Colt on IR — out for season

Unfortunately, not really surprising news ….

The Washington Redskins say they’ve decided to put quarterback Colt Brennan on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, ruling him out for the season.

The team reported on its Web site Saturday that Brennan aggravated a nagging hamstring problem during Thursday night’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Brennan and Chase Daniel spent the preseason battling for the third-string job.

Still, Daniel will not make the 53-man roster and is unlikely to be a practice squad candidate, a team source told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen.

The Redskins plan to carry just 2 quarterbacks on the 53-man roster — Jason Campbell and Todd Collins.

With the news that the Skins are behind Campbell, and Collins is the backup plan should he falter, it seemed unlikely that Colt would have seen any significant playing time (at least in the first half of the season — if things faltered, who knows?).

Wash. Post and Wash. Times writers predict Colt on 53-man roster

With the deadline for the 53-man roster approaching, and Colt finding himself in an apparent fight for a roster spot, writers for the Washington Times and Post predict Colt will retain a spot on the roster:

Post:

Quarterbacks (3): Jason Campbell, Todd Collins and Colt Brennan Despite renewed concerns among fans in the preseason about his ability to be “The Man,” Campbell begins his third full season as a starter and one that could be his last here unless he has a career year. For the fourth straight season, Collins returns as the No. 2 quarterback. Collins, beginning his 15th season in the league, was supposed to be challenged for his job by Brennan, but it never happened. Brennan has struggled throughout camp and the preseason and has found himself in a battle for a roster spot with rookie Chase Daniel. Still, I’m sticking with Brennan.

Times:

Jason Campbell, Todd Collins and Colt Brennan. I give Brennan the slight edge over rookie Chase Daniel because he’s more familiar with the system.

ESPN’s Clayton: Colt the “next Cassel”?

ESPN’s John Clayton writes that the “best guess” for the next Matt Cassel is “is Brett Ratliff of the Cleveland Browns, nudging out Matt Moore of the Panthers and possibly Colt Brennan of the Redskins … Finding the next Cassel is a guessing game. In Carolina, the Panthers believe they are developing another Tony Romo in Moore. Brennan has shown a flair for moving the football in his time on the field during the preseason.”

Colt: Hawaii’s #1 sports figure in state history

Not too much of a surprise, Colt tops the Honolulu Advertiser’s list of the 50 greatest sports figures in Hawaii statehood (1959 on) history.

WPost: Redskins’ Colt Brennan waiting for his opportunity

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090822/BREAKING02/90822002/Redskins++Colt+Brennan+waiting+for+his+opportunity+

Advertiser: Colt Brennan back in Hawaii, looking stronger, heavier

From a news alert on the Honolulu Advertiser:

Brennan worked out at UH earlier today.

He will be the special guest on Tuesday’s WarriorBeat Show. Show time is 11 a.m., not the normal noon time start. The show’s hosts are Stephen Tsai and Leila Wai.

Brennan, who weighed as little as 185 before NFL scouts at the Senior Bowl, now weighs about 218. He was as heavy as 225. The team wants him to report at around 212 pounds.

Brennan, who underwent hip surgery before becoming the Redskins’ sixth-round draft pick in the 2008 NFL draft and later had knee surgery, was the No. 3 quarterback for the Redskins. Behind starter Jason Campbell and veteran Todd Collins.

Having two surgeries in a year and being force-fed food, it didn’t really help out,” Brennan said.

Brennan said his knee is “getting better every week. By the time camp rolls around, I probably will have forgotten all about it.”

The Redskins signed Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel to a free-agent contract after he went undrafted in 2009. Daniel and Brennan both were Heisman Trophy finalists in 2007, the year that Florida quarterback Tim Tebow won it.

But Brennan is looking to move up on the depth chart. Brennan said if Campbell does well, “then basically I’ll be competing for the No. 2 job.”

Zorn and Colt discuss Colt

From the Washington Times:

Neither Todd Collins nor Colt Brennan threw a pass for the Washington Redskins last season. That’s the plan again this season as long as starting quarterback Jason Campbell stays healthy.

But that doesn’t mean the Redskins’ failed attempts last month to replace Campbell with Jay Cutler or Mark Sanchez didn’t affect the two backups.

Collins, a 37-year-old with a year left on his contract, and Brennan, a 25-year-old drafted in the sixth round last year, can’t help but wonder what management’s lack of faith in Campbell means for them.

If Campbell, whose contract expires next winter, doesn’t return, either Collins or Brennan would be the early favorite to start in 2010 given a lack of quality free agents and how few rookie passers are ready to be NFL regulars.

“[Cutler has] already played for a couple of years, and they would have committed a lot [of money] to him,” Brennan said. “It was going to set me back. I know Mark; we grew up in Orange County together. Even if they gave him a big check, I have a year in this offense under my belt, and we would’ve competed. If anything, you can look at it as a positive and have it push you that much more.”

An afterthought for a decade until he replaced the injured Campbell in December 2007 and led the Redskins to the playoffs, Collins took a more businesslike approach to this situation.

“Obviously it was harder on Jason, but you do think, ‘Where do I fit in?,’ ” Collins said. “But I’ve kind of learned not to worry too much until something happens. I’m in a lot better condition than I was last year, when I had some nagging stuff in my shoulder. … And it’s so much better in the second year in [coach Jim Zorn’s West Coast] offense, seeing the big picture and how everything fits.”

