Having surprisingly lost out to the usually tightfisted Chicago Bears in the bidding for quarterback Jay Cutler, the Redskins have to reassure their own quarterback, Jason Campbell, about his place in their hearts after they tried to shop him around the NFL. Owner Dan Snyder and front-office boss Vinny Cerrato initiated trade talks with the Broncos, but since began the process of reassurance by meeting with Campbell the day after Cutler was dealt.
The good news for the Redskins is that unlike Cutler, who pouted his way out of Denver after the Broncos tried to trade for quarterback Matt Cassel in February, Campbell, 27, is as level-headed and professional as anyone in the Redskins' locker room. He worked out at Redskin Park as usual on April 2, told his teammates and coaches that he appreciated their support and declined to blast management for trying to deal him and replace him with a quarterback with a similar record, albeit more impressive passing numbers.
But Campbell, who's due to be a free agent next winter, has the incentive to forget the disrespect shown him by the organization and produce a big season which should result in a big payday from the Redskins or perhaps another team who lost out in the Cutler sweepstakes.
"You're going to play with a little more of a chip on your shoulder," Campbell said. "My mindset will be to play extremely hard. I would have done that regardless. I want to do everything I can to help us win. That will be my motivation even though I know that I was shopped around a little bit. I'm getting ready for the season and want to prepare myself for the best year I've had."
Campbell's teammates believe in his unflappability.
"I don't think it will affect Jason at all," said defensive end Phillip Daniels, who re-signed with Washington for the 1-year veteran minimum on Thursday after having his more lucrative contract voided five weeks earlier. "It's good to have him back. I'm sure he's pretty happy that he's staying with the Redskins. He's got a lot to prove."
Receiver Antwaan Randle El echoed that assessment.
"I think Jason felt slighted after a lot of the onus was on him when we went 2-6 in the second half," Randle El said. "That shouldn't have all been on him. Now he can use this little episode to prove even more people wrong."
But Randle El believes the Redskins' pursuit of Cutler and apparent attempt to trade Campbell won't be easy for the even-keeled Campbell to put behind him.
"It's a tough deal, bottom-line," Randle El said. "You wonder how it will affect Jason. But he's so even-keeled, so I think he'll handle it as well as anyone could."
