Brad Johnson could be the key to the fate of his former employers
by Dave Halprin on Dec 25, 2007 9:41 PM CST
in Dallas Cowboys News
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PrintWe don’t know yet just how much Tony Romo will play in this weekend’s season finale against the Redskins, but if Wade Phillips decides to rest him, the fate of two franchises will somewhat depend on Romo’s backup. Brad Johnson played most recently for the Vikings, who would need him to beat the Redskins to help their playoff chances. In addition, Johnson once played for the Redskins and left there on terms that were less than friendly. The Minnesota Star Tribune explains:
If Romo doesn't start or gets pulled early, it would give Brad Johnson his first chance to throw a regular-season pass in a Dallas uniform. This could be good news for the Vikings.
[snip]
Traded by the Vikings to Washington before the 1999 season, Johnson spent two years with that franchise. He led the Redskins to the playoffs in his first season and was named to the Pro Bowl, but Washington decided to go with Jeff George following 2000 and Johnson left as a free agent.
Johnson's feelings toward the Redskins and owner Daniel Snyder were made clear after he led the Vikings to a 19-16 victory in the 2006 opener at FedEx Field. As Johnson dressed in the visitor's locker room following that Monday night game, he donned his old Redskins jersey and proudly headed toward the team bus with the grin of a Cheshire cat.
If Johnson plays significant minutes Sunday he’ll have extra incentive to beat up on the Redskins and help the Vikings.
Over in Washington, they have a little bit of a QB controversy on their hands. After starter Jason Campbell was hurt, Todd Collins came on and pulled the Redskins right back into playoff contention with some solid outings. If he can do the trick one more time on Sunday, he’ll have led Washington to the playoffs and here’s where it gets tricky.
Should Collins complete Washington's improbable late-season surge with a fourth straight win, the starting quarterback situation could become more complicated, a situation Coach Joe Gibbs said would be dealt with "down the road."
The word out of Washington is that QB Jason Campbell has a 50-50 chance of being healthy for that playoff game should Washington win. So do they go back to their starter all year and their QB of the future or do they stay with hot-hand that got them into the playoffs?
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I'd say they'd give the reins back to Campbell
If they make the playoffs and he's ready to play, then they should put him in. They've already made him 'their guy'. It's similar to back in 2001 when Brady got injured, and Bledsoe led the Pats to victory against the Steelers in the AFC title game. But Brady played in the Super Bowl. Once the guy's been designated, you play him unless he gets hurt or begins to suck.
by Nelson @ Blogging The Boys on Dec 25, 2007 10:05 PM CST reply actions
yeah, I think thats a no brainer
Campbell is obviously the Redskins starting QB and Collins, although he played well in replace of Campbell, is really just a career backup and has no business playing in the playoffs.
I disagree
They should stay with the hot hand. Campbell was turning the ball over in critical situations before he was injured. Collins is a crafty vet, who might not have the physical gifts, but he doesn't make critical errors. If, and it's a big if, the Skins get to the playoffs, I think they should stick with Collins.
Bringing a cold, rusty guy off the bench just because he is the starter wouldn't be the smart move. Campbell will be the starter next season.
by APerfectStar on Dec 26, 2007 1:07 PM CST up reply actions
This will be a fascinating choice
Collins seems to give them the better chance to win a game or more in the playoffs. But in no way can he be considered the franchise's future, so can you really stick with him if Campbell is healthy?
didn't Dallas...
...have a similar predicament in the early nineties when Aikman got hurt and Steve Beurline led them to the playoffs. I don't remember how that turned out. I seem to recall Troy started and they lost in Round 1. Was that the Lions game where Eric Kramer tore up the Cowboys D?
by boysandbosox on Dec 26, 2007 8:15 AM CST reply actions
Dallas needs this win.
by Baked Potato Soup on Dec 26, 2007 9:43 AM CST reply actions
why not??
We have to play someone in the playoffs so who cares if its the Giants or Redskins. If the Cowboys want to ultimately win the SB this season, they shouldn't have to worry about any NFC teams.
The NFC representative (hopefully us) will get blown out in the SB if they can't dominate NFC teams in the playoffs getting there.
Picking Your Poison
I'm happy enough to play the Redskins at home again. We beat them there once already, and I'll take my chances with them again. (I much prefer the Redskins as an opponent to the Saints, who still have me spooked from last year.) It'd be their third crack at the Boys, but they will have had to show their full hand twice already, while we've only shown ours once. That's a nice advantage, even if you rate the coaching staffs as roughly equal (which I think is a big disservice to our guys).