Zorn confirmed that Collins still holds the No. 2 job, but third-stringer Brennan played well in the preseason last year and is looking to make bigger strides this season.

“I can already feel this gigantic difference from the quarterback I was out here last year to the quarterback I am now,” Brennan said. “Not only because I’m healthy but because I’m so much more confident with not only the playbook but the people around me, the coaches and the whole environment. This time last year, I was four or five months after hip surgery. Instead of being 225 pounds and not that mobile, I’m 214 and a much more active quarterback.”

Collins said he wants to play “as long as I can still make the plays,” but he’s on the downside of his career. Brennan is all upside.

“Todd has been working out religiously. He [has embraced] the offense with full passion, and I’m going to get him some time in preseason, but I want to see Colt more,” Zorn said. “I’m still working on his feet. He wants to prance. I tell him, ‘Quit acting like a coyote in a snowfield: Just drive, set, step and throw.’ He’s learning. I’m looking for him to really step up and take charge. He’s taking little steps, but he’s not ready yet.”

Brennan also throws many of his passes sidearm, an approach that works for him but one that Zorn doesn’t think can be effective on certain throws.

“What Coach has really done is try to slowly make it a little bit more orthodox, but he hasn’t taken away what I’m really confident about, and that’s getting the ball from point A to point B,” Brennan said. “Last year I was put to the test: ‘Is this kid an NFL quarterback?’ I think I passed that test. This year, it’s up to me to prove I can move up the depth chart and build towards a future where I can hopefully be a starting quarterback in the NFL.”

Hon. Advertiser columnist: Colt could be the difference for ‘Skins

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090503/COLUMNISTS06/905030383

Colt at minicamp

Picture threads:

http://www.extremeskins.com/showthread.php?t=287218

http://www.extremeskins.com/showthread.php?t=287219

http://www.extremeskins.com/showthread.php?t=287220

Audio interview of Colt.

And here’s a post from the Hawaii Scout.com forum from a Redskins blogger:

Colt will be given zero chance of beating out Campbell. The Skins have too much invested in JC and they need to see what he can do  in his contract year. In addition, you can’t find anyone in the Redskins organization who thinks that Brennan is ready to be a full-time NFL starting QB.

If Campbell lights it up he’ll be given a new, long-term deal and Brennan will be the backup and his NFL future as a starter will be on hold and probably will be elsewhere.

But if Campbell plays like he did in the latter part of ’08, the door will be wide open for Colt.

Rich Tandler
Real Redskins

All true.  Campbell is the starter, Colt is the backup.  The preseason won’t change that (unless there’s an injury).  What will change is whether or not the Skins win.  As has been indicated during the Skins draft prep — during which they clearly indicated they do not have confidence in Campbell by trying to acquire Sanchez and Cutler — Campbell is on a tight leash.  If there are struggles during the season, expect Colt to get a look.

John Madden Retires — Madden on Colt

Legend John Madden retired from broadcasting last week.

Here’s a flashback to what Madden said about Colt during a NFL pre-season game.

John Madden (NBC Sports, Hall of Fame coach), September 7, 2008

“I tell you, he can fling it … I like the way he plays.  I mean you just feel — you can just feel his energy.  He brings a certain energy to the game, a certain energy to the team.”

Wash. Post: Colt Brennan Doesn’t Respect the NFL Draft

And, well, why would he?  If the draft was re-done, I don’t think anyone would doubt that Colt would be drafted higher than the sixth round.

From the Post:

“Be kind,” Colt Brennan said on Saturday, after we had spent a few minutes discussing the NFL Draft. “Don’t throw me under the bus.”

So let me say this up front: take all that follows with a grain of salt. We were just two sports fans at a hockey game, discussing the NFL between periods. But I was asking the football players in attendance whether they were excited to watch the draft this weekend. Here’s the short answer: “No.”

“I never watch that stuff,” Brennan said. “I fell asleep last year. I don’t have a lot of respect for the NFL draft, to be honest with you, because of my experience. I think what’s more important is what happens after the draft. That’s what I care about. I just don’t have a lot of respect for the NFL draft process. Obviously something’s not right, because they make a lot of mistakes, year-in and year-out.”

Wow. Strong words, no?

“I don’t care,” he said. “It’s the truth. I don’t ever have to go through it ever again.”

Er, Kedric Golston? Your team has lots of picks, and the landscape of the league could change over these two days. You watching?

“No way,” Golston said. “The only draft I ever watched was mine. It’s so boring. I’ll flip it on and off. I mean, four picks take an hour? That’s just ridiculous. I’ve got two kids. I’ve got a yard to keep up.”

Golston’s critique was all based on boredom, but Brennan’s strong opinions come from his own experience last year. He set more than two dozen college football records at Hawaii, and was one of the most efficient passers in the sport’s history. But amid concerns about his size, the strength of his opposition and the system he played in, Brennan slipped to the sixth round (186th overall).

He heard the critiques during the run-up to last year’s draft, but didn’t actually see what happened and what was said when he was finally drafted. Until last week. And a year later, he still didn’t like what he heard.

