Cousins Named 2015 Starter

[DarthMonk]

what the Redskins need to do is to figure out how to stop looking so inept and start winning some football games ...

it will be amazing how all this other stuff will seem so unimportant ...


why is getting rid of Griffin suddenly so important to everyone; maybe they're afraid that he might be needed again

They've won every game this year, what part of winning in 'inept?'

The least important stat in a preseason game is the final score. The first half of the 3rd game is the best barometer - starters on starters for a half.

A corner and safety over ran a guy who ran a come back and turned it into a long TD. Other than that the defense gave up 6 points to a very good team (that held 14 point leads twice on the Pats in the AFC title game last year) in spite of the Ravens starting near our 10 once and at our 3 another time. Meanwhile, without a running game, Kirk led us to 14 first downs.

We looked inept on specials and on one other play. The defense stuffs the run and we never showed a blitz. The offense moved the ball very effectively against a proven defense.

My confidence is way up.

[oj]

what the Redskins need to do is to figure out how to stop looking so inept and start winning some football games ...

it will be amazing how all this other stuff will seem so unimportant ...


why is getting rid of Griffin suddenly so important to everyone; maybe they're afraid that he might be needed again

They've won every game this year, what part of winning in 'inept?'

The least important stat in a preseason game is the final score. The first half of the 3rd game is the best barometer - starters on starters for a half.

A corner and safety over ran a guy who ran a come back and turned it into a long TD. Other than that the defense gave up 6 points to a very good team (that held 14 point leads twice on the Pats in the AFC title game last year) in spite of the Ravens starting near our 10 once and at our 3 another time. Meanwhile, without a running game, Kirk led us to 14 first downs.

We looked inept on specials and on one other play. The defense stuffs the run and we never showed a blitz. The offense moved the ball very effectively against a proven defense.

My confidence is way up.

I agree totally with your analysis, I'll point out they screwed the pooch and didn't fold, they came back to lead at the half. 'Inept' don't do that.

[StorminMormon86]

what the Redskins need to do is to figure out how to stop looking so inept and start winning some football games ...

it will be amazing how all this other stuff will seem so unimportant ...


why is getting rid of Griffin suddenly so important to everyone; maybe they're afraid that he might be needed again

They've won every game this year, what part of winning in 'inept?'

The least important stat in a preseason game is the final score. The first half of the 3rd game is the best barometer - starters on starters for a half.

A corner and safety over ran a guy who ran a come back and turned it into a long TD. Other than that the defense gave up 6 points to a very good team (that held 14 point leads twice on the Pats in the AFC title game last year) in spite of the Ravens starting near our 10 once and at our 3 another time. Meanwhile, without a running game, Kirk led us to 14 first downs.

We looked inept on specials and on one other play. The defense stuffs the run and we never showed a blitz. The offense moved the ball very effectively against a proven defense.

My confidence is way up.

I like this. Makes me feel more confident.

[Deadskins]

Meanwhile, without a running game, Kirk led us to 14 first downs.

I only count 12, and one of those was on a penalty.

Play By Play
1st Quarter
Baltimore Ravens at 15:00
3-T.Long kicks 65 yards from WAS 35 to end zone, Touchback.
1-10-BAL 20
(15:00) 5-J.Flacco pass short right to 89-S.Smith to BAL 27 for 7 yards (38-D.Goldson).

2-3-BAL 27
(14:32) 29-J.Forsett right guard to BAL 35 for 8 yards (24-D.Ihenacho).

1-10-BAL 35
(13:57) 29-J.Forsett right tackle to BAL 37 for 2 yards (24-D.Ihenacho; 52-K.Robinson).

2-8-BAL 37
(13:15) 5-J.Flacco pass deep left to 89-S.Smith for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

9-J.Tucker extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Cox, Holder-4-S.Koch.
WAS 0 BAL 7 Plays: 4 Possession: 1:57
Washington Redskins at 13:03
9-J.Tucker kicks 70 yards from BAL 35 to WAS -5. 25O-C.Thompson to WAS 19 for 24 yards (50-A.McClellan).
1-10-WAS 19
(12:59) 46-A.Morris left guard to WAS 20 for 1 yard (51-D.Smith; 57-C.Mosley).

2-9-WAS 20
(12:24) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 46-A.Morris to WAS 25 for 5 yards (57-C.Mosley).

