A special film session with head coach Jay Gruden, Cousins said Monday during his weekly radio appearance with 106.7 The Fan’s Grant Paulsen and Danny Rouhier, may have sparked the turning point in their season.
“You know, I never doubted myself. I never doubted if the coaches believed in me,” he said. “I think it was just more of putting it all together and showing it on the field consistently. I remember before the Tampa game, after the Jets game, Jay and I sat down and we went through Tom Brady and his game against the Colts that previous weekend, and Jay’s point was what Tom was doing to be as good as he was, it wasn’t anything spectacular or anything that I couldn’t do, but at the same, it was incredibly polished, incredibly disciplined and having great command.
“It was just a message to me that, ‘You can do this, but it takes time. And you’re capable of it, but it’s going to take a lot of discipline, a lot of attention to detail and having a great command.’ I’ve tried to apply that week in and week out and it hasn’t always been perfect, but I do believe that if I just keep at it and keep going, there’s enough talent and enough ability around me, and in me, that we can do something special.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "You can't do epic **** with basic people." - DJax "We're on the rise, man, whether you're on the train or not." - Josh Norman
A special film session with head coach Jay Gruden, Cousins said Monday during his weekly radio appearance with 106.7 The Fan’s Grant Paulsen and Danny Rouhier, may have sparked the turning point in their season.
“You know, I never doubted myself. I never doubted if the coaches believed in me,” he said. “I think it was just more of putting it all together and showing it on the field consistently. I remember before the Tampa game, after the Jets game, Jay and I sat down and we went through Tom Brady and his game against the Colts that previous weekend, and Jay’s point was what Tom was doing to be as good as he was, it wasn’t anything spectacular or anything that I couldn’t do, but at the same, it was incredibly polished, incredibly disciplined and having great command.
“It was just a message to me that, ‘You can do this, but it takes time. And you’re capable of it, but it’s going to take a lot of discipline, a lot of attention to detail and having a great command.’ I’ve tried to apply that week in and week out and it hasn’t always been perfect, but I do believe that if I just keep at it and keep going, there’s enough talent and enough ability around me, and in me, that we can do something special.”
SkinsJock wrote:Kirk Cousins growth & play has been outstanding but also a bit limited by Jay Gruden's being over-protective & his game calling
Give me a break, man. This is the QB who was benched last year for his interception meltdowns, the same QB you felt compelled to call "Capt. Pick" for half this season. This is the QB that his COACH stuck his neck on the line for, benching a very high profile player and putting his own job even more at risk.
Was his play calling more conservative earlier this year? Of course it was. Why wouldn't it be? Cousins was basically a first year starter, given limited off season work with a VERY shaky hold on the job. He was 100% correct in his conservative approach and the proof is in what we've seen on the field the past six weeks.
Its ridiculous that you can't give his COACH some credit for developing him this year. Sour grapes.
I gotta give him some credit because it seems to have worked, however I think he could have sped the process up and won us a few more games. At the end of the day it doesn't matter because we are going to the playoffs!!
A special film session with head coach Jay Gruden, Cousins said Monday during his weekly radio appearance with 106.7 The Fan’s Grant Paulsen and Danny Rouhier, may have sparked the turning point in their season.
“You know, I never doubted myself. I never doubted if the coaches believed in me,” he said. “I think it was just more of putting it all together and showing it on the field consistently. I remember before the Tampa game, after the Jets game, Jay and I sat down and we went through Tom Brady and his game against the Colts that previous weekend, and Jay’s point was what Tom was doing to be as good as he was, it wasn’t anything spectacular or anything that I couldn’t do, but at the same, it was incredibly polished, incredibly disciplined and having great command.
“It was just a message to me that, ‘You can do this, but it takes time. And you’re capable of it, but it’s going to take a lot of discipline, a lot of attention to detail and having a great command.’ I’ve tried to apply that week in and week out and it hasn’t always been perfect, but I do believe that if I just keep at it and keep going, there’s enough talent and enough ability around me, and in me, that we can do something special.”
mastdark81 wrote:I gotta give him some credit because it seems to have worked, however I think he could have sped the process up and won us a few more games. At the end of the day it doesn't matter because we are going to the playoffs!!
