In a sign of some continuity, the Skins have finally re-signed backup QB Todd Collins. I think this is a good move, especially since Collins got us to the playoffs after starter Jason Campbell went down with an injury.
I do actually have one small problem with this whole scenario however. As we are trying to get away from our free spending ways - i.e. no more big, long contracts that we continue to pay years after guys leave the league - I am puzzled by the contract Collins received.
Now I think Collins should be rewarded for what he did last season however, how smart is it to sign a guy turning 35 in May to a 3 year contract? Vinny Cerrato said at the bottom of the story that they are waiting for the market to come back down before they make any other signings but was the market for Collins really 3 years, $9 million?
Baby steps I guess ... but welcome back Todd. Great to have you sticking around.
Showing posts with label Todd Collins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Todd Collins. Show all posts
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Preseason Game 4: Redskins vs. Jaguars
Washington (2-1) vs. Jacksonville (2-1)
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET at ALLTEL Stadium
ESPN game preview (once again not a whole lot of info because it is preseason)
The final preseason game is upon us, meaning the real stuff is right around the corner. But before we get to that the Skins will tune up for their season opener against Miami with another Florida-based team, the Jaguars. Jason Campbell has talked Joe Gibbs into letting him start this meaningless contest so let's hope Gibbs has the sense not to leave him in there too long.
Mark Brunell looks to get a long look at QB and considering his shot last week to impress the coaches was canceled because of lightning, he better do something pretty impressive this week if he wants to be the backup. Todd Collins has been awesome this preseason and should have the No. 2 job wrapped up.
The only other thing I personally am interested in is seeing how recent acquisitions Randall Godfrey and Pete Kendall look in Skins uniforms. Hopefully this game will give them enough of a chance to adjust to their teammates so they are ready to go next week.
Also, check out the Helmet Project, purveyors of the great helmets you see at the top of this post.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Preseason Game 3 recap
Because last night's game was abbreviated due to a lightning storm in the area (which, for those of you who don't live or weren't in DC last night was probably one of the most intense storms I've ever been in and I've lived in 10 different states), I decided to keep my recap of the game abbreviated as well.
1. Even if Todd Collins throws 3 interceptions in next week's preseason finale, he should be the backup to Jason Campbell. He has been the only QB - Campbell included - to get the offense to move up and down the field and last night he did it against a good defense in Baltimore. And as long as we are on the subject, the Skins should release Mark Brunell and keep Jesse Palmer as the No. 3 QB and give him some playing time in Thursday's game.
2. Not wanting to read too much into preseason play but if these games are a sign of things to come, last season's defensive struggles were an aberration. The finally gave up a TD to the Ravens at the end of the first half but they really made Baltimore pay for its mistakes early in the game.
3. With game left in the preseason - a Thursday night affair in Jacksonville - it would be nice to see Washington get out of the game with no injuries to the starters and for all of the guys fighting for the final spots on the team to have great games and make it difficult for the coaching staff to decide who to keep. Most of these guys will never see the field during the regular season but it would be nice if their hard work this summer was rewarded with a solid final game.
1. Even if Todd Collins throws 3 interceptions in next week's preseason finale, he should be the backup to Jason Campbell. He has been the only QB - Campbell included - to get the offense to move up and down the field and last night he did it against a good defense in Baltimore. And as long as we are on the subject, the Skins should release Mark Brunell and keep Jesse Palmer as the No. 3 QB and give him some playing time in Thursday's game.
2. Not wanting to read too much into preseason play but if these games are a sign of things to come, last season's defensive struggles were an aberration. The finally gave up a TD to the Ravens at the end of the first half but they really made Baltimore pay for its mistakes early in the game.
3. With game left in the preseason - a Thursday night affair in Jacksonville - it would be nice to see Washington get out of the game with no injuries to the starters and for all of the guys fighting for the final spots on the team to have great games and make it difficult for the coaching staff to decide who to keep. Most of these guys will never see the field during the regular season but it would be nice if their hard work this summer was rewarded with a solid final game.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Preseason Game 2 recap
Observations from Saturday's 12-10 loss to Pittsburgh:
1. How many times are we going to watch stars go down with injuries in meaningless games before a different approach is taken. Luckily it looks like the Jason Campbell injury isn't too serious but losing Marcus Washington could be almost as big. Washington's loss wasn't felt too bad last night but if he misses any regular season games, the defense may have a hard time trying to erase last season's struggles.
2. Speaking of the defense, it looks really good considering the competition at this point but anyone who thinks this defense will be like last year's is going to be sadly mistaken. London Fletcher seems to be a great addition in the middle and seems to be providing a much needed spark.