3-4-WAS 25
(11:47) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 12-A.Roberts to WAS 31 for 6 yards (24-K.Arrington) [58-E.Dumervil].

1-10-WAS 31
(11:11) 46-A.Morris left guard to WAS 33 for 2 yards (23-K.Lewis; 55-T.Suggs). No. 97 - Tim Jernigan (BAL) injured on play.

2-8-WAS 33
(10:46) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right intended for 88-P.Garcon INTERCEPTED by 55-T.Suggs at WAS 30. 55-T.Suggs to WAS 30 for no gain (76-M.Moses).


Baltimore Ravens at 10:39
1-10-WAS 30
(10:39) 5-J.Flacco pass short right to 89-S.Smith to WAS 18 for 12 yards (39-D.Amerson).

1-10-WAS 18
(10:07) 37-J.Allen left guard to WAS 15 for 3 yards (97-J.Hatcher; 98-T.Knighton).

2-7-WAS 15
(9:31) 5-J.Flacco pass incomplete short left to 82-N.Boyle. PENALTY on BAL-82-N.Boyle, Offensive Pass Interference, 10 yards, enforced at WAS 15 - No Play.

2-17-WAS 25
(9:26) (Shotgun) 5-J.Flacco pass short right to 37-J.Allen to WAS 20 for 5 yards (52-K.Robinson). Ryan Jensen (BAL) injured on play.

3-12-WAS 20
(8:51) 37-J.Allen right tackle to WAS 13 for 7 yards (52-K.Robinson; 38-D.Goldson).

4-5-WAS 13
(8:12) 9-J.Tucker 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Cox, Holder-4-S.Koch.

WAS 0 BAL 10 Plays: 5 Possession: 2:31
Washington Redskins at 08:08
9-J.Tucker kicks 72 yards from BAL 35 to WAS -7. 25O-C.Thompson to WAS 29 for 36 yards (17-J.Butler). PENALTY on WAS-41-D.Hoskey, Offensive Holding, 9 yards, enforced at WAS 18.
1-10-WAS 9
(8:08) 8-K.Cousins FUMBLES (Aborted) at WAS 9, recovered by WAS-46-A.Morris at WAS 6.

2-13-WAS 6
(7:27) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 86-J.Reed to WAS 19 for 13 yards (33-W.Hill).

1-10-WAS 19
(6:49) 8-K.Cousins pass incomplete deep middle to 14-R.Grant.

2-10-WAS 19
(6:45) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 14-R.Grant to WAS 32 for 13 yards (22-J.Smith). Baltimore challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the field stands. (Timeout #1.)

1-10-WAS 32
(6:09) 46-A.Morris right guard to WAS 37 for 5 yards (94-C.Davis; 98-B.Williams).

2-5-WAS 37
(5:32) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass incomplete deep middle to 14-R.Grant.

3-5-WAS 37
(5:26) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 12-A.Roberts to BAL 49 for 14 yards (23-K.Lewis). Penalty on BAL, Illegal Contact, declined.

1-10-BAL 49
(5:10) 46-A.Morris left tackle to WAS 49 for -2 yards (91-C.Upshaw).

2-12-WAS 49
(4:31) (Shotgun) PENALTY on WAS-71-Trent.Williams, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at WAS 49 - No Play.

2-17-WAS 44
(4:17) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 25O-C.Thompson to BAL 48 for 8 yards (51-D.Smith).

Timeout #2 by BAL at 03:47.
3-9-BAL 48
(3:47) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 86-J.Reed to BAL 40 for 8 yards (24-K.Arrington).

4-1-BAL 40
(3:10) No. 68 - Compton (WASH) reports as eligible. 46-A.Morris right guard to BAL 41 for -1 yards (33-W.Hill).

Baltimore Ravens at 03:04
1-10-BAL 41
(3:04) 5-J.Flacco pass incomplete short right to 11-K.Aiken (39-D.Amerson).

2-10-BAL 41
(2:57) 29-J.Forsett left tackle to BAL 41 for no gain (52-K.Robinson; 56-P.Riley).

3-10-BAL 41
(2:20) (Shotgun) 5-J.Flacco pass short middle to 89-S.Smith to WAS 46 for 13 yards (23-D.Hall).

