Jason Campbell News: Pro Sports Daily

Redskins signaling the status quo with Campbell

Comment

October 21

Washington Times

"The Washington Redskins will debut an offensive play caller when they face Philadelphia on Monday night - but not a starting quarterback. On his weekly radio show Tuesday, coach Jim Zorn said Jason Campbell, who was benched at halftime of Sunday's loss to Kansas City in favor of veteran Todd Collins, will remain the starter. "What I'm going to do is go right back to Jason," Zorn said on ESPN 980. "I made the decision [to sit Campbell], but I didn't give up on the young man. I didn't give up on the QB." Campbell will take the first-team practice reps Wednesday as the Redskins (2-4) prepare for an Eagles defense that is in the NFL's top 10 in yards, passing yards and sacks. He will be ..."

A crisis of confidence?

Comment

October 21

Washington Examiner

"Jason Campbell admitted he felt the pressure -- even when there wasn't any. All week long he heard about his patchwork offensive line and the trouble that awaited him. By the time the game started, Campbell anticipated being under siege. So even though on most throws he wasn't under pressure, he reacted as if he was. And he'd step up too soon, trying to run through lanes that weren't open. He hesitated on throws. Then he got benched. He was given his starting job back Tuesday when coach Jim Zorn announced it during his weekly appearance on ESPN 980. With left tackle Chris Samuels sidelined and right guard Randy Thomas already out, Campbell knows what went wrong for him last week. "I was ..."

Campbell gets the call

Comment

October 20

Washington Times

"The Washington Redskins will have a new play caller Monday night against Philadelphia, but they will not have a new starting quarterback. Coach Jim Zorn said today on his weekly radio show that Jason Campbell, benched at halftime of Sunday's loss to Kansas City, will remain the starter ahead of Todd Collins. "I'm going to go right back to Jason," Zorn said on ESPN 980. "I didn't give up on the young man; I didn't give up on the QB. After all is said and done, [Campbell] is where I'm going to head." A team source said Monday night the choice would be Campbell because of the mobility that likely will be needed against Philadelphia's attacking defense. Campbell has a career 3-2 record against ..."

Who will be under center?

Comment

October 20

Washington Examiner

"The Redskins know who their new play-caller will be; they just aren't sure yet who will be running the plays he calls. One day after benching Jason Campbell for the second half, coach Jim Zorn said he remains undecided about who will start vs. Philadelphia Monday night. Neither quarterback was effective in Sunday's 14-6 loss to Kansas City, though Todd Collins completed a 42-yard pass to Santana Moss on his second play. But he failed to produce on two trips inside the Chiefs' 25-yard line. Overall, Collins completed six of 14 passes for 75 yards. "I was disappointed for Jason," Collins said. "No one likes to see someone get pulled from a game. I know what that feels like. And when I got in ..."

Redskins will stick with Campbell as starter

Comment

October 20

NFL.com

"Quarterback Jason Campbell will remain the starter for the Redskins, and will open the Week 7 game against the Eagles, a league source told NFL Network's Jason La Canfora. The news comes after coach Jim Zorn announced Monday that he will yield his play-calling duties to Sherman Lewis at the request of the team's front office. Lewis was hired as a consultant two weeks ago. After completing 9 of 16 passes for 89 yards with one interception in the first half, Campbell was pulled Sunday in favor of Todd Collins as the Redskins lost 14-6 to the Chiefs. For the season, Campbell has completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 1,197 yards with six touchdowns and six interceptions."

Announcement of starting QB coming later

Comment

October 20

Washington Times

"Jason Campbell is handling the first benching of his career with his typical aplomb. The Washington Redskins quarterback, the epitome of coach Jim Zorn's preferred "medium" cool, spent the night after his benching in a 14-6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday watching games on television, talking to his parents and wondering how he can help right the reeling Redskins. If, that is, he's given the chance. Zorn, already dealing with the forced relinquishment of his playcalling duties Sunday night, said he wasn't prepared to choose between Campbell and replacement Todd Collins to start against the NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. However, it is expected Zorn will stick ..."

