Patrick Ramsey.

The "kid" is the real deal. I put that in quotes because I'm only four years older than him. He's the same age as my brother. Ramsey's courage in the pocket, accuracy, and strong arm are going to keep him playing in the league a long time, assuming he stays healthy. On top of that, he's a smart guy. That will keep him playing even longer.

He's humble and not presumptuous yet willing to take on the role of a leader. He inspires his teammates and already (on only 8 starts) he's shown them that they can rally around him.

I was so wrong about him. After last year's draft, I was lamenting the fact that they chose Ramsey instead of choosing the top OG available (Andre Gurode). Well, I'm definitely not complaining now. I don't know anything about Gurode except that he's the starting RG with the Cowboys. Certainly, there's not as much hype about him as there is about Ramsey.

If, and this is a big if, Ramsey, Coles, Gardner, and Betts or Canidate can stick together for a long time, that is a great offensive nucleus to build around with each successive year. Actually Gardner's optional. He's a good receiver but other receivers can be just as good in the #2 spot. Betts and Canidate are optional as well. Neither of them has proven themselves as a star yet although I think they both have the potential. Maybe it'll be Sultan McCullough. Would love to see one of them shine.

Then on the OL, you've got Jansen re-signed for a few more years and new RG Randy Thomas. That is really a good foundation.

On the flip side, you see players that have a breakout second year but then regress in their third year. I think the only way that would happen is if Spurrier leaves but I don't see him leaving so soon. Spurrier should coach out his contract, and if he's tired of the NFL after his five years are up, then he can leave. In the meantime, hopefully, George Edwards will have matured as a defensive coordinator (he should still push the scheme more than he's doing -- witness the LaVar's lapse against Jim Finn's catch and run in OT). If Edwards is as established and respected as I would hope him to be, he could take over as head coach and leave the playcalling duties to Hue Jackson.

Anyway, back to Ramsey. He's got a lot of things going for him besides his own attributes that would make it doubtful that he would regress. He's a got a supportive wife so that he won't get into trouble, he's got a playmaker like Coles to throw to, he's got Jansen and Thomas protecting him for the next few years, and he's got a coach that is adapting to NFL speed and calling better and better games. It's still early but assuming things continue to go well and no freak injury (knock on wood!) occurs, Ramsey can be this team's franchise quarterback for the next 8-10 years. That would be a welcome change for DC and all Redskins fans. In the last 15 or so years, we have seen Jay Schroeder, Doug Williams, Rypien, Cary Conklin, Rutledge, Gannon, Humphries, Friesz, Shuler, Frerotte, Hostetler, Trent Green (doh!), Brad Johnson (a good one we let get away -- smart but weaker arm), Peete, George, Banks, Rosenfels, Matthews, and Wuerffel. Peete, Conklin, and Rosenfels don't really count but it's obviously a long list. To have someone be as durable and reliable as Favre or Manning would be a wonderful blessing.

May Ramsey's star continue to shine! And shine brighter with each game!