Start Cousins & Try To Make Playoffs

[SKINS#1]

I think the Redskins have 2 Starting QBs but with different skill sets. Each week, if a read option QB gives the Redskins the best chance to win, they should start RGIII but if a pocket QB gives them the best chance to win, then they should start Cousins.

The offensive game plan should be developed/dictated by the opponents defense with the focus on how best to take advantage of their weakness. Sometimes it will be with a read option QB and sometimes it will be with a pocket QB.

The Redskins have 2 starting QBs and should use them both.

[fabe]

I think the Redskins have 2 Starting QBs but with different skill sets. Each week, if a read option QB gives the Redskins the best chance to win, they should start RGIII but if a pocket QB gives them the best chance to win, then they should start Cousins.

The offensive game plan should be developed/dictated by the opponents defense with the focus on how best to take advantage of their weakness. Sometimes it will be with a read option QB and sometimes it will be with a pocket QB.

The Jets did that with Sanchez & Tebow. I'm not saying that either of them were good QBs, but one threw from the pocket and the other played read-option. The only difference is that they alternated them during the same game (even the same drive), while you're saying it's a game-to-game scenario.

It's a good way to psyche out your O-line. They have to play different schemes for each QB, and our O-line isn't disciplined enough to pull this off.

[funsho2]

Isn't the same cousins we saw last year....it was against the jags yall....lets see how he does against philly...and other good teams.....

[welch]

I think more people believe it today. I hope Griffin's injury is minor and he'll be healthy enough to play but Gruden would be stupid to sit Cousins now, Kirk thinks and executes fast enough to make the offense work.

Way to take a moot point and declare victory... I'll bet Griffin is out for the season. 4-5 weeks would be Best Case scenario. I'd love to be wrong, and see a best case.
Ankle dislocations frequently require surgery due to ligament damage. Additionally, because of the location and the tight spaces involved, can occasionally cause irreparable nerve damage. This is an injury that can have serious consequences.... Reviewing the film, it looks like Griff did a good job of protecting his ankle ... but, it should be noted, that he completed that pass AFTER HIS INJURY OCCURRED, and KNOWING that something bad had happened. That's some serious concentration and focus. He will be back...

IF Cousins continues to play well, there WILL be a QB controversy... and one of the two will be moving somewhere else. If not... well... Griffin will be back and Cousins will be moving on. As impressive as this game was, next week will be a much more difficult test.

Missed the Redskins game since we were at CITIField watching the New New Washington Senators beat the Mets, 3 - 0. The Mets had all the threats -- bases loaded and such -- but Wilson Ramos had the home run.

However, I've watched and re-watched the play on which Griffin was hurt. Griffin floats like a ballet dancer, like Lynn Swan if Swan could throw like Johnny Unitas. Supremely talented.

Hope to see him recover fully, no matter how long that takes.

[SkinsJock]

I agree Welch - he was showing flashes of the type of QB he can be

this kid is going to be very glad that these guys came along and are helping him be able to be more of a complete QB

cannot wait to see him come back from this and continue to grow as a QB

MR EXCITEMENT

[Neo]

I think more people believe it today. I hope Griffin's injury is minor and he'll be healthy enough to play but Gruden would be stupid to sit Cousins now, Kirk thinks and executes fast enough to make the offense work.

Thats a refreshing post from you. Not trashing Robert. But, if Cousins plays like a consistent stud the next few games, play the hot hand. Maybe that will be Cousins. Time will tell.

This is where I am right now. I loved seeing this team pulling it all together, but hated to see RG3 go down. Play whoever is "making it happen."

Look guys, you've read enough posts from me by now to know I like to stay a little on the optimistic side, and joke around a little, but right now, I'm not really expecting to ever see "RG3" again. I know that sounds *sh$t*, I really do, but he seems shell-shocked. After this, he's going to be a lot more untrusting of his legs. If he's just a pocket passer, that doesn't stand for much, but we all saw it, RG3 looked like a stud today because there's something "comforting" about the read option that ironically makes him a better pocket passer. There was a combination of 2012 RG3 and pocket RG3. His slides even looked good. We were onto something, but then, with this new setback, I'm just not expecting much from him anymore...and that f#cking hurts to say.

Kirk has been improving, there's no denying that. He will NEVER be 2012 RG3, but he is efficient in the system we play in now. He reads defenses well, and he has enough talent around him to make up for his weaknesses. If Gruden works with his accuracy and drastically cuts back on his turnover ratio, then he's a solid option. No savior, but with our talent, a solid option.

So Kirk, here's your chance to show us where your ceiling is. We've been through enough BS through the years...so don't let us down.

Lastly, my apologies to Haz. This defense got their respect back; I don't care how bad the kitties are.