Redskins' Zorn unsure who will start at QB

Comment

October 19

Washington Times

"Jim Zorn will take advantage of the extra day of preparation before the Washington Redskins' next game to make a decision on his starting quarterback. Zorn replaced Jason Campbell at halftime of Sunday's 14-6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs with Todd Collins, who also struggled after his first pass went for a 42-yard gain to Santana Moss. But Collins was unable to get the Redskins into the end zone, leaving Zorn with enough doubt that he wouldn't announce a starter for the Oct. 26 home game against Philadelphia. "I'm going to evaluate what's going on," Zorn said. "I still have confidence in what Jason can do. To me, he was just not comfortable in the pocket and some of the things going on ..."

Third Quarter's the Charm

Comment

October 5

Washington Post

"As the booing of quarterback Jason Campbell intensified after each turnover and the Washington Redskins appeared inept on offense again Sunday afternoon, Coach Jim Zorn hurriedly searched his play sheets for something that might work during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Zorn also questioned whether his game plan was flawed, sought the counsel of his assistants and thought about what he could do differently to help Campbell, he said later. But there was something the coach never considered: making a change at quarterback. Zorn stuck with Campbell despite his horrid performance before halftime, and Campbell rewarded his faith with two second-half touchdown passes to help ..."

Redskins Lose Season Opener to Giants

Comment

September 14

Washington Post

"Surveying the field as the offensive line protected him well, Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell was eager to make a big play late in the first half Sunday afternoon against the New York Giants. Washington struggled early in a Week 1 matchup of NFC East rivals, and Campbell thought he needed only another few seconds to provide a spark, which he did. Unfortunately for the Redskins, Campbell's decision to wait in the pocket proved costly as defensive end Osi Umenyiora forced a fumble, recovered the ball and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown that helped the Giants in their 23-17 victory at Giants Stadium. Umenyiora's timely play was among many the Giants made in defeating the ..."

'I Feel Good About Where We're At'

Comment

September 9

Washington Post

"On his final "day off" before the season begins Sunday, Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell actually relaxed a little. Instead of reviewing hours of game film of an upcoming opponent -- in this case, the New York Giants -- as he usually does on Tuesdays during the season, Campbell planned to watch only another hour of video and spend most of the afternoon visualizing plays he anticipated Jim Zorn might include in the Week 1 game plan. Not exactly a day of fun for most people, but definitely a break for Campbell. "I always kind of laugh when people talk about us being off when we don't practice, because you're never really off once the season starts if you're trying to ..."

Discrediting His Doubters, For Now

Comment

August 30

Washington Post

columnist Tracee Hamilton

"After Jason Campbell went 1 for 7 last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Coach Jim Zorn called his performance "very good," and eyebrows all over the Washington area flew to the rafters. Had the Redskins decided to coddle their starting quarterback after an offseason in which he was left dazed and confused -- and ultimately angry -- by his team's pursuit of Jay Cutler and Mark Sanchez? But Campbell's very solid performance Friday night in a 27-24 loss to the New England Patriots -- 13 for 22 for 209 yards, a 73-yard completion, no interceptions, a rushing touchdown and a passer rating of 90.9 -- should have laid that concern to rest. With the starters expected to see far less action ..."

Quarterback Regains His Footing

Comment

August 29

Washington Post

columnist Mike Wise

"Whenever I read a poorly constructed e-mail lambasting Jason Campbell -- or, okay, willingly participate in a debate on Miserable Suburban Guy radio -- I have to remember to conserve my passion for a debate that matters. Like health care. Or "Hard Knocks," or "Mad Men." Heck, Re-tweets vs. Original Thought. Because I can't waste another spare minute defending the player who is rightly the Washington Redskins' starting quarterback this season, the guy who marshaled his team down the field in Friday night's 27-24 loss to the Patriots, managing a first half that the Redskins' porous defense almost ceded to Tom Brady and Randy Moss. In fact, the next person who seriously wants to engage in a ..."

New wrinkle; same old story

Comment

August 24

Washington Examiner

"The little twist on the issue occurred Saturday night, with the offensive line affording Jason Campbell the one luxury he wanted most: time. On the first snap of the game, Campbell sat in the pocket and unloaded a deep ball to Malcolm Kelly. It was short. Later, Campbell, setting strong in the pocket, looked deep to Santana Moss. But the wideout went inside; the quarterback threw outside and another incompletion was recorded in the stat book. In the past, the line was blamed for the Redskins' inability to generate offense downfield. They did their job Saturday in the 17-13 win over Pittsburgh. But Campbell and the passing game did not do theirs. And, perhaps in part because of that, the ..."

