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Campbell Is Pressured From Every Angle
With the Redskins having lost three of their last four games, Jason Campbell said, "People are basically throwing me under the bus right now."
(By John Mcdonnell -- The Washington Post)
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"Hopefully, the younger guys will develop into guys who can also go downfield," Campbell said. "Malcolm, he's had that knee [injury], and he's still learning and trying to develop. Devin is still learning and trying to develop. But when we face these tough defenses, the only way we're going to be able to start to free up Santana is that we've got to start getting a lot of other options, so it's tough. I drop back to throw the ball sometimes, they're playing cover-2 man, and you have people talking about, 'He's holding the ball too long.' I can't throw the ball because we're not getting open off of it."
Major breakdowns in protection occurred last month, a primary reason only three quarterbacks have been sacked more times than Campbell. That problem, combined with Campbell having few dependable receivers, dropped passes and the Redskins' offense becoming one-dimensional and predictable when they are trailing in games, has had a cumulative effect on Campbell's performance. "All of those things are very true," Zorn said.
The deteriorating physical condition of top running back Clinton Portis also has taken a toll. Portis, the NFL's second-leading rusher, has 1,228 yards, but he totaled fewer than 70 yards in three of the last four games. Earlier in the season, Portis's running opened options in the passing game that have not materialized for Washington in the last four games.
To be sure, Campbell has room for improvement. He has made poor decisions reading defenses at times. Some of his passes have not been sharp. Zorn rated his performance against the Giants on Sunday as "very average."
But Zorn also said he has confidence in Campbell. He has praised his quarterback for making strides in learning his third offensive system in four pro seasons and said he is committed to Campbell's development. "I put a lot on him to be right all the time," Zorn said. "He knows that I think he can really do it."
Washington faces the Baltimore Ravens (8-4) on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium. A loss would be another significant blow to the Redskins' playoff chances.
"I'm my own toughest critic," Campbell said. "No one is harder on myself than I am, and I know I can do better and I have to do better.
"I'm not the type of guy who points fingers and says: 'Well, that guy's not doing his job. Look at that guy.' I take responsibility because that's what a man does. But it's not as simple as some people want to think it is. If I felt like I was the only thing holding this team back right now, I would say it, but that's not the way it works as a team. It's not just about one person. We all have to take responsibility."
Staff writers Jason La Canfora and Barry Svrluga contributed to this report.