[EA7649]

I think more people believe it today. I hope Griffin's injury is minor and he'll be healthy enough to play but Gruden would be stupid to sit Cousins now, Kirk thinks and executes fast enough to make the offense work.

Thats a refreshing post from you. Not trashing Robert. But, if Cousins plays like a consistent stud the next few games, play the hot hand. Maybe that will be Cousins. Time will tell.

This is where I am right now. I loved seeing this team pulling it all together, but hated to see RG3 go down. Play whoever is "making it happen."

Look guys, you've read enough posts from me by now to know I like to stay a little on the optimistic side, and joke around a little, but right now, I'm not really expecting to ever see "RG3" again. I know that sounds *sh$t*, I really do, but he seems shell-shocked. After this, he's going to be a lot more untrusting of his legs. If he's just a pocket passer, that doesn't stand for much, but we all saw it, RG3 looked like a stud today because there's something "comforting" about the read option that ironically makes him a better pocket passer. There was a combination of 2012 RG3 and pocket RG3. His slides even looked good. We were onto something, but then, with this new setback, I'm just not expecting much from him anymore...and that f#cking hurts to say.

Kirk has been improving, there's no denying that. He will NEVER be 2012 RG3, but he is efficient in the system we play in now. He reads defenses well, and he has enough talent around him to make up for his weaknesses. If Gruden works with his accuracy and drastically cuts back on his turnover ratio, then he's a solid option. No savior, but with our talent, a solid option.

So Kirk, here's your chance to show us where your ceiling is. We've been through enough BS through the years...so don't let us down.

Lastly, my apologies to Haz. This defense got their respect back; I don't care how bad the kitties are.

You may be right, sadly. But no human knows the future. We'll see and ride Cousins for what he's worth a "backup qb, Roberts back up". He said that in his interview today.

[Deadskins]

This is where I am right now. I loved seeing this team pulling it all together, but hated to see RG3 go down. Play whoever is "making it happen."

Look guys, you've read enough posts from me by now to know I like to stay a little on the optimistic side, and joke around a little, but right now, I'm not really expecting to ever see "RG3" again. I know that sounds *sh$t*, I really do, but he seems shell-shocked. After this, he's going to be a lot more untrusting of his legs. If he's just a pocket passer, that doesn't stand for much, but we all saw it, RG3 looked like a stud today because there's something "comforting" about the read option that ironically makes him a better pocket passer. There was a combination of 2012 RG3 and pocket RG3. His slides even looked good. We were onto something, but then, with this new setback, I'm just not expecting much from him anymore...and that f#cking hurts to say.

Kirk has been improving, there's no denying that. He will NEVER be 2012 RG3, but he is efficient in the system we play in now. He reads defenses well, and he has enough talent around him to make up for his weaknesses. If Gruden works with his accuracy and drastically cuts back on his turnover ratio, then he's a solid option. No savior, but with our talent, a solid option.

So Kirk, here's your chance to show us where your ceiling is. We've been through enough BS through the years...so don't let us down.

Lastly, my apologies to Haz. This defense got their respect back; I don't care how bad the kitties are.

Good post.

[RayNAustin]

Regarding RG3, statistics aren't a very accurate way of measuring success or failure ... results ar, and watching his performance last year, would anyone in their right mind give up what the Redskins gave up to draft him? I don't think so.

My thoughts watching him last year had me thinking that he just came back too fast .... didn't have the off season work QBs need to prepare, and still slowed by the knee and brace. His mechanics were poor ... lacked the bust he had in 2012, and not able to escape the pocket and do the things he did that amazed everyone as a rookie. And if my memory serves, he struggled terribly in first half of games most of the year ... stats were padded by defended playing softer in the 2nd half when we were well behind. OK? Scratch last year ... done. This year, RG3 had a full off season, and the injury healed ... no brace ... yet during the preseason, he looked ineffective, still had the same problems with mechanics, and was unable to manufacture a solid scoring drive. Then, at Houston, he was ineffective. Review that game film and you'll see missed opportunities with wide open receivers down field ... the only things he was able to do was the short dink and dunks ....

Without that threat as a runner .... and playing from the pocket, he just looked very average to mediocre .... slow decision making ... and not very effective with open guys down field. Throwing off his back foot, and not stepping up into the pocket to deliver the ball was clearly evident last year, all through preseason this year, and carrying over to opening day. Even the pats scrimmage had rumors about Cousins out performing RG3 in the off season. Frankly, whenever such rumors appear, there is usually some basis in reality.

Of course, Cousins doesn't possess the arm or athleticism that RG3 has. But what Cousins does do well is he sees the field and processes faster and gets the ball out of his hands much better, which is essential to success in the NFL .... and I'm beginning to wonder if RG3 can be a pocket QB. His athletic ability bought him extra time ... his threat to run kept defended from coming after him, and running wild gave him more opportunities to make big plays down field. But we all saw a different guy last year playing without that ability to run the read option like he did in 2012. Couple that with the inability to stay healthy, and .... Houston, we have a problem.

