Look, I'm not high....I realize that the failings of this team fall on a great number of areas.....and players. And I've gotten far too used to counting on McNabb to throw it into the dirt in critical situations when we were on our heels to necessarily count on him throwing all caution to the wind. But, any QB who consistently throws the ball out of bounds on Hail Mary's cannot be considered an accurate passer. Too many times I've seen Campbell throw behind, above, below and ahead of receivers. Too many times an accurate throw would have resulted in a catch....and even a run after the catch, which - by the way - is the bread and butter of the WCO.
I'm not saying that the receivers didn't miss some routes.....hell, they're young and still learning. But, by and large I'd venture to say that they would have benefited greatly by a more accurate passer than what we've had.
I'm not a Campbell hater....I think he's been quite the valiant soldier.....but he is just not the guy. Maybe he'll grow and get better....but he's not proven it to me so far.
HTTR
I agree that Campbell was not an accurate deep passer, but he was 10th overall last year in accuracy, several spots ahead of McNabb, in fact (though I will allow the possibility that McNabb's numbers are skewed because he actually threw the ball downfield). Campbell certainly could have been more accurate than he was.
My problem stems from many fans making blanket statements about Campbell's abilities that do not hold up when the facts are examined. They make statements based on gut assesments, on the "eye test," on the "IT scale" or whatever other nonsense they come up with to avoid forming a complex opinion (this isn't a shot at you, I just happened to read your post while I had a particularly large bug up my ass). They disregard statistics even though, oddly, the best quarterbacks, that is, the ones that pass the gut test and the eye test and just have the indefinable (and largely made up by dopey sportscasters) "IT" also manage to wind up at the top of all statistical categories.
All in all, Campbell may not be the guy. He didn't win, and that's the most important statistic of all. He couldn't deliver when he really needed to. He is an average to mediocre quarterback, and he may not be anything more than that. But he isn't the bottom of the barrel, as some fans seem to suggest (or declare outright).
Yet many fans are almost jumping out of their seats for joy at the prospect of him leaving. And all I can think is what a great way to talk about a guy who gave everything he had to the Redskins. Sure, he was handsomely compensated. But I'd like to think that this game we love is about more than making money and the bottom line of winning and losing. I'd like to think it is about honor and pride and loyalty and all the other bull**** they talk about on NFL Films' productions.
Maybe I'm naive but I think Campbell is a true Redskin and that means more to me than how many touchdowns he threw or how many games he won.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a sudden, inexplicable desire to listen to the entire Sarah McLachlan catalog.