Zorn: Improvement clear against Steelers

Comment

August 24

Washington Times

"The videotape didn't lie when it showed the Washington Redskins going through the motions in their loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the preseason opener. And it didn't fib when coach Jim Zorn reviewed Saturday's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. "A week ago, I felt like we were just running plays. It was like a practice," Zorn said Sunday at Redskin Park. "[Against the Steelers] our guys were more intent on improving because they could see what was going on [on video], and they did improve. They showed much more enthusiasm and understood some of the moments of the game - the fourth downs, the third downs - and rose up in those situations." While the starting offense remains without a ..."

Skins' QB Campbell is incomplete

Comment

August 24

Washington Times

"Six incompletions in seven attempts, including two errant deep passes and a misfire over the middle, usually don't endear a starting quarterback to his coach. But Jim Zorn overlooked the numbers to praise parts of Jason Campbell's 19-snap performance in the Washington Redskins' victory over Pittsburgh on Saturday night. Campbell is 4-for-13 for 48 yards halfway through the preseason. That's not necessarily cause for alarm, but neither is it reason to think the Redskins' passing game will be humming in time for the season opener Sept. 13 against the New York Giants. Following a review of the Redskins-Steelers tape Sunday morning, Zorn stuck with his view that Campbell made good decisions, ..."

A Backup's Age-Old Story

Comment

August 22

Washington Post

columnist Mike Wise

"Each August, without sufficient reason, we go cuckoo for Colt. For two years running, some of us have gone absolutely bananas over a third-string quarterback who has but two qualities in his corner: gaudy college numbers and raw gumption. Why? Because Colt Brennan represents youth, daring, change. Jason Campbell represents same ol', same ol'. Todd Collins, bless his heart, represents an archeological dig. (Chase Daniel represents youth, daring and change, too. But unfortunately, not enough to circumvent an old unwritten NFL rule: one Doug Flutie clone per 53-man roster). But almighty Colt, who will be Campbell's backup Saturday night against the world champion Steelers in a preseason ..."

Campbell Won't Be Shy About Guiding Redskins

Comment

July 29

Washington Post

"During a closed-door meeting in owner Daniel Snyder's office in April, Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell listened attentively as Snyder voiced concerns about Campbell's performance last season. Snyder told Campbell he wants him to become a franchise quarterback, Campbell recalled Monday, but he has not reached that level yet in Snyder's opinion. Snyder called the meeting to clear the air about his efforts to replace Campbell, Washington's starter for the last 2 1/2 seasons, during the offseason and encourage Campbell to assume more leadership. Although Campbell didn't agree with everything he heard in the meeting that Vinny Cerrato, Washington's executive vice president of ..."

The future of coach Zorn rests in Campbell's hands

Comment

July 20

Washington Examiner

columnist Rick Snider

"Albert Haynesworth won't determine the Washington Redskins' fortunes this fall. Neither will Brian Orakpo, Clinton Portis, Chris Cooley or Santana Moss. It all comes down to quarterback Jason Campbell. Eleven days before training camp opens, the Redskins still wonder if Campbell can lead them. Four years after trading two first-rounders to draft Campbell, the Redskins twice tried to replace him over the offseason. First the trade for Jay Cutler didn't work, then plans for drafting Mark Sanchez failed. Instead, Campbell is the lamest duck since Daffy. Campbell is a free agent after this season. If he doesn't play well, coach Jim Zorn probably exits, too. Their fortunes and futures are ..."

Campbell Expects Gains on Offense

Comment

May 4

Washington Post

"Encouraged by the Washington Redskins' performance during minicamp and officially putting the drama of the offseason behind him, quarterback Jason Campbell expects "a lot of improvement" in the second year of Coach Jim Zorn's West Coast offense, he said yesterday. "You know you're just getting started all over again, and it's really about just getting back to the technique and the fundamentals, but you have to feel good about what we can do as an offense," Campbell said after the three-day session ended at Redskins Park. "I think we all have a better understanding of what Coach Zorn wants from us, and everyone is more familiar with everything we're supposed to be doing out there. "Last ..."

Campbell's pressure won't fade

Comment

May 2

Washington Times

columnist Dick Heller

"Who's the unluckiest person on the District's perpetually pathetic sports scene? Manny Acta, who will have five more months of watching the Nationals blow ballgames unless he is mercifully relieved of his command? Phillip Saunders, who faces the same kind of sorry season next winter with the Wizards and in addition must explain why in the world a 54-year-old man would be called "Flip"? Nah. These guys are positively lucky compared with Jason Campbell. If you'll pardon a bad joke, Campbell is in the soup - or maybe very deep hot water - as he tries to pretend he's welcome at this weekend's Redskins minicamp. Other than the chief inhabitant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., practically nobody in ..."