1-10-WAS 46
(1:58) 29-J.Forsett right guard to WAS 42 for 4 yards (90-S.Paea; 38-D.Goldson).

2-6-WAS 42
(1:23) 29-J.Forsett right guard to WAS 46 for -4 yards (39-D.Amerson).

3-10-WAS 46
(:43) (Shotgun) 5-J.Flacco pass short middle to 11-K.Aiken to WAS 33 for 13 yards (52-K.Robinson). Penalty on BAL-89-S.Smith, Disqualification, offsetting. Penalty on WAS-29-C.Culliver, Disqualification, offsetting. Penalty on WAS-23-D.Hall, Unnecessary Roughness, offsetting. Penalty on BAL-11-K.Aiken, Unnecessary Roughness, offsetting. Penalty on WAS-39-D.Amerson, Unnecessary Roughness, offsetting. 89 BAL Steve Smith and 29 Chris Culliver ejected

1-10-WAS 33
(:16) 5-J.Flacco pass deep right to 80-C.Gillmore for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN NULLIFIED by Penalty [93-T.Murphy]. Penalty on BAL-11-K.Aiken, Offensive Pass Interference, offsetting, enforced at WAS 33 - No Play. Penalty on WAS-93-T.Murphy, Roughing the Passer, offsetting.

1-10-WAS 33
(:08) 37-J.Allen right guard to WAS 30 for 3 yards (38-D.Goldson; 94-P.Smith).

END QUARTER 1
WAS 0 BAL 13 Plays: 10 Possession: 3:20
2nd Quarter
Baltimore Ravens continues ...
2-7-WAS 30
(15:00) 5-J.Flacco pass incomplete deep right to 14-M.Brown (23-D.Hall).

3-7-WAS 30
(14:55) (Shotgun) 5-J.Flacco pass incomplete short right to 12-D.Waller.

4-7-WAS 30
(14:44) 9-J.Tucker 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Cox, Holder-4-S.Koch.

Washington Redskins at 14:44
9-J.Tucker kicks 70 yards from BAL 35 to WAS -5. 25O-C.Thompson to WAS 20 for 25 yards (28-B.Trawick).
1-10-WAS 20
(14:40) 25O-C.Thompson left end to WAS 22 for 2 yards (57-C.Mosley).

2-8-WAS 22
(14:02) PENALTY on BAL-55-T.Suggs, Neutral Zone Infraction, 5 yards, enforced at WAS 22 - No Play.

2-3-WAS 27
(13:48) 46-A.Morris right guard to WAS 29 for 2 yards (67-L.Guy; 98-B.Williams).

3-1-WAS 29
(13:10) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 80-J.Crowder to WAS 31 for 2 yards (38-R.Melvin).

1-10-WAS 31
(12:43) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass incomplete short left to 80-J.Crowder (22-J.Smith).

2-10-WAS 31
(12:40) (Shotgun) 46-A.Morris up the middle to WAS 28 for -3 yards (98-B.Williams).

3-13-WAS 28
(12:01) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass incomplete deep left to 14-R.Grant [99-C.Canty].

4-13-WAS 28
(11:55) 5-T.Way punts 32 yards to BAL 40, Center-57-N.Sundberg, out of bounds.

Baltimore Ravens at 11:46
1-10-BAL 40
(11:46) 37-J.Allen left tackle to BAL 41 for 1 yard (52-K.Robinson; 98-T.Knighton).

2-9-BAL 41
(11:07) 5-J.Flacco pass incomplete short middle to 12-D.Waller.

3-9-BAL 41
(11:04) (Shotgun) 5-J.Flacco pass deep left to 11-K.Aiken to WAS 43 for 16 yards (39-D.Amerson).

1-10-WAS 43
(10:37) 5-J.Flacco pass incomplete short middle to 80-C.Gillmore [97-J.Hatcher].

2-10-WAS 43
(10:29) 37-J.Allen left guard to WAS 41 for 2 yards (64-K.Golston; 39-D.Amerson).

3-8-WAS 41
(9:47) (Shotgun) 5-J.Flacco pass short right to 17-J.Butler to WAS 33 for 8 yards (23-D.Hall).

1-10-WAS 33
(8:56) 29-J.Forsett left guard to WAS 25 for 8 yards (38-D.Goldson).

