Here comes the cousins talk.

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

apparently I'm not the only one that thinks that Cousins has some improving to do ....

Joel Corry is talking out his ass, too. His even mentioning the possibility of the Redskins franchise tagging Cousins back-to-back makes his credibility less than zero. The team isn't going to guarantee one player $24.5MM and completely screw their ability to improve in every other facet of the game. That's not how Scot McCloughan conducts business. That's just ridiculous on face.

Kirk Cousins is playing like a top ten quarterback in a league that doesn't have 32 quality starting quarterbacks. At least half of the teams in the league would take Cousins over their current starter.

He's getting a contract, regardless of what he does the next ten games.

The only thing the next ten games will determine is the contract length and the guaranteed portion of the contract.

"The Redskins aren't any closer to knowing whether Cousins is worthy of a substantial long-term financial commitment six games into the 2016 season because of inconsistency he didn't display during the second half of the 2015 season."

Bull. They know he wasn't a one year wonder. That's what they wanted to know.

[SkinsJock]

... The only thing the next ten games will determine is the contract length and the guaranteed portion of the contract.

this is basically what I've been implying - the next 10 games will determine Cousins next contract - if he continues to play as he has the last 6 games, the contract will not be as good as if he can prove that his future play will be like we all saw at the end of 2015

simple really - it's a win/win for both sides - the Redskins get to the playoffs and everyone's ecstatic - The Redskins win 6 or 7 games and Cousins continues to play well but not as well as he's capable ... the contract is going to be good but not great

Fact is that Cousins is playing well - he's just not playing as well as he did at the end of last season

Cousins has so far shown that he's a better QB than many other QBs, but .... there are 10 games left

plenty of time for Cousins to show that the concerns about his current form are not indicative of his QB play

[riggofan]

this is basically what I've been implying - the next 10 games will determine Cousins next contract - if he continues to play as he has the last 6 games, the contract will not be as good as if he can prove that his future play will be like we all saw at the end of 2015

Those games are a factor, but there's way more to it than that. No matter what happens over the next ten games, here's what I see will happen after this season.

1. Cousins' agent will set his price.
2. The team will either have to agree to that price, tag him again or let him test free agency.

After six games, he's 4-2 and among the top half of QBs in the league. I don't know why anyone thinks he's going to show up in February and say, "You know, my numbers overall weren't as good in 2016 as 2015, so I'm going to ask for less money." or "Yeah Scot, you're right. My numbers were down, I'll agree to a lower offer."

He's going to be in position again to go out and find out what he's worth on the market. That's exactly what he should and will do.

I don't know for sure what SM will do. IMHO if we were like the Broncos and had a beast defense to rely on more, maybe we would be in better position to hold a line. Just not really sure. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

[mastdark81]

I think folks just want to see Cousins improve and elevate his game. I think he is improved from the x's and o's part but I always felt the improvement needed was more mental than anything. Never felt he was much of an alpha.

This is his team now, Scott has put a great amount of weapons around him. I think best corp in the league. Hard to compare him to other qbs bc most qbs dont have a Jordan Reed or a Djax, Garcon, etc. Who cares how bad our defense is, go out there and score 28 ppg and earn your money and stop giving a damn what the media thinks.

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

I think folks just want to see Cousins improve and elevate his game. I think he is improved from the x's and o's part but I always felt the improvement needed was more mental than anything. Never felt he was much of an alpha.

This is his team now, Scott has put a great amount of weapons around him. I think best corp in the league. Hard to compare him to other qbs bc most qbs dont have a Jordan Reed or a Djax, Garcon, etc. Who cares how bad our defense is, go out there and score 28 ppg and earn your money and stop giving a damn what the media thinks.

I've never felt Tom Brady was much of an alpha but he's done OK for himself.

[riggofan]

I think he is improved from the x's and o's part but I always felt the improvement needed was more mental than anything. Never felt he was much of an alpha.

That seems like a fair criticism to me. Think I'd like to see a little more swagger from him at times. Then again, RG3 had more swagger than actual game, so...