Campbell ready to resume reign

Comment

May 2

Washington Times

"Jason Campbell's motto should be "never let 'em see you sweat." Six days after his return as Washington's starting quarterback was ensured by the team's second failure in less than a month to replace him, Campbell patiently answered all of the media's questions, even as rain dripped all over his bare head following the first of five practices in this weekend's minicamp at Redskin Park. "There [was] a lot of stuff going on this offseason, emotionally and mentally, but I'm at a standpoint now where I've got to put all that behind me," Campbell said Friday. "I can't be out on the field, playing games, where I'm feeling pressure to do certain things to get a new contract or in order to prove a ..."

'Skins' bid for Sanchez 'a shock' for Campbell

Comment

April 28

San Francisco Chronicle

"Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell said Monday he was shocked that the team tried to work out a deal toUSC quarterback Mark Sanchez in the first round of the NFL draft. "It definitely was a shock," Campbell said, "when I started hearing Sanchez talk." Campbell was still the Redskins' starting quarterback, having survived the second of two attempts by the team to acquire someone else. Just three weeks earlier, the Redskins tried to trade for Denver's Jay Cutler. Washington did land another quarterback Monday, but it was undrafted Chase Daniel of Missouri. LOCAL SIGNINGS: Nine Bay Area collegians signed undrafted free-agent contracts, and former Cal quarterback Nate Longshore chose a tryout ..."

Campbell Wants Out If Redskins Draft QB

Comment

April 24

Washington Post

"If the Washington Redskins select Southern California quarterback Mark Sanchez in tomorrow's NFL draft, starting quarterback Jason Campbell will request to be traded, NFL sources said last night. Campbell, whom the team has tried to replace this offseason, has publicly taken the high road throughout Washington's pursuit of other players to potentially take his job, saying he is focused on leading the Redskins in the upcoming season. The presence of another young, starting-caliber quarterback such as Sanchez on Washington's roster, however, would spur Campbell's representative, Joel Segal, to contact the team in an effort to find a better situation for the four-year veteran, league sources ..."

Redskins, Campbell opt to clear the air

Comment

April 4

Washington Times

"Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell met with owner Dan Snyder, executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato and coach Jim Zorn on Friday, a day after the team failed to complete a deal to acquire Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler from the Denver Broncos. The Broncos traded Cutler to the Chicago Bears on Thursday for two first-round draft picks, a third-round selection and quarterback Kyle Orton after the Redskins failed to assemble an acceptable package for the 25-year-old. The Redskins broke their silence on Cutler after the meeting at Redskin Park. "We met with Jason today and had a candid discussion," Cerrato said in a statement. "We told Jason that when Jay ..."

Campbell, Snyder Meet to Clear Air

Comment

April 4

Washington Post

"Encouraged after his meeting yesterday with Washington Redskins owner Daniel M. Snyder, quarterback Jason Campbell said he has put aside his frustration about the team's pursuit of Jay Cutler and is determined to become "the type of quarterback Mr. Snyder wants." Several NFL sources said that Snyder, eager to finally solve the team's decades-long pursuit of a franchise quarterback, was the force behind the Redskins' efforts to acquire Cutler, who was traded from the Denver Broncos to the Chicago Bears on Thursday. Snyder called the meeting to clear the air about the team's attempts to replace Campbell, Washington's starter for the last 2 1/2 seasons, and attempt to move forward toward the ..."

Source: Cutler trade imminent

Comment

April 2

Washington Examiner

"The Redskins are close to completing a deal for Denver quarterback Jay Cutler, according an NFL source said. The source, who told The Examiner of the Redskins' interest in Cutler two weeks ago, was uncertain what Washington had to surrender in the deal and said it's "going down as we speak." The Redskins have shopped current starter quarterback Jason Campbell. The source had said in a separate conversation about five minutes earlier that Washington appeared to be bumped from the favorite position in favor of another team, possibly Cleveland. However, after hanging up he quickly called back to say, "It changed.""

