How Much Did Jason Campbell Grow On Sunday?

My initial thought was that Jason Campbell drastically matured in Sunday's win against the New Orleans Saints.....not from just a couple big plays, but factoring in his entire body of work on the day. But then I said, 'wait, this is his fourth season, isn't it about time?' However, I realized that it's the growing up he did in Jim Zorn's offense which counts the most, not the chances he had during game experience in the past.

The stereotype about Redskins fans goes that even after the most minuscule of battle victories (such as a media-hyped free agent signing or a preseason win), they assume that the war's end result will ultimately culminate with a February victory cigar. I actually take this typecast purposely overboard to annoy my local Cowboys, Giants, or Eagles fan.

But let's be honest, despite a great day across the board (my sarcastic in-game pessimism before Campbell led the team to a triumphant comeback didn't sit too well with my friends), this team still has a long way to go before they are able to comfortably weather the unpredictable NFL storm.

The win versus the Saints does provide reasonable hope for increased Monday morning cheer among the Skins faithful in the future. How much Jason Campbell grew up on Sunday doesn't really matter, rather it's about how much he is able to build upon this accomplishment in the coming weeks.

Best of the Web:

• Redskins-Saints Winners & Losers - Mister Irrelevant
  [extra credit to Chris Horton...sure he was in the right place at the right time a couple instances, but the rookie came ready and showed he was prepared to step-up big]
• Skins Bonus Quotes: Nervous Nellies and Freak Outs - DC Sports Bog
• Chris Cooley Shows His Dick: Accident or Not? - Playing the Field
  [I guess with a win like this, someone deserves to go all out with their balls out]
• Skins Win, Z Shades Are Triumphant - DC Sports Bog
• [should I take the opportunity to call the Z-Shade attendants Montgomery Burns-esque on the part of Danny Snyder?]
  
• What They Are Saying About the Redskins’ Win Over the Saints - Stet Sports
• Jim Zorn is no longer a losing coach - Hogs Haven
• A Black Guy Who Plays Like a White Guy [does this apply to Jason Campbell?] - Players Voice
  

I Chose Tom Brady in My Fantasy Draft So He Would Get Hurt

Yes, this is my inevitable Tom Brady post....all the kids are doing it.

First of all, shame on Tom Brady. After NFL opening weekend, I was all prepared to discuss Brett Favre and how he used that Brett Favre arm of his to throw that tight Brett Favre spiral to lead his Brett Favre team to a Brett Favre victory.

But no, Tommy Brady had to go get injured for the rest of the year and took all the Brett Favre attention away from Brett Favre. Pretty selfish if you ask me, Tom.

[Sidebar: I've heard people call the second TD Favre threw against the 'Phins a duck, ridiculous, etc.....same ol' gunslinger, right? Wrong. It was a smart play. With kicker Mike Nugent unable to perform and pressure coming on 4th and 13 from the Miami 22, the risk of throwing the ball up for grabs towards the end zone was more than worth it. Favre's receivers were taller than the Miami DBs and if the ball was intercepted, and not downed in the end zone, and assuming the risk of a big return was minimal, it would've been the equivalent of a helluva punt. So, not your prototypical Brett Favre gunslinger move. - Game Highlights Video]

Ok, back to Tom Tom. I dislike the Patriots to a high degree...don't mind Brady so much, my cup of Haterade is mostly filled with Belichick and Boston fans. So, I'm rather indifferent to Brady getting hurt. No, I don't want to see a guy go down like that, but I do want to see the Patriots fail. Just a means to an end.

But injuries happen to every team, devastating injuries. That's why I find it absurd that sports pundits on the World-Wide Leader have been obsessed with claims that Brady out for the year is bad for the NFL, bad for ESPN.....exponentially melodramatic. The NFL will still be the #1 sport in America. ESPN will still get their ratings. Besides, I thought the No Fun League and their cronies were supposed to peddle teams and not individuals.

Much akin to how my friend Dean will give me ridiculous point spreads when he makes friendly bets on his Lakers with me because he's more than happy to pay for a win.....if drafting Tom Brady 9th in my fantasy league (Ok, honestly, did I really have a choice? I certainly wasn't going to take Portis, T.O., or Peyton Manning over Tommy B.) meant bad karma for both my fantasy football prospects and the Patriots, then so be it.

These are the breaks. Now dance Brady, dance!

from: Reason to Hate The New England Patriots #181 - Belichick's Boy Band

And now for some other Tom Brady-related posts:

• If the Brady hit was dirty, I saw 1,286 dirty plays yesterday by MJD - Shutdown Corner
• Sir, I Believe You Have a Bounty To Collect by xmas ape - Kissing Suzy Kobler
• TOP 11 CONDOLENCE GESTURES FOR PATRIOTS FAN OVER TOM BRADY'S INJURY by DMtShooter - Epic Carnival
  

Washington Redskins: Where's The Due Diligence?

Leave it to a Dallas Cowboys fan to point out an article about Redskins safety Reed Doughty in this past Sunday’s Washington Post. He happily cited the piece as a prime example of the ineptness of the Washington Redskins organization. After reading it, I was obliged to agree.

Doughty, selected by the Redskins in the 6^th round of the 2006 NFL Draft, filled in after the untimely death of Sean Taylor last season. He grew up and attended college in Colorado, suiting up four seasons for the Northern Colorado Bears.

Reed Doughty, like most of those who have attained professional ranks in their sport, has faced many obstacles in his football career, but none greater than being severely hearing impaired. Being diagnosed with problems as a child, Doughty dealt with his handicap by learning to read lips and memorize hand signals in college. Only recently, after the 2007 season, did Doughty's wife encourage him to use hearing aids during the course of play.

Inspiring story right? So how did Danny Snyder's play toy screw this one up?

[from Doughty Confronts Loss of Hearing on the WashingtonPost.com]

The Redskins were unaware of Doughty's hearing loss when they drafted him. [Steve] Jackson (safeties coach) initially sensed a problem because "Reed was all over the place," Jackson said. "You could see he had the ability, but he would have to ask the same things over and over again. Ever since we got him checked out, everybody makes a concerted effort to make sure that when they talk to him he can see your lips moving."
---------------
When Doughty arrived at Redskins Park, he had to start all over again. "It kind of became a running joke for a little while," said safety Vernon Fox, who also joined the Redskins in 2006. "We knew that if you were not sitting right next to him, he wasn't going to hear exactly what you said to him. We all kind of knew, it became obvious, he had a hearing deficiency."

Baffling. I understand that a 6^th rounder is well, a 6^th rounder….but it's still a 6^th rounder. Point being, the Redskins should be doing their due diligence no matter where the draft pick lies. There is a chance that Doughty might not have disclosed his impairment, but I highly doubt it. Such information could have easily been sought by a phone call to his college coaches.....at a minimum.

It's unquestionably absurd that the Skins brain-trust was not aware of Doughty's condition and an injustice to the guy himself. Injury on top of insult was that it'd become a running joke for others on the team. I've pledged my unwavering allegiance to the Washington Redskins, but incidents such as this leave me wondering if the franchise is the actual joke.