New SM & JG Era Beginning, Renewed Hopes

[OldSchool]

Every season is a new beginning but I see this fall as the start of a new era and hopefully a very productive partnership of a competent GM and a promising young coach. I know some here have reservations about Gruden and after the recent bimbo eruption I have concerns about whether SM has really straightened out his life enough to realize his professional potential in Washington but for the moment I chose to suspend doubt and say he will be successful and enable Gruden to succeed.

I like the FA and draft decisions SM made and while I would have preferred an open QB competition like Gruden declared there would be it is evident they conducted one and Gruden was empowered to pick the QB he thinks can run his offense the best. I hope this perception of coach and GM control is affirmed by the retention of Colt McCoy and cutting Robert Griffin.

The team has many flaws and I think they would have to overachieve to reach .500 but I do think we will have more fun this year watching our guys scratch and claw to win 6, 7 or maybe as many as 8 games. I think the winning formula for the Skins will be to run 30+ and pass less than 35 times per game. it would be hard to win if the deviate too far from that sort of balance. Cousins my have promise but he cannot throw 40+ and carry a franchise to track meet wins, the running game has carry half of the load and the defense has to be able hold up unlike last year. Scot's new additions need to contribute and the new OL coach and DC need to perform but I am looking forward to this opening day as the start of a new era of improvement and stability in Washington. How about that for high hopes!

[riggofan]

This thread is giving me deja vu. We may have finally reached max threshold for new beginnings and renewed hopes.

[Cowboy Killa]

I have been following this site for as long as I can remember. I don't post much. I just read the message boards. Old School, you're living in a dream world. Jay Gruden is not a promising young coach. He is a weasel. He was hired to do one thing. Groom Robert Griffin III. He has failed. He gave up on him early last year. What promising coach throws there QB under the bus in a presser?? He names him the starter early and then gave up on him again after one bad half where "Will Smith" whom is no longer with the team fed RG to the wolves. Not to mention Scherff was getting abused. This team has not something new everyday, it seems to be something new every hour. Scot needs to find his guy who can lead this team. Gruden is a guy living in his brothers shadow. Harbaugh almost kicked his a** after that dirty tackle by KR. This team has too much talent to do a complete overhaul, but it starts with the HC. The Skins need someone with a backbone and don't get me started on Colt. This dude looked mediocre against the Jaguars 3rd team. I'm a fan of the name on the front of the jersey, not the back, but I simply cannot trust Kirk. Maybe he'll prove me wrong and I'll eat crow.

[OldSchool]

All things men and the Kings horses couldn't put Humpty Dumpty back together again and now a second coaching staff was unable to teach Griffin learn even the basic concepts of his position in a WCO. The problem is Griffin he's a misfit in an NFL offense, this is on Robert who doesn't know his job and now he's going to be released.

Gruden has two QBs who execute his offense and the SM backing him up and getting players who can help. I think Gruden needs too improve the team a bit this year and more the following year and I think this will be the best run for the Skins since Marty got fired.

[HEROHAMO]

Its Scott that actually is good at what he does. With him new hope.

I actually like Kirk Cousins and think that he has talent.

The problem is that we had have talent in Robert that we heavily invested on. We hired Jay to help our investment pay off. Jay has failed miserably! I want to punch Jay in the face.


Kirk was just caught in the middle of this. Dan should of never let Mike draft Kirk. Kirk probably would of landed on another team and have become the starter by now.

I could imagine if Kirk was drafted by the Jags, Jets or any other team he would of been starting by now. Also without another QB behind Robert Jay would of had no choice but to do what he was hired to do.

[StorminMormon86]

Yeah, the evidence is still there that Snyder and/or Allen are still meddling. Schefter and Keim are saying that there was a compromise made between Gruden/McCloughan and Snyder/Allen: play Cousins, but keep Griffin on the roster as the #2 guy.

[PulpExposure]

I love the optimism.

Because I have none left.

[SKINS#1]

Yeah, the evidence is still there that Snyder and/or Allen are still meddling. Schefter and Keim are saying that there was a compromise made between Gruden/McCloughan and Snyder/Allen: play Cousins, but keep Griffin on the roster as the #2 guy.

If this is true, I am not sure about Renewed Hope. Could be another stupid decision.

[OldSchool]

Its Scott that actually is good at what he does. With him new hope.

I actually like Kirk Cousins and think that he has talent.

The problem is that we had have talent in Robert that we heavily invested on. We hired Jay to help our investment pay off. Jay has failed miserably! I want to punch Jay in the face.


Kirk was just caught in the middle of this. Dan should of never let Mike draft Kirk. Kirk probably would of landed on another team and have become the starter by now.

I could imagine if Kirk was drafted by the Jags, Jets or any other team he would of been starting by now. Also without another QB behind Robert Jay would of had no choice but to do what he was hired to do.

It is not Jay Gruden, McVay, Kyle Shanahan or anyone else's fault that Robert Griffin doesn't have enough spatial intelligence to run a NFL offense. Robert did his best but he just isn't able to process the field well enough to play QB in the NFL.

