Drafting Kirk Cousins Was a Huge Mistake

[StorminMormon86]

Ok, back pre-draft in 2012, we had Grossman and Beck on our roster. We kind of knew that the Skins were going to trade up in the draft to get either Griffin or Luck (most of us knew we weren't getting Luck). So why draft Kirk Cousins in the 4th round, instead of another area we needed improvement, like the o-line for example? Not taking Cousins, you would have Griffin as your #1, Grossman as a competent backup, and you better pray that neither Griffin or Grossman go down with Beck penciled in as the #3. Or you could cut Beck, and sign another low risk FA for a #3. Drafting Cousins created more problems, IMO, in the long run. Now don't get me wrong: I do not dislike the guy, I like him a lot, and I do not understand the criticism he gets from other Skins fans who say he sucks and can't improve based off of 4 whole games in his career. I want him to succeed either here or on another team. Anyway, the reasons I think drafting him were a mistake are:

-QB Controversy: everyone loves the backup in Washington, DC. Despite the great year Griffin had in 2012, Cousins also solidified his status with fans by coming in and beating the Ravens (cold), and then putting up one of the best performances by a rookie Redskin QB against the Browns the next week. Based off of that short sample size, people began to murmur that Cousins was a good QB, and would probably be a good starter for another team down the line. Then 2013 happens. Thanks to the way Cousins played in 2012, at the first instant Griffin took a step backward, or had a bad game, there would be dissension and a growing call for Cousins to play. That did happen, and it even happened again this year with the way Cousins played in the preseason. The talk is NOT going away any time soon. The fan base seems divided, IMO. It's still there.

-I've stated above how we could have used the pick on another need for our team.

-Let's just say for s's and g's that Griffin's play gets worse and worse (I seriously doubt it will, but bear with me here) over the course of this season. We know Cousins is NOT entering any game at any point with a healthy Griffin. In other words: there is no real competition since the job is Griffin's. So again, what exactly was the point in drafting Cousins?!

Maybe I'm losing my mind, but I've been thinking about this all day, and I can't come up with a good reason as to why we did. Was it purely because there were concerns over Griffin transitioning into the NFL? Was it (as Shanahan said) too good a pick to pass up? Was it some sort of backup insurance policy based off of Griffin's injury in college?

[EA7649]

I agree with you and have thought about it a little bit today. I hate to hear we have a "qb controversy", when there really isn't one. Cousins is alright, but Griffen has shown in college and his rookie year he can be the man. His running skills need to be used better. And not just put him as a pocket passer. When he was drafted, was he supposed to be a pocket passer? NO. Having Cousins behind him has become a mess. And I thinkg Colt McCoy is a legit enough back up qb. Redskins organization was wrong asking for too much to trade Cousins this spring. They probably picked up McCoy with the thought Cousins will be gone.

[StorminMormon86]

I agree with you and have thought about it a little bit today. I hate to hear we have a "qb controversy", when there really isn't one.

There definitely is one among our fanbase. It's divided.

[emoses14]

I agree with you and have thought about it a little bit today. I hate to hear we have a "qb controversy", when there really isn't one.

There definitely is one among our fanbase. It's divided.

Then our fanbase is stupid.

[EA7649]

I agree with you and have thought about it a little bit today. I hate to hear we have a "qb controversy", when there really isn't one.

There definitely is one among our fanbase. It's divided.

Then our fanbase is stupid.

Oh I know. It pisses me off, I made the few fans "foes" on here, I think its called, so I don't see nonsense Cousins posts by them.

And fans don't make decisions on players...sorry. Griffen III is the starter. ESPN and other analysis say there is a controversy and Cousins should be the starter and it just makes me give them less of a expertise. Shanahan was I guess you can say selfish drafting Cousins. Because he liked him and reportedly, wasn't fond of moving up to draft #2. Want to repeat, I don't think Cousins is trash. But he's not as skilled as the current starter. He might be a slightly better pocket passer right now, but that's only one skill.

[FLWSkin]

Fan noise is just that, noise.

[StorminMormon86]

Fan noise is just that, noise.

It's not only our fans. Terry Bradshaw basically said there was a controversy on the pregame show on Sunday. And then Dungy, Patrick, and Harrison insinuated the same thing on the pregame for Sunday night football. It's not just our fan base.

[FLWSkin]

Yes, but those guys aren't doing real analysis and know very little about what goes on at the Park and are pushing an agenda to create controversy so they can get viewers and web hits. I don't care what they say. They don't know what they are talking about.

[StorminMormon86]

Yes, but those guys aren't doing real analysis and know very little about what goes on at the Park and are pushing an agenda to create controversy so they can get viewers and web hits. I don't care what they say. They don't know what they are talking about.