And I give you credit for that!
Kirk says it himself every game. "Its a process". He says that after every single game in his post game conference. I can't argue with you that you *think* he could have sped up the process. But I mean, how would any of us possibly know that? Its just as likely that Gruden could have asked too much too quickly. Cousins goes out there, throws four picks and loses his confidence or the confidence of the owner.
I just know with most things you don't go from 0 to 80 immediately. It seems like Kirk has had more of the offense opened up to him every week. It seems like he's been getting better with DJax every week. He's looked so much more confident and in command the past week. Its cool to think how much better he might be with a full off season of work to prepare next year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "You can't do epic **** with basic people." - DJax "We're on the rise, man, whether you're on the train or not." - Josh Norman
I do give Jay Gruden credit for helping Kirk Cousins - I give Kirk Cousins credit for all his work as well - no matter what happened last season or just before this season, Kirk Cousins worked incredibly hard to prove he was worth working with and showing he was not the turnover prone, back-up QB that Jay Gruden thought he was early this season & then recently like in the pukes game where the play calling was not very helpful to the QB
I think that Jay Gruden deserves a lot of credit for some things he's done this season but so should Kirk Cousins and I'm hoping that Kirk Cousins is a part of this franchise going forward
this franchise needs to build around Kirk Cousins - maybe Jay Gruden can elevate his game like Kirk Cousins did - we shall see
Until recently, Snyder & Allen have made a lot of really bad decisions - nobody with any sense believes this franchise will get better under their guidance Snyder's W/L record = 45% (80-96) - Snyder/Allen = 41% (59-84-1)
mastdark81 wrote:I gotta give him some credit because it seems to have worked, however I think he could have sped the process up and won us a few more games. At the end of the day it doesn't matter because we are going to the playoffs!!
really - how does that work?
Until recently, Snyder & Allen have made a lot of really bad decisions - nobody with any sense believes this franchise will get better under their guidance Snyder's W/L record = 45% (80-96) - Snyder/Allen = 41% (59-84-1)
SkinsJock wrote:I do give Jay Gruden credit for helping Kirk Cousins - I give Kirk Cousins credit for all his work as well - no matter what happened last season or just before this season, Kirk Cousins worked incredibly hard to prove he was worth working with and showing he was not the turnover prone, back-up QB that Jay Gruden thought he was early this season & then recently like in the pukes game where the play calling was not very helpful to the QB
Nonsense and complete jibberish. The only people who thought Cousins was a "turnover prone, back-up QB " were certain fans and members of the media.
SkinsJock wrote:I think that Jay Gruden deserves a lot of credit for some things he's done this season but so should Kirk Cousins
Nobody said that Cousins should not get any credit for his success, so really no reason for you to note this. Straw man.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "You can't do epic **** with basic people." - DJax "We're on the rise, man, whether you're on the train or not." - Josh Norman
My opinion on Gruden and Cousins has been same for a few weeks, before the last couple weeks or the Cowboys game before that.
I think Jay Gruden is an average coach. Better than Zorn and Spurrier clearly, but not quite as good as Shanahan and Gibbs on their best days. Considering Jim Caldwell, Lovie Smith, Ken Whisenhunt, and John Harbaugh have taken teams to the Super Bowl and even won recently, I am not convinced we need a great coach. We need a good staff. This season with some additions on offensive side (Cavanaugh/Callahan) the offense has looked much more creative and at times really good. I also think the new defensive staff has been significantly better than I expected. Once Barry and Fewell get some players that side of the ball should be set.
I think Cousins has the ability to be an above average QB. I don't think he'll be elite, but he can be solid. I'm not ready to move on from that to take a flier on a draft QB. Cousins has gotten better and better and has yet to even have a full offseason with starter prep. Jackson back in the lineup has opened up the offense. We're one or two guys from being damn good upfront and a couple healthy backup TEs from being darn good at all the skill positions. I think Kirk Cousins can be at least as good as Andy Dalton. Andy Dalton isn't all that solid, but surround him with weapons and the offense will move. Imagine if Cousins had a receiver near as good as AJ Green.
