Lazor Replaces Musgrave as the Redskins' Quarterback Coach

The Washington Redskins promoted Bill Lazor to quarterbacks coach yesterday, Coach Joe Gibbs said. Lazor replaces Bill Musgrave, who left to take the same position with Atlanta this week. The team is still awaiting word on cornerbacks coach DeWayne Walker's possible departure.

Gibbs said he has been impressed with Lazor's work as an offensive assistant and informed him of the move before coaches departed for a two-week vacation. Lazor, 33, joined the Redskins in 2004 from Atlanta, where he served as quality control coach in 2003. Lazor was a college quarterback at Cornell and was the offensive coordinator at the University of Buffalo in 2001-02.

"He's somebody we really love," Gibbs said, "and we're all excited about this. We think it's a real good fit for us, and he's already been working with [associate head coach-offense] Al [Saunders], so it's going to be a real good deal for us and for him."

Musgrave has an extensive background playing and coaching quarterbacks at the NFL level, and came to the Redskins a year ago after being fired as Jacksonville's offensive coordinator. The Redskins have one of the most experienced offensive staffs in league history, with the addition of Saunders last week. Gibbs has handed over the reigns of the offense to Saunders, leaving himself more time to focus on myriad subjects. Jack Burns, who was Washington's quarterbacks coach in 2004, also remains on the staff as an offensive assistant.

Lazor's promotion makes it increasingly likely that the Redskins will hire Saunders' son, Bob, as an offensive assistant, a title he held on his father's staff in Kansas City. Gibbs and Al Saunders had discussed that possibility prior to Musgrave leaving.

The Redskins have three quarterbacks, with Mark Brunell, 35, the starter, first-round pick Jason Campbell coming off a rookie season in which he watched every game as the third quarterback and backup Patrick Ramsey, another former first-round pick, very likely to be dealt this offseason after Gibbs said Campbell is ready to play more in 2006. Gibbs said he still has not spoken to Ramsey since the players departed Redskins Park a week ago, but plans to address his future.

Gibbs listed retaining his staff as an offseason priority, with Musgrave the only one to leave thus far, but Walker continues negotiations with UCLA about its defensive coordinator position. Walker has been in California this week to meet school officials.

"We'll probably hear back on it shortly," Gibbs said.

The coaches will return in mid-February to work on personnel and prepare for free agency. Washington is about $18 million over the projected $95 million salary cap and will have to restructure several hefty contracts to get below that figure.