NFL
Brunell to start Skins' season opener
By The Source
Aug 30, 2004

Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Washington Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs announced Monday that Mark Brunell will be under center when the team begins its 2004 campaign against Tampa Bay on September 12.

Brunell, who was acquired in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars during the offseason, won a competition with the Redskins' 2003 starter, Patrick Ramsey.

The move did not come as a surprise, considering Gibbs' affinity for veteran players. Brunell, who will turn 34 on September 17, has started 117 games during his 11-year playing career, while the 25-year-old Ramsey has made just 16 lifetime starts.

Brunell played in just three games last season before injuring his elbow and losing his job to Byron Leftwich. He threw for 484 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Ramsey started Washington's first 11 games in 2003 before a foot injury sidelined him for the remainder of the year. The Tulane product threw for 2,166 yards and 14 touchdowns while being intercepted nine times.