“The reasons that I slipped were not even legit,” he told me. “They weren’t even true perspectives of what I was going through. And the criticisms of me, they kept saying I was small, that I weighed less than 200, but three weeks before that I had weighed 218. They kept saying ‘Oh, it was the competition he had,’ and they compared me to guys that played in the run-and-shoot before.

“But remember, the tell-all is that yeah, I was throwing the ball a ton of times per game, but I was one of the most efficient, accurate quarterbacks in the history of college football. So that obviously has to say something different [than] I’m just a system guy. And everyone said I played nobody, but the year before when I played Alabama, Arizona State, Oregon State, Purdue and a 13-0 Boise State team, that was the year I had over 60 touchdowns. That was one of the toughest, if not the toughest schedule in the history of Hawaii. So it was just frustrating to see them make these criticisms up that really weren’t true.”

Brennan hasn’t talked to most of his draft-day critics, and he doesn’t seem to have a Gilbert Arenas-sized vendetta about all this. He was smiling throughout our conversation. But he won’t forget what was said, either.

“To watch Jaws do what he did, to watch him come out and say those things….The worst part about it is that if it was true, if it was legit, then I can’t say anything,” Brennan continued. “But the fact was, he was misleading, and wasn’t really honest about his critique of me. I’ve lost a lot of respect for the draft, is what I have. I’m speaking specifically on me alone. I’m biased, I’m saying I’m biased, but that’s basically where I stand on it.”

I asked about the Mark Sanchez rumors, and Brennan said he didn’t mind, that he knows this is a business and that he’s just trying to work hard and develop himself into an NFL quarterback. I asked about the Cult of Colt, and he said he knows about his popularity in D.C. and thinks it’s because people sympathize with the criticism and injuries he’s faced. And I asked whether he really wouldn’t peek at the draft coverage.

“I won’t even pay attention to it. When is it, this Saturday? This weekend coming up?” he asked. “[I’ll] play golf. Relax. Hang out. We work out hard Monday through Friday so you use Saturday and Sunday to play golf, go check out a local game, keep your mind busy and have some fun at the same time. Not watch the draft.”

“Now it’s gonna be all over the place, ‘Colt doesn’t care about the draft,’ ” he joked, after we had talked.

Though I’m not so sure. I think a lot of NFL players don’t care about the draft.

Zorn commits to Campbell for 2009

The Washington Times reports that Campbell will be the starting QB going into next season:

Near the end of today’s season-ending press conference, Jim Zorn committed to keeping Jason Campbell as the team’s starting quarterback going in to next season.

Zorn also mentioned bringing back Todd Collins and Colt Brennan (who’s having knee surgery) back, and working with all three of them during the summer.

Zorn said he expects even more improvement from Campbell, who is coming off his third season as a starting quarterback.

“What I’m going to do is what I did last year. I took time with [Campbell] before minicamps started,” Zorn said. “Once the offseason program starts we’ll be able to do some scheme work. … His footwork was poor when we got here, it’s gotten a lot better, and it’s going to get a lot better this offseason because of the stuff we’re going to ask him to work on.”

Zorn also reiterrated that he doesn’t see Brennan unseating Campbell.

The Richmond Times Dispatch reports:

Campbell will stick around, keeping his job over rookie Colt Brennan, who did not play a snap in the regular season. Brennan will return next year for his second go-round with Zorn.

“He’ll make some tremendous leaps as he gets into our program, but I don’t see him unseating Jason,” the coach said.

So what will 2009 look like?  Well, probably the same as 2008.

But that doesn’t mean Campbell will finish the season as the starting QB.  Indeed, if Campbell struggles during the season, expect fans to get restless and call for a different signal caller.  The other part of the equation, of course, is Colt needs to continue progressing and preparing for the possibility of playing.

What could have been: Syracuse

Back in the day:

San Jose State was the only school that offered Brennan a scholarship. Syracuse coach Greg Robinson recruited him and initially offered a scholarship. But on the day the Syracuse paperwork arrived via courier at Brennan’s home, Robinson called to tell him the school’s president wouldn’t allow it. So Jones made one last push, trying to persuade Brennan to join the Rainbows as a walk-on.

The rest, of course, is history.  What does departing coach Greg Robinson say about the decision now?

When Paul Pasqualoni left, he said he wouldn’t change a thing? Is there anything that you would change about this place?

“I can’t tell you that I wouldn’t change anything. Gosh, from the first month I was here, I’d change the decision on (quarterback) Colt Brennan. How’s that? Hey, I was told to go do the homework on him. I did. I did my due diligence way past anyone would’ve ever thought. I’m not here to make a big deal about it, but as you take me back to right when I started here, I knew we needed a quarterback! I checked that kid out and you know what, he came in third in the Heisman Trophy balloting. He decided to stay his senior year at Hawaii because he felt like those people reached out to him. I would try to retool that. I think if our people knew me better like they do know, they would’ve said go ahead, work with him. But that’s easy to say. That would be a good way to start because that was the first guy I started recruiting.”

Colt Brennan still misses Hawaii

The Honolulu Advertiser has a lengthy feature on Colt today.

Colt update via parents

From the Hon. Advertiser:

Their son may have moved on to the greener pastures of the NFL, but Terry and Betsy Brennan — parents of former UH quarterback and current Washington Redskins rookie Colt Brennan — aren’t about to quit rooting for the Warriors.

