Redskins quarterback Colt Brennan, extensively hyped as a college senior at Hawaii before plunging to round six in 2008 due to a poor Sugar Bowl performance and subsequent hip surgery, occupies a spot on the depth chart behind starter Jason Campbell.
And with the Redskins trying -- and failing -- to land Jay Cutler and Mark Sanchez in the offseason, it's generally accepted that the last year of Campbell's rookie contract could be his last year in D.C.
So Brennan realizes he has an opportunity to stake his claim to the job, and he arguably hinted during a Thursday night appearance on Sporting News Radio's The Monty Show that the team could be preparing him to play at some point in 2009.
"I gotta step in this year," Brennan said. "They've already made it clear that they're going to play me a ton in the pre-season and we gotta play four very talented teams and talented defenses and that's going to be my test."
But while Brennan remains diplomatic, his between-the-lines message is clear: Campbell could soon be out, and Brennan would like a chance to replace him.
"Right now it seems like it's in everyone's hands," Brennan said. "For Jason Campbell it's his last year, it's in his hands to go out and earn that second contract and earn that for him. And for me in the preseason it's my chance to go out there for the second year and prove that I belong and have a great preseason and show that I belong and maybe could be a starter one day."
Here's the reality, as we see it. With coach Jim Zorn widely believed to be on the hot seat, Campbell likely will be on a short leash. If Zorn had actual job security, the trigger for using Brennan would be the point at which the Redskins fall, as a practical matter, out of the race for a playoff berth. As it stands, we think Zorn will be inclined to yank Campbell early in the season, if it appears that the team isn't heading toward a postseason appearance.
Before Zorn can know whether it'll be a good idea to give Brennan a shot, Zorn needs to know whether Brennan can play at the NFL level.
And that's why he'll get so much work during the preseason.
Colt Brennan Says He'll "Play A Ton" In The Preseason
Posted by Mike Florio on July 2, 2009 11:44 PM ET
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Well, he lit it up a bit last year in the pre-season and got some Skin fans talking. If he does it again, the talk could go national and snowball very quickly.
Wooo Brennan
im about to put down my $200 for some great preseason football starring Colt Brennan.
i liked it a lot better when you didn't have time to report on the redskins. and the only way colt brennan sees starter time this year is if one or more people get seriously injured.
Good Luck Colt... the State of Hawaii is behind you!
(I hope that during this last year you have learned how to pass overhead and not sidearmed. The linebackers in the NFL are not the same as the WAC)
Maybe they can trade with Miami for Davon Bess. He always brought out the best in you!
js
The Skins can't even bother to spell Clinton Portis so he doesn't break down the 2nd half of the season...you think they'll play Colt Brennan against starters? Love my Skins, but they're going make the mistake of not only keeping Collins, but they'll play him way more snaps than he should. Colt will play the 2nd half of the preseason games when there's no starters on the field...hardly enough to tell if he can play a REAL game against NFL quality starters.
Too bad he plays for the Redskins instead of some team in the NFC West.
Since that's the NFL equivalent of the WAC.
"And then you'll be on the side of a milk carton." ~Timmy Chang
Surprised the cheatskins didn't go over the salary cap again to land Cutler...
He'll be repeating this line for years to come.
Gonna play a ton, huh? X-box or Playstation?
Good, they need to start him in the regular season too. Im done with Campbell and Collins is old. START COLT BRENNAN!!
What a relief, Brennan will play in the pre-season. Phew.
I think you let your opinion of the skins influence your reasoning a little to much florio. Brennen is going to play a ton because his job is on the line with chase daniels and todd collins currently competing with him for the number two spot. It could ultimately be Brennen seeing the door. So please try and relax and let JC do his thing. You Italians are always way to quick to crucify.
Excitement.
"Here's the reality, as we see it. With coach Jim Zorn widely believed to be on the hot seat, Campbell likely will be on a short leash. "
Really? You really think Zorn is going to go to Brennan in an effort to save his job? If that is the case, he might as well quit now and save the embarrassing press conference where he has to explain why Brennan is still the starter even though he is below the Kordoza line. How about sticking with an offense for more than 2 years? How many offenses has Campbell had to learn since he came into the NFL?
If Campbell does not step his game up, bring in Brennan (baby Drew Brees) HAIL
campbell isnt the best qb on the team at all. and... he may not be the best young qb either...
I still think collins is the best QB on the roster. does anybody remember couple years back when campbell got hurt against da bears. season was over. in comes collins and the redskins got hot. against great teams. collins hadnt played in 10 years. havent seen campbell have that kind of success. time for change. they need a whole new offense.
I believe Colt Brennan should get some game time, preseason or active season.
Regardless of the drama with schemes or changes that Campbell has had to endure, he is inconsistent and a poor performer with this team. Dont know why, dont care.
Having watched Colt Brennan play the few times last year, I think the team responded with him in ways that showed positive and consistant yardage. I think June Jones did a good job with this young-mans early development with the run'n shoot offense; I pride myself in saying I saw every home-game from 2006 thru his graduation in Hawaii at the stadium. There was great energy, especially with Coach Glanville on the big "D" side of the line. Im disappointed that staff did not stay together.
I believe Colt Brennan is right now better than Campbell or Collins, regardless of their combined experience; he is just consistant performer.
-I do admit, all Rookies need to sit out a few years to learn the game from that spectrum, a Professional league. Differences need to be resolved.
-Im also disappointed the Patriots did not pick Brennan as a 3rd string option, especially now that Cassel is gone; Brennan and Brady would have been a great partnership for development and experience; as players, staff and an organization that is very good with the ownership. Maybe a dream can come true?
I think Zorn has a good challenge ahead.