NOW it's time to start Cousins

[riggofan]

Redskins fans are so fixated on RG3's woes that many don't stop to realize that the catalyst behind this season's disaster is the lack of a CAPABLE OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR.

Yeah, blame Kyle! He apparently forgot how to call plays since last year.

Can I suggest people take a look at Mike Wise's column today? Its a pretty sobering dose of reality. Quit looking for the simple answers, because they don't exist.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/re ... rc=nl_most

Josh Wilson is not a starting cornerback in the NFL. He may not be a starting cornerback in the CFL. Tyler Polumbus is not a starting offensive lineman in the NFL. Chris Chester and Polumbus were not just outmuscled and outquicked; the right side of Washington’s line was physically emasculated Monday night. Trent Williams is the best Robert Griffin III has at the moment, but even he has looked as if he were sleepwalking the past two weeks.

A highly respected NFL mind recently told me, on condition of anonymity, that Washington probably has four genuine starters on defense — Brian Orakpo , Ryan Kerrigan, DeAngelo Hall and Barry Cofield .

After a solid 2012 campaign, Stephen Bowen has been a disappointment. Jarvis Jenkins shows signs of coming around, but it’s unclear whether any long-term investment is worth it. That Reed Doughty and Kedric Golston have managed to not just stick around this long after being taken in the sixth round of the 2006 draft but to actually start and carve out veteran niches for themselves is not merely a statement about their own resolve and heart; it’s an indictment of the players they have beat out to get those jobs and an indictment of the people that brought their potential replacements in.

Unfortunately, Jim Haslett is going to be scapegoated this season, whether Shanahan stays or not. Here’s just one reason why he shouldn’t be: His starting secondary at the moment (Doughty, Hall, Wilson and Brandon Meriweather ) makes a combined $5 million this season, just as much as one particular starting offensive lineman.

No creative thought or money went in to addressing the holes of this defense since Haslett was hired. It’s led to a predictable result: So many substandard players have led to so few wins.

[VRIEL1]

I guess I'll add my 2 cents....

#1- RG3 is not 100% healthy. If he was he would not be wearing the knee brace. The brace slows him down and hinders his mobility but he needs it for support.
#2- Not all the problems are RG3's but he is having issue's this year like, timing is off- he's over throwing WR's and throwing to them late and the ball is behind them.
#3- He's not making good decisions with the ball. Throwing off his back foot. The INT's are obviously bad decisions. Rumors of not reading the defenses well and changing to wrong plays.
#4- Rumors of RG3 failing to see the open WR down field on just about every play.

Honestly I think the other issue's are the OL not cut blocking as much, RG3 probably being requested to no run as much and stay in the pocket for the protection he does not have. Only having two decent threats at catching passes in Garcon and Reed. The fact the opponents stack the line and decide to stop the run and challenge RG3 to throw.

[SkinsJock]

I guess I'll add my 2 cents....

#1- RG3 is not 100% healthy. If he was he would not be wearing the knee brace. The brace slows him down and hinders his mobility but he needs it for support.
#2- Not all the problems are RG3's but he is having issue's this year like, timing is off- he's over throwing WR's and throwing to them late and the ball is behind them.
#3- He's not making good decisions with the ball. Throwing off his back foot. The INT's are obviously bad decisions. Rumors of not reading the defenses well and changing to wrong plays.
#4- Rumors of RG3 failing to see the open WR down field on just about every play.

Honestly I think the other issue's are the OL not cut blocking as much, RG3 probably being requested to no run as much and stay in the pocket for the protection he does not have. Only having two decent threats at catching passes in Garcon and Reed. The fact the opponents stack the line and decide to stop the run and challenge RG3 to throw.