The Redskins are good enough at both quarterback and coach. Not great, but good enough. I think the goal has to be to retain a solid coaching staff and work on building up a powerful running game and good defense. The Redskins have been bad for so long I am happy to settle for "good enough" for a while with the hope everything breaks right instead of pressing restart.
"I said when he retired that Joe Gibbs was the best coach I'd ever faced." - Bill Parcells
Smithian wrote:I think Jay Gruden is an average coach. Better than Zorn and Spurrier clearly, but not quite as good as Shanahan and Gibbs on their best days.
I'm sure Shanny is a better overall coach just given his experience level v. Gruden. But I'm not sure we ever saw the players play for Shanahan the way they seem to have played for Gruden this year. Would you agree? I think the players really like Jay. Obviously that means nothing if you suck at coaching, but he's been OK and I don't think there's much question that he's improved from his first year.
I heard Larry Michaels talk about this a little on the radio yesterday. Probably not surprising that Gruden is more personable than Shanahan.
I'd agree with your assessment though that he's average at this point. He hasn't won anything, so there's no reason to call him anything other than that.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "You can't do epic **** with basic people." - DJax "We're on the rise, man, whether you're on the train or not." - Josh Norman
Jay Gruden may become a good NFL HC but the way he handled the QB situation here with both Griffin and Cousins was not good and especially when you consider that particular task would have been a huge part of why he was given the job - plus his play calling and lack of use of our FB cost us the game against the pukes
I really could care less whether he's back or not - it's not going to hurt the offense or this franchise, because, he's only gone if Scot thinks someone else can do a better job as HC and I think Scot has a better idea of that than we do
It's just my beef and it doesn't count 1 iota - he's the HC that screwed up the QBs here when he took over
Until recently, Snyder & Allen have made a lot of really bad decisions - nobody with any sense believes this franchise will get better under their guidance Snyder's W/L record = 45% (80-96) - Snyder/Allen = 41% (59-84-1)
SkinsJock wrote:Jay Gruden may become a good NFL HC but the way he handled the QB situation here with both Griffin and Cousins was not good and especially when you consider that particular task would have been a huge part of why he was given the job - plus his play calling and lack of use of our FB cost us the game against the pukes
Lack of use of the fullback...
oh my god man. You are awesome.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "You can't do epic **** with basic people." - DJax "We're on the rise, man, whether you're on the train or not." - Josh Norman
StorminMormon86 wrote:Jay Gruden deserves next year solely because he saved the locker room with the way he handled the QB position.
A house divided against itself cannot stand, someone once iterated.
“He was at that time the smartest player in the league. We did everything we could to try to eliminate him from the play. We knew if we didn’t neutralize him, then we had less of a chance of winning.” - John Hannah on Chris Hanburger
thanks, I think you're overstating a little, as usual
Until recently, Snyder & Allen have made a lot of really bad decisions - nobody with any sense believes this franchise will get better under their guidance Snyder's W/L record = 45% (80-96) - Snyder/Allen = 41% (59-84-1)
thanks, I think you're overstating a little, as usual
I am prone to that on occasion.
And in all seriousness, I hope all of our back and forth is taken in the spirit of fun. I regularly call my brother who is a Miami Dolphins fan a complete idiot when we're talking football. Obvious reasons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "You can't do epic **** with basic people." - DJax "We're on the rise, man, whether you're on the train or not." - Josh Norman
thanks, I think you're overstating a little, as usual
I am prone to that on occasion. And in all seriousness, I hope all of our back and forth is taken in the spirit of fun. I regularly call my brother who is a Miami Dolphins fan a complete idiot when we're talking football. Obvious reasons.
no worries - we're all a little out of sorts - the ramifications of winning this game are HUGE for so many involved with this franchise
living in this area is kind of fun - they all grew up giants fans - there are a couple of sports bars I'm not allowed in on Sundays
Until recently, Snyder & Allen have made a lot of really bad decisions - nobody with any sense believes this franchise will get better under their guidance Snyder's W/L record = 45% (80-96) - Snyder/Allen = 41% (59-84-1)
mastdark81 wrote:I gotta give him some credit because it seems to have worked, however I think he could have sped the process up and won us a few more games. At the end of the day it doesn't matter because we are going to the playoffs!!
