Jason Campbell, once the promising young starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins, will get a chance to take over the position for the Cleveland Browns Sunday when they face the NFL’s only undefeated team, the Kansas City Chiefs.
Not exactly the kind of team a QB who has not played this season would like to face.
”I think that looking at Jason and the things that he brings to the table, leadership, his experience, he’s been productive and he’s been successful in the league,” Browns coach Rob Chudzinski said. ”I think when you look at his arm strength and you look at his mobility and some of those things, and tie it into as far as a game plan standpoint, it’s what we feel like we need for this game and gives us the best chance.”
For his part, Campbell, a nine-year veteran, joked about needing lubricants to play Sunday.”Go get some 40-W, EW-40 or something like that. I just want to go have fun and play, and we’ll see what happens.”
Campbell replaces second-year QB Brandon Weeden, who has not been able to successfully direct the offense much of the season.
”It’s a tough decision,” Chudzinski said. ”I believe that this is in the best interest of the team, ultimately, and gives us the best chance to win. I’m excited to see what Jason will do with this opportunity.”
The Chiefs are one of the NFL’s top defenses, leading the league with 35 sacks and are especially tough at Arrowhead Stadium crown.
”They are No. 1 in third down, No. 1 in the red zone and No. 1 in points allowed, so it is definitely a challenge,” said Campbell, who signed with the Browns as a free agent in March. ”Arrowhead is one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL, and that means even more we need to be on the same page.”
Weeden’s completed just 17 of 42 passes for 149 yards with one touchdown and one interception, a 48.6 rating on Sunday in a loss to Green Bay. He dropped to 0-4 as a starter. His 66.5 rating is 30th overall, and he’s 32nd in completion percentage.
And yet he somehow was upset that he was pulled and declined to speak to the media Wednesday.