The knee is not a 100% healthy (it might never be 100%) but he's still a VERY fast runner - he's not just fast, he's VERY fast

The brace may 'slow' him down but he's still able to run and cut VERY effectively - so it does affect his mobility but NOT noticeably

however

You're right - Robert's not making good decisions at all - this is all part of the learning curve

the fact is that Robert is not having a great season but he is getting better as an NFL QB each week and the only way to get better as an NFL QB ACCORDING TO BRADY and PEYTON and BILL COWHER is to get as much playing time as possible

END OF STORY for all those that think he should rest his knee and not play him

this is how the good QBs become great QBs - by learning from their mistakes they make WHILE PLAYING

[RayNAustin]

Redskins fans are so fixated on RG3's woes that many don't stop to realize that the catalyst behind this season's disaster is the lack of a CAPABLE OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR.

Yeah, blame Kyle! He apparently forgot how to call plays since last year.

Can I suggest people take a look at Mike Wise's column today? Its a pretty sobering dose of reality. Quit looking for the simple answers, because they don't exist.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/re ... rc=nl_most

Josh Wilson is not a starting cornerback in the NFL. He may not be a starting cornerback in the CFL. Tyler Polumbus is not a starting offensive lineman in the NFL. Chris Chester and Polumbus were not just outmuscled and outquicked; the right side of Washington’s line was physically emasculated Monday night. Trent Williams is the best Robert Griffin III has at the moment, but even he has looked as if he were sleepwalking the past two weeks.

A highly respected NFL mind recently told me, on condition of anonymity, that Washington probably has four genuine starters on defense — Brian Orakpo , Ryan Kerrigan, DeAngelo Hall and Barry Cofield .

After a solid 2012 campaign, Stephen Bowen has been a disappointment. Jarvis Jenkins shows signs of coming around, but it’s unclear whether any long-term investment is worth it. That Reed Doughty and Kedric Golston have managed to not just stick around this long after being taken in the sixth round of the 2006 draft but to actually start and carve out veteran niches for themselves is not merely a statement about their own resolve and heart; it’s an indictment of the players they have beat out to get those jobs and an indictment of the people that brought their potential replacements in.

Unfortunately, Jim Haslett is going to be scapegoated thppis season, whether Shanahan stays or not. Here’s just one reason why he shouldn’t be: His starting secondary at the moment (Doughty, Hall, Wilson and Brandon Meriweather ) makes a combined $5 million this season, just as much as one particular starting offensive lineman.

No creative thought or money went in to addressing the holes of this defense since Haslett was hired. It’s led to a predictable result: So many substandard players have led to so few wins.

I agree with that assessment in general, and Ihave been consistent in my defense of Haz.

We're seeing little disruption from the DE's, Wilson seems to be more like a drum than a CB, the way he's being beat, and Rambo is just clueless. What does this dude do on the field besides take bad angles, show up late, and whiff ?

The secondary is pathetic. With the exception of Hall (who for some strange reason always has his own "cut Hall" thread here).

In spite of the substandard talent, you can hardly blame the defense for the 9er loss. I mean, zero offense ... you'd expect DeMatha high to be able to pick up more than 20 yards in an entire half!!! The defense was keeping them in the game, got a turnover, and what happened? 4 and out, running on 4th and 2, and not handing it to Morris?

Truthfully, while I agree there is a talent issue, that doesn't exonerate the cosvhing staff in any way for failing to coach up the oline on technique, and devising plays that help theis leaky boat along. And the bubble screens .... one, then another, and another? Why not put a message on the scoreboard ... we got nothing else!

So the league insider says they're a no talent mess, and mike claims credit for a major improvement over what was here when he arrived? 3-8 doesn't make for a strong case.

[RayNAustin]

Redskins fans are so fixated on RG3's woes that many don't stop to realize that the catalyst behind this season's disaster is the lack of a CAPABLE OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR.

Yeah, blame Kyle! He apparently forgot how to call plays since last year.

