Skidding 'Skins bench Brunell, to start Campbell on Sunday

"I was kind of shocked," Campbell said. "It's like when the principal calls you into the office, you get kind of jittery, you don't know what to expect. ... Basically he told me it's my job. It's my job, and I've got to approach it that way."

The Redskins traded three picks so they could move up and select Campbell with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2005 draft. Campbell led Auburn to an undefeated season as a senior. He is 24, tall, strong and mobile and has shown flashes of promise in preseason games.

Campbell sat behind Brunell and Ramsey last season. This year, in an unusual pecking order, Gibbs said Todd Collins would play if Brunell were replaced during a game, and that Campbell would start if the team decided well in advance that Brunell wouldn't play.

Campbell is experiencing in his sixth offensive scheme in six years. He went through four at Auburn and learned Gibbs' system last year. This year, Gibbs turned over the offense to new assistant coach Al Saunders.

"We're going to do everything we can to support him," Gibbs said. "Hopefully it's something he's going to make the most of. He's spent a year and a half preparing for this."

Gibbs said Brunell will be the No. 2 quarterback, with Collins -- signed as a free agent from Kansas City in the offseason -- demoted to No. 3. Gibbs said neither quarterback agreed with his decision.

Gibbs isn't used to coaching a team on the verge of playing out the string. He made references to the salary cap and the fact that he's "always looking for youth and guys to fit in," but he also refused to concede that he is throwing in the towel on the season.

"It's not giving up," Gibbs said. "My goal is to win every game."

Campbell echoed his coach's sentiments.

"First things first, I just want to come in and do what I can to help the team," Campbell said. "There are seven games left in the regular season. You never know what's going to happen."