The couple is in town this weekend to celebrate both of their birthdays (Terry Brennan’s was on Sept. 18; Betsy Brennan’s is on Oct 7) and to check on their son’s storage unit.

“He has a strong relationship with Hawai’i, and I think he wants to keep a part of himself here,” said Terry Brennan.

Betsy Brennan said not having her son involved in the game made the experience “a little less stressful,” yet, she admitted, “I still screamed my head off.”

The Brennans were happy to see so many of their son’s jerseys being worn by UH fans.

The Brennans met with UH coaches and players during the team’s walk-through and had dinner with friends from the department.

As for Colt, who has adapted well to his new surroundings, Terry Brennan said the former Heisman candidate is reaping benefits, even if playing time has been sparse.

“At least he’s got a great seat to all the games,” Brennan said, laughing.

What do Skins fans think of Colt

So what do Skins fans think of Colt’s future?

There’s a thread on CB — Colt Brennan first round talent (Just some information) — at extremeskins.com which gives some thought to where they see Colt in the future.

A couple of posts:

This is in no way a start colt brennan thread. There are plenty of those so i will not get into that. I was just wondering if anyone remembers that before the Georgia game and even in his junior season that he was projected as a first or second round pick in the draft before he was dropped to the sixth round and considered raw due to a bad game at Georgia and hip surgery which he is healed from. He was even considered by people, including well respected people such as John Clayton as the most accurate QB coming out of the draft. Again this is just to inform and not to annoint colt as the starter, even though I have a ton of faith in the kid. Here are just a couple links.

Post:

I think this is a very good thread (amongst the other threads on our QB’s). I say this not because of my obvious man-crush on our 6th round pick. But, because I think this is something that most seem to forget. Both haters, fanboys, and everyone in between.

Despite being taken in the 6th round, he was projected as high as 1st/2nd round. Now, injuries and ‘issues with his mechanics’ had him slip as low as 6. Which I think is absurd. I just feel like he was basically stolen by the Skins. Should he start for us, whether that be next week, midseason, the end of this decade, I think we will all see that we found 1st/2nd round talent with such a low draft pick.

Post:

The initial poster is spot on. Last year if he had came out he was projected as a 1st or 2nd rounder. His play didn’t drop off much in his senior season, and he was still projected high. The Georgia Game and the Senior Bowl didn’t help him, but lets look at a few things.

The Georgia Game. Many in the country that keep up closely with College Football were saying that Georgia would be playing for the national championship if it was based off who was the best two teams at the end of the season. They entered into this year as #1 with much the same team. Unlike Boise State a year before, that actually did produce some NFL players, Hawaii was pretty bleak outside of Brennan. You could’ve likely stuck any one of the top QB’s in college last year in that game at Colt’s spot and had much the same issue. The line was horrid, the WR’s were out matched, and the running game was non-existant.

The senior bowl, as said, he was out of shape going into it and not at 100%. Ditto for the combine to my understanding.

Add this together and his stock dropped considerably. That doesn’t mean he’s a bad QB.

I asked my uncle whose a QB Coach for one of the AFC teams his opinion on him. He said he’s got a Lot of raw talent, a good quick release with good accuracy, but the mechanics need a LOT of work. He also said he needs some time to develop into reading the speed at the NFL level. Intangible wise, he seemed to be good on.

IF we can keep Zorn through this season, I think we’ve got something special here. Everyone’s big knock on Colt is his mechanics, and everyone states the best thing Jim Zorn does is tutor QB’s on mechanics.

Not to mention that Colts accuracy, extremely quick release, and mobility all are useful traits in a west coast QB.

We drafted him at a good spot for a good value into a situation that is perfect for him where he can learn from one of the best at developing QB mechanics and not be rushed out onto the field.

Post:

After watching # 1 pick JaMarcus Russell tonight, he of the grand contract and athletic skills, I think all this BS about which young QB is best is nonsense.

I am certain that Colt Brennan could outplay Russell any day. Brennan is as good as any young QB in the NFL.

As a long time Redskins fan, I am losing patience with the current QB and all the excuses he gets and gives.

I want to win now. I’ll bet money that Zorn will come to that conclusion soon.

Colt Brennan News?

There’s usually not much news about a team’s third string QB.  Luckily, the Washingtonian has a prediction for the Skins’ season:

And now owner Dan Snyder has passed on big-name coaches like Bill Cowher and hired an untested one in Jim Zorn. Will Snyder give Zorn the time to make quarterback Jason Campbell a star and build the Redskins into a winner?

Let’s look at how Zorn’s first season is likely to play out:

[…]

Eagles 20, Redskins 14—Seventh loss ends their playoff hopes as Campbell is picked off three times.

Redskins 30, 49ers 17—Wait till next year. The Redskins finish at 9–7, and fans begin to ask when Colt Brennan is going to play.

The Washingtonian, though, does have a larger point: If Campbell struggles and the Skins miss the playoffs, a lot of fans are likely to call for Brennan to be given a chance to compete for the starting job next year. Collins, of course, is always going to be in the picture, but at 37 (in November) he’s obviously not competing to be the franchise QB.

Columnist predicts: CB starting by midseason

One guy (Sac. Bee’s Bill Bradley) predicts it:

3. For fantasy players, this year’s Ryan Grant will be former Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan, the Redskins’ starter by midseason.

Colt is a Redskin

Making things official, Colt Brennan survived the last round of cuts and is officially a Redskin.  From the Advertiser:

Among those released by Washington was quarterback Derek Devine, who was competing with Brennan for a backup spot.

Brennan was 36 of 53 for 411 yards with no interceptions and three touchdowns in the preseason.

The Heisman Trophy finalist likely will play behind Jason Campbell and Todd Collins.

On his team blog following Washington’s 24-3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday, Brennan said: “As far as my performance, I didn’t do anything bad or anything horrible. There were no major turnovers or mental errors on my part. But then again, I also didn’t do anything great.”

Thirteen players with local ties were either waived, released or saw their contracts terminated yesterday.

Brennan 13-for-18

Lest there be any doubt Colt will make the team … From the Honolulu Advertiser:

Former University of Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan completed 13 of 18 passes for 119 yards in a 24-3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars today in an exhibition NFL game played in Landover, Md.

Brennan, listed as the Redskins third-team quarterback after being drafted in the sixth round of April’s NFL draft, also rushed twice for 11 yards. He did not throw a touchdown pass and did not throw an interception.

Meanwhile, the Redskins offense was sluggish again with starting quarterback Jason Campbell completing just 1 of 4 passes for three yards and an interception.

His first pass was picked off in the first period, leading to Jacksonville’s first score — a 3-yard touchdown pass from David Gerrard to Reggie Williams.

Redskins coach Jim Zorn had decided to play his first-string offense for a series — perhaps two — only because he felt the players needed a boost of confidence after last week’s 47-3 debacle against the Carolina Panthers.

The move backfired.

Campbell was intercepted by Mike Peterson on Washington’s first play from scrimmage. The Redskins’ next possession was a three-and-out, prompting Zorn to send his starters back for a third series — and another three-and-out.

Given the poor performance of the Redskins starting offense, one of the biggest cheers of the night came when Brennan entered the game in the second quarter. Brennan, though still very raw for NFL, has excited fans by putting up good numbers against other teams’ backups all preseason and did so again.

Brennan drove the Redskins on an 8-play, 46-yard drive that led to the Redskins’ only score.

Brennan, who is behind No. 2 Todd Collins at quarterback, is battling Derek Devine for the No. 3 spot at quarterback.

Brennan played the final three quarters of the game. Devine did not play.

Teams are expected to make their final cuts to 53 players Saturday.

Panthers blowout ‘Skins

Panthers vs. Skins, Colt went 6-12, for 53 yards.  Colt played in two drives, driving the Skins to around the 30 in the first before stalling and turning the ball over on downs.  The second drive was a run-out-the-clock situation.

Overall, the Skins were blown-out 47-3.  Colt played the entire 4th quarter, and no other quarterback aside from Collins and Campbell were used.  Next week, the final pre-season game, Colt may get less playing time but has pretty much solidified his spot as the 3rd string quarterback.

Hawaii columnist: Zorn not telling us like it is

Honolulu Advertiser columnist Ferd Lewis writes of Redskins head coach Jim Zorn:  “Why, people wonder, can’t Zorn and his assistants be more complimentary? Where’s the love in a 17-of-23, three-touchdown (no interception) start?  But they are missing the message. The love is there, if only you know where to look. What coaches, especially those at the college and pro levels, say is one thing. What they mean can be quite another.”

What Zorn says: “Maybe I want more, but I want better technique. I want him to use the kind of techniques that are going to take him further down the road. Remember we were talking differently last week after the Buffalo game: ‘Oh, Colt came down to Earth.’ Well, now he’s in outer space again.”

What Zorn means: “Great, I’m a first-year head coach and because of this rookie I could have a quarterback controversy on my hands in September.”

What Zorn says: “He has to become a more disciplined QB. Not risk as much as he risked in the game. This week it turned out to be a great performance, but it could easily have been the other way.”

What Zorn means: “He’s a coach’s dream: Even when he screws up he has the ability to make us look good.”

Wash. Times: Brennan steals spotlight from Favre

Washington Times:  “Brennan steals spotlight from Favre; Rookie QB outshines Jet with winning touchdown”

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. | Colt Brennan put a damper on Brett Favre‘s big night. The future Hall of Famer was excellent in his New York debut, but Washington’s rookie quarterback made the biggest play, beating the blitz to hit tight end Jason Goode with a touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter that beat the Jets 13-10 Saturday night at Giants Stadium.

“They had been blitzing a lot and the play before that they got us on a blitz,” said Brennan, who was celebrating his 25th birthday. “So I was anticipating blitz and they blitzed again. We had the tight end going over the middle and there was only [safety James Ihedigbo] guarding him. I threw it off my back foot. It wasn’t a very good ball. The defender had to go up and try to make a play on it, too, instead of securing the tackle. Jason was able to grab the ball, spin out and nobody was there. When they blitz, either they win or we win and on that one, we won.”

Colt impresses again: 2-minute drill TD

Colt impresses again:  4 plays, 80 yards, 1:09 minute drive at the end of the game.  Colt’s TD pass to Jason Goode was the Redskins broadcast’s drive of the game.  After Colt’s TD drive, broadcaster (and former QB) Joe Theismann said of Brennan:  “He has it.  Brett Favre has it with capital letters – he’s got the big it.  Colt Brennan just finds a way to get it done.”

For the night, Colt went 4-5 / 79 yards with the game-winning TD.  A late-game botched FG prevented Colt from taking the field again in OT.

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again:  this is only preseason.  Colt will learn more and more as the year continues.  But Colt fans have plenty to be happy about.

UPDATE:  Washington Post writeup:

Trailing, 10-6, Washington took over on its 20-yard line with 2 minutes 4 seconds remaining in the game. Brennan had entered in the third quarter in Washington’s first two preseason games but came in to start the fourth quarter Saturday. That’s because Coach Jim Zorn wanted to evaluate the rookie in a late-game situation with the team either in a hurry-up mode because it trailed or trying to manage the clock with a lead.

On the drive’s first play, Brennan completed a 37-yard pass to wide receiver Billy McMullen. Marcus Mason rushed for 14 yards on the next play, and then Brennan was sacked. The Redskins went to a no-huddle offense, and Brennan teamed with tight end Jason Goode on a 33-yard touchdown pass over the middle with 1:17 to play. Jets defensive back James Ihedigbo gambled for the interception, and Goode got behind him. Place kicker Shaun Suisham‘s point-after kick gave the Redskins a three-point cushion.

Colt’s official website

Is now online.  Check it out here:  http://coltbrennan5.com/

Colt’s 2nd preseason game

Against Buffalo, Colt took less risks, made shorter passes and, as a result, completed 4 of 8 passes for 37 yards with no touchdowns and no interception.  At least one pass was dropped.

AP: Hype aside, Redskins QB Brennan has long way to go

AP writes:  “Quarterback controversy in the making? Hardly. Should Brennan have stayed in Canton an extra day to be measured for a Hall of Fame bust? Certainly not. But, just to be sure, coach Jim Zorn and his coaching staff have moved quickly to stomp out the Brennan hype.

… He’ll have to time to work on the flaws. The most probable scenario for 2008 is that Brennan spends the entire season holding the clipboard as the No. 3 quarterback.”

Of course, Colt holding a clipboard all year isn’t the worst thing in the world.  It’s not where you start the race, but where you end it.  And historically, rookie quarterbacks who play in their first year do poorly.  A more realistic path to an NFL starting job is learning your first few years in the NFL while working your way up the depth chart until you get your shot.  And Colt will certainly, eventually, get his shot.

Wash. Post: What does it feel like to go to colllege in Hawaii?

Colt Brennan answers in the Washington Post.

One thing they call Hawaii is the melting [pot] of the Pacific. If you went to a Nebraska, or an Iowa or some places in the South, you know what you’re getting into. You know what the reputation is of the community and the people. When you get out to Hawaii you’re mixed with Polynesian descent from all over ¿ Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand, Hawaiians, obviously — people over from the mainland who acclimate themselves to Hawaii. You’re always getting this broad view of different people and cultures, and what they’re like from all over the world. You get this kind of universal experience while you’re out there.

Video: Brennan Highlights

On NFL.com.

Colt shines in NFL (preseason) debut

The AP summary:

Rookie Colt Brennan, the former Hawai’i quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist, threw two touchdown passes in the second half, leading new Washington coach Jim Zorn and the Redskins to a 30-16 victory over Indianapolis in last night’s Hall of Fame Game.

Winning seemed like an appropriate tribute to two of the Redskins’ most revered players, Art Monk and Darrell Green, who were inducted into the Hall of Fame along with former Kansas City cornerback and Redskins assistant coach Emmitt Thomas on Saturday. The other inductees were linebacker Andre Tippett, tackle Gary Zimmerman and defensive end Fred Dean.

“Taking my first snap, I went to the line, took a deep breath and thought to myself, ‘Just have fun out here tonight,’ ” Brennan said. “And I had a lot of fun.”

So did the huge contingent of Washington fans who turned Fawcett Stadium into a makeshift version of FedEx Field.

“Guys walking around you are Hall of Famers,” said Brennan on playing in the Hall of Fame Game. “When you get into that stadium — and it’s a real intimate stadium — you’re not blown away by it being the NFL. It’s normal basically. I felt really comfortable there. When it was my turn, I was chomping at the bit. I was ready to play football. It was a nice place to start out. It gives you a lot to get excited about what you’re about to take part of.”

The debuts of Zorn and Brennan produced exactly what the Redskins had hoped for — even if it was a meaningless preseason game.

“I’ve had such an up-and-down offseason since the (Sugar Bowl) game, with my (hip) injury,” Brennan said. “I was looking for something to go right for me. I was thinking, with this being my debut, it would be awesome if I could go out and do really well, and start off my new career on a good note. Luckily, that kind of took place.”

KHNL report on CB at camp

KHNL airs video from DC’s local NBC affiliate on Colt at the Skins camp.

Hog Heaven Confirms: No Jerseys for Hawaii

Several commenters to this blog have noted that the Redskins store does not sell Colt Brennan jersey to Hawaii.  For obvious reasons, this is a baffling move.  (Couldn’t they just charge the appropriate price for Hawaii shipping, i.e. more?)  The ‘Skins blog Hog Heaven follows up:

Colt Brennan is hugely popular in Hawaii and Hawaii is a State of the Union, but Hawaiians may as well live on Mars when it comes to getting a Brennan replica jersey from the Redskins Store. The Redskins, who play in FedEx Field and who ship via FedEx, won’t deliver to Hawaii or Alaska.