Can I suggest people take a look at Mike Wise's column today? Its a pretty sobering dose of reality. Quit looking for the simple answers, because they don't exist.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/re ... rc=nl_most

Josh Wilson is not a starting cornerback in the NFL. He may not be a starting cornerback in the CFL. Tyler Polumbus is not a starting offensive lineman in the NFL. Chris Chester and Polumbus were not just outmuscled and outquicked; the right side of Washington’s line was physically emasculated Monday night. Trent Williams is the best Robert Griffin III has at the moment, but even he has looked as if he were sleepwalking the past two weeks.

A highly respected NFL mind recently told me, on condition of anonymity, that Washington probably has four genuine starters on defense — Brian Orakpo , Ryan Kerrigan, DeAngelo Hall and Barry Cofield .

After a solid 2012 campaign, Stephen Bowen has been a disappointment. Jarvis Jenkins shows signs of coming around, but it’s unclear whether any long-term investment is worth it. That Reed Doughty and Kedric Golston have managed to not just stick around this long after being taken in the sixth round of the 2006 draft but to actually start and carve out veteran niches for themselves is not merely a statement about their own resolve and heart; it’s an indictment of the players they have beat out to get those jobs and an indictment of the people that brought their potential replacements in.

Unfortunately, Jim Haslett is going to be scapegoated thppis season, whether Shanahan stays or not. Here’s just one reason why he shouldn’t be: His starting secondary at the moment (Doughty, Hall, Wilson and Brandon Meriweather ) makes a combined $5 million this season, just as much as one particular starting offensive lineman.

No creative thought or money went in to addressing the holes of this defense since Haslett was hired. It’s led to a predictable result: So many substandard players have led to so few wins.

I agree with that assessment in general, and Ihave been consistent in my defense of Haz.

We're seeing little disruption from the DE's, Wilson seems to be more like a drum than a CB, the way he's being beat, and Rambo is just clueless. What does this dude do on the field besides take bad angles, show up late, and whiff ?

The secondary is pathetic. With the exception of Hall (who for some strange reason always has his own "cut Hall" thread here).

In spite of the substandard talent, you can hardly blame the defense for the 9er loss. I mean, zero offense ... you'd expect DeMatha high to be able to pick up more than 20 yards in an entire half!!! The defense was keeping them in the game, got a turnover, and what happened? 4 and out, running on 4th and 2, and not handing it to Morris?

Truthfully, while I agree there is a talent issue, that doesn't exonerate the cosvhing staff in any way for failing to coach up the oline on technique, and devising plays that help theis leaky boat along. And the bubble screens .... one, then another, and another? Why not put a message on the scoreboard ... we got nothing else!

So the league insider says they're a no talent mess, and mike claims credit for a major improvement over what was here when he arrived? 3-8 doesn't make for a strong case.

[SkinsJock]

^^ I don't see anything in either post that indicates a 'yea' or 'nay' on the switch to Cousins

[Kilmer72]

I think next year, if we hear the boo birds then maybe it is time for Cousins. Until then, please understand he is what he is, a back up!!! You wont be happy; even after you get your wish.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

Starting him behind THIS line will just make his stock plumet. He most likely will get hurt, and then what? Some people need to think things through before posting

[Kilmer72]

Starting him behind THIS line will just make his stock plumet. He most likely will get hurt, and then what? Some people need to think things through before posting

I agree and this isn't even at worse.

[StorminMormon86]

That's a ridiculous comparison. For one thing, nobody around here is going to be that crazy if Shanahan does decide to bench RGIII. The only thing fans around here know that they like is CHANGE. They'll cheer if he benches RGIII, and they'll cheer again if he has to bench Cousins later to bring back RGIII. And if you don't believe that, you weren't around here for Rex-Becks-Rex.

No it's really not. Shanny is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. Some fans will cheer if he's benched, but the majority would be angry solely because of how he's the franchise, and how good he was last year. With Rex, we all knew what he was. Beck was an unknown, so of course fans wanted to see what we had in him. Then he came in and looked even worse, so everyone naturally wanted to shift back to Rex. Completely different situation with Griffin/Cousins.