Give Cousins a little credit on the mental though this year. When he threw that pick 6 vs. the Eagles last week, I was really expecting the wheels to come off the wagon. He's shown the ability to shake that stuff off and bounce back. That's a sign of mental toughness to me.

[Irn-Bru]

I think folks just want to see Cousins improve and elevate his game. I think he is improved from the x's and o's part but I always felt the improvement needed was more mental than anything. Never felt he was much of an alpha.

I know what you mean. His "you like that" was a good alpha moment. I think he'll grow into it.

[SkinsJock]

Fortunately for Cousins there is not much competition and at this time despite making a few bad decisions and at times showing no touch on his fade passes in the end zone, he will most likely get a good contract next season to play QB

however

the Redskins will decide if he plays here or elsewhere and these next 10 games will be key - Scot will know whether he's worth keeping and continuing to build around he and Gruden or going in a different direction

if we end up going 4-6 these next 10 games and Cousins does not pick his game up a little bit, things could get interesting

this is going to be fun

[mastdark81]

I think folks just want to see Cousins improve and elevate his game. I think he is improved from the x's and o's part but I always felt the improvement needed was more mental than anything. Never felt he was much of an alpha.

This is his team now, Scott has put a great amount of weapons around him. I think best corp in the league. Hard to compare him to other qbs bc most qbs dont have a Jordan Reed or a Djax, Garcon, etc. Who cares how bad our defense is, go out there and score 28 ppg and earn your money and stop giving a damn what the media thinks.

I've never felt Tom Brady was much of an alpha but he's done OK for himself.

Naw I always felt Tom was a badass on the field...he is confident, barks at whomever and shows alot of fire. He elevates his teammates around him by his approach and fire to the game...and his WILL to win.

[mastdark81]

I think he is improved from the x's and o's part but I always felt the improvement needed was more mental than anything. Never felt he was much of an alpha.

That seems like a fair criticism to me. Think I'd like to see a little more swagger from him at times. Then again, RG3 had more swagger than actual game, so...

Give Cousins a little credit on the mental though this year. When he threw that pick 6 vs. the Eagles last week, I was really expecting the wheels to come off the wagon. He's shown the ability to shake that stuff off and bounce back. That's a sign of mental toughness to me.

Well I think the difference from the early Kirk was he would throw one then immediately stay agressive. I felt he was trying to hard to make plays back then bc he was the backup

Now when he throws a pick he kinda get conservative...so it isnt neccesarily a great thing. Especially if we are down.

He has improved but like I said before, there is something lacking outside of the x and o part of the game. I feel the same about Eli and Flacco though yet they have won big so maybe it dont mean much but it always seems like the primetime games be too big for him. Hes a stud at 1oclock tho for the most part.

[mastdark81]

I think folks just want to see Cousins improve and elevate his game. I think he is improved from the x's and o's part but I always felt the improvement needed was more mental than anything. Never felt he was much of an alpha.

I know what you mean. His "you like that" was a good alpha moment. I think he'll grow into it.

Exactly! You like that moment he was super confident! He had a fire about himself. I remember Garcon being super annoyed and pouting one game. He would never throw a fit on like a Rivers, Brady, even Stafford. Maybe it is because those guys have veteran rank over him or something.

[markshark84]

I think folks just want to see Cousins improve and elevate his game. I think he is improved from the x's and o's part but I always felt the improvement needed was more mental than anything. Never felt he was much of an alpha.

I know what you mean. His "you like that" was a good alpha moment. I think he'll grow into it.

Exactly! You like that moment he was super confident! He had a fire about himself. I remember Garcon being super annoyed and pouting one game. He would never throw a fit on like a Rivers, Brady, even Stafford. Maybe it is because those guys have veteran rank over him or something.

I am not sure a QB that is all "rah rah" is what any team wants. QBs are tacticians. They are the leaders and coach on the field. You don't want them getting emotional and having that emotion cloud their judgment or decisions.

And they shouldn't deal with the rif raf put on by WRs like Garcon and Jackson have done in the past. They are above that BS. Let the other players deal with that as QBs don't have the time and it would take away from their overall focus of the task at hand. I am confident that Garcon would have thrown a hissy fit (although I don't recall it) regardless of whether Cousins (or someone different) was the QB. Garcon (and Jackson) is an emotional player and let his emotions get in the way of his judgment. That's an impulse thing. When you are impulsive, nothing stops you from whining/crying/pouting. At that point, it's all about you and you alone. And when it's all about you, exterior parties are not taken into consideration.

