Ferd Lewis of the Honolulu Advertiser on Colt Brennan

A week ago, Ferd Lewis of the Honolulu Advertiser wrote a column telling Hawaii fans (meaning Colt Brennan fans) to stop worrying about what Washington Redskins head coach Jim Zorn is saying about Brennan, Hawaii's starting quarterback last season. Brennan's been playing well for the Redskins during preseason. He started out with an electrifying effort in the Hall of Fame against the Indianapolis Colts, going 9-of-10 for 160 yards and one touchdown pass. Then dipped against Buffalo, going 4-of-8 for 37 yards passing. Then rose again against the New York Jets. In Brett Favre's first game with the Jets, it was Brennan who was the QB who seized the spotlight. He was 4-of-5 for 79 yards. Brennan tossed the winning 33-yard touchdown pass with 1:09 left for a 13-10 Redskins win. Last week against Carolina, Brennan was 6-12 for 53 yards as the Redskins got drilled, 47-3.

In his column, Ferd Lewis aided fans by interpreting what Zorn really meant when he said something. Here are two examples from Lewis' column:

What Zorn says: "From my standpoint, I think he's doing OK."
What Zorn means: "If I said what I really think I'd have the other QBs either pouting or calling their agents, and who needs that in the preseason?"

What Zorn says: "He has to become a more disciplined QB. Not risk as much as he risked in the game. This week it turned out to be a great performance, but it could easily have been the other way."
What Zorn means: "He's a coach's dream: Even when he screws up he has the ability to make us look good."

Anyway, Lewis was kind enough to answer a few questions about Brennan. This new feature is called "THIRD AND FIVE." The "THIRD" is three questions for Lewis about Brennan. The "AND FIVE" are five quick personal interest-type questions of Lewis. Here goes:

THIRD:
1. Seems like Hawaii fans are continuing to follow Colt Brennan's career. Is this true? And if so, why?
Lewis: I'd bet that a good percentage of the Brennan Redskins jerseys sold to date have been purchased by fans in the 808 area code - or their relatives. By coming back for his senior year Colt became more than just a quarterback or athlete here. People connected with him, taking him into their hearts and rallied around he and the Warriors in 2007. They still haven't let go.
2. Brennan was drafted in the sixth round. Were you surprised and why do you think he went so low?
Lewis: Definitely surprised he went that low. Figured him for a second round pick before the Sugar Bowl and third or fourth round choice after that. But the combination of his size, the Sugar Bowl struggles and off-season surgery combined to drop him a lot more. Time will tell on the wisdom of that but right now it sure looks like Zorn got a steal in the 6th.
3. If he wins the starting job at some point this season, why wouldn't you be surprised. (Or why would you be surprised?)
Lewis: Would be surprised to see any low round QB pick start as a rookie in the NFL, barring major injuries. Washington looks like the perfect fit for Colt in that he doesn't have to earn a starting job off the bat and has a head coach able and interested in developing him.

AND FIVE:
Favorite NFL web site?
Lewis: Pro Football Weekly.com
Favorite non-sports web site?
Lewis: IHT.com
Favorite sports web site?
Lewis: ESPN.com
Favorite blog?
Lewis: NY Times' The Quad.
And one old-school question (aka non-Internet question): book you are recommending?
Lewis: Hollywood Station.

Thanks to Ferd Lewis. And now I will have to check out the book "Hollywood Station" and New York Times blog called The Quad.