After the improbable 6-2 run to start the season, the Redskins finished a mere 8-8. On offense the team has several areas of concern from Zorn completing a full second season as coach, Vinny & Danny's making the right personnel decisions, finding a starting receiver opposite Moss, to Santana's shoe shine problems, the offensive line woes, Clinton's outburst, and Campbell's execution on the field. The only position without concern is that of starting TE, Chris Cooley.
On most championship teams the most vocal or inspiring player on offense is the quarterback. He leads by his command of the game, the ability to bring out the best in players around him, and by execution. In some cases the leader on offense leads by example, but it's the quarterback the rest of the team listens to and follows. The quarterback is the extension of the coaching staff's game plan. After days of preparation, it's the job of the quarterback to execute the offense to perfection and lead the team to victory.
There have been many great running backs that never won a title let alone made it to the Super Bowl. Eric Dickerson never made it to the Super Bowl neither did Barry Sanders. There have been other great running backs in a similar situation and the striking similarity regarding the leadership stemmed from the quarterback position. Make no mistake about it. It was Eric Dickerson's Rams and not Jim Everett's. Just like this is Clinton Portis' team not Jason Campbell's.
This beckons the question; does Jason Campbell have 'it'? No quarterback can win without a strong running game, but can Campbell lead the Redskins to another Super Bowl?
Redskins Super Bowl Quarterbacks:
After several years in league and learning several offensive systems, Campbell must take control of the offense. Riggins marched to the beat of his own drummer, but it was Joe Theisman that ran to the spotlight and media when it concerned the offense. It was Joe's offense. In the Super Bowl XXII season, the team played for Doug Williams. It was his offense and he led the team by example. Super Bowl XXVI was no different as Mark Rypien spread the ball to everyone and kept everybody happy on a run to another title. It was Mark's team.
Gibbs Success With Different QB's:
It was well documented that Joe Gibbs won three Super Bowls with three different quarterbacks. There was also a common thread to this success. All of Joe Gibbs quarterbacks were most successful with a strong running game and the best pass protection in the NFL. Theismann may not have had the strongest arm, but when given plenty of time to throw the ball he could make the plays. Doug Williams wasn't the most mobile quarterback due to his tenure in Tampa Bay running for his life, but when given plenty of time to throw the ball could make all the plays. Mark Rypien couldn't run away from many defenders, but had a gifted touch on the deep pass. When the offensive line provided plenty of time to throw the ball, Rypien could pick a team apart.
Gibbs Drafts Campbell:
As Gibbs returned to coach the Redskins, he handpicked Campbell from college to be the future of the team. He saw an intelligent and athletic quarterback with all of the tools necessary to make any pass and the ability to absorb and play in many different systems. Here was a quarterback that wasn't rattled by defenses and could manage the game like Gibbs preferred.
The "It" Factor:
Campbell hasn't been afforded the luxury of excellent pass protection or a multitude of capable wide receivers like Theismann, Williams, and Rypien had on their title runs but it is apparent that he doesn't have "it". "It" being that special quality that can elevate the players around you from mediocre to good and from good to great. It's the quality that makes an elite quarterback and a hall of fame quarterback like Montana, Elway, and Marino so special. What's next for the Redskins is whether Danny and Vinny will make the correct assessment along the offensive line and take the appropriate course of action regarding personnel decisions during the offseason to help Campbell.
Campbell has all of the tools to make a run at the title and he has a stronger arm than Theismann. He's also more mobile than both Williams & Rypien. It remains to be seen if he can take command of the offense and wrestle the leadership role from Portis. Campbell is a veteran now. Now it's up to Zorn and whether he makes Campbell a winner like Gibbs made Theismann, Williams, and Rypien.
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