3. Again, it's only the preseason but Todd Collins looked good when he came in for Campbell and marched the offense down the field for a score while Mark Brunell again looked old. Brunell moved the offense somewhat in the final drive and it wasn't his fault that last pass was intercepted - he can't control his receiver tipping it to a defender - but where he threw the ball was what concerned me. With no timeouts and less than 20 seconds, a long pass down the middle of the field was probably not the right place to throw the ball in the first place. If that pass had been caught, I find it hard to see the offense getting set up and stopping the clock with a spike before time ran out. He should have gone to the sidelines in hopes of being able to get the field goal team on in time.
Despite the loss things seem to be encouraging but we won't have any idea how much impact this work in the preseason will have until the first games are played. The battle for I-95 is up next.
1. How many times are we going to watch stars go down with injuries in meaningless games before a different approach is taken. Luckily it looks like the Jason Campbell injury isn't too serious but losing Marcus Washington could be almost as big. Washington's loss wasn't felt too bad last night but if he misses any regular season games, the defense may have a hard time trying to erase last season's struggles.
2. Speaking of the defense, it looks really good considering the competition at this point but anyone who thinks this defense will be like last year's is going to be sadly mistaken. London Fletcher seems to be a great addition in the middle and seems to be providing a much needed spark.
3. Again, it's only the preseason but Todd Collins looked good when he came in for Campbell and marched the offense down the field for a score while Mark Brunell again looked old. Brunell moved the offense somewhat in the final drive and it wasn't his fault that last pass was intercepted - he can't control his receiver tipping it to a defender - but where he threw the ball was what concerned me. With no timeouts and less than 20 seconds, a long pass down the middle of the field was probably not the right place to throw the ball in the first place. If that pass had been caught, I find it hard to see the offense getting set up and stopping the clock with a spike before time ran out. He should have gone to the sidelines in hopes of being able to get the field goal team on in time.
Despite the loss things seem to be encouraging but we won't have any idea how much impact this work in the preseason will have until the first games are played. The battle for I-95 is up next.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Preseason Game 1 recap
I realize that Saturday's game was the preseason opener but there were still a few things of note.
1. Jason Campbell still has a lot to learn. Campbell made some good plays and reads but he also made some mistakes, something that just about every young QB goes through. Hopefully these extra reps with the first team will count though and help him adjust to the role of a starter faster.
2. Mark Brunell is old and still holds the ball too long. Tennessee had five sacks in the game and a majority of them were because Brunell held onto the ball about 6 seconds longer than he needed too and pump-faked about 3 times a pass play. Mark, I've got an idea for you - try throwing the ball.
3. Vince Young is going to be way overexposed. Hey, did you hear that Young was suspended before the game for violating team rules? Yeah, I got that message too by the fourth time it was announced in the first quarter. I think the announcers only mentioned it after every other play.
4. If the season started tomorrow, Todd Collins would be the guy. He completed all 5 of his passes, led the offense to its only TD and got the team its first preseason win since 2005. If that isn't a recipe for jumping to conclusions and putting too much stock into a meaningless game I don't know what is.
5. One request for next week - instead of playing Brunell, let's see what Carson Palmer's kid brother Jordan can do. The Skins entered the week with 5 QB's and Palmer beat out Casey Bramlet for the fourth spot prompting Bramlet's release. But how do we know if Palmer could be better than Brunell and/or Collins if he doesn't play? Put him in coach.
Maybe next week there will be more to talk about other than the QB's.
1. Jason Campbell still has a lot to learn. Campbell made some good plays and reads but he also made some mistakes, something that just about every young QB goes through. Hopefully these extra reps with the first team will count though and help him adjust to the role of a starter faster.
2. Mark Brunell is old and still holds the ball too long. Tennessee had five sacks in the game and a majority of them were because Brunell held onto the ball about 6 seconds longer than he needed too and pump-faked about 3 times a pass play. Mark, I've got an idea for you - try throwing the ball.
3. Vince Young is going to be way overexposed. Hey, did you hear that Young was suspended before the game for violating team rules? Yeah, I got that message too by the fourth time it was announced in the first quarter. I think the announcers only mentioned it after every other play.
4. If the season started tomorrow, Todd Collins would be the guy. He completed all 5 of his passes, led the offense to its only TD and got the team its first preseason win since 2005. If that isn't a recipe for jumping to conclusions and putting too much stock into a meaningless game I don't know what is.
5. One request for next week - instead of playing Brunell, let's see what Carson Palmer's kid brother Jordan can do. The Skins entered the week with 5 QB's and Palmer beat out Casey Bramlet for the fourth spot prompting Bramlet's release. But how do we know if Palmer could be better than Brunell and/or Collins if he doesn't play? Put him in coach.
Maybe next week there will be more to talk about other than the QB's.
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