[gibbsfan]

Stick with RGIII and fix the problems around him.

I couldn't agree more with this.

[SkinsJock]

Stick with RGIII and fix the problems around him.

I couldn't agree more with this.

you're right and it really is just that simple …

[Irn-Bru]

Stick with RGIII and fix the problems around him.

I couldn't agree more with this.

Same here. Griffin is not the problem, not by a long shot.

[crazyhorse1]

Stick with RGIII and fix the problems around him.

I couldn't agree more with this.

you're right and it really is just that simple …

I would like to agree that the Shannys have done well by rebuilding this team, but just can't see it. Special teams and defense have gone from bad to worse, our overall record is terrible and we are again in last place, and the offensive line still sucks. The positive changes appear flukish, or almost. RG3, may or may not end up being a plus; Morris was an unexpected gift from the football gods, like Reed. On the other hand. Garcon was a solid pickup. Maybe Amerson will work out and Kerrigan seems to be the real deal. But, still, I do not think of Shanny and Allen as uber football guys, but rather projects only marginally qualified for prime time. We have no depth, we have weakness everywhere, after all this time. In all these Shanny years, our only real success was a single seven game win streak. We have been humiliated, not just beaten, time after time. Last week, when we dropped behind by a few touchdowns, we were reduced to one weapon-- Griffin to Garcon. It did not suffice. Surprize! If I had been the coach I would have spent the last two quarters handing off to Morris and mixing in short passes to Garcon, mostly. Morris had only 14 carries, almost none is the second half. How many times will we make the same mistake and endanger Griffin's life, as well as throw one of our best weapons overboard.

[Kilmer72]

http://www.redskinshistorian.com/conten ... washington

http://www.redskinshistorian.com/sites/ ... 1OCT11.pdf

[Kilmer72]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_Brennan

We finally have our QB. It took a long time but now we have one. Growing pains are expected. We all knew this when the Skins drafted him. He had a great year thanks to Kyle,Morris and HIM!!!!
How quickly we forget. Reed, Morris, Garcon, DY, Helu are only going to help for years to come.

[brad7686]

The reason behind the offensive woes are very simple. The O-line was constructed of players other teams cut because they could not pass block in the NFL. Shanahan thought he could hide that by putting them in a zone blocking scheme with a mobile qb and utilization of the read-option. Now, the qb is hurt, teams have figured out what we did last year, the Offensive line predictably can't pass block, the receivers are lame, just like last year, Trent Williams looks bad, and we are terrible.

The defense has been bad every year we have had Haslett and will continue to be until he is gone.

[riggofan]

The reason behind the offensive woes are very simple. The O-line was constructed of players other teams cut because they could not pass block in the NFL. Shanahan thought he could hide that by putting them in a zone blocking scheme with a mobile qb and utilization of the read-option. Now, the qb is hurt, teams have figured out what we did last year, the Offensive line predictably can't pass block, the receivers are lame, just like last year, Trent Williams looks bad, and we are terrible.

The defense has been bad every year we have had Haslett and will continue to be until he is gone.

This is true but you're missing the point of WHY he had to use those players. We didn't have the money to spend on anybody better. How is that Shanahan's fault??? How about giving him some credit that we made the playoffs last year using those same terrible players, same terrible defense?

Man, people drive me freaking nuts.

[brad7686]

The reason behind the offensive woes are very simple. The O-line was constructed of players other teams cut because they could not pass block in the NFL. Shanahan thought he could hide that by putting them in a zone blocking scheme with a mobile qb and utilization of the read-option. Now, the qb is hurt, teams have figured out what we did last year, the Offensive line predictably can't pass block, the receivers are lame, just like last year, Trent Williams looks bad, and we are terrible.

The defense has been bad every year we have had Haslett and will continue to be until he is gone.

This is true but you're missing the point of WHY he had to use those players. We didn't have the money to spend on anybody better. How is that Shanahan's fault??? How about giving him some credit that we made the playoffs last year using those same terrible players, same terrible defense?