2-2-WAS 25
(8:38) (No Huddle) 29-J.Forsett right tackle to WAS 25 for no gain (56-P.Riley; 24-D.Ihenacho). No. 24 - Duke Ihenacho (WAS) injured on play.

3-2-WAS 25
(8:10) 30-T.Magee right guard to WAS 24 for 1 yard (56-P.Riley; 93-T.Murphy).

4-1-WAS 24
(8:10) (Shotgun) PENALTY on BAL-5-J.Flacco, Delay of Game, 5 yards, enforced at WAS 24 - No Play.

4-6-WAS 29
(7:26) (Field Goal formation) 9-J.Tucker 46 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-46-M.Cox, Holder-4-S.Koch.

Washington Redskins at 07:21
1-10-WAS 36
(7:21) 8-K.Cousins pass incomplete deep left to 12-A.Roberts (38-R.Melvin). PENALTY on WAS-76-M.Moses, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at WAS 36 - No Play.

1-20-WAS 26
(7:14) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 80-J.Crowder to WAS 33 for 7 yards (38-R.Melvin).

2-13-WAS 33
(6:36) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 31O-M.Jones to WAS 50 for 17 yards (57-C.Mosley) [58-E.Dumervil]. Penalty on BAL-90-Z.Smith, Illegal Use of Hands, declined.

1-10-WAS 50
(6:11) 31O-M.Jones left guard to BAL 48 for 2 yards (31-T.Brooks; 51-D.Smith).

2-8-BAL 48
(5:32) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 14-R.Grant to BAL 41 for 7 yards (51-D.Smith).

3-1-BAL 41
(5:02) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 31O-M.Jones left guard to BAL 23 for 18 yards (31-T.Brooks).

1-10-BAL 23
(4:36) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass incomplete short right to 12-A.Roberts.

2-10-BAL 23
(4:30) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 46-A.Morris to BAL 22 for 1 yard (51-D.Smith).

3-9-BAL 22
(3:46) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 80-J.Crowder for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN [55-T.Suggs]. Crowder catches pass deflected by Roberts.


2-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-5-T.Way.
WAS 7 BAL 13 Plays: 8 Possession: 3:42
Baltimore Ravens at 03:39
2-K.Forbath kicks 50 yards from WAS 35 to BAL 15, out of bounds.
1-10-BAL 40
(3:39) Schaub in at QB for BAL. 29-J.Forsett right guard to BAL 41 for 1 yard (90-S.Paea; 94-P.Smith).

2-9-BAL 41
(3:03) 8-M.Schaub pass incomplete short left to 11-K.Aiken.

3-9-BAL 41
(2:59) (Shotgun) 8-M.Schaub sacked at BAL 34 for -7 yards (94-P.Smith).

Timeout #1 by WAS at 02:44.
4-16-BAL 34
(2:44) (Punt formation) 4-S.Koch punts 53 yards to WAS 13, Center-46-M.Cox. 80-J.Crowder to WAS 17 for 4 yards (59-A.Brown). Penalty on WAS-25D-J.Rogers, Unnecessary Roughness, offsetting. Penalty on BAL-30-T.Magee, Unnecessary Roughness, offsetting.

Washington Redskins at 02:34
1-10-WAS 17
(2:34) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 14-R.Grant to WAS 23 for 6 yards (27-A.Jackson).

2-4-WAS 23
(2:12) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass incomplete short right to 14-R.Grant [31-T.Brooks]. Penalty on BAL-91-C.Upshaw, Roughing the Passer, declined. PENALTY on BAL-31-T.Brooks, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at WAS 23 - No Play.

1-10-WAS 38
(2:09) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 8-K.Cousins to WAS 41 for 3 yards (31-T.Brooks). Ball batted back into Cousins' hands.

Two-Minute Warning
2-7-WAS 41
(2:00) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 25O-C.Thompson to WAS 49 for 8 yards (54-Z.Orr; 59-A.Brown).

1-10-WAS 49
(1:35) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 80-J.Crowder to BAL 41 for 10 yards (25-T.Walker).

1-10-BAL 41
(1:09) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 25O-C.Thompson to BAL 39 for 2 yards (67-L.Guy).

Timeout #2 by WAS at 01:05.
2-8-BAL 39
(1:05) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 14-R.Grant to BAL 27 for 12 yards (54-Z.Orr).