I actually consider Brady to be one of the more emotional QBs out there. He does get emotional, but I find that it is commonly in targeted situations and done in a calculated manner. But you don't see most QBs getting involved in a sideline temper tantrum or knocking down benches.

[mastdark81]

Yeah my bad I didn't mean the qb be rah rah but you know just play with confidence and authority where the players respect him. Kirk seem more like a coach pleaser to me rather than doing what it takes to win.

For example this game in which we lost. I thought he played good for what was asked of him. But when you know the team need a spark you gotta create some magic and make some plays happen you just can't go by the script.

Going by the script is cool because it have him in the starting position and playing fairly well but sometimes you need that fire in your eyes where you are not denied and your will to win is greater than Matt Stafford's.

[Deadskins]

I thought he played good for what was asked of him. But when you know the team need a spark you gotta create some magic and make some plays happen you just can't go by the script.

He pretty much did everything he needed to to get us the W. He doesn't kick FGs, play defense, or RB. I don't know what more you could have asked of him. He was under constant pressure most of the game, and came through with a TD in the clutch.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

Maybe it's just me... but I think he mismanaged the clock on the final drive. Once we were past the 50, I think he should've played to win or kick a game tying fg. Knowing we were gassed on D, and without our best DB, in hostile territory, against a qb who wins or loses in the final seconds more often then not.... I'd have made sure we didn't give the ball back.

Was I the only one who didn't get to pumped up when he scampered in for a td? I literally looked at the clock and said, ah *sh$t* way to much time man... here we go.

I think a smarter play would've been to down it at the one and let the clock roll. Either that or try an onsides kick after we got the Td.

The D went 8 quarters without giving up a td... however going into the season we all have known they are the weak link of the team. While they have come through and even impressed from time to time...they still aren't that D you can hang your cap on.

Sucks we lost another winnable game... hopefully they learn from it and take out their frustration on cinci!

[mastdark81]

I thought he played good for what was asked of him. But when you know the team need a spark you gotta create some magic and make some plays happen you just can't go by the script.

He pretty much did everything he needed to to get us the W. He doesn't kick FGs, play defense, or RB. I don't know what more you could have asked of him. He was under constant pressure most of the game, and came through with a TD in the clutch.

He played well and I don't put the loss on him at all. I'm just saying sometimes you need more than just to manage the game. You gotta ball out! In games you sometimes need to put on ya A game instead of B game. I remember Kirk ballin out that Tampa Bay game last year and put the game on his back. Was there a difference or not? Sometimes when you see your team struggling you have to take over and be more aggressive to score points.

This game the coaches and Kirk let the Lions defense dictate what the offense did and they dinked and dunked all day and showed no fire. I don't make this up they say it all the time "taking what the defense give you" blah blah blah.

Rams scored 28 on this same defense in the same stadium a week ago and had 1 turnover (albeit we had 2). Keenan had a 127 rating. We have DJax, Garcon, Crowder but our staff feel like every game should be "close". Like I said these are their words not mine. You cannot coach like that and Cousins gotta come out his shell like he did last year and take over or our Redskins not making the playoffs.

[Prowl33]

Maybe it's just me... but I think he mismanaged the clock on the final drive. Once we were past the 50, I think he should've played to win or kick a game tying fg. Knowing we were gassed on D, and without our best DB, in hostile territory, against a qb who wins or loses in the final seconds more often then not.... I'd have made sure we didn't give the ball back.

Was I the only one who didn't get to pumped up when he scampered in for a td? I literally looked at the clock and said, ah *sh$t* way to much time man... here we go.

I think a smarter play would've been to down it at the one and let the clock roll. Either that or try an onsides kick after we got the Td.

The D went 8 quarters without giving up a td... however going into the season we all have known they are the weak link of the team. While they have come through and even impressed from time to time...they still aren't that D you can hang your cap on.

