The QB Competition Is Over, Isn't it?
Gary Cope, SkinsGridiron.com, Aug. 27, 2004

Ashburn - It's over, right? The quarterback competition for the Washington Redskins, it's been decided, hasn't it? Well, not exactly.

It seems the only people convinced there's still an open competition for the Redskins quarterback job are the coaches. And I'm not convinced they're convinced. Think about it: These are some of the best coaches in the game, so they have to know that Mark Brunell is going to be the starter for the Burgundy and Gold on Sept. 12.

But, for some reason, head Coach Joe Gibbs won't admit it. Why?

Gibbs is a smart man and he's proven he can make an average quarterback into a Super Bowl MVP. He was successful in that regard because he knows the fragile ego of the QB. Gibbs realizes that Ramsey is still young and has a bright future ahead. Gibbs also knows if he pulls the rug out from under Ramsey now by naming Brunell the early starter, the kid might not recover. The Coach is giving Ramsey the chance to compete, just like he promised. That's what makes Gibbs a legendary coach...he's a man of his word.

Realistically, though, we all know (Ramsey included) that Brunell will be the starter. By allowing him to compete, however, Gibbs is showing Ramsey that the coaches will stick with him even when the going gets tough.

Ramsey is only 25 and he's playing in a completely new system after two years learning Steve Spurrier's failed offensive scheme. Ramsey is also playing for his third coach in four years. It's hard to develop a quarterback after three years of confusion and inconsistency. Ramsey's luck if he knows which way is up after Hurricane Spurrier blew through. Gibbs knows this and that's why he's letting Ramsey continue to compete.

Patrick will be just fine. He'll sit and watch most of this season, barring any injuries to Brunell. He'll learn how real NFL offenses operate and subsequently, he'll get better. We saw what he was capable of last season, despite Visor Boy's who-cares-if-the-QB-get-killed blocking schemes.

So, the next time Joe Gibbs says there's an open quarterback competition, think of it this way: Ramsey competing, but not with Brunell…not this preseason. Ramsey's competition is with himself.