Historically, running QBs haven't been successful long term in the NFL, and that was the fear from day one when drafting Robert. Everyone was quick to say he was not a running QB, but a QB that could run. Last year, this preseason gives evidence that this may not be accurate. He looks like a running QB that struggles when defenses don't have to worry so much about him running loose. He looks down right mediocre in the pocket ... indecisive, inaccurate, and not the guy he was in his rookie year.

Is it too soon to write him off as a bust? Sure. But it's also foolish to live in the past, and ignore what is happening in the present. Since he's going to be out for at least 5-6 weeks, Capt Kirk is the man, and we're going to get a good look at what we have. If he performs, and the Redskins are winning ... are you going to pull him when RG3 is healed and ready to return? I don't think so .... so that's the bottom line .... Cousins will be the guy who writes RG3's story ... not Robert. What will be the big story next week if Cousins puts on a show, and the Skins beat Philly? That's the issue we're facing right now.

[grampi]

I can already see it coming...no matter how good the Skins record is, no matter how well Cousins plays, when RG3 is healthy enough to play, they will bench Cousins and put RG back in...it's as if there is no amount of proof that will change the mindset of those who still believe RG3 is the team's savior...

[Countertrey]

[riggofan]

I can already see it coming...no matter how good the Skins record is, no matter how well Cousins plays, when RG3 is healthy enough to play, they will bench Cousins and put RG back in...it's as if there is no amount of proof that will change the mindset of those who still believe RG3 is the team's savior...

I can't believe how many people are posting this idiotic nonsense.

[riggofan]

Just want to say that I am HYPED that the defense played so well yesterday and I'm HYPED that Cousins looked fantastic yesterday. But seriously, people, can we pull back on the reins just a bit? People completely overreacted to the Texans loss, and they're losing their minds over this win.

That Jags team is FREAKINGAWFUL. We have a legit test coming up this Sunday against a quality, divisional opponent. We're going to find out a lot about this team on Sunday.

Can I just add: thank god Merriweather is back next weekend!!!

[emoses14]

I can already see it coming...no matter how good the Skins record is, no matter how well Cousins plays, when RG3 is healthy enough to play, they will bench Cousins and put RG back in...it's as if there is no amount of proof that will change the mindset of those who still believe RG3 is the team's savior...

I can't believe how many people are posting this idiotic nonsense.

It is precisely this line of "thinking" that pissed me off the most when I found out Griffin had gotten hurt early in the game. Its almost as if I could see it coming. . . no matter what the reason Griffin was out, the haters (and I really HATE using that term, but damn if it isn't spot on) would flock to Cousins as though he were an open flame. It's as if nothing can disavow their dogma that Griffin is a bust.

[Kilmer72]

I can already see it coming...no matter how good the Skins record is, no matter how well Cousins plays, when RG3 is healthy enough to play, they will bench Cousins and put RG back in...it's as if there is no amount of proof that will change the mindset of those who still believe RG3 is the team's savior...

If Cousins has started 5 games (really 4 games I believe) and is 2 and 3 there isn't a lot of proof of anything yet. I'm all for winning and what's best for the Redskins. Last year for both Robert and Cousins was no measuring stick for either QB after the shenanigans all year. This year no matter who would be the QB there is actually help on defense and ST.

[grampi]

I can already see it coming...no matter how good the Skins record is, no matter how well Cousins plays, when RG3 is healthy enough to play, they will bench Cousins and put RG back in...it's as if there is no amount of proof that will change the mindset of those who still believe RG3 is the team's savior...

I can't believe how many people are posting this idiotic nonsense.

What's idiotic about it? It's true....

[Irn-Bru]

I can already see it coming...no matter how good the Skins record is, no matter how well Cousins plays, when RG3 is healthy enough to play, they will bench Cousins and put RG back in...it's as if there is no amount of proof that will change the mindset of those who still believe RG3 is the team's savior...

I can't believe how many people are posting this idiotic nonsense.

What's idiotic about it? It's true....

Of course it isn't. I can guarantee you that if Kirk Cousins plays like vintage Tom Brady or Petyon Manning, he's going to remain the starter for as long as that's true. Most people, however, aren't assuming that's going to happen, which is what you are taking to be evidence that they are evidence-ignoring believers.

[grampi]

I can already see it coming...no matter how good the Skins record is, no matter how well Cousins plays, when RG3 is healthy enough to play, they will bench Cousins and put RG back in...it's as if there is no amount of proof that will change the mindset of those who still believe RG3 is the team's savior...

