Biggest surprise thus far?

[skinsguy]

The biggest surprise, which by now is not such a surprise to say, is Brunell rising up from the ashes! I, too, felt Brunell was done for and staying with the team meant he was very desperate to hang around football to be a second or third stringer, but I have been pleasantly wrong so far! I hope he continues to play as well as he has!

[skins052bgr8]

I also voted for Brunell, but I wanted to post something that changed even the hatred my buddy had for Brunell and made him send me this this with the title this makes me kinda like the old geezer. He still hasn't completely come around but a good post I am pasting from another message board. Kinda long hope you enjoy and can take something from it.


"This is my first post, so nice to meet you all.

First of all, I'm a Jaguar fan. I know this isn't as detestable as being a Cowboys or Eagles fan - and certainly not as detestable as the inflated ego of Terrell Owens or Keyshawn Johnson.

When our former quarterback, Mark Brunell, left Jacksonville to become a Redskin, the fans of Jax were pretty heartbroken. Brunell had just come off of another knee injury, and the new head coach, Jack Del Rio, had other things planned for the QB position with Byron Leftwich.

Brunell was the marquee player of the Jaguars. He will always be the King of the City, irregardless of whether or not Byron Leftwich becomes a successful quarterback in his own right. Brunell led us to two AFC Championships games. He saved more games in the fourth quarter than Phil Mickelson lost golf majors.

This may seem to be an pretty insane statement, but the city of Jacksonville hasn't been the same without Mark Brunell. It really hasn't - and I'm not being overly dramatic in any way. Brunell was a born leader - on and off the field. From 1995 to 1999 - you couldn't go anywhere without seeing a Brunell jersey or a Jaguars flag hanging from a car. There was just a different spirit about the city, and it started with Mark. He had unflagging optimism and the will to win and succeed no matter what the cost while retaining humility and grace - and whether it was the cultural tune that the city was searching for, or whether Mark had tapped into a vein of goodness within the city, he changed the city of Jacksonville.

In Jacksonville, from 1995 to the early 2000's, Jaguar fever had hit, and fans couldn't get enough of our new team. We had Jaguars talk radio on five different AM channels, the Jaguars Inside Report, and Jaguars sections of the newspaper (things that don't exist today). Brunell was the featured article in all of these.

Mark Brunell never used these media outlets to "preach from the pulpit". But he always let us know where his strength came from....from God. And as we saw that strength being demonstrated from the field every Sunday, it's source became that much more meaningful. As our team became more and more comfortable playing with each other, the media embarked on a hunt to figure out what drove them. It culminated with a series of Florida Times-Union articles about the team's faith.

What had started as a small Bible study for Jaguar players and their families at Brunell's home blossomed into a full-fledged Church boasting over 2,000 members and over 25% of the Jaguars football team. Maybe it was true that the team that prayed together played together (and quite well, indeed). I'm a member of that Church - Southpoint Community - where I often prayed with Mark Brunell, and I have never met a better, more dedicated, nicer, and more humble man in my life. I was a member of the Church when Mark and Pastor Ball had just started to get it going, so I did get the chance to talk with him often.

When my wife was battling cancer, Mark would often call or visit us to check up on her and pray with us. Mark was a very busy man, and it meant a great deal to us that he would take the time out of his schedule to do so. You will never, ever see a greater class act.


When I found that Brunell would be teamed with Joe Gibbs, I knew something special would come of it. These two men are filled with so much faith - in their teammates, their families, themselves, and God - that their chests sometimes seem about to burst. When Brunell had that bad season last year, after having closely watched him for years, I knew that he was playing hurt. Parishoners at Church who are good friends of the family confirmed it, but Mark wasn't going to make any excuses or complain publicly about it. I also noticed that Gibbs wasn't utilizing Brunells great shotgunning ability, which is Mark's greatest offensive strength.

After watching a few of your preseason games, I saw the old Mark waiting to come back, he just needed an opportunity. After reading a few articles on the Washington Post about how Mark had befriended Patrick, and about how he wanted another chance to prove himself, I knew that Mark would be back in better form than ever.

Then I read this messageboard and saw all of the negative things still being written about Mark. "He sucks, he's too slow, he's to wild in the pocket, can't run, can't throw long, remember last year...". I waited a week. "Well, we beat the Bears, but no thanks to him", and waited a bit longer, "I can't believe that Gibbs is benching Ramsey. Does he not remember last season???". I read a week later, "Good game, Santana. Mark sucked except for those two lucky throws at the end", and I knew that the bubble was close to bursting.

