Brunell’s time in Washington comes to pass

By Joe Versage  |   Sunday, March 16, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

Washington Redskins
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In 2007, Washington Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell purchased a large house in Great Falls, Va. He must have thought he was staying for a while, because the price tag on the five-bedroom, eight-bath mansion was $3.7 million.

But change happens fast in the NFL, and Brunell should have known better before making his investment.

In recent weeks, the 37-year-old watched helplessly as his contract with Washington came to an end. When he was not tendered a new deal, he turned his attention to other teams and eagerly awaited an offer.

Last week, the Atlanta Falcons expressed interest in Brunell. Then after the retirement of Brett Favre, Green Bay followed suit. But by Wednesday, the aging signal-caller had made up his mind to leave his house in Virginia for a new home in New Orleans.

Louisiana may prove to be the best place for Brunell. With Drew Brees entrenched as the Saints' starting quarterback, the team was looking for an experienced backup who could provide injury insurance. In a career that includes a two-year stint in Green Bay, nine years in Jacksonville and four in Washington, Brunell has started 150 games. His passing totals include 31,826 yards, 182 touchdowns and an overall passer rating of 84.2.

While holding out hope for a 16th NFL season, Brunell had no choice but to take his show elsewhere. Over the past two years in Washington, he lost his starting job, underwent surgery on his throwing shoulder and then lost his backup role to a player who had not started in 10 years.

The re-retirement of Joe Gibbs was the final nail in Brunell's coffin. Upon his return to the sidelines in 2004, the Hall of Fame coach pursued the left-handed veteran, who had lost his starting job in Jacksonville. After signing Brunell, Gibbs immediately inserted him into Washington's first-team offense and breathed new life into his career. But "father time" eventually caught up with Brunell and the Redskins searched for other alternatives.

Four years later, both men are gone and Washington will move on with the two passers they utilized in 2007. When training camp begins in July, Jason Campbell will return from injury as the team's starter and recently re-signed Todd Collins will serve as his backup.

Meanwhile, Brunell will reflect back on his Washington tenure, which included a playoff run in 2005. Perhaps his brightest moment as a Redskin occurred during Week 2 of that season on a Monday night in Dallas.

In front of a national television audience, the Cowboys inducted Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin into the team's Ring of Honor. They also enjoyed a 13-0 lead over the Redskins with 3:46 left in the game.

But on fourth and 15 from the Dallas 39, Brunell calmly tossed a scoring pass to Santana Moss, who ran under the ball in the end zone to cut the lead to six. Then after a Cowboys punt, Brunell looked to Moss again. This time, his pass was caught in stride for a 70-yard touchdown as Dallas fans looked on in stunned silence.

The 14-13 score held up for Washington and proved historic for both teams. Heading into the game, Washington had lost 25 straight contests when trailing after three quarters. Meanwhile, Dallas coach Bill Parcells had never lost a game when his team led by 13 or more in the fourth quarter. The Redskins come-from-behind surprise snapped Parcells' streak at 77 games.
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About Joe Versage

As a native of upstate New York and a life-long fan of the Buffalo Bills, I have witnessed some of the greatest highs and greatest lows an NFL team can endure. But despite a gut-wrenching 4 consecutive Super Bowl defeats, I never lost faith in the Bills and was fortunate to cover them for 3 years...
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