Deadskins wrote:RGIII was named the starter for training camp because he was the starter at the end of the season. The Danny may have had a hand in this. I think Gruden wanted Cousins all along, and sabotaged RGIII a bit to get the Danny to relent and let him start his QB choice. Turns out to have been a good decision, but I don't think he put the effort into helping RGIII succeed that he did for Kirk, either. Anyway, what's done is done, and RGIII will soon be gone, while Kirk will be our franchise QB going forward. I don't have any hard feelings about it, because the Redskins are winning, and the future with Kirk looks bright. But I still wish RGIII well (unless he goes to a division rival), and will always remember 2012 fondly.
I agree with your assertion of the facts. At the end of the day, my conclusion was what you say in bold, above.
1. Danny was meddling. When Colt went down (or at least after the NYG game; or not bouncing RGIII down to the #3 prior to INDY), Danny forced Gruden (who by this point knew RGIII was a bottom 5 in the NFL QB) to play RGIII and not go back to Cousins (who was clearly better), and
2. Gruden wanted Cousins all along (well, once he realized RGIII was not good/progressing, which I think was mid 2014) --- because it was clear Cousins was a better QB.
I don't think Gruden
sabotaged RGIII, personally, only because you have to be a pretty bad QB to play as badly as he did that year. However, I agree that Gruden helped Cousins this year more than he did for RGIII last year ---- HOWEVER, I think this is the case because (1) Cousins was more willing to take advice/mentoring (which is complete speculation but personally believe this based on what I have heard/read), (2) Cousins has the requisite skills to be a quality QB and therefore it is easier to coach him, and (3) RGIII had a special relationship with the owner that got in the way from an Gruden-authoritative perspective (after all, RGIII did get the last HC fired), stunting his ability to develop and Gruden's ability to objectively coach RGIII up. Basically saying, it was a two way street.
I also wish RGIII well. He is a good guy and hopefully the experience has humbled him. I personally believe humility is a precursor to success and if he truly obtained it, not only will he be a better individual for having it, he will soon be back as a QB1 in the NFL.
RIP Sean Taylor. You will be missed.