Posted by Mike Florio on July 2, 2009 11:44 PM
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.

I liked this kid as well in last years pre-season. Given, he was throwing against 2nd and 3rd stringers mainly, he was very impressive.

One point I see people making way too often is his throwing motion. Throwing side-ways might not be perfect, but it's a lot better than a Leftwich who has a 2 second wind-up. I think that he can make it with that throwing motion, even if he gets some passed batted done more often.

"Rockmolder" wrote:

He had a solid preseason but most of the people he played against were players that are either 3rd stringers or are not on a team anymore.

"Bigbyfan" wrote: