Maybe all it will take for Jason Campbell to ascend to the next level of NFL quarterbacks is one play. In his first 21 starts, Campbell had never brought the Redskins back from as big a fourth-quarter deficit as nine points.
Until Sunday.
But Campbell, facing second-and-22 from his own 6-yard line after being sacked for a 12-yard loss by Will Smith, got out of that hole with a 23-yard bullet to tight end Chris Cooley. That completion triggered an 82-yard touchdown drive that closed the gap to 24-22 and when the defense held the Saints without a first down, it was time for Campbell to really assert himself.
"Jason took a big step forward in a number of areas," said coach Jim Zorn. "I think he grew this whole week. The thing that our players will see is that our quarterback was in much more command of the line of scrimmage. He really took control ... did a nice job with the snap count. Even those little things make a difference."
Especially on first-and-10 at the Washington 33 with 3:38 remaining. Campbell smartly adjusted the protection, deftly avoided the rush and heaved the ball to Moss, who had whipped rookie cornerback Tracy Porter
"It's an incredible play to watch," Zorn said. "He audibled to the protection. He avoided the rush ... threw the ball off-balance 61 yards in the air. That doesn't happen much in NFL."
The 67-yard touchdown that beat the Saints 29-24 was Campbell's longest NFL completion.
"We talked during the week and I said, 'Coach, trust me,' and he said, 'I have to trust you more,'" said Campbell, who was 8-for-9 for 165 yards in the fourth quarter.
"We believe in what we can do and what we can do together. ... Looking back, you never know how important the outcome of this game can be for us."
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