The issue came to light on the Colt Brennan Blog. A quick call to the Redskins store confirmed that, indeed, the Skins don’t ship to the forty-ninth or fiftieth State. Guess Honolulu is too far Hawayy. [Sorry; couldn’t help it.]

Odd logic, considering that customers pay the shipping charges and FedEx will gladly deliver there. But then, this is Washington, where those out-of-towners in Congress accuse the place of oddness to get elected, then contribute to it once they get here.

Vide: Colt at Redskins camp

From KGMB-Hawaii, which airs a video report from DC’s WUSA.

Colt’s Redskins.com blog

Colt has a Redskins training blog on the Redskins’ official website.

You can read it here.

Colt “just another rookie fighting for a job in the NFL”

A Washington Times profile of Colt.

Colt signs deal

From the Wash. Post:

Colt Brennan, a record-setting quarterback drafted out of Hawaii, agreed to contract terms with the Washington Redskins, the team announced yesterday.

Brennan will receive a signing bonus of less than $100,000 as part of a standard four-year contract for rookies, said a source familiar with the negotiations who requested anonymity because the contract had not been signed. Brennan will earn $295,000 this season, $385,000 the second season, $470,000 the third and $555,000 the fourth.

Colt Throws

From Redskins.com:

Rookie quarterback Colt Brennan took his first snaps as a Redskin, participating in individual drills during Monday’s practice.

Brennan is nearing the end of his rehab assignment. He had hip surgery in early April.

Because of the surgery, coaches are bringing Brennan along slowly. If he impresses in preseason, he could be the Redskins’ third quarterback in 2008.

Brennan was one of three sixth-round draft picks by the Redskins in the NFL Draft last April.

CB Jerseys for Sale

At the official Redskins website.

Certainly a good sign that the Redskins are selling his jersey.

Wash Post on CB drafting

Here.

“The thing that I look for, one of the strong suits of a QB, is can he hit what he’s throwing at?” Zorn said. “Colt has done that. He’s been a 70-percent passer. Whatever level and whatever type of defense you’re going against, to throw 70-plus percent, there’s some accuracy there. . . .

“And he’s got the ability to move around. His lateral movement, his ability to get himself in a position to throw the ball after a play breaks down, is tremendous, I think. Hopefully, he’ll be able to come in here and do that.”

Colt to the Skins

As the SBulletin notes, Colt now has the time and less pressure to develop into a starting QB.  Will he be able to do it?  Time will tell, but he’s landed in a place where he has a chance to develop.

http://starbulletin.com/breaking/breaking.php?id=7024

Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the sixth round of the NFL Draft today with the 186th overall pick.

“He was in a very quarterback-friendly offense,” draft analyst Mel Kiper said in explaining the late pick of Brennan, who was third in the Heisman Trophy voting. “(The sixth round) Is the best he could’ve hoped for.

“He’s not a kid completely without ability,” Kiper said.

Redskins vice president Vinnie Cerrato said Brennan will have time to develop.

“We’ve got an outstanding person to coach him and teach him,” Cerrato told ESPN. “(Redskins coach) Jim Zorn will be just what the doctor ordered for him. There’s no pressure, he’s got time to learn and develop.

“He’s done a ton of things. He’s had a lot of success. You can’t discount all the victories and all the touchdowns.”

Brennan was the 10th quarterback selected in the draft.

Scouts considered him a potential late first round or second round pick for the 2007 draft, but Brennan decided to return to UH for his senior season.

CFB News: Colt “most accurate and impressive passer in Indy by far”

Pete Fiutak of CollegeFootballNews.com:

Colt Brennan, QB Hawaii
With Andre Woodson suffering a hamstring problem and Joe Flacco and Chad Henne spraying their throws, Brennan stood out as the star of the quarterback drills. After a disastrous Sugar Bowl and lousy workouts in the post-season circuit, he stepped up his game big-time as the most accurate and impressive passer in Indy by far. Matt Ryan, who didn’t work out, has absolutely nothing to worry about, but at least Brennan is on the radar again after making all the throws in the book while potentially reestablishing himself as one of the top five quarterbacks.

ESPN’s John Clayton on Colt

On ESPN.com: “Colt Brennan of Hawaii didn’t run, but he was the most accurate thrower Sunday. He completed all 18 of his passes, confirming he is a sharpshooter despite a strange, side arm-type release.”

More Colt accuracy posts

From Scout’s Detroit Lions site:

Amid all of the criticism stemming from his Sugar Bowl and Senior Bowl performances, Colt Brennan was arguably the most impressive quarterback of the day. He was without question the day’s most accurate passer. Brennan had to wind-up to deliver some of the longer routes, extending his throwing motion and proving his lack of prototypical arm strength. But the Hawaii quarterback proved his ability to throw with touch, precision, and just enough zip that in the right offense, he could be a successful NFL quarterback. Brennan seemed to grow more confident as his session wore on, and his peers noticed his accuracy. By the end of the session, nearly all of Brennan’s passes were being thrown with a chorus of cheers from his fellow quarterbacks and surrounding wide receivers.

