More Holes Than Janet's Wardrobe and Other Redskins Musings
Gary Cope, SkinsGridiron.com, February 26, 2004

ASHBURN - What in the world is going on with the Washington Redskins? Talk about a shakeup! It looks like All Pro cover corner Champ Bailey is on his way to Denver in what could be one of the biggest trades in NFL history. The Redskins would get 1,500-yard running back Clinton Portis. Of course, the big question everyone's asking is: "Who comes out ahead?" Excellent question. Let's explore it together, shall we?

Sure, on the surface, it appears to be a great trade for both teams, especially Denver. They get an all pro cover cornerback and a second round draft pick. The Skins get a running back that had a pair of good seasons. Whoa! Wait a minute!? They (Broncos) get a veteran corner in the prime of his career and a second round pick. We (Redskins) get a running back that has had a couple good seasons behind an offensive line/scheme that could probably open enough holes for this writer to gain 1,000 yards. No, seriously!

Look at the running backs that have experienced success behind that brilliant blocking scheme: Terrell Davis, Mike Anderson and now Clinton Portis. Anderson is a former Marine for crying out loud! How good would they be if they played for other teams? We don't know, because those guys weren't dumb enough to try and play somewhere else. Why? They know!

I understand that a running back is vital to the success of an offense in the NFL, however, Portis hasn't proven anything to me and I'm surprised the Skins' front office is so intent on getting him. Our offensive line isn't half as good at Denver's and until it gets better, you can forget about a thousand-yard rusher in the nation's capital.

And let's talk about the average career lengths for corners and tailbacks. Which do you think will last longer? A running back is always one play away from ending his career. He's hit every time he touches a ball. If an all pro cornerback does his job right, he rarely gets leveled or has to tackle someone, which means a lot less contact and less chance of getting injured. Advantage, Denver.

So, do you still think this is a good trade? Sure it is…FOR DENVER! Hey, I'm not saying Portis isn't good, I just don't think he's worth an established, all pro cover corner IN HIS PRIME, and a second round draft pick. If anything, Denver should give the Skins a draft pick, but even then, I don't think he'd be worth it.

And then there's the Mark Brunell trade with Jacksonville that really ticked off third-year quarterback and fan favorite, Patrick Ramsey. And I don't blame Patrick at all for being upset, but he probably should've kept his mouth shut and been more of a team player and leader. He's young, but if you can't take the competition, you're in the wrong business.

I like Ramsey and I think he proved last season that he belongs in this league. He earned the right to be the starting quarterback for the Redskins, but with a new coach come new challenges and Patrick has to realize that. The fact that Snyder and new Coach Joe Gibbs have emphatically said they will not trade Ramsey says to me that they realize he is the future quarterback of this team. But Gibbs wasn't brought in to build a Super Bowl team in five years. The NFL is a "win now" league and Gibbs is doing everything he can to win now.

And anyone who followed Gibbs during his first coaching stint with the Skins knows that he is a devout believer in a two-quarterback system. Not necessarily using both quarterbacks, but having a second stringer that is as good as the first stringer in case of injury.

Speaking of injuries, let's talk about Mark Brunell, who has only played a full 16-game schedule once during his eight-year NFL career. He's not the healthiest QB on the planet and Joe knows that! He's also, by now, seen the tapes of Ramsey getting hung out to dry and then demolished in the pocket behind an offensive line with more holes than Janet Jackson's clothes. He knows that if that trend continues, neither quarterback will last an entire season.

Will Brunell be the starter? With his salary-seven years, $34 million-you could probably make that argument, but Gibbs will go with whoever gives him the best shot at winning. Right now, that looks like Brunell because he's played the game the way it's meant to be played. He's said all the right things, while Ramsey, who is understandably upset, is coming across as a brat who's mad he's not getting his way. His agent should've coached him better on how to play this game. Now, Redskins players may look at Ramsey differently. You don't hear any of the Skins' running backs crying about bring Portis in? You don't hear the defensive lineman upset about Gibbs wanting Javon Kearse. Of course, the Skins don't really have any d-lineman anymore, do they?

It's hard to tell which direction this team is going in, but I trust in Coach Joe. I may not like the Brunell signing, the seemingly inevitable Portis for Bailey trade, or the pursuit of Javon Kearse, but I like Joe and I like the Redskins. Let's just hope Joe knows what he's doing.