After the Seahawks game, the naysaying had vanished. Brunell had finally conquered the stubborn minds and hearts of the fans he alienated the previous season. I knew that Mark still had it in him to win, he had convinced me yet again (not for the first time). I'm now an unabashed Redskins fan in Jacksonville.

I know this is a long post, but it's important to me. You don't know the weapon you have in your hands when it's utilized the right way. I challenge each and every one of you to research the Jaguars '96 season, when Brunell lead our team to a huge winning streak at the end of the season. We were one win away from the playoffs, tied with the Falcons in Alltel at the end of the game when Morten Anderson (who had made a record streak of field goals that was still counting) was up for the game winning kick. He missed - whether on purpose, wink wink, or not, we made it into the playoffs as a wild card.

We went to Buffalo and beat the Bills (and ended Jim Kelly's career), then went to Denver. Woody Paige disparaged Brunell and called us the Jagwads, and using his column in as motivation in the locker room, Brunell and Coughlin motivated the team to beat Denver. Then we went all of the way to the AFC Championship game and Brunell almost won that for us. No one, NO ONE believed that this 2nd year team with an unproved QB could do it. But we did.

And here's to Washington. I'll be rooting for the Redskins knowing that the same magic might just be resurrected. You're the same team, deserving yet underrated, strong yet disrespected, and I see the same strength of resolve in your players. Here's hoping. (fingers crossed.)

I'm proud to be a Redskin."

[That Guy]

wow, thats a really good post...

[#56fanatic]

Well I am sure most of you know what I voted for, but I am through talking about that. Brunell has to be the most surprising story. Last year the man couldn't throw a 10 yard out without it hitting the ground. Now he looks like his arm is 10 years younger. He is making great decisions on the field, looks to be very commanding in the huddle and a true team leader. As the season goes on, people will have to start respecting his ability to throw the ball down field, move around the pocket and make quality throws, which will cause a chain reaction of events. Portis will start getting his yards, with scoring , and breaking those long ones, and we will start scoring alot more points.

[irish]

I voted other because to me the biggerst surprise of the season is that inspite of an O that still does not score many points the Skins are 3-1 instead of 1-3.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by skins052bgr8

I also voted for Brunell, but I wanted to post something that changed even the hatred my buddy had for Brunell and made him send me this this with the title this makes me kinda like the old geezer. He still hasn't completely come around but a good post I am pasting from another message board. Kinda long hope you enjoy and can take something from it.


"This is my first post, so nice to meet you all.

First of all, I'm a Jaguar fan. I know this isn't as detestable as being a Cowboys or Eagles fan - and certainly not as detestable as the inflated ego of Terrell Owens or Keyshawn Johnson.

When our former quarterback, Mark Brunell, left Jacksonville to become a Redskin, the fans of Jax were pretty heartbroken. Brunell had just come off of another knee injury, and the new head coach, Jack Del Rio, had other things planned for the QB position with Byron Leftwich.

Brunell was the marquee player of the Jaguars. He will always be the King of the City, irregardless of whether or not Byron Leftwich becomes a successful quarterback in his own right. Brunell led us to two AFC Championships games. He saved more games in the fourth quarter than Phil Mickelson lost golf majors.

This may seem to be an pretty insane statement, but the city of Jacksonville hasn't been the same without Mark Brunell. It really hasn't - and I'm not being overly dramatic in any way. Brunell was a born leader - on and off the field. From 1995 to 1999 - you couldn't go anywhere without seeing a Brunell jersey or a Jaguars flag hanging from a car. There was just a different spirit about the city, and it started with Mark. He had unflagging optimism and the will to win and succeed no matter what the cost while retaining humility and grace - and whether it was the cultural tune that the city was searching for, or whether Mark had tapped into a vein of goodness within the city, he changed the city of Jacksonville.

In Jacksonville, from 1995 to the early 2000's, Jaguar fever had hit, and fans couldn't get enough of our new team. We had Jaguars talk radio on five different AM channels, the Jaguars Inside Report, and Jaguars sections of the newspaper (things that don't exist today). Brunell was the featured article in all of these.

Mark Brunell never used these media outlets to "preach from the pulpit". But he always let us know where his strength came from....from God. And as we saw that strength being demonstrated from the field every Sunday, it's source became that much more meaningful. As our team became more and more comfortable playing with each other, the media embarked on a hunt to figure out what drove them. It culminated with a series of Florida Times-Union articles about the team's faith.

What had started as a small Bible study for Jaguar players and their families at Brunell's home blossomed into a full-fledged Church boasting over 2,000 members and over 25% of the Jaguars football team. Maybe it was true that the team that prayed together played together (and quite well, indeed). I'm a member of that Church - Southpoint Community - where I often prayed with Mark Brunell, and I have never met a better, more dedicated, nicer, and more humble man in my life. I was a member of the Church when Mark and Pastor Ball had just started to get it going, so I did get the chance to talk with him often.