1-10-BAL 27
(:43) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 14-R.Grant to BAL 1 for 26 yards (41-A.Levine).

1-1-BAL 1
(:37) (No Huddle) 25O-C.Thompson right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

2-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-5-T.Way.
WAS 14 BAL 13 Plays: 8 Possession: 2:02
Baltimore Ravens at 00:32
2-K.Forbath kicks 70 yards from WAS 35 to BAL -5. 27-A.Jackson to WAS 2 for 103 yards (25D-J.Rogers).

1-2-WAS 2
(:18) 8-M.Schaub pass incomplete short left to 14-M.Brown.

2-2-WAS 2
(:14) 8-M.Schaub pass incomplete short left to 17-J.Butler.

3-2-WAS 2
(:07) (Shotgun) 37-J.Allen left guard to WAS 1 for 1 yard (56-P.Riley).

Timeout #3 by BAL at 00:07.
4-1-WAS 1
(:07) 37-J.Allen to WAS 1 for no gain (92-C.Baker). FUMBLES (92-C.Baker), recovered by BAL-14-M.Brown at WAS 1. Ball was actually recovered in end zone by Brown. However, because it was fourth down, Washington got the ball at its own one-yard line (by rule.)

Washington Redskins at 00:03
1-10-WAS 1
(:03) 8-K.Cousins pass incomplete deep right to 85-E.Spencer.

END QUARTER 2

[riggofan]

me this year, what part of winning in 'inept?'
The least important stat in a preseason game is the final score. The first half of the 3rd game is the best barometer - starters on starters for a half.

A corner and safety over ran a guy who ran a come back and turned it into a long TD. Other than that the defense gave up 6 points to a very good team (that held 14 point leads twice on the Pats in the AFC title game last year) in spite of the Ravens starting near our 10 once and at our 3 another time. Meanwhile, without a running game, Kirk led us to 14 first downs.

We looked inept on specials and on one other play. The defense stuffs the run and we never showed a blitz. The offense moved the ball very effectively against a proven defense.

Good stuff, DM. What I took from that first half was that we didn't look like world beaters, but we looked like a competitive NFL team. That's all I've been asking for the past few years. Can we please just line up in the first half and not get rolled up like a cheap rug???

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

The least important stat in a preseason game is the final score. The first half of the 3rd game is the best barometer - starters on starters for a half.

A corner and safety over ran a guy who ran a come back and turned it into a long TD. Other than that the defense gave up 6 points to a very good team (that held 14 point leads twice on the Pats in the AFC title game last year) in spite of the Ravens starting near our 10 once and at our 3 another time. Meanwhile, without a running game, Kirk led us to 14 first downs.

We looked inept on specials and on one other play. The defense stuffs the run and we never showed a blitz. The offense moved the ball very effectively against a proven defense.

My confidence is way up.

This is a fair analysis. It is also a prelude to a season in which we live and die by the big play. I think if two key areas show improvement, namely the special teams coverage and the secondary, the team stands to improve demonstrably in the all important "Wins" category. Realistically, the team was so far removed from competitive when Scot McCloughan was hired that we have to expect it to take more than one offseason to build a consistent contender. I'd wizz butterflies and crap rainbows if this team manages a .500 record this season. One plus of Kirk having been named the starter is he is capable of making the big play throw to the biggest big play receiver in the game. I won't say my confidence is "way up" but it certainly isn't down. For the first time in a long time it feels like someone in the Redskins front office knows what they're doing.

[Smurf85]

Will Cousins and the 1st string play the first series Thursday Night?

I heard Colt was playing the whole game...was hoping RG would be cleared so he could mop up

Yeah great idea

Let's risk paying RG3 16 million guaranteed next year for a meaningless preseason game.

[DarthMonk]

Meanwhile, without a running game, Kirk led us to 14 first downs.

I only count 12, and one of those was on a penalty.

Yay!

I blindly followed the halftime graphic and over 1/2 a dozen articles/stat lines. Looks like 12 to me too. Doesn't change the point, though.

I'd be interested if someone could solve the mystery. We had a TD of over 10 yards but I don't think that counts as a first down and even if it did we still be missin' one.

[masterkwon]

While all three are clipboard holders, Cousins is the least worst option, but once the interceptions start, McCoy will see some action.