Campbell: I want to stay with 'Skins

Comment

March 26

Washington Times

"Knowing full well his on-field actions and not off-field words will determine his future as the Washington Redskins' quarterback, Jason Campbell nonetheless remains unequivocal in his desire to stay with the franchise that drafted him four years ago. But do the Redskins, despite their purported pursuit of Denver's Jay Cutler and the fact they are working out Southern California's Mark Sanchez, want Campbell? "That's up to them," he said after a workout Tuesday at Redskin Park. "I definitely want to stay here. I like the D.C. area, and I like the fan support. I do think we're a team that can win in the near future, and I do think we're a team whose turn it will be to rip off wins year after ..."

Campbell's Offseason Goals: Getting Mind and Body Ready

Comment

March 17

Washington Post

"Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell focused on preparing his body for the 2009 NFL season as the team's offseason conditioning program began yesterday at Redskins Park. "Right now is the time to try to get in the best shape you possibly can get in for what's coming," Campbell said in a lengthy telephone interview. "Quarterbacks lift weights during the season, but this is the time, in the offseason, where you lift a lot of the heavier weights to build muscle mass. When the season comes and you get hit during the season, you'll be getting some of those licks. You want to make sure your body is ready." Campbell has worked extensively on strengthening his psyche. He took a long ..."

Campbell Is Pressured From Every Angle

Comment

December 3

Washington Post

"With the Washington Redskins having the day off, quarterback Jason Campbell took a rare break from football yesterday. Instead of reviewing game film or going over the playbook, he decided to just relax at his house and take his mind off the game. A once-promising season is threatening to slip away, with the Redskins having lost three of their last four games. And as is typical in the unforgiving world of the NFL, criticism of the team's quarterback is intensifying with each loss. Frustration among fans -- not to mention sports radio and television pundits -- boiled over after Sunday's 23-7 loss to the New York Giants. Callers filled talk radio programs with attacks on Campbell's ..."

Zorn stands by Campbell

Comment

December 2

Washington Examiner

"The tradition starts when the wins stop. And the wins have stopped for the Redskins; so the questions about the starting quarterback have begun. Except at the place where it matters most: Redskins Park. There, Redskins coach Jim Zorn said there's been no discussion about benching starting quarterback Jason Campbell. "He's not totally failing," Zorn said. "I'm putting him in some advanced situations ... I'm pleased in the direction that he's going." In their last three games against teams with a winning record, the Redskins (7-5) have scored a combined 23 points. Washington's offense hasn't produced two touchdowns in a game since Oct. 19. Meanwhile, in the last four games Campbell has ..."

Hardware Upgrade

Comment

November 30

Washington Post

"They were chosen one year and two dozen NFL draft spots apart, so in some ways there is little that ties together the pro careers of the New York Giants' Eli Manning and the Washington Redskins' Jason Campbell. Everything, from contract to expectations to timetable for success, is different for a quarterback drafted first overall than one drafted 25th. Even so, they compete in the same unyielding division, and they will share a field today in Landover as the Redskins (7-4) try to draw a game closer to the first-place Giants (10-1) in the NFC East. And now that Manning is the quarterback of the defending Super Bowl champions and the on-field leader of the sport's most imposing team this ..."

Campbell Proving To Be an Apt Pupil

Comment

November 27

Washington Post

"On Monday morning, as Washington Redskins Coach Jim Zorn reviewed film of his team's 20-17 win over the Seattle Seahawks the previous day, he noticed quarterback Jason Campbell moving through his progressions too quickly at times, looking to his second and third options before allowing the primary route to develop. The tendency was something Zorn knew he would have to address with Campbell, but the former Seahawks quarterback smiled as he analyzed the young signal caller's performance during his news conference later in the day. "Remember, at the beginning of the season I couldn't get him off that receiver and now he is off him, you know, five yards down the field. Boy, he's looking for ..."

Campbell's Chance to Be Money Player

Comment

November 14

Washington Post

"Back at work the other day after the Washington Redskins' bye week, quarterback Jason Campbell sounded upbeat between meetings at Redskins Park. "The time off was good, real good," Campbell said. "But we've still got a lot we want to accomplish, there's a lot still ahead of us, and we've got to finish the right way." The same could be said about Campbell himself. He impressed during the team's first nine games in only his second full season as a starter, playing a major role as Washington has remained in contention for a postseason berth. Coaches and players said Campbell performed well in directing the offense under Jim Zorn, the team's first-year head coach and play-caller, and now the ..."