When my wife was battling cancer, Mark would often call or visit us to check up on her and pray with us. Mark was a very busy man, and it meant a great deal to us that he would take the time out of his schedule to do so. You will never, ever see a greater class act.


When I found that Brunell would be teamed with Joe Gibbs, I knew something special would come of it. These two men are filled with so much faith - in their teammates, their families, themselves, and God - that their chests sometimes seem about to burst. When Brunell had that bad season last year, after having closely watched him for years, I knew that he was playing hurt. Parishoners at Church who are good friends of the family confirmed it, but Mark wasn't going to make any excuses or complain publicly about it. I also noticed that Gibbs wasn't utilizing Brunells great shotgunning ability, which is Mark's greatest offensive strength.

After watching a few of your preseason games, I saw the old Mark waiting to come back, he just needed an opportunity. After reading a few articles on the Washington Post about how Mark had befriended Patrick, and about how he wanted another chance to prove himself, I knew that Mark would be back in better form than ever.

Then I read this messageboard and saw all of the negative things still being written about Mark. "He sucks, he's too slow, he's to wild in the pocket, can't run, can't throw long, remember last year...". I waited a week. "Well, we beat the Bears, but no thanks to him", and waited a bit longer, "I can't believe that Gibbs is benching Ramsey. Does he not remember last season???". I read a week later, "Good game, Santana. Mark sucked except for those two lucky throws at the end", and I knew that the bubble was close to bursting.

After the Seahawks game, the naysaying had vanished. Brunell had finally conquered the stubborn minds and hearts of the fans he alienated the previous season. I knew that Mark still had it in him to win, he had convinced me yet again (not for the first time). I'm now an unabashed Redskins fan in Jacksonville.

I know this is a long post, but it's important to me. You don't know the weapon you have in your hands when it's utilized the right way. I challenge each and every one of you to research the Jaguars '96 season, when Brunell lead our team to a huge winning streak at the end of the season. We were one win away from the playoffs, tied with the Falcons in Alltel at the end of the game when Morten Anderson (who had made a record streak of field goals that was still counting) was up for the game winning kick. He missed - whether on purpose, wink wink, or not, we made it into the playoffs as a wild card.

We went to Buffalo and beat the Bills (and ended Jim Kelly's career), then went to Denver. Woody Paige disparaged Brunell and called us the Jagwads, and using his column in as motivation in the locker room, Brunell and Coughlin motivated the team to beat Denver. Then we went all of the way to the AFC Championship game and Brunell almost won that for us. No one, NO ONE believed that this 2nd year team with an unproved QB could do it. But we did.

And here's to Washington. I'll be rooting for the Redskins knowing that the same magic might just be resurrected. You're the same team, deserving yet underrated, strong yet disrespected, and I see the same strength of resolve in your players. Here's hoping. (fingers crossed.)

I'm proud to be a Redskin."

great post

[firstdown]

After that post I can just say, Brunell.

[EternalEnigma21]

Brunell was a suprise, but even when I was bitching and moaning about Ramsey being benched, I always had to give a twinge of merit to Gibbs's asessment and even though there have been some tough times as of late, he's still Gibbs. I wouldn't have made the same decision, but I can't say I was taken aback by his accomplishments thus far.

At least not as much as Lavar. If anyone had said he'd be healthy and number 5 on the depth chart... I'd have laughed in their face. The guys been Mr. Redskin since he came to us. I'm still reeling about all this.:confused-

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

skins052bgr8,

That is a quality post; keep it up!

[jpgirth]

That is one of the greatest posts ever.
Thank You

[SkinsRock]

I didn't think Brunell would be as good as he is, but I knew he had to be better than last year. It has been a VERY pleasant surprise, but IMO, not the biggest.

Moss is really establishing himself, but some of that is changes in the gameplan to get him the ball, and throw it deep more often, not to mention Brunell's renewed accuracy.

Our D is still good. So teams have game-planned against us better and every defense gets burned every so often. They're still top 5 and I see them getting better as the year goes on, especially with the offense improving and keeping them off the field.

I voted for the LaVar deal. I was not surprised to see them working them in slowly and not to start him right away, but playing less each game and not playing at all last week is a shock. Personally, as much as I like LA, as long as the Redskins are winning, I could care less who is on the field and not, regardless of how big of a star they are (or were) or how much they are getting paid. But it is still very surprising to see what is happening with him.