If Cousins has started 5 games (really 4 games I believe) and is 2 and 3 there isn't a lot of proof of anything yet. I'm all for winning and what's best for the Redskins. Last year for both Robert and Cousins was no measuring stick for either QB after the shenanigans all year. This year no matter who would be the QB there is actually help on defense and ST.

I'm talking about yesterday's game, and those to follow...if the team goes 8-1 or 7-2 by the time RG3 is healthy (I'm just using 8 weeks for the recovery time), I don't see where there would be much sense in putting RG3 back in at that point, but I just know the second RG3 is cleared to play, there will be a press conference announcing that RG3 will be going back in, regardless of how well the team is doing with Cousins...

[grampi]

Of course it isn't. I can guarantee you that if Kirk Cousins plays like vintage Tom Brady or Petyon Manning, he's going to remain the starter for as long as that's true. Most people, however, aren't assuming that's going to happen, which is what you are taking to be evidence that they are evidence-ignoring believers.

Personally, I don't think Cousins needs to play Manning or Brady-like to get the job...he only needs to play better than RG3 and I believe he's already doing that...

[grampi]

I can already see it coming...no matter how good the Skins record is, no matter how well Cousins plays, when RG3 is healthy enough to play, they will bench Cousins and put RG back in...it's as if there is no amount of proof that will change the mindset of those who still believe RG3 is the team's savior...

I can't believe how many people are posting this idiotic nonsense.

It is precisely this line of "thinking" that pissed me off the most when I found out Griffin had gotten hurt early in the game. Its almost as if I could see it coming. . . no matter what the reason Griffin was out, the haters (and I really HATE using that term, but damn if it isn't spot on) would flock to Cousins as though he were an open flame. It's as if nothing can disavow their dogma that Griffin is a bust.

How many seasons have to be pissed away before people like you realize RG3 is a bust?

[emoses14]

It is precisely this line of "thinking" that pissed me off the most when I found out Griffin had gotten hurt early in the game. Its almost as if I could see it coming. . . no matter what the reason Griffin was out, the haters (and I really HATE using that term, but damn if it isn't spot on) would flock to Cousins as though he were an open flame. It's as if nothing can disavow their dogma that Griffin is a bust.

How many seasons have to be pissed away before people like you realize RG3 is a bust?

Well, at least 1. So when we get to the end of a pissed away season because of RG3, let's talk.

[OldSchool]

Cousins needs to let the game come to him now, make the reads and play smart. He doesn't need to be a hero and try to win the game with with brilliant play steady smart play is the best course.

[hanburgerheel]

Of course it isn't. I can guarantee you that if Kirk Cousins plays like vintage Tom Brady or Petyon Manning, he's going to remain the starter for as long as that's true. Most people, however, aren't assuming that's going to happen, which is what you are taking to be evidence that they are evidence-ignoring believers.

Personally, I don't think Cousins needs to play Manning or Brady-like to get the job...he only needs to play better than RG3 and I believe he's already doing that...

I can honestly say that when I saw RG3 go down, and he looked seriously injured, my first instinct was "Well, we have a good back-up QB and I'm more used to Griffin being hurt, hampered, or otherwise NOT 100%, than healthy, so I'm not that pessimistic about our chances just because he's hurt." The guy seems to be VERY injury-prone, even by his own actions. I realize that his injury yesterday was a fluke, but it's less of a fluke when the guy who is injured has been injured or recovering from injury for almost all of his short pro career.

[riggofan]

Of course it isn't. I can guarantee you that if Kirk Cousins plays like vintage Tom Brady or Petyon Manning, he's going to remain the starter for as long as that's true. Most people, however, aren't assuming that's going to happen, which is what you are taking to be evidence that they are evidence-ignoring believers.

Personally, I don't think Cousins needs to play Manning or Brady-like to get the job...he only needs to play better than RG3 and I believe he's already doing that...

This is why your comments are idiotic. Because you're making all of these stupid generalizations after one game against a terrible team. I would feel the same way if RGIII won 41-10 yesterday, and people were on here writing, "WOO HOO RGIII IS BACK!!!"

And the second reason your statement was idiotic is because the Redskins are in the business of winning football games. If Kirk Cousins leads the Redskins to the playoffs this year, you can't honestly believe the team is just going to hand the starting job back to RGIII with no questions asked. It doesn't work that way, I don't care who the player is.

I agree with you that Cousins doesn't have to play like Brady or Manning. Go play like vintage TRENT GREEN, and it might be good enough to get us into the playoffs!

We're all going to find out over the next few months if Cousins is the real deal or not. Personally, I think he is capable of winning the job, and it won't surprise me at all if he takes advantage of the opportunity.

[hanburgerheel]

I think we should all be able to easily agree that all ANY of us want is a WINNING FORMULA. That's all the fans, players, staff and owner want. I think having two very viable QB's has done more to divide the die-hard fan base than in any other time I can recall.