[Countertrey]

I don't think we will turn the corner this year... though, we will be MUCH closer... I think the D will demonstrate significant improvement... assuming the injury bug goes away. An improved pass rush will improve the lot of the DB's, by keeping the opposing QB on his heels. I really like the aggressive attitude...

The O will struggle with the growing pains of a new, developing O-line. It does not have the depth to survive injury, and continue to improve. First team run game needs to improve... and I lay that on the O-line. I do not worry so much about pass pro...as it's pretty clear that Bob was his own worst enemy when dropping back. He is not in the equation at the moment, but Quarterback remains very shaky, and will depend upon Cousins to improve his vision. Assuming that occurs, really good things could be in the works... but after watching a couple of really dumb picks, I will not yet hold my breath.

Special teams still scares me to death. I fear they will lose some games that should have been wins.

Frankly, I don't hold a lot of hope for Gruden. He continues to look lost... a lot. Scot will not cover Jay's back unless there is improvement... Jay is NOT Scot's selection, and Scot will not hesitate to cut the cord and select his own HC unless Jay does something to improve confidence in his leadership.

[markshark84]

I have been following this site for as long as I can remember. I don't post much. I just read the message boards. Old School, you're living in a dream world. Jay Gruden is not a promising young coach. He is a weasel. He was hired to do one thing. Groom Robert Griffin III. He has failed. He gave up on him early last year. What promising coach throws there QB under the bus in a presser?? He names him the starter early and then gave up on him again after one bad half where "Will Smith" whom is no longer with the team fed RG to the wolves. Not to mention Scherff was getting abused. This team has not something new everyday, it seems to be something new every hour. Scot needs to find his guy who can lead this team. Gruden is a guy living in his brothers shadow. Harbaugh almost kicked his a** after that dirty tackle by KR. This team has too much talent to do a complete overhaul, but it starts with the HC. The Skins need someone with a backbone and don't get me started on Colt. This dude looked mediocre against the Jaguars 3rd team. I'm a fan of the name on the front of the jersey, not the back, but I simply cannot trust Kirk. Maybe he'll prove me wrong and I'll eat crow.

I agree that Jay should NOT be considered a young, promising coach. He has not earned that reputation. Right now, he is an inexperienced HC that is coaching for his job. That being said, the fact you say he is a "weasel", lives in his brother's shadow, and he almost got beat up by someone with absolutely no data on who is a better fighter shows me a couple things and subjectivity isn't one of them.....

Now, I think we can all agree that a HC is hired to win games; not to be a QB's personal assistant --- so I think you may be mistaken in thinking that Jay's primary job was to improve RGIII; it was to win (which includes improving the QB position, just not a particular player).

As far as Jay not being able to improve RGIII...... That is a difficult one. There is no question that Jay can coach QBs. Just look at Dalton's "with Jay" stats vs. his "without Jay" stats. There is no comparison. And based on RGIII's on-field performance last year and this preseason, I don't think anyone can argue that it is understandable that Jay was frustrated with RGIII's footwork, eye movement, reads, etc. You are quite disillusioned if you think it was due to "one bad half" in a preseason game --- it was more a result of his performance in the prior season, his year end performance meeting, offseason work, practice training, and 2 preseason games where he wanted to see what RGIII had improved on. Now, there is still a large part of me that wants to see RGIII start against MIA, but only out of curiosity. If I were the HC and wanted to win, you can't say that RGIII has "out performed" Cousins or McCoy this preseason. In fact, RGIII's preseason has been a disaster.

There are a couple things to point out.
1) On coaches throwing their QBs under the bus. That happens. While I completely agree it is not common, it is still not out of the question. https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/01/22/bill-belichick-message-don-blame-for-deflategate/JjltLRRkse07jqkpQK4E9I/story.html

2) Blaming RGIII's failures on the OL is old, proven incorrect, and played out. RGIII is his own man and was dead last in QB sack rate last year. Besides, the sacks mysteriously go away when he leaves the field. I understand the whole "If I can't prove he's good, I'll just prove that others are bad" stance is a DC tradition, but we need to move on from that.

3) You are actually the one living in a dream world if you think Danny boy will hire anyone with a back bone. Danny has surrounded himself with yes-men for years. If they stand up to him, they get fired.

[Redskin in Canada]

I don't think we will turn the corner this year... though, we will be MUCH closer... I think the D will demonstrate significant improvement... assuming the injury bug goes away. An improved pass rush will improve the lot of the DB's, by keeping the opposing QB on his heels. I really like the aggressive attitude...

The O will struggle with the growing pains of a new, developing O-line. It does not have the depth to survive injury, and continue to improve. First team run game needs to improve... and I lay that on the O-line. I do not worry so much about pass pro...as it's pretty clear that Bob was his own worst enemy when dropping back. He is not in the equation at the moment, but Quarterback remains very shaky, and will depend upon Cousins to improve his vision. Assuming that occurs, really good things could be in the works... but after watching a couple of really dumb picks, I will not yet hold my breath.

