Redskins Hesitant to Call Jason Campbell "Black Out" a Concussion

Chad Waylon Pouncy — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:11:34 -0500

After Philadelphia DE Juqua Parker threw Washington QB Jason Campbell to the ground on the final forth down play of the Eagles 27-24 victory, everything went black.

No, not for the Redskins, this season has already proven to exhibit the absence of light. I'm referring to Jason Campbell.

In his postgame interview, Campbell remarked, "The guy actually threw me on top of my head. And when he slammed me down on my head everything blacked out, my left arm was numb and I had the breath knocked out of me. So I have no comments for what I think, but at the same time...We know."

Yes Jason, we know. Campbell was actually referring to our understood knowledge that the tackle in question deserved a flag and 15 yard penalty.

The flag we did get was a red one. By pleading his case in an excuse for the loss, Campbell let us know something that the Redskins organization didn't, Campbell had injured his brain.

The 'Skins have already lost their featured running back, Clinton Portis, for the past couple of weeks due to a concussion he suffered on the field. It is still unknown as to when Portis will return to action.

Concussions, or brain bruising, have been a hot topic around the league after several elite stars have missed time due to head injuries. Pro Bowlers Clinton Portis, RB Brian Westbrook, QB Ben Roethlisberger, and QB Kurt Warner have all gone down and have yet to return to the field of play.

According to Washington Post writer Rick Maese, Jim Zorn acknowledged Campbell's injury but said he did not suffer a concussion.

After losing their star running back and seeing both the Steelers and Cardinals lose their quarterbacks as well as their week 12 games, the Redskins seem reluctant to consider the injury a concussion and may want to keep the specifics "in house."

Knowing that the dreaded diagnosis can be damning to a players eligibility, Washington officials will have to keep a close eye on Campbell's condition. If it comes out that the quarterback did suffer a concussion and the team kept it under wraps, expect severe punishment for a team already in disarray.

Read more Jason Campbell news on BleacherReport.com

Stating The Obvious: Why Jon Gruden Should Coach The Redskins

David Xaviel is the Real Mr. X — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 02:34:06 -0500

As a Raider fan, one of the worst days in my memory was when Al Davis traded Jon Gruden to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

At the time, it seemed like a fleecing for the Raiders, but Gruden had changed the direction of the Raiders in 1998 by wresting power from Davis when Gruden got his quarterback in Rich Gannon instead of Jeff George in 1999.

Davis likely looked at the record-setting offense of the 1999 Vikings, and thought, "I should have stood my ground with Jeff George," even if George split time with Randal Cunningham at quarterback. It would also explain why Davis acquired Randy Moss in 2005.

I mention that blurb of Raider history, because I do believe that Jon Gruden is the only coach that makes sense for an owner like Dan Snyder of the Washington Redskins.

Aside from the popular analogy that equates Snyder and Davis, Gruden prefers the same type of players that Snyder prefers: veterans. From what I've read in the past, Snyder believes that the formula for success in the NFL is still the same as the "Over the Hill Gang" of the early 1970s Redskins under George Allen.

Gruden has shown a preference for veteran quarterbacks, which the 'Skins have in Todd Collins, unless Jason Campbell can step up as a control freak quarterback like Gruden had with Gannon. Or the 'Skins could sign Chad Pennington or Kyle Orton, each of whom fits the typical Gruden offense.

Gruden also prefers veteran running backs, which the Redskins have in the form of Clinton Portis. Gruden would be the best friend to a runner like Portis, who has been hindered by injuries and nearing the magic age of 30 where running backs often (not always) decline.

Gruden prefers veterans in general, defense and offense, and dislikes working with rookies, which is conducive to Snyder's philosophies of acquiring players. With a potentially chaotic free agency looming in 2010, because of the likely absence of a salary cap, Snyder will likely try to make another big splash and want to trade draft picks for known commodities.

Especially with names like Vincent Jackson, Brandon Marshall, Winston Justice, Pierre Thomas (RFA), Willie Parker, LenDale White, Le'Ron McLain, Chris Chambers, Isaac Bruce, Alge Crumpler, Marcus McNeill, Elvis Dumervill, Derrick Burgess, and Julius Peppers all slated to be free agents at the end of the season.

Most coaches prefer rookies and journeymen players and some known stars, while Gruden prefers veterans and works better with them. Thus, it clearly makes the most sense that Dan Snyder should hire Gruden as his next coach because their philosophies on player personnel clearly match.

Read more Jason Campbell news on BleacherReport.com

Bleacher Report - Jason Campbell

Redskins Hesitant to Call Jason Campbell "Black Out" a Concussion

Stating The Obvious: Why Jon Gruden Should Coach The Redskins