Fox Sports / Scout said this:  “Hawaii’s Colt Brennan was smooth and accurate, especially on the short and medium routes, including a nice throw on an out route to Indiana’s James Hardy. After a Senior Bowl week that raised some questions about his ability to succeed at the pro level, he bounced back with a consistent performance at the Combine.”

USA Today: Brennan breathes new life into draft stock

From USA Today:

Hawaii’s prolific duo of quarterback Colt Brennan and wide receiver Davone Bess created buzz with strong showings in Sunday’s quarterback-receiver workout group at the NFL scouting combine.

Brennan showed good accuracy, velocity and footwork as he re-inflated his stock that seemed to be plummeting coming off a 41-10 loss to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

He helped dispel doubts about his ability to transition from former Hawaii coach June Jones’ spread, shotgun offense. And the 6-2 quarterback is up to 207 pounds after dropping to 185 at the Senior Bowl following a bout with the stomach flu.

Sporting News update

From Russ Lande:

After looking tiny and getting killed by the media at the Senior Bowl, Hawaii QB Colt Brennan has done well so far at the Combine. As mentioned yesterday, he helped himself by weighing in at more than 200 pounds (207), and even more important, he was very sharp in pass drops, got rid of the ball quickly and got better zip on his throws than expected.

Brennan throwing update

From STsai:

INDIANAPOLIS — In an astonishing display of accuracy, Colt Brennan completed 95.2 percent of his passes during drills today at the NFL Scouting Combine in the RCA Dome.
Brennan hit 20 of 21 passes; the lone incompletion was a chest-high pass that ricocheted off Kansas wideout Marcus Henry’s hands.
Brennan showed arm strength (two of the completions were for 45 yards) in disciplines ranging from 5-yard outs to streak patterns.
Brennan worked out with a group that included UH teammates Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullins.
One of the drills was a route in which the receiver ran 5 yards straight, then cut to the left. Brennan and Bess were randomly paired for that play, which was the Warriors’ money short-yardage play the past two seasons. Brennan easily completed the pass to Bess.
Brennan drew applause from the players and coordinators when he completed a 45-yard to DeSean Jackson. It was a difficult throw in which Jackson ran straight 10 yards, cut 5 yards to the left, then sprinted to the right.
Only players and drill coordinators were allowed on the field. Scouts were in the stands. Reporters from 25 news agencies, including The Honolulu Advertiser, were allowed to watch from the luxury suites.

NFL.com, NFLDraftScout.com draft analysis of Colt

A long draft analysis.  Also has video on the right.

Colt wins accuracy competition

From the Arizona Republic:

Fourteen of the best college football players from the 2007 season competed in the 10th College Football All-Star Challenge on Tuesday afternoon at the Arizona State University Soccer Stadium in Tempe.

Participating in the quarterback drills were John David Booty of Southern California, Colt Brennan of Hawaii, Chad Henne of Michigan, Matt Ryan of Boston College and Delaware’s Joe Flacco.

Flacco won two challenges, including the long toss with a pass of 74 yards. […]

Brennan won the accuracy competition portion of the quarterback challenge.

“Obviously, these next four months for everyone will be grueling,” Brennan said, referring to preparations for the NFL draft, which will be held April 26-27 in New York.

Sporting News: And the Colt Brennan bashing begins

Sporting News:

I sought Brennan in Mobile, Ala., during Senior Bowl week to see how he was handling the bashing. I wondered if he would be defensive, maybe even a little testy. Instead, Brennan was smiling. And he should have been.

Think about it. Despite all of these question marks that could drop Brennan out of not just the first round but possibly the draft’s first day, he will likely be among the top five quarterbacks selected.

He will be given time to develop because nobody will be expecting him to have a rookie season like Dan Marino’s. “I want to go to a place where the coaches want to invest time with me and I can be the guy down the road,” says Brennan.

There is a demand for his services, too. Did you see all of the mediocre quarterback play in the NFL this season? Plenty of teams need quarterback help. And plenty of teams had their eyes on Brennan last week.

Colt wrapup part 2

From the Honolulu Advertiser:

Brennan, who was in for only 17 plays, completed 2 of 6 passes for 29 yards and one interception for the South squad, but there was one bright spot for him in the game — the South defeated the North, 17-16, thanks to a 2-yard touchdown run by Florida’s Andre Caldwell on the game’s final play.

“It was a great game (as a whole),” Brennan said. “I wish I could have played a lot better. But our team had a great chemistry and it’s been a fun week. I just hope I can work out in the next couple of months and get bigger and stronger and have a great combine.”

Communication issues also created problems for the other two South quarterbacks — Kentucky’s Andre Woodson, who finished the day 3 of 6 for 27 yards and a touchdown, and South Offensive MVP Erik Ainge of Tennessee, who was 13 of 21 for 159 yards and led the South on its winning drive.

“Every time I went in, my headpiece kept messing up and I couldn’t hear the plays right,” Brennan said. “I didn’t know if I was calling the right play or not.”

“He (Brennan) couldn’t get the plays because of the microphone problems, and it caused him to be a little bit discombobulated,” said San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who was part of the South squad coaching staff. “But he had a great week of practice. He’ll be fine (in the NFL) because he sees things so well and gets the ball out quick.”