New contract not a concern for Campbell

Comment

November 12

Washington Times

"Moments after practice Monday, Jason Campbell was handed a sheet of paper with information that will become pertinent when contract talks intensify between his agent and the Washington Redskins. "Oh my," Campbell said as he read the guaranteed dollars given to quarterbacks the last two years. Tony Romo, Dallas: $30 million. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay: $20 million. David Garrard, Jacksonville: $20 million. Derek Anderson, Cleveland: $14.5 million. Matt Schaub, Houston: $7 million. Just as quickly, though, Campbell snapped back to reality. His focus is on playing quarterback for the Redskins, not on the potential financial bonanza. "I'm not trying to pay attention to it and instead trying to ..."

In Zorn-LeBeau Chess Match, Campbell Pays the Price

Comment

November 4

Washington Post

columnist Jason La Canfora

"Conventional wisdom dictates that teams don't spread the field too often against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The NFL's top-ranked defense tends to punish poorly protected quarterbacks, and the more receivers an offense sends into pass routes, the fewer players there are at the line of scrimmage to block. Redskins Coach Jim Zorn challenged that thinking last night, opening the game in a four wide receiver set and attacking with similar formations the rest of the contest. After weeks of more conventional play-calling, riding the running game and the occasional deep pass to a 6-2 record, Zorn gambled more often with protection in his "Monday Night Football" debut as a head coach, and ..."

So, What Did You Bring for Show and Tell?

Comment

October 29

Washington Post

columnist Mike Wise

"As the shrieks and shrills grew to decibels unheard of in suburban Virginia, as hundreds of tiny young voices pierced the air of this special school assembly -- "JA-SON! JA-SON!" -- one thought came to mind: Poor Tim Dehaven. After his 7-year-old daughter Taylor -- she's the one with the Redskins hair bands holding up her blond pigtails, seated in the front -- won the NFL's Take a Player to School Sweepstakes, after Taylor rolled up to P.B. Smith Elementary School yesterday in a gleaming jet-black stretch limousine with Jason Campbell -- only the starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins (and the coolest person in the history of mankind, according to several children interviewed ..."

Campbell's growth key in Skins' streak

Comment

October 3

Washington Times

"After a meeting with coach Jim Zorn and an assistant Monday afternoon, Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell had two options for the next two days: Go home to relax and enjoy two rare days off or bury himself in a meeting room. As usual, he chose the latter. Instead of celebrating the biggest win of his career, Campbell stayed at work, watching three Philadelphia Eagles game tapes for nearly four hours, the first stage of preparation for the next opponent. Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell has yet to throw an interception in 124 attempts this season. (Peter Lockley/The Washington Times) Unflappable in the face of criticism after a season-opening loss to the New York Giants, ..."

Redskins' Jason Campbell Comes Through for a Lifelong Fan

Comment

September 28

Washington Post

columnist Marc Fisher

"Antoinette "Pinky" Berry fought hard, but as she drifted into her final days, she had very little left. In bed at Washington Hospital Center's Cancer Institute, surrounded by family and friends, she had stopped eating, wasn't much for talking and showed little of the spirit that made her so popular in the Oxon Hill Safeway's bakery department. Making her hospital rounds one day this month, Vera Oye Yaa-Anna, a storyteller who offers patients encouragement and perhaps a song, instantly recognized Berry from Safeway. "Seeing Pinky in her terminal state was devastating," Oye says. Trying to hide her emotions, Oye edged toward the door. On the way out, she noticed that Berry was covered with a ..."

The Great, Late Jason Campbell

Comment

September 26

Washington Post

"As another late-game celebration began, Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell congratulated his teammates in the final seconds of Sunday's 24-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals at FedEx Field. Campbell kneeled twice to end the game, his work completed after he performed well down the stretch for the second straight week. The fourth-year quarterback has been at his best in the fourth quarter, making big plays to help provide the difference in consecutive victories. Buoyed by the trust Coach Jim Zorn, Washington's play-caller, has shown in him, Campbell has played at the highest level with the game on the line against the Cardinals and New Orleans Saints, many of his teammates ..."

Cardinals Are Impressed With Campbell's Progress

Comment

September 22

Washington Post

"As he stood in the locker room following his team's 24-17 loss to the Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals safety Antrel Rolle admitted that leading up to the game he "wasn't too high up on" Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell. Last year, Campbell had passed for a meager 95 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in a 21-19 win over the Cardinals. And despite a prolific performance against the New Orleans Saints one week before, Rolle said he still wasn't sold on Campbell's fit in the Redskins' West Coast offense. "I knew he was a big-play guy, I know he could definitely beat you with his arm," Rolle said. "But I didn't think he was that comfortable in the system." But after ..."