Sucks we lost another winnable game... hopefully they learn from it and take out their frustration on cinci!

Hard call man, while your way makes sense, then you are really leaving it to a coin flip for who starts after OT. Your give stafford a drive, against an injured defense, to go score a TD, he will prolly get it. Vs putting them back at the 25 with 48 seconds on the clock. I think your odds are much better there.

[Deadskins]

Maybe it's just me... but I think he mismanaged the clock on the final drive. Once we were past the 50, I think he should've played to win or kick a game tying fg. Knowing we were gassed on D, and without our best DB, in hostile territory, against a qb who wins or loses in the final seconds more often then not.... I'd have made sure we didn't give the ball back.

Was I the only one who didn't get to pumped up when he scampered in for a td? I literally looked at the clock and said, ah *sh$t* way to much time man... here we go.

I think a smarter play would've been to down it at the one and let the clock roll. Either that or try an onsides kick after we got the Td.

The D went 8 quarters without giving up a td... however going into the season we all have known they are the weak link of the team. While they have come through and even impressed from time to time...they still aren't that D you can hang your cap on.

Sucks we lost another winnable game... hopefully they learn from it and take out their frustration on cinci!

Hard call man, while your way makes sense, then you are really leaving it to a coin flip for who starts after OT. Your give stafford a drive, against an injured defense, to go score a TD, he will prolly get it. Vs putting them back at the 25 with 48 seconds on the clock. I think your odds are much better there.

And if the refs call any of the obvious holds, they're facing a hail Mary type scenario.

[OldSchool]

I was worried also when I saw there was a minute left but there is NO WAY anyone would want the QB to slide at the 1 yard line. Getting in from the 1 is not a sure thing by any means, the Skins throw the ball to make 3-1 most time. If they don't get in then they have to get a FG to tie and flip a coin so the opponent has a MUCH BETTER chance of winning an overtime than they do of going 80 yards for a TD in a minute. The defense failed to either get a stop of force the Lions to run out of time. The Skins made too many mistakes earlier in the game but the fatal mistakes were made by the defense.

[Prowl33]

I was worried also when I saw there was a minute left but there is NO WAY anyone would want the QB to slide at the 1 yard line. Getting in from the 1 is not a sure thing by any means, the Skins throw the ball to make 3-1 most time. If they don't get in then they have to get a FG to tie and flip a coin so the opponent has a MUCH BETTER chance of winning an overtime than they do of going 80 yards for a TD in a minute. The defense failed to either get a stop of force the Lions to run out of time. The Skins made too many mistakes earlier in the game but the fatal mistakes were made by the defense.

And by Matt jones fumbling through the end zone

[SkinsJock]

if anything, the fatal mistake was more that the offense did not score enough points than that the defense did not play well - in fairness to the offense and defense, you win some, you lose some - we played well enough to win the game against the pukes and lost - we did not play up to our recent standard and lost this game and yet we very well could have won it


time to relight the fire and find a way to win this game, this week in the UK

[riggofan]

if anything, the fatal mistake was more that the offense did not score enough points than that the defense did not play well -

A missed FG and two fumbles will do that. Especially one on the 1 yard line. While I agree that technically you're right, the offense did not score enough points, but was that really the fatal mistake? Pretty sure 99% of the world would say the fatal mistake was two Matt Jones' fumbles.

[Deadskins]

if anything, the fatal mistake was more that the offense did not score enough points than that the defense did not play well -

A missed FG and two fumbles will do that. Especially one on the 1 yard line. While I agree that technically you're right, the offense did not score enough points, but was that really the fatal mistake? Pretty sure 99% of the world would say the fatal mistake was two Matt Jones' fumbles.

To be fair, he recovered the first one.

[riggofan]

if anything, the fatal mistake was more that the offense did not score enough points than that the defense did not play well -

A missed FG and two fumbles will do that. Especially one on the 1 yard line. While I agree that technically you're right, the offense did not score enough points, but was that really the fatal mistake? Pretty sure 99% of the world would say the fatal mistake was two Matt Jones' fumbles.

To be fair, he recovered the first one.

slow clap.

[Irn-Bru]

Every week I become increasingly convinced that Cousins is the answer at QB.