Campbell is a big hit in ratings

When it comes to offensive systems, Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell has learned them from A to Z.

That's from Auburn to Zorn.

Campbell, suddenly among the NFL's hottest quarterbacks, is on his seventh offense since his freshman year at Auburn, and he's flourishing in the West Coast scheme of rookie Coach Jim Zorn.

Gone is the notion that Campbell is too much of a drop-back passer for the system, a strong-armed misfit bound for the scrap heap of failed Redskins experiments. Through the first quarter of the season, he's the NFC's second-rated passer behind New Orleans' Drew Brees.

After struggling in a season-opening loss to the New York Giants, Campbell has led Washington to three consecutive victories heading into today's game at Philadelphia. The real attention-grabber was a 26-24 upset at Dallas last Sunday when Campbell threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns to further shake up the league's most competitive division.

Through the first quarter of the season, Campbell has six touchdown passes and is the NFL's only regular starter without an interception. His passer rating has topped 100 in each of the past three games, and he looks increasingly comfortable in Zorn's system.

"Jason is progressing along," the coach said. "He's got a ways to go, but I think as the season goes, because each game just gets bigger and bigger, I hope the progression keeps going and he doesn't level out."

That the Redskins have reached something of a comfortable cruising altitude is especially surprising with the way they started the season. They lost their last two exhibition games by a combined 71-6, and made headlines before their first game by benching tackle Jon Jansen, once a fixture on the offensive line, and when standout free agent Jason Taylor was hobbled by a knee sprain.

Things looked even less promising in the NFL opener when the Redskins were dominated by the New York Giants, converting only three of 13 third downs and reaching enemy territory three times in a 16-7 loss that was more lopsided than the score suggests.

Washington bounced back, however, with home victories over New Orleans and Arizona, then took a major step forward by beating the Cowboys. Campbell said this week that, even though it's difficult adjusting to yet another offensive system, he and Zorn are beginning to develop a bond and mutual trust that has eased the transition.