I wouldn't say these guys don't know what their talking about, but I do think certain people try to stir the pot to get ratings or clicks. But Bradshaw at least was saying that in his opinion, Griffin isn't ready for "pocket football", but "the guy on the sideline is."

[fabe]

Ooh, ooh! *raises hand* Pick me, pick me! I actually know the answer to this question, because Mike Shanahan has said it before. Shanahan has said that he doesn't draft based on team needs, but whoever the best player is on the board when it's their turn. He thought Cousins was the best player available at round 4, so ergo, he drafted Cousins.

I can agree with what you said, but this is the actual reason why Shanny took Cousins.

[StorminMormon86]

Ooh, ooh! *raises hand* Pick me, pick me! I actually know the answer to this question, because Mike Shanahan has said it before. Shanahan has said that he doesn't draft based on team needs, but whoever the best player is on the board when it's their turn. He thought Cousins was the best player available at round 4, so ergo, he drafted Cousins.

I can agree with what you said, but this is the actual reason why Shanny took Cousins.

Thank you. Knowing that Shanny has a penchant for lying, I was just thinking out loud today as to whether or not his explanation was the truth, or "coach speak" as he liked to do all the freakin' time.

[FLWSkin]

Yes, but those guys aren't doing real analysis and know very little about what goes on at the Park and are pushing an agenda to create controversy so they can get viewers and web hits. I don't care what they say. They don't know what they are talking about.

I wouldn't say these guys don't know what their talking about, but I do think certain people try to stir the pot to get ratings or clicks. But Bradshaw at least was saying that in his opinion, Griffin isn't ready for "pocket football", but "the guy on the sideline is."

Well that just shows how senile Terry is because if you watched Cousins last year in the last three games and in the preseason, he isn't exactly ready for prime time. When I say they don't know what they are talking about, I mean that the 5 or so minutes of prep time they spend on us doesn't really allow them to really know our team dynamics. So then they go with the old, "Let's make a QB controversy in DC" because it get web hits.

[Deadskins]

I do not dislike the guy, I like him a lot, and I do not understand the criticism he gets from other Skins fans who say he sucks and can't improve based off of 4 whole games in his career.

Who ever said that? I've never seen anyone post that. I've heard he is not as good as RGIII, and citing those 4 games as evidence (that's all we have to go on), but if anything, all we've ever heard is just the opposite - It's RGIII who sucks and can't improve, and Cousins is so much better (and this is not based off the four games, but rather pre-season performances).

[StorminMormon86]

Who ever said that? I've never seen anyone post that. I've heard he is not as good as RGIII, and citing those 4 games as evidence (that's all we have to go on), but if anything, all we've ever heard is just the opposite - It's RGIII who sucks and can't improve, and Cousins is so much better (and this is not based off the four games, but rather pre-season performances).

Several Skins fans have said this. Not so much on here, but on other message boards, comment sections on articles, social media, etc. A lot of fans are into this Griffin vs. Cousins divisional thing, and I just don't understand it.

[Countertrey]

Fan noise is just that, noise.

It's not only our fans. Terry Bradshaw basically said there was a controversy on the pregame show on Sunday. And then Dungy, Patrick, and Harrison insinuated the same thing on the pregame for Sunday night football. It's not just our fan base.

You are aware that Terry Bradshaw has an IQ of about 3, right? The rest was analysts pumping up viewership...
Only the most negative of fans declare a "controversy" right now. Of the many dozens of active fans posting currently on this site, there are perhaps 5 insisting that the team is using the wrong quarterback... and, that will happen any time that a team has multiple players at a position who are capable of starting. To make more of this is simply wrong... at THIS time.

I think most of us know that Bob still has much to learn... and as long as the progress is steady, we see him as the future of the team. Can that change? Of course... but now is not that time. I saw a young quarterback who has improved greatly, and demonstrated it against a withering front seven... He was taking what was being given by the Texans...

The only controversy is among the haters.

[Deadskins]

Who ever said that? I've never seen anyone post that. I've heard he is not as good as RGIII, and citing those 4 games as evidence (that's all we have to go on), but if anything, all we've ever heard is just the opposite - It's RGIII who sucks and can't improve, and Cousins is so much better (and this is not based off the four games, but rather pre-season performances).

Several Skins fans have said this. Not so much on here, but on other message boards, comment sections on articles, social media, etc.

Ahhh, there's the problem. I don't do other message boards, social media, or look at the comment sections on articles.

[riggofan]

I understand where you're coming from, but it really doesn't matter who the backup QB is. Cousins, Grossman, Beck, Colt Brennan, whomever. Unless we're on six game winning streak, there is going to be a QB controversy in DC.