StorminMormon86 wrote:Jay Gruden deserves next year solely because he saved the locker room with the way he handled the QB position.
A house divided against itself cannot stand, someone once iterated.
Cant give him credit for something he CREATED. He put doubt in the head of the players and criticized Rg like no other last year. A qb only have the power the coach can give him. Same way a coach can only have so much power dictated by the owner.
I think he knows his qbs, figured out what he thought would work best for what he does and i give him credit for sticking for who he believed in no matter what the owner thought....
Still think we have a better team talent wise than people think. We should have never been 4-12 last year and should have sewed the division up by now with good coaching. Jay is what is record is...and its cool because it is an improvement in the right direction.
StorminMormon86 wrote:Jay Gruden deserves next year solely because he saved the locker room with the way he handled the QB position.
A house divided against itself cannot stand, someone once iterated.
Cant give him credit for something he CREATED.
What was RGIII's record his last twenty games? 5-15. Following a full season under center.
What's Kirk Cousins' record for the last twenty games? 8-12, and six of those games were as a backup. He's .500 this season with exactly ONE WEEK working with the starters before the season opener.
Now, I don't follow the logic that Jay Gruden created the situation. RGIII was playing terrible and being given, at least ostensibly, special treatment. That would piss off any veteran.
“He was at that time the smartest player in the league. We did everything we could to try to eliminate him from the play. We knew if we didn’t neutralize him, then we had less of a chance of winning.” - John Hannah on Chris Hanburger
If not Gruden, then who? - I don't care, I trust Scot & the FO
If not Cousins, then who? - I don't think that's a choice anyone's going to have to make
winning this HUGE game this week gives everyone a mulligan and the new salary cap will help Scot & the FO even more
The idiot owner may just continue to let these guys do their thing
Until recently, Snyder & Allen have made a lot of really bad decisions - nobody with any sense believes this franchise will get better under their guidance Snyder's W/L record = 45% (80-96) - Snyder/Allen = 41% (59-84-1)
Some of the same posters who dismissed Cousins and called him RexII, Kirk Grossman, Captain Pick or one of the stupid names are dogging Gruden. They would have us believe that the Skins have made this much improvement despite Gruden. What a bunch of nonsense.
I think their criticism is in large part based on their resentment over Griffuns failure. Griffin failed despite the best efforts of the Shannys, Gruden and the rest. The two staffs that helped the afterthought Cousins improve in the shadows was unable to elevate Griffin because of Griffin and his limitations. Why is Griffin's inability to progress Gruden's problem when Gruden has done a wonderful job of helping Cousins emerge and the team with him?
In the end Gruden finally put his job on the line and committed to the Cousins because he saw the same talent and potential that Mike Shanahan saw and now all but the most stubborn fans recognize Kirk is the one. For this unpardonable offense they dog Gruden even though he has returned the Skins to relevance in only his second season as the head coach of the Skins. Gruden has proven himself an able coach this season in my eyes but his implacable critics will carp all the way to Super Bowl some seasons in the future. Say what you will Gruden's my guy.
Well, there have been Cousins/Gruden detractors for sure, but there have been those that have been over the top in their support/praise of the duo as well (ahem). The truth is somewhere in between. We are 7-7 after all, and have not sewed up a postseason spot yet.
Andre Carter wrote:Damn man, you know your football.
StorminMormon86 wrote:Jay Gruden deserves next year solely because he saved the locker room with the way he handled the QB position.
Excellent point; I hadn't though much about this angle. He handled the hardest thing an NFL franchise can endure, in one of the worst places to endure it.
StorminMormon86 wrote:Jay Gruden deserves next year solely because he saved the locker room with the way he handled the QB position.
Excellent point; I hadn't though much about this angle. He handled the hardest thing an NFL franchise can endure, in one of the worst places to endure it.
In a Keim article from yesterday, he said (paraphrasing): "the fans were divided, the locker room was not." Goes on to say that no one in the locker room thought Griffin should start. Also said if there was any discussion about who should start (among teammates), it was between Cousins and McCoy.
I just wish people would stop blaming/hating Gruden for the way he "mistreated" Griffin. The TEAM was done with him. That's huge.