Man, people drive me freaking nuts.

I understand what you're saying, however Shanny has always tried to use undersized linemen because it's the best way to run the zone scheme. They used to be able to cut block, and also pass rushers have gotten a lot more athletic since Shanny was last relevant.

[riggofan]

The reason behind the offensive woes are very simple. The O-line was constructed of players other teams cut because they could not pass block in the NFL. Shanahan thought he could hide that by putting them in a zone blocking scheme with a mobile qb and utilization of the read-option. Now, the qb is hurt, teams have figured out what we did last year, the Offensive line predictably can't pass block, the receivers are lame, just like last year, Trent Williams looks bad, and we are terrible.

The defense has been bad every year we have had Haslett and will continue to be until he is gone.

This is true but you're missing the point of WHY he had to use those players. We didn't have the money to spend on anybody better. How is that Shanahan's fault??? How about giving him some credit that we made the playoffs last year using those same terrible players, same terrible defense?

Man, people drive me freaking nuts.

I understand what you're saying, however Shanny has always tried to use undersized linemen because it's the best way to run the zone scheme. They used to be able to cut block, and also pass rushers have gotten a lot more athletic since Shanny was last relevant.

Gotcha, different argument. Personally I don't know whether the zone blocking scheme still works or not. My impression has been that it works great in the running game just like it always has. I suspect we need a couple better players to have any hope of allowing Robert to drop back and pass. Anybody else have a more informed opinion on that?

I don't know that pass rushers suddenly got more athletic in the one year that Shanahan was out of coaching.

[oj]

Well, if you like what you've got then keep doing what you've been doing.

In my profession i have to fix things, when things are wrong you have to make a big change before you can finetune. Shannahan is trying to finetune when he needs to make a big change.

[Irn-Bru]

Threadkiller: RGIII has been improving (with ups and downs), and last night he played a very good game. Handing him the reps for the rest of the year, barring injury, is the right thing to do to maximize our chances of success for 2014. Let's give the man a full offseason without rehabilitation, some improvement to our depleted roster, and let him finally take off the knee brace. Then see what he does.

[Kilmer72]

Threadkiller: RGIII has been improving (with ups and downs), and last night he played a very good game. Handing him the reps for the rest of the year, barring injury, is the right thing to do to maximize our chances of success for 2014. Let's give the man a full offseason without rehabilitation, some improvement to our depleted roster, and let him finally take off the knee brace. Then see what he does.

But this makes too much sense. It isn't as interesting as (What If Scenarios).

[riggofan]

Threadkiller: RGIII has been improving (with ups and downs), and last night he played a very good game. Handing him the reps for the rest of the year, barring injury, is the right thing to do to maximize our chances of success for 2014. Let's give the man a full offseason without rehabilitation, some improvement to our depleted roster, and let him finally take off the knee brace. Then see what he does.

But this makes too much sense. It isn't as interesting as (What If Scenarios).

Yes this doesn't excite me as much as firing everybody and hiring the reanimated zombie body of Vince Lombardi.

[riggofan]

Well, if you like what you've got then keep doing what you've been doing.

In my profession i have to fix things, when things are wrong you have to make a big change before you can finetune. Shannahan is trying to finetune when he needs to make a big change.

I don't know what you fix exactly, but you're trying to tell us that every time something breaks that you have to fix, you completely start from scratch? You cannot possibly fix things without making big changes first? Ever? I call you because I have a leaky toilet, and you will come to my house and completely replace the toilet before you will attempt to fix the leak by less drastic means???

I know this was meant to be profound, but its mostly just hilarious in its generality. I'm pretty sure a lot of people have to "fix things" in some manner or another in their jobs. I build websites. When something breaks, I usually try to figure out what piece specifically is broken and fix that. People rarely want to wait two years for me to completely rebuild their website. How's that for profound?