What If...?

I knew I said I wasn't going to play the what if game but what the heck, I'm bored anyway.

If PR struggles this preseason, (I don't see how he will), but for the sake of discussion let's say he stinks it up. And let's say Brunell looks sharp, I mean really sharp. Then I'd say Gibbs definitely has a tough decision to make, and honestly if these two things happen I wouldn't be at all surprised if Gibbs makes the switch back to Brunell.

I think Ramsey would have to look pretty bad to lose the QB job at this point, and someone behind him would have to look pretty good. I don't see these two things both happening though, but I guess you can never say never.

I knew I said I wasn't going to play the what if game but what the heck, I'm bored anyway.

If PR struggles this preseason, (I don't see how he will), but for the sake of discussion let's say he stinks it up. And let's say Brunell looks sharp, I mean really sharp. Then I'd say Gibbs definitely has a tough decision to make, and honestly if these two things happen I wouldn't be at all surprised if Gibbs makes the switch back to Brunell.

I think Ramsey would have to look pretty bad to lose the QB job at this point, and someone behind him would have to look pretty good. I don't see these two things both happening though, but I guess you can never say never.

I'm glad you decided to play! :biggthump

Isn't this more fun than speculating and complaining about players that aren't even on the team anymore (Champ, Pierce, Smoot, Barrow, etc.) At least there is some possibility to this scenario since they're both still Redskins

If Ramsey struggles then we'll see how much Brunell really has left in the tank. I don't see this happening, Ramsey just has to get more comfortable with the offense and realize he doesn't have to win games. PR just has to run the show, get the ball to our playmakers and stay away from turnovers. If the offensive line can improve and keep PR clean then we'll win more than 6 games this year.

But given Gibbs' history and the developments of the past year I think Gibbs believes that greater competition at the qb spot will raise the level of play for the entire team. I think if anyone can get Ramsey to play at a high level Gibbs can, and I don't think keeping PR comfortable is part of that plan.

Hmm...

My initial post here @ the warpath said that I was discouraged @ the prospects of the upcoming season because of all of the turmoil surrounding the team this offseason. I posted it to the boards here trying to get some positive perspective... (I largely got pounced on...even got accused of being a philly fan! :vomit-smi )
Gibbs came through with it in his press conference the other day...
He essentially said that offseason turmoil is part of the chess match. And that it's just part of the NFL...all teams deal with it. I have faith in Gibbs, and feel confident that he'll deal with whatever adversity that has/will arise with sound strategy.

...as for the QB stuff. I'm hoping for a really solid performance from the O-Line this year. We need to get back to Hog status! I remember Ramsey getting killed last year. Anyways, If the O-Line plays strong, Ramsey will need a few solid games (4 to 5) to really get confident and on top of his game. If we win these, and the O-line keeps him safe, (by blocking and also by setting up solid holes for Portis!) then I think Ramsey will take off...and start to play to the potential we hear so much about. I would envision @ least a wild card...with an even better 2006/2007 season ahead for Ramsey (not to mention a big fat paycheck)

On the other hand...if the O-Line doesn't hold tough the first 4-5 games and Ramsey takes a beating...I expect he'll get benched, and request a trade to another team in the offseason where he will eventually find the protection he needs and he'll find his rhythm.

This scenario would set us up for the notorious 'QB controversy', and with the front office banking on JC for this club's future... I think it would take 3 years or so for us to be contenders.

Bottom line, I think these first 4 to 5 games are absolutely pivotal. For gibbs, ramsey, the team....all involved. We've really got to come out swinging for us to get back to the glory! Come on O-line!! Fingers crossed for no injuries!!

Looking @ the schedule. These games are going to be tough ones too. 3 of the 5 are out of town. Luckily game 1 is at home such that we can get some momentum.

The bottom line here is winning games. Everyone is going to be anxiously waiting to see what kind of start the team gets off too in 05, and loosing games is not an option.Gibbs is going to be feeling the heat if the team gets off to the same kind of start as last year. While Ramsey has been named the starter means little if he fails to perform to that level he needs to win games. Therefore I don't think Gibbs will be reluctant to pull him if he's not performing to expectations. It's not about who starts, it about who finishes. Gibbs stuck with Brunell much too long last year while we continued to loose games and I don't think he'll make that same mistake again this year. For the sake of positive results let's "hope" Ramsey will take off with the opportunity he has been given and any change at QB will become an afterthought.Again, the bottom line is winnimg.

Hmm...

My initial post here @ the warpath said that I was discouraged @ the prospects of the upcoming season because of all of the turmoil surrounding the team this offseason. I posted it to the boards here trying to get some positive perspective... (I largely got pounced on...even got accused of being a philly fan! :vomit-smi )
Gibbs came through with it in his press conference the other day...
He essentially said that offseason turmoil is part of the chess match. And that it's just part of the NFL...all teams deal with it.

Well I don't want to take this thread off-topic here, but that's basically what 12thMan said in response (http://www.thewarpath.net/showpost.php?p=92943&postcount=16) to your initial post on this board

"First of all, I love you guys! Secondly, I couldn't agree with all of the positive coments more! These so called negative elements that occur during offseason are frankly a part of coaching and running a professional football team."

We love you too 12thMan

The potential backlash by not only the media, but more importantly in the lockerroom, if Gibbs pulls Ramsey for Brunell could possibly dismantle the team this year with the fallout causing problems maybe even next year. Ramsey needs to be given atleast 10-12 games seeing as to how Gibbs gave Brunell about that much time even though the switch should have come @ about week 4-5. And I've also wondered if Gibbs is saying and doing these things as motivation to further drive Ramsey to excel and fully capture the leadership role of the Redskins.

I think ramsey's gonna do great. If he gets injured we will see brunell. I really feel that Brunell kinda made it into Gibbs "circle of trust" when he gave him a ride to the hospital after gibbs went into a diabetic fit at brunell's house, and Gibbs sticks by "his" guys. I've always kinda felt that's why it took so long to jerk him even though he was blatantly struggling in every game he played last year. Do any of you guys think that might have something to do with hanging on to him?

Hmm...

My initial post here @ the warpath said that I was discouraged @ the prospects of the upcoming season because of all of the turmoil surrounding the team this offseason. I posted it to the boards here trying to get some positive perspective... (I largely got pounced on...even got accused of being a philly fan! :vomit-smi )

I remember you mr. grimm... I was wondering if you were some kind of other fan too, just because you seemed a little too skeptical, and your name wasn't Daseal. I saw several posts to your thread that were positive and I think that my reply to you was my best post on this thing, and I REALLY was trying to spread a little enthusiasm about whats going on from the "Redskins Eternal Optimists Club". By the time I was finished answering you I was already making plans for a February trip to Detroit.

Ramsey is going to be fine this year. A lot of things are going to fall into place. Our Line is healthy and better, Portis is happy with new blocking schemes. Gibbs will open up the offense. But I have read that a lot of you think that Ramsey will throw less than 20 TDs this season. If that is the case we are in for a way worse season than the same people are predicting. No way he throws less than 20 TDs and we go for more than 7 wins. NOt going to happen. That is barely 1.5 TDs/game. If he can get us 22-25 this year we are in trouble. Which is more realistic, him getting 22-25 or Portis going from 5 to 13-14???