Special teams still scares me to death. I fear they will lose some games that should have been wins.

Frankly, I don't hold a lot of hope for Gruden. He continues to look lost... a lot. Scot will not cover Jay's back unless there is improvement... Jay is NOT Scot's selection, and Scot will not hesitate to cut the cord and select his own HC unless Jay does something to improve confidence in his leadership.

A knowledgeable and wise poster who chooses REALITY on all counts in this post.

Hoping for the best with Cousins. Cautiously hesitant to give ANY assurances.

[heatman28]

After what has taken place thus far amidst all the chaos, I think SM has done a fantastic job and knows how to pick talent...KUDOS! As for Gruden, I think the remainder of the season will be the telling of wither he is the answer at HC or not but right now he is doing a decent job. I say let Scott do his job and he will turn this team into a winner!

[SkinsJock]

after 2 games we're 1-1 and there's still a lot to like and still some issues to address - we've got 2 very good RBs and the run defense is pretty decent as well - anytime you can help a QB with a good run game and stop the other team's run game you can be in games at the end

I'm hoping for a lot from both Cousins and Gruden but am also cogniscant of the fact that we have very little depth along both lines

wishin' and a hopin' - HAIL

Scot is the man and hopefully Snyder let's him build this roster back up

[OldSchool]

The early results are very encouraging. The Skins tossed their first game away with 11 penalties that killed drives and a brain fart punt that landed 22 yards beyond the converage. They won the second game by repeating the mix of power running, good defense and smart passing they showed in the first game sans the penalties and special team screw up. Cousins went 24-27 200 yards picked up multiple 3 downs on long drives leading to a victory against another strong DL front. The Miami and St. Louis defensive lines are two of the best in the league and Kirk performed well. Every bit as impressive and unexpected the Skins defense dominated two games in a row. Control the ball and the defense stays fresh.

Week number 3 against the Giant will tell us a lot. A victory would propel the Skins into the conference race. Another solid effort like the first two weeks win or lose would be encouraging. SM said the Skins would be physical and after two weeks they are it is very encouraging. I repeat the SM & JG partnership looks promising. Hopefully, Snyder will focus on marketing keep his nose out of operations.

[SkinsJock]

The giants are not nearly as good as the 2 teams we just played, they are playing way better than they should
we actually are not as good as we have looked but that's the way it goes sometimes ...

was really, really good to pick up a win against the Rams - they beat the Seahawks the week before now we beat the giants and go to 2-1 - we could be 3-0 if we'd just found a way to score more points in the 1st game by not shooting ourselves in the foot ...

[OldSchool]

I'm concerned that Eli and ODB are going to be a real challenge and our pass defense gets exposed. I think Kirk's two worse games where against the Giants. He has a better supporting cast in 2015 so I hope they can run the ball defend well enough that Kirk isn't forced to carry the team. Run it more than 30 times and pass it less than 30 is the right mix hopefully they play well enough to stick to the formula.

[RG3peat]

Why has Gruden failed??? Maybe RG3 just keeps failing...Ever wonder that he cant read defenses, doesn't trust what he sees and cant throw people open? Its apparent he doesn't trust the plays and never gets rid of the ball at the top of his drop....its timing people..then the pocket collapses and he don't know where to go.....its been how many years and the dude still can slide naturally.

[RG3peat]

I gotta change my user name....lol

[welch]

The Redskins need two simple things:

(1) A crushing OL so they can run the ball

(2) A crushing DL to stop the "other guys" from running

Then it gets interesting and we can sing the song that begins "Hail to the Redskins!"

[Countertrey]

The Redskins need two simple things:

(1) A crushing OL so they can run the ball

(2) A crushing DL to stop the "other guys" from running

Then it gets interesting and we can sing the song that begins "Hail to the Redskins!"

You must be excited... It's been a long time since I've seen you post this much!

Did you see something familiar on Sunday? So did I!

[riggofan]

I'm hoping for a lot from both Cousins and Gruden but am also cogniscant of the fact that we have very little depth along both lines

We don't? Are you watching the rotation going on with the defensive line right now???

[riggofan]

The giants are not nearly as good as the 2 teams we just played, they are playing way better than they should

Completely disagree with this statement. The Dolphins squeaked by us and got beat BY JACKSONVILLE. I know the Rams beat Seattle, but they lost their last four games last year and Nick Foles was horrible on Sunday.

The Giants played very well against a quality Dallas defense week one. No doubt that they should have won that game. They led pretty much the entire game against the Falcons. This is going to be the toughest team we've played so far this year. Don't be mistaken.

[DEHog]

It's no secret what we want to do....so I see Cousins being the guy who has to win this week. Giants (and others team for that matter) are going to stack the line and make Cousins beat them.

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

It's no secret what we want to do....so I see Cousins being the guy who has to win this week. Giants (and others team for that matter) are going to stack the line and make Cousins beat them.

That should bode well for the Skins since the Giants passing defense is their weakness.