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| Craig Johnson. 13th September, 2005 - 2:28 pm
 Brunell may have been the quarterback in the end but I assure you that John Hall, Clinton Portis and the ferocious defense is what really won the game for Washington in the 9-7 beat em? up battle with the Bears.
Could have been worse but is now potentially on the verge of becoming worse. That?s right exit Patrick Ramsey and enters Mark Brunell. This is becoming something Redskins fans know to well. Another quarterback controversy starts during a season, except this after just one game and an injury caused by a cheap hit by Chicago linebacker Lance Briggs. Late in the first quarter Ramsey dropped back to pass when pressure had begun to get to him and at that moment??Whip! Ramsey was closed lined by the flying Briggs, which looked like the dream Vince McMahon had in mind when he pictured what the XFL would have been like. I mean where is the flag (Some Skins fans were left lingering around the stadium after the game trying to find out if by mistake it got buried)?
The injury came at a time that Ramsey had began to get his groove going. He had completed key third down passes to get the offense moving that just one play before had a perennial touchdown called back on a penalty. The next play is when Briggs got to Ramsey and forced the fumble that was resulted not only in the injury but a turnover.
And then entered Brunell who was called Scott Brunell numerous of times by analyst Dick Stockton , which made me think that maybe it was his twin brother who may just be blessed with the accuracy of a flame-thrower. Then on Brunell?s first three passes (all that were incomplete), I knew my thoughts were only wishes.
And now to hear that Brunell is named the starter for next Monday night?s game against Dallas is just enough to make me forget the history that Joe Gibbs brings to the Redskins. I am disgusted in this lack of loyalty that this organization is turning into. Ramsey has gotten his rear-end thrown up and down the field by opposing teams and has never once given up. Two years ago Ramsey played the entire season with a broken bone in his foot with fear of saying anything because he did not want to be benched. Last year he never even got to throw a pass without being clobbered or even being able to step up in the pocket. For someone who wants to be the starting quarterback of the Washington Redskins so bad that he wears his heart on his sleeve on the field and this is the respect he gets from the coaches.
I must have been watching a different game then some, but what I saw was Ramsey finding his niche. He was just beginning to get comfortable with newly added wide out Santana Moss and zip was even coming off the ball on every pass. The future was starting right then and now the future relies with Brunell.
When Gibbs addressed the media at the Monday afternoon press conference he stated, ? The decision is extremely hard. You don?t like doing this. Sometimes you don?t chart the circumstances or what happens- it just happens. Certainly it wasn?t the plan I had going in, but sometimes plans change, and I think you do the best you can in dealing with it.? Gibbs also knew that people would be upset by his decision and he understood it, but I don?t think he understands that the future is now and Brunell is a fossil that had his career. It?s over for him like it?s over for Jerry Rice but you never heard any analyst call him Larry Rice. But if there is a Scott Brunell and you have any ability to throw a football then please enter the field, because the sight of Mark behind center gives the weary feeling of the twilight zone. So will the real Skins quarterback please stand up. Or should I say please step up? But if it can?t be Ramsey then please be anybody but Brunell, Mark that is.
After the game I overheard the lingering Redskins fans that were looking for the potential flag on the field say that even though Brunell played the remainder of the game, all beer men were accounted for and uninjured. It?s a good thing because after next Monday night?s game in Dallas, Washington plays host to Seattle and beer sales may hit record highs. On second thought it may even become a B.Y.O.B. for all Redskins fans. Bring your own brown bag beer in case you feel the need to have to hide your face.
Craig Johnson can be reached at myterps34@yahoo.com |
