Five Reasons Why Jason Campbell Will Improve in 2009

The Washington Redskins have not been shy this offseason about their desire to upgrade their starting quarterback position. Twice this offseason, the Redskins have attempted to bring in a replacement for current starter Jason Campbell.

The first attempt to replace Campbell came when the Redskins attempted to trade him to Denver for former Broncos’ quarterback Jay Cutler. Cutler demanded a trade after learning of new Coach Josh McDaniel’s attempt to trade for former New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel.

However, the Broncos did not think Campbell would fit into their style of offense and subsequently traded Cutler to the Chicago Bears for Kyle Orton.

The Redskins then made it known they were interested in drafting former University of Southern California quarterback Marc Sanchez. Campbell stated publicly that if the team drafted Sanchez he would demand a trade. Sanchez was taken with the fifth overall pick by the New York Jets.

Having to stay with Campbell, however, may be a blessing in disguise for the Redskins as Campbell may be ready for the breakout season the organization has been waiting for. Here are five reasons why Campbell is ready for a breakout season in 2009.

5. Jim Zorn is back as the Redskins Head Coach.

This is only the second time since Jason Campbell’s senior year of high school that he is playing in the same offensive system for consecutive seasons. Campbell had four different offensive coordinators in his four years at the University of Auburn, then had to learn three different offensive systems in his first four years with the Redskins.

Campbell was just starting to get comfortable with Al Saunders offensive system before Joe Gibbs retired after the 2007 season and Saunders was let go along with former defensive coordinator Greg Williams.

4. Being in his second season with a West Coast offense.

The West Coast offense has always been known as one of the toughest systems to learn, and Zorn’s version is no different. It took two years for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to get comfortable with the West Coast offense when Zorn was the quarterback’s coach with the Seahawks; a fact that Zorn has emphasized since becoming the ‘Skins’ coach.

Having a second year in Zorn’s system should allow Campbellto go through his pre-snap reads easier as well as be more familiar with the routes his receivers are running on every play.  This should help Campbell get away from his problem of staring down his first read on pass plays.

3. A healthy offensive line.

Though this is a bit of a stretch, if the Redskins’ offensive line can stay healthy and play with any kind of consistency, it will go a long way in Campbell having a breakout season.

Chris Samuels and Randy Thomas have recovered from offseason surgeries and have even received praise from Zorn for how well they have progressed. The dark horse on the line this year could be left guard Derrick Dockery.

Dockery started at left guard for the Redskins from 2003-2006 before spending the last two years with the Buffalo Bills. Dockery is only 28, and will provide a bit of youth that is sorely needed among this group.

Dockery played well in his first stint with the ‘Skins, and with offensive line coach Joe Bugel still on the staff, don’t be surprised if Dockery returns to his previous form this season.

2.  Devon Thomas and Malcolm Kelly are in their second seasons with the Redskins.

Devon Thomas and Malcolm Kelly were non-existant as rookies last season which became a problem as the season went on because defenses were able to role coverages over to Santana Moss.

Thomas struggled to grasp the offense last season, while Kelly was limited because of a season long knee injury. With Kelly being 100 percent healthy and both players having a full offseason to study Zorn’s offense, they should be able to provide Campbell with the receiving options he did not have last season.

Also, if Thomas and Kelly can make any kind of contribution this season, it will force defenses to pay attention to them, which will give Moss, Antwaan Randle-El and Chris Cooley more room to roam through the opposing defense, which gives the Redskins the opportunity for more big plays in the passing game.

1.  Determination.

Jason Campbell is determined to prove to Dan Snyder and Vice President of Football Operations, Vinny Cerrato, that they were wrong in their efforts to replace him.

Campbell got off to a strong start last season throwing eight touchdown passes and no interceptions through the first eight games of last season before struggling down the stretch. Zorn attributed Campbell’s struggles to the performance in the offensive line during the second half of last season.

History is also on Campbell’s side. Current New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees struggled in his first two years as the San Diego Chargers starting quarterback in 2002 and 2003. Brees threw 28 touchdown passes and 31 interceptions in those two seasons, prompting the Chargers to trade Eli Manning to the Giants for Phillip Rivers in the first round of the 2004 draft.

Brees responded by throwing 27 touchdowns to just seven interceptions in 2004 with a quarterback rating of 104.8 as the Chargers won the AFC Western Division championship with a 12-4 record. He followed that with 24 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 2005.

Campbell is in his third year as the full-time starter just as Brees was in 2004 when he had his breakout season. Campbell, like Brees, also has the motivation of knowing the organization wants him out as the starting quarterback.