Redskins QB Competition

Apparently, there's going to be an open quarterback competition for the starting job with the Washington Redskins. That's what Mike Shanahan is saying. Shanahan will not name a starter before training camp. Will the incumbent Jason Campbell's tenure in Washington be closer to ending? Will Shanahan go for a QB in the draft?

The answer to both should be no and for various reasons.

Let's address the question about Campbell's future in D.C. I'm not too concerned for him. If it's competition, shouldn't there be worthy competitors? There's not really a single QB currently on the Redskins roster that could threaten Campbell's job as the starter. Rex Grossman, Colt Brennan and Richard Bartel are not exactly going to strike fear into Campbell. Grossman did "lead" the Bears to a Super Bowl, but he was viewed more as a manager, not a QB. The Bears made the Super Bowl despite Grossman.

Shanahan has publicly commented that he will work with Campbell. The list of prior QBs is decent to say the least. John Elway, Jake Plummer, Jay Cutler. Shanahan helped create a Hall of Fame, two-time Super Bowl winning QB, a Pro-Bowl QB and a reach that, while in Denver, was more than a productive QB.

Keep this in mind. Campbell has never had a steady coach or influence during his time in Washington. He's had no cohesiveness. Shanahan will be all to Campbell. Maybe we will finally get to see the real Jason Campbell the Redskins thought they were getting when he was drafted. If Campbell emerges as the starter, I look for good things from him in 2010.

Also, Campbell has improved every season in every major statistical category since being the Redskins starter. A quick view of his progress:

• 2006: 7 games; 53.1% comp, 10 TD, 6 INT, 76.5 rating
• 2007: 13 games; 60.0 %, 12 TD, 11 INT, 77.6 rating
• 2008: 16 games; 62.3 %, 13 TD, 6 INT
• 2009; 16 games, 64.5 %, 20 TD, 15 INT

The INT were up last season, but that could be attributed to the unassuming line he had protecting him. Shanahan will correct that as well as teach Campbell to make better decisions.

Drafting a QB at #4 overall would be a reach unless Sam Bradford is still there. He will be there if the St. Louis Rams do not draft him #1 overall and that provides a bit of intrigue. I cannot under any circumstance seeing Washington passing on Bradford if he's available, though. I also cannot see Shanahan drafting Jimmy Clausen with that #4 pick providing Bradford is off the board. If the Rams take Bradford, and I suspect the Rams will, selecting Russell Okung, an offensive tackle from Oklahoma State, is by far the best option for Washington at #4 overall. With the retirement of Chris Samuels, a tackle is a pressing need. Time to bring the Hogs back to D.C. and Okung could be that building block.

To me, it's almost a foregone conclusion that Campbell will be back as the Redskins starting QB...and all signs point in that direction.