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Steve DeShazo's column Date published: 8/20/2006
LANDOVER, Md.--Clinton Intrigue was everywhere at FedEx Field last night. Whether it was guessing what trick play Jets rookie coach Eric Mangini would call next or which Redskin would limp off the field, there was rarely a dull moment. The biggest question, though, centered around Washington quarterback Jason Campbell, who was given his longest--and most telling--audition yet. But like almost every other development in the past month, it wasn't what Redskins fans wanted to see. In the first 20 minutes of play, Mangini called a reverse that rookie Brad Smith took 61 yards for a touchdown (against the Redskins' first-team defense); a subsequent (but unsuccessful) onside kick; and a quasi-fake punt that Ben Graham pooched out of bounds 8 yards downfield when he was pressured. Such antics are usually verboten in preseason games, where "vanilla" isn't just the flavor of ice cream served at the concession stands. Most coaches (including Joe Gibbs) are terrified of tipping their hands Mangini, who's in his first gig as an NFL head coach, apparently didn't get the memo. And for that we should be thankful. Still, Redskins fans didn't come out to learn the subtleties of the Jets' playbook. They wanted The answers weren't encouraging. Working with the second-team offense for the first time in the preseason, Campbell showed an NFL quarterback's arm on two consecutive sparkling plays in the second quarter. He hit a well-covered David Patten on a 15-yard out pattern where the ball traveled 40 yards. Then he avoided one pass rusher and, with another in his face, connected with James Thrash for a 20-yard gain to the Jets' 1. Rock Cartwright plunged in on the next play to cap an efficient scoring drive on which Campbell was 3-for-3.
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