I don't think drafting Cousins was a huge mistake for several reasons:

1) Cousins came off the bench to beat the Ravens and beat the Browns his rookie year. We would not have made the playoffs that year without him.

2) We were hit hard by the salary cap penalty. Cousins on his rookie contract has been an extremely affordable option at backup QB.

3) I've always felt like Cousins was a smart bit of insurance if the RGIII trade/pick didn't work out. Shanahan took two guys that year that he thought had the talent and potential. If for some reason at the end of four or five years, we find out Cousins is the guy we should keep around, that is fine with me. I just want to FINALLY see a long term solution at QB for our team. Hopefully one of these two QBs will be that guy.

I think it was a good move to "hedge our bets" taking both QBs that year. The alternative is what you see every year when teams take the first round QB and invest three years to find out he's a bust, then they're back at square one. We have a safety net if that ends up being the case with RGIII.

[welch]

No controversy. Griffin the the QB, and has an offensive coordinator who wants to train him to be an NFL QB. I think Kyle Shanahan wanted to run a college option offense because:

- required less learning time for Griffin

- seemed to work (Hey, we're going to the playoffs!)

but hurt Griffin's development and his body.

Cousins is the number 2. He plays if Griffin gets hurt. No arguments. (Yep. Bradshaw was always criticized -- back when he played -- for being "less bright" than the other NFL QB's. Now he's an entertainer.)

[StorminMormon86]

3) I've always felt like Cousins was a smart bit of insurance if the RGIII trade/pick didn't work out. Shanahan took two guys that year that he thought had the talent and potential. If for some reason at the end of four or five years, we find out Cousins is the guy we should keep around, that is fine with me. I just want to FINALLY see a long term solution at QB for our team. Hopefully one of these two QBs will be that guy.

The only problem I see with this scenario, is if we wait four or five years to decide Griffin isn't our guy, we'd be starting over with a 30 year old QB with 4 games of experience.

[riggofan]

3) I've always felt like Cousins was a smart bit of insurance if the RGIII trade/pick didn't work out. Shanahan took two guys that year that he thought had the talent and potential. If for some reason at the end of four or five years, we find out Cousins is the guy we should keep around, that is fine with me. I just want to FINALLY see a long term solution at QB for our team. Hopefully one of these two QBs will be that guy.

The only problem I see with this scenario, is if we wait four or five years to decide Griffin isn't our guy, we'd be starting over with a 30 year old QB with 4 games of experience.

I was talking about the four or five years of their rookie contracts. At that point KC would be a 26/27 year old QB who has been practicing as the #2 quarterback. Its not exactly starting over, and its definitely not comparable to starting over with a rookie.

[SkinsJock]

I cannot agree that drafting Cousins was a mistake

I think he's still here because he's most likely going to be a good NFL QB and it's great to have a quality back up QB

TWO things nobody knows for sure:

if Griffin will become a good NFL QB - he was not given great (or ANY) preparation for the NFL game by Mike & Kyle

OR

will Griffin be able to avoid injury playing behind this O line

[StorminMormon86]

I was talking about the four or five years of their rookie contracts. At that point KC would be a 26/27 year old QB who has been practicing as the #2 quarterback. Its not exactly starting over, and its definitely not comparable to starting over with a rookie.

Gotcha. That makes sense.

[mastdark81]

I wouldn't have done it, however now that we have him he is a quality backup. If something goes wrong with our injury prone qb we have a solid guy to play 3-4 games at a high level.

As long as this quarterback staff is sold on Griffin which they have expressed they are, then leave all the controversy talk to media, forums, radio.

Fans put to much emphasis on media talk, bloggers. They are not really affecting nothing on the field (I hope not at least haha).

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

Who else was on the board is my question? Did we miss out on a stud safety or position of need? Would Cousins have gone undrafed? Did we reach?
Questions except the first that will never be answered.
I think we had in Rex what we have in Kirk... and apparently Kyle agrees or he wouldve pushed the Brownies to bring Cousins in. The right?

I hope we can get a fourth rounder or better back for cousins.. I think rolling with McCoy is about the same as we have now, and an extra roster spot couldnt hurt special teams!

[markshark84]

I don't think drafting Cousins was a huge mistake for several reasons:

1) Cousins came off the bench to beat the Ravens and beat the Browns his rookie year. We would not have made the playoffs that year without him.

Who likes to play the "what ifs" game..... I know a lot of you do.

What if we didn't draft Cousins? In 2012, Cousins came in to WIN the game against BAL and WIN the game against CLE. Had we lost those games --- which seems fairly likely with Grossman --- we would have been out of the playoffs. Had we not played in the playoffs, RGIII would have never torn his ACL.

Is the fact Cousins is good the reason we shouldn't have drafted him? Would we be in a better position had we not made the playoffs in 2012?