A year ago, Matt Cassel got his chance to be an NFL starting quarterback when then-Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard blew up Tom Brady's knee. Cassel led the Patriots to 11 wins, and played well enough for the Chiefs to trade for him in the offseason.
Smash cut to Cassel tweaking his knee during Kansas City's third preseason game (God's sense of humor is underrated), which forced him to miss the first Sunday of the 2009 season. Any chances the Chiefs -- an outfit that won six times in their last 32 games -- had against the Ravens were out the window with Cassel on the bench.
A year ago, Matt Cassel got his chance to be an NFL starting quarterback when then-Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard blew up Tom Brady's knee. Cassel led the Patriots to 11 wins, and played well enough for the Chiefs to trade for him in the offseason.
Smash cut to Cassel tweaking his knee during Kansas City's third preseason game (God's sense of humor is underrated), which forced him to miss the first Sunday of the 2009 season. Any chances the Chiefs -- an outfit that won six times in their last 32 games -- had against the Ravens were out the window with Cassel on the bench.
After a strong showing during the 2008 preseason -- specifically the nationally-televised Hall of Fame game -- Colt Brennan became the apple of many Redskins fans' eyes. Forget the investment and talent of Jason Campbell, or the fact that Todd Collins had a three-game winning streak to lead the 'Skins on an improbable '07 playoff run; masses of Colt fanatics pined for the decorated collegiate star from Hawaii to lead their troops at some point.
After not seeing any regular season action in 2008, Brennan was thought to be ready to battle Collins for the backup role this season. Instead, he's struggled and found himself fighting for his life to save a roster spot against Washington's new flavor of the preseason, Chase Daniel.
On its face, it sounds implausible. No way Jessica Simpson, singer, "actress," inspiration to millions ... of preteens, would date a third-string quarterback. Particularly given that her last relationship was with the face of the Cowboys, Tony Romo.
But then I remembered that she was married to Nick Lachey, who was known more for hanging out with Matt Leinart than he was for his musical talents as a member of 98 Degrees. So maybe there is something to the rumor that Simpson and Colt Brennan (No. 3 on the depth chart, No. 1 in the hearts and minds of Redskins fans) are a couple.
This should go over well: former NFL quarterback Rich Gannon ranks the NFC East quarterbacks and he thinks Tony Romo is the best of the bunch. It's hard to get worked up about such lists since they have absolutely no bearing on how the season will unfold. But that's not the point, at least for fans of the Eagles, Giants and Redskins.
I think it's fair to say that Jason Campbell, the Redskins' 2005 first-round pick, has yet to live up to expectations. It's not entirely his doing -- Washington is notoriously tough on young quarterbacks, particularly in a Joe Gibbs system (which Campbell found himself for the first three years of his career) -- but that doesn't make fans and media suddenly more forgiving.
With Fantasy Football season ready to kick in high gear, FanHouse is here to preview each and every team -- one per day until we've done them all.
Meet the ... Second consecutive season under the same playbook. This is quite significant because the Redskins' current signal-caller hasn't been afforded this "luxury" since his senior year in high school. I can't even imagine what Jason Campbell has done with all his extra time this offseason, what with not having to learn an entire new playbook. Every other player has to know his own job on each play. The quarterback has to know the job of all 11 players on each play. Comfort matters.
To veteran NFL players, the preseason is a necessary evil, a four-game stretch in which they get paid peanuts (relatively speaking) and just hope they don't get hurt. But to young players trying to prove themselves, the preseason can represent a major opportunity. And Redskins backup quarterback Colt Brennan says he's going to make the most of that opportunity.
ASHBURN, Va. -- He is the man, the myth, the legend around these parts, the quarterback who will finally lead a hungry franchise back to the promised land. He is a fan favorite, a cult hero, a promise of a bright future.
And he has never taken a regular-season snap.
Colt Brennan finds himself in an intriguing situation as he enters his second season with the Washington Redskins. On the one hand, he'll once again be his team's third-string quarterback -- stuck behind oft-criticized Jason Campbell and 15-year veteran Todd Collins. On the other hand, a growing number of Redskins fans think he is the missing piece to their championship puzzle.
As the Redskins go through mini-camps this spring, the most important development will be how things progress with their starting quarterback, Jason Campbell. It's no secret the Redskins pursued other options during the offseason, only to come up short and end up "stuck" with the 27-year-old Auburn product.
After three seasons, and finally one full one, under his belt, it's time for Campbell to take the next step and become a franchise quarterback. Finally getting a second season in the same offensive system -- 2009 will be the first time -- is a great start for the 6-foot-5 signal-caller. He's also getting more comfortable in his leadership role.
Sorting the Sunday Pile looks back at the NFL weekend that was. It's also an unofficial Brady Quinn blog.
After a strong showing during the 2008 preseason -- specifically the nationally-televised Hall of Fame game -- 
On its face, it sounds implausible. No way Jessica Simpson, singer, "actress," inspiration to millions ... of preteens, would date a third-string quarterback. Particularly given that her last relationship was with the face of the Cowboys, Tony Romo. 
This should go over well: former NFL quarterback 
With Fantasy Football season ready to kick in high gear, FanHouse is here to preview each and every team -- one per day until we've done them all. 
ASHBURN, Va. -- He is the man, the myth, the legend around these parts, the quarterback who will finally lead a hungry franchise back to the promised land. He is a fan favorite, a cult hero, a promise of a bright future.
As the Redskins go through mini-camps this spring, the most important development will be how things progress with their starting quarterback, 