[StorminMormon86]

They've all been talking about McCoy on the radio today. Saying the same thing. McCoy would hold the ball too long, like Griffin, and would take off and run at times instead of staying in the pocket trying to make throws. Cousins, in addition to arm strength, was firing the ball off quicker and staying in the pocket. The coaching staff liked this, which is one big reason why Cousins is starting and not McCoy. Plus, McCoy (as termed by Keim this morning) is a known. Cousins, at this point, is not.

[oj]

It seemed to me that more than a typical amount of pass plays were called against the Ravens - they too easily gave up on the run game I thought - and I suspect they wanted to see what Cousins would do. He threw the ball a lot for a team that is committed to a conservative ground game. I think they wanted to see what decision making he'd do under pressure. It is obvious that they felt he made all the right decisions - they must give him the benefit of doubt on the interception, a better ply by Suggs than a bad QB decision.

[SkinsJock]

... I think if two key areas show improvement, namely the special teams coverage and the secondary, the team stands to improve demonstrably in the all important "Wins" category. Realistically, the team was so far removed from competitive when Scot McCloughan was hired that we have to expect it to take more than one offseason to build a consistent contender. I'd wizz butterflies and crap rainbows if this team manages a .500 record this season. One plus of Kirk having been named the starter is he is capable of making the big play throw to the biggest big play receiver in the game. I won't say my confidence is "way up" but it certainly isn't down. For the first time in a long time it feels like someone in the Redskins front office knows what they're doing.

I'd agree with this - I don't think that the amount of wins is greater because of the choice of Cousins over Griffin - however, I am very pleased that this choice demonstrates (to me at least) that Scot and Jay are more in charge of who is playing than was evident last week when the franchise still had Griffin as the starter when he was clearly not the best QB for the offense - I still expect 6-8 wins but if Scot is allowed to continue to build on what he has done, we are sure to see an improved product on the field soon - Gruden is now on the hot seat to show that he can be a better HC than he showed here last season - he now has a QB that better suits his offense and it's time to prove that he's a good HC - Scot will find a franchise QB and add to the O line & defensive secondary but Jay needs to prove that he should be here too

[DEHog]

Will Cousins and the 1st string play the first series Thursday Night?

I heard Colt was playing the whole game...was hoping RG would be cleared so he could mop up

Yeah great idea

Let's risk paying RG3 16 million guaranteed next year for a meaningless preseason game.

While I was joking...if you're going to take that point of view why would you pick up his option??

[PulpExposure]

why would you pick up his option??

I've been sadly thinking about how that didn't work out at all. It's really backed the team into a corner now. Hard to trade him with that 16 million dollar anchor on him, and if Cousins falters, it's hard to play him because you're worried of the injury risk.

[Smurf85]

While I was joking...if you're going to take that point of view why would you pick up his option??

Well orginaly I was going to say,because they believed in him.

The more I think about it the more it sounds flat out stupid.

I mean worst case scenario is they resign him after the year. I doubt he would command 16 million a year .

So when I think of how stupid picking up the option is. I believe only one person could be behind it.

Ding ding ding

Mr. Snyder

That's the only answer I can come to.

[OldSchool]

It seemed to me that more than a typical amount of pass plays were called against the Ravens - they too easily gave up on the run game I thought - and I suspect they wanted to see what Cousins would do. He threw the ball a lot for a team that is committed to a conservative ground game. I think they wanted to see what decision making he'd do under pressure. It is obvious that they felt he made all the right decisions - they must give him the benefit of doubt on the interception, a better ply by Suggs than a bad QB decision.

Cousins threw in 27 times in 1 half. The Raven's really stuffed the run I forget the exact stats but Morris got next to nothing in 7 or 8 carries I think the Skins only picked up 27 yards on the ground during the first half. It seemed liked they tried to run but got stoned in the first half. Maybe the Raven's put 8 or 9 in the box and defied Cousins to move the chains through the air, I don't know but Morris wasn't able to get it going during the first quarter or so.

Cousins isn't good enough to carry the Skins throwing it 40-50 times, he's not Payton Manning, so they need to get the run game going. Kirk had multiple games with 40+ throws last year in his 5 games last year and it was too much for him. I hope he's better this year but they need to commit to the run and succeed at it. I'd like to see Jones used earlier to see if he has better luck on the ground in the first quarter than Morris.