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Roster Review: Quarterbacks

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Redskins.com breaks down the Redskins' roster position-by-position and identifies potential need areas. Up next: quarterbacks.

It is one of Jim Zorn's top priorities in his first year as Redskins head coach: he must continue the development of fourth-year quarterback Jason Campbell.

Campbell will adjust to Zorn's West Coast offense in 2008. He absorbed Al Saunders' 700-page playbook and learned on the job in his 20 starts the last two seasons.

Last year, Campbell entered the season as the starter and emerged as a solid quarterback.

In Week 14, Campbell's season came to an end when he suffered a dislocated kneecap injury. He hoped to come back if the Redskins advanced deep into the playoffs.

For the season, Campbell completed 250-of-596 passes for 2,700 yards, 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. His completion percentage was 60 percent and his QB rating was 77.6.

Campbell was sacked 21 times, so he faced some pressure. He was often able to use his mobility to escape pressure and pick up key first downs. He rushed 36 times for 185 yards and one touchdown.

Campbell's best game? Week 5 vs. Detroit. He completed 23-of-29 passes for 248 yards and two touchdown passes. He was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts that week.

When Campbell was sidelined with his injury, it was up to Todd Collins to lead the Redskins to the playoffs.

Collins had not started a game in 10 seasons, but he delivered with a remarkable performance down the stretch. He guided the Redskins to four wins down the stretch and a Wild Card playoff berth.

Collins completed 67-of-105 passes--a 63.8 completion percentage--for 888 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. His QB rating was 106.4.

In the Redskins' Wild Card playoff game in Seattle, Collins faced a more intense pass rush and he struggled to get into a rhythm.

He completed 29-of-50 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw two fourth-quarter interceptions that were returned for touchdowns in the Seahawks' 35-14 win.

Fifteen-year veteran Mark Brunell served as a backup quarterback all season long and did not see any game action.

Sam Hollenbach signed with the Redskins mid-season last year and served as the team's emergency quarterback for several games. He did not see any game action and he remains a developmental player at this stage of his career.


#### Positional Analysis

Zorn has named Campbell his starting quarterback. A quick hook if Campbell struggles learning the new offense? No, says Zorn.

Meantime, Collins and Brunell enter the offseason as unrestricted free agents, so their future with the Redskins is uncertain.

Zorn has said that he hopes to retain Collins's services as a backup to Campbell.

It's possible that the Redskins will look to draft a quarterback to develop as a backup to Campbell. Pickings appear slim in free agency.

Hollenbach, a first-year QB out of Maryland, remains a developmental player at this stage of his career.


## Three Quarterbacks Eligible For Free Agency
As of Feb. 25, 2008; names listed are in no particular order

  • Daunte Culpepper, Oakland Raiders: A former Pro Bowl quarterback with Minnesota, Culpepper started six games last year and completed 58 percent of his passes for 1,331 yards, five TDs and five interceptions.
  • Byron Leftwich, Atlanta Falcons: The Washington, D.C., native played in just three games for the Falcons last year after starting four seasons in Jacksonville.
  • Tim Hasselbeck, Arizona Cardinals: Brother of the Seahawks' Matt Hasselbeck, Tim played for the Redskins in 2003-04 before moving on to the Giants as a backup to Eli Manning.


Three Quarterbacks Available In the Draft

As of Feb. 25, 2008; names listed are in no particular order

  • Matt Ryan, Boston College: The 6-5, 218-pound Boston College product threw 31 TDs last year, but also 19 interceptions. He is regarded as the top QB available.
  • Brian Brohm, Louisville: A three-year starter in a pro offense at Louisville, Brohm tossed 30 TDs and 12 interceptions last year. He is 6-4 and 224 pounds.
  • Joe Flacco, Delaware: Flacco is rising fast up the draft boards after a strong showing at the NFL Scouting Combine. He was a two-year starter at Delaware after transferring from Pitt. The 6-6, 230-pounder threw 23 TDs and five interceptions last year.
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