The Patrick puzzle

The thing that surprises Patrick Ramsey three months later is how quickly everything happened.

Twenty-six plays.

Sixteen minutes.

Eleven pass attempts.

One illegal hit to the head.

And then it was over.

Just like that, after starting the final seven games of last season, spending the entire offseason learning the nuances of the offense and playing with the first string the entire preseason, Ramsey was back where he started when Joe Gibbs returned to the Washington Redskins — watching Mark Brunell play quarterback.

“It seems like a long time ago, not only for me but for this team,” Ramsey said of the Redskins’ opener against Chicago on Sept.11. “It’s been a roller-coaster ride.”

A roller-coaster ride with highs and lows for Brunell and the offense? Totally. But for Ramsey? Hardly. But ever the good teammate, Ramsey has shied away from negative public comments after losing his starting job to Brunell.

Two frustrating seasons and the arrival of Jason Campbell make a decision on Ramsey obvious during the offseason.

“That will be something we’ll certainly sit down with Patrick and discuss — but when the year is over. Now isn’t the time,” Gibbs said last week. “I think he’s certainly a really talented guy that has a lot to offer. The way things have worked out here, it’s been wild. You don’t plan on it.”

At 25, Ramsey may attract some interest, but his value probably has diminished. He was battered because of Steve Spurrier’s pass-protection-is-optional philosophy in 2002 and 2003 and was never really given a chance by Gibbs, who made trading for Brunell one of his first major moves and then traded the Redskins’ first-round draft choice in 2006 to select Campbell in the spring.

“I think they might be able to get a mid-round pick for him because he’s been in the league and done some things and he’s not that old,” an AFC scout said.

Ramsey hasn’t yet focused his thoughts on where he will be next year. He will be preparing for Sunday’s game against Dallas as if he were still the starter.

“You sometimes think about it, but at the same time I’m keeping myself busy,” he said. “It’s the future, and there’s nothing I can do about it right now because there are so many different variables that need to be assessed. Everybody sees what happens in the NFL. Guys have huge years, and guys come out of nowhere the next year. I don’t know if I’m going to be here or somewhere else.”

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