The Redskins have some nice wins during this run (Minnesota and Buffalo, and after last weekend you can make an argument that Da Bears qualify too), but no wins against elite teams. They're not a cupcake, but it's the second round of the playoffs. There aren't supposed to be any cupcakes.
+100
Just like the Bears and Pack. Have to beat them so we don't see them again...
by Longhorn @ Blogging The Boys on Dec 26, 2007 7:24 PM CST up reply actions
Glenn Practiced in Pads
WR Terry Glenn looked like a real, actual participant in practice today for the first time, donning a jersey, shells and helmet and taking part in all the drills Cowboys Blog was allowed to watch. Until now, Glenn had been outfitted in sweats and been a partial participant.
[snip]
S Roy Williams, fresh off his suspension, and S Patrick Watkins, who missed Saturday's game with an ankle injury, were both back at practice. The only players missing from today's session were WR Terrell Owens, who's out this week, and C Andre Gurode.
I am anxious to see what TG can do out there against the SKins
Liked this Ellis quote on Romo
From Redskins.com conference call.
On if he ever thought that Cowboys QB Tony Romo (QB, #9) would be where he is today after watching him lead the scout team earlier in his career:
"Yes, I did actually. In practice, guys would always say: 'Romo is good. Romo is pretty good back there.' So he got his chance and he took advantage of it and here he is. We already knew it as players on this team, just the rest of you guys didn't know it."
Collins is going to pick the Cowboys D apart.
The Redskins would've beaten the Cowboys in Dallas at full strength last time, but the inexperienced Campbell panicked/made a bad decision in the clutch.
The Redskins are vulnerable to the pass as evidenced by TO running over them for multiple TD's (the last three opponents...Bears, Giants, Vikings were relatively weak throwing it), but then, so are the Cowboys. A decent quarterback can shred their defense---in particular, their suspect secondary. Think back to Campbell just moving up and down the field at will near the end of the game.
As unlikely as it seems, Collins is going to provide the difference in this "meaningless" game unless he gets hurt because of his immobility. He makes fewer mistakes. Look for Cooley to do some real damage crossing over the middle and the Redskins to run 70% of the time to the left.
Brad Johnson can say what he wants, but he doesn't have it anymore and the starstruck Romo's head is just a little too big.
See you guys after the Seattle game for a little wakeup call and a really cool rematch in Dallas. One more thing...never underestimate Joe Gibbs.
by Redskinsfan on Dec 27, 2007 12:07 PM CST reply actions
you won't beat the Seahawks
thats if you're lucky enough to win Sunday, and it will take luck.
FYI, Romo's head (and arm) will slice you guys up Sunday for however long he plays. He would also slice you to pieces in the playoffs as well, especially with a healthy T.O. and Glenn, but you guys aren't good enough to beat the Seahawks.
Your luck will run out very soon, it will end in the playoffs, thats if you get in.
Decent smacktalk from the enemy
Making it only sweeter when the Boys knock the Skins out of the playoffs using backups.
by Dave Halprin on Dec 27, 2007 12:28 PM CST up reply actions
Right
The Redskins are definitely the class of the NFC, maybe the whole NFL. Everyone knows that Collins is better than Johnson and Romo. Just look at the numbers. Wait, Collins has to play five more games to count in any official stats. OK, I know, look at his name. Todd Collins. Who wouldn't want that name over Johnson or Romo? He's better than P. Manning, better than Brady, better than GOD. And Romo didn't earn any of his stats. They're all puffed up, playing against teams like New England and Green Bay, and... and... Washington.
The Redskins woulda fer sure beat Dallas except for that whole "we didn't score more than them" rule the NFL put in place. Stupid rule. Everyone could see the Redskins had more heart and like wanted it more and stuff.
For the rest of you guys, save the post for whenever you feel like posting a "I am such a homer, I can't think straight" message.
If you make it into the playoffs
The Skins have to fly across the country to face a Seattle team that plays really well at home.
Good luck. I'd rather see the Skins for our 1st round playoff game.
Gibbs looks so old and out of it, it's embarrassing. He needs to retire already.
by APerfectStar on Dec 27, 2007 7:12 PM CST up reply actions
I really don't
think we even need Romo to beat the skins.B Johnson is steady and he has a thing about showing up danny boy...haha!
i agree..
i've always liked brad j. when he has talet around him he's smart and he can win games, he's more than a capable backup..and with our o-line jason cambell would look like a pro-bowler..
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