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Originally Posted by Paintrain
I know this isn't my fight, but I've got to interject something here. Everyone (offensive players, coaches, Saunders, Campbell) acknowledged that Saunders was coaching with one hand tied behind his back by Gibbs. It's not fair to put the lack of offensive production in '07 all on Campbell. Gibbs only let Campbell read one side of the field and 2 receivers. Saunders was 'calling the plays' according to what Gibbs allowed him to call. It's not really a true gauge of what Campbell could have done in the system because he was never allowed to truly explore it freely. Now back to your regularly scheduled argument already in progress.
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Couldn't have said it better myself.
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Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat View Post
a) Only a fool would think Campbell is the only problem with this team - i certainly havent been arguing that, but I do think Campbell is A problem and since QB is the most important position on a team, if we have the opportunity for to significantly upgrade the position, we should. If Campbells contract werent up after this season or he were a better fit for the system were in, the story would be different. However, the fact that Campbells contract IS up next year and he isnt where we need him to be, and we're faced with the possibility next year of losing him in free agency without compensation, it makes sense to at least investigate the QB postion now.
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Any trade for Jay Cutler would most likely involve either our 1st rounder or any future picks. In a year when we have so many other (more important) needs, and limited resources (cap/draft picks) getting rid of Campbell at the expense of draft picks is a high price to pay. I wouldn't even put QB play as one of the top two issues that we had last year, so risking so much and gamble that a new QB is going to fix everything is not a good idea.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat View Post
b) That is actually a very good point. Campbell is well-liked and is exactly what you want your QB to be when it comes to attitude and leadership off the field. However, winning chanes everything and if we upgraded the QB position and won more games, the team would be fine with it. On the other hand, if Cutler came here and sucked it up or Campbell went elsewhere and tore it up... things would get real ugly.
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With the PR nightmare that Cutler has caused, even if he had an average season, there would be issues in the locker room. Cutler would need to lead the team deep into the playoffs in order for morale not to be affected. You mentioned that QB is the most important position in the team, and I agree with you, now are you willing to risk the repercussions of getting rid of a well-liked/respected player in Campbell and replace him with someone like Cutler? I mean look at what the Jets went through with Favre last season (although not necessarily the the same situation, but close).
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat View Post
c) Those are factors to consider, but you forget that Campbell has been in the same system 2 years in a row before - one that far better suited his skillset - one where he had a far better offensive line and - one that had a much better running game and better performance from Tana - and he still didnt "step up." If he didnt do it then, what makes you think he will do it now?
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Jason Campbell played not even half a season the year that Saunder was brought in, therefore he didn't practice with the first-team more than half the season and during training camp. I think it's unfair to say that he was in Gibbs/Saunders system for two years in a row, when he wasn't the starter for half the season. Not to mention the whole issues mentioned by Paintrain with the game calling. Last season, Jason Campbell was the starting QB during training camp, the preseason and the regular season, and this would make the first time that he will (hopefully) enter a second year (after a full first year) in the same offense and with the same coach as the starting QB.
I honestly feel Gibbs/Saunders should have thrown him to the fire and make him start his second year. Instead, JC sat on the bench his rookie year and half of his second year, watching Mark Brunell throw 5 yd passes.