All true, murf. As you know I've been a JC guy all along. No one has been on Jason's side as long or as loud as me. I have the links to prove it.
Thing is, having watched every play of his career--many of them multiple times, more than a few frame by frame (I have no life)--I also know the numbers don't tell the story.
Jason's numbers have never been the problem ... the way I see it, the problem has always been what he does and does not do in the biggest moments, with drives, games and seasons on the line.
And it's not always been what he has done, but what he hasn't; looking off safeties consistently, pulling the trigger on that tight seam pass and giving his receiver a chance to make a play on a key 3rd down, settling instead for the outlet that comes up 2 yards short ... visibly and forcefully rallying the troops both on the bench or on the field at the key moments of a game ...
And there's the stuff he does sometimes do that doesn't show up in the numbers ... losing track of time in the pocket once or twice a game and taking unnecessary sacks, ending drives, or even just having to throw it away to avoid the sack when a little more awareness might have yielded a running lane or hot receiver. Sometimes exposing the ball while doing so, leading to crucial, killer turnovers. Far too often being either a beat slow or a beat rushed in getting the ball out.
I understand that all the transition around him has played a factor. It's not about that. It's about watching the man play now over 4 seasons and forming an overall impression of his pace, demeanor, skill set, tendencies ... and (hoping I'm wrong) seemingly his capacity.
I just don't think the numbers, Football Outsiders or anyone's, tell Jason Campbell's story. The numbers have no category for "it," which to me is the one thing he's been missing.
Whether or not he finds "it" in 2009 will determine whether Washington is a legitimate contender to make noise in the playoffs or just another one of probably a dozen teams who will be 'in the mix' all year, maybe even grab a wildcard if things bounce right, but never really be a threat to the big boys.
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