brunnel got benched he wasn't the only problem, but he was in decline and couldn't throw the ball with velocity. At that point we didn't know anything other than we had a College championship QB we had drafted in the first round.

Then he was thought to be an upgrade to Brunnel and he was, just not to the extent we had all hoped he would be.

I've heard this rumor alot about Joe Gibbs, mainly that he had a track record of sticking with veteran QB's, and not benching them even when they struggled at times.

I am too young to remember Joe Gibbs' first time around, although i know well of the veteran QB's that he won super bowls with.

But is it really true? Did he really stick with the vets over younger, possibly better options? I only remember the 2006 season when Joe Gibbs benched Brunell, and i remember nearly all media at that point believed that Brunell was not the problem, that he was only a scapegoat for a team that was completely under-performing.

So was it fan pressure that led to Brunell's benching? Campbell was not really that much better, so why not play Campbell for those remaining games to see what they had, evaluate, and then have a position battle the next year?

The media absolutely killed Brunell, along with the fans

Comcastic Voyage: Tough questions get Skins TV pundit bounced. - Washington City Paper (http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/288/comcastic-voyage)

Gibbs never seem to have any qualms with benching his QB

The fact that Jason Campbell couldn't beat out noodle arm Brunell should have told you back then he sucked.

The media absolutely killed Brunell, along with the fans

Comcastic Voyage: Tough questions get Skins TV pundit bounced. - Washington City Paper (http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/288/comcastic-voyage)

Ill never forget that interview as long as I live with Czab vs Brunnell. That was awesome. Alot of people hate Czab, but Boonell was horrible.

Gibbs never had a problem benching quarterbacks nor going with the hot hand even if the starter was healthy (i.e. 1987 Jay VS Doug.)

At the same time, he preferred letting his young QBs hold a clipboard for a season or two until he felt they were ready. Rypien held a clipboard in '87, and got some playing time in '88 when Williams got hurt. He was the starter by '89. Joe never had the luxury of having a talented rookie quarterback like RG3 that he could thrust into the starting position from day one. Back in those days, the 'skins offense was built around a strong running game, so while I can't exactly say the quarterback position was not AS important, I can say that, obviously, Gibbs was able to win without a true franchise quarterback.

I think when he came back for his second stint in the NFL, he realized that a franchise QB is extremely important, and a running back by committee seems to be the choice for the backfield. I would have been curious to see what Gibbs would have done if he had RG3 and Alfred Morris.

. I would have been curious to see what Gibbs would have done if he had RG3 and Alfred Morris.

Same thing he did with Theismann and Riggins, probably would set another NFL scoring record.