Redskins' Campbell Is Playing It Cool

Comment

September 19

Washington Post

"The leader of the Washington Redskins' offense exuded confidence. Quarterback Jason Campbell had shown strength during other tense situations, several of his teammates said yesterday, but this situation was different. The Redskins were trailing the New Orleans Saints by two points late in the fourth quarter in their home opener Sunday. Campbell had been booed often as the offense failed to capitalize on earlier opportunities, and Washington got the ball back with 3 minutes 38 seconds to play. The call for a deep pass came from Coach Jim Zorn, and Campbell assured everyone in the huddle good things would happen as long as they performed their assignments well. "I just told 'em, 'Here we ..."

The Kid Shows His Stuff

Comment

September 15

Washington Post

columnist Mike Wise

"Miami's own Clinton Portis called one of the most sizzling and stickiest games ever played at FedEx Field "one of the hottest days I ever played football." Ninety degrees, 55 percent humidity and a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter in a home opener Jim Zorn and his young quarterback needed very badly. So every fool who concluded with certainty after one game that a 6-foot-5, deep-drop passer cannot grasp the nuances needed to run a multiple-read offense with a catchy name, would just shut up and go home. Before the kid finally won a game at the end, before he gathered himself and delivered that dagger of a deep post route to Santana Moss that made nearly 90,000 delirious with 3 ..."

Laughing off boos is easy for Campbell

Comment

September 15

Washington Times

columnist Thom Loverro

"The disapproval from the crowd was noticeable. Jason Campbell's response to it was, too. Peter Lockley / The Washington Times Jason Campbell was booed at times Sunday but led the Redskins to a rally past the Saints. After hearing the boos from the FedEx Field crowd, the young quarterback led the Washington Redskins to a fourth-quarter comeback and a 29-24 win over the New Orleans Saints. "I heard the boos from fans," Campbell said, referring to when his team was down 24-15 going into the fourth quarter and he had mediocre numbers at that point. "I heard some guys yelling and screaming some crazy things. You have to laugh it off and move on to the next play." Campbell moved on, all right - ..."

Trying to Lighten Burden on Campbell

Comment

September 10

Washington Post

"Although quarterback Jason Campbell is under the microscope as the Washington Redskins continue their transition to Coach Jim Zorn's version of the West Coast offense, all of the team's top offensive players must raise their level of play for the new scheme to work, several of Campbell's teammates said. "It's not just about J.C.," wide receiver Santana Moss said. "J.C. has to do his job, but we've all got jobs to do." The Redskins produced 209 yards of total offense and converted 3 of 13 third-down chances in last week's 16-7 season-opening loss to the New York Giants at Giants Stadium. Campbell completed 15 of 27 passes for 133 yards with one touchdown. He had an 81.2 passer rating. In ..."

Playing Off Line Gives QB More Time

Comment

September 7

Washington Post

"As they reviewed the tape together, Washington Redskins Coach Jim Zorn and quarterback Jason Campbell separately reached the same conclusion: Campbell was more effective in the shotgun formation than under center in Thursday's 16-7 season-opening loss to the New York Giants at Giants Stadium. The Redskins could work out of the shotgun more often if Campbell preferred, Zorn said before their meeting ended Friday, and Campbell eagerly accepted the offer. "I was really happy to hear him say that, because I like the shotgun," Campbell said. "The shotgun gives me the chance to do some different things than when you're under center. Right now, we're all still learning this new offense and ..."

Campbell Should Follow Path Blazed by Manning

Comment

September 5

Washington Post

columnist Mike Wise

"Jason Campbell should have every alibi at his disposal. Lousy protection. Rotating coaches and playbooks. No rookie wide receiver emerging to the fore and giving him another weapon. And he's coming off a knee injury, the most draining physical comeback in sports. He also knows Eli Manning had alibis a year ago in New York, and it didn't matter a bit. At some point, the kid had to make plays to make people believe. Last year became a career-defining season, one in which Manning would either show the promise and poise of a face-of-the-franchise quarterback or the jitters and vacant stares of a four-year veteran who doesn't yet get it. Manning told him so on Thursday night, before and after ..."