The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins doesn’t want to spend 2015 as the backup to Robert Griffin III.

Cousins told Dianna Marie Russini of NBC 4 in D.C. that he would like to be traded if Griffin is named the starting quarterback for next season.

In Cousins’s opinion, if there is no quarterback competition, there’s no point to being in Washington. Cousins wants to play, and he doesn’t want to spend a year on the bench. Cousins added that if Griffin is anointed the starter, he would approach the 2015 season as 16 games until free agency.

It’s easy to understand why Cousins would want to have a chance to compete for a starting job. Every NFL player wants to be able to compete. And it’s not like Griffin (or Colt McCoy) has done enough to be viewed as an incumbent starter who deserves to have the job handed to him.

But it’s also hard to picture much of a trade market emerging for Cousins. Although there’s been talk that the Browns might have some interest, given Cousins’s connection to Cleveland offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan from their time together in Washington, the reality is Cousins hasn’t played well when given the opportunity. Cousins has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns in his career, and of Cousins’s eight starts in the last two seasons, the only game Washington won was the game in which Cousins was benched and McCoy led the team to a comeback win.

Cousins explained if there is no QB competition, there's no point. Although he would approach it as 16 games until free agency #Redskins

SkinsJock wrote:Cousins needs to understand that he's 1 of 3 QBs that were a part of a 4 win season

Cousins should be so lucky that he even get's a shot at competing for a job as a QB

he should look at McCoy and Griffin and think that he can be a better QB than them

he should be motivated to become the starting job here because, let's face it, the starting QB job here is up for grabs

stop acting like a spoiled brat - get out there and make yourself better because, you're not even close to being a good NFL QB

OldSchool wrote:I don't know if Cousins can become a successful starter in the NFL but I can certainly understand his desire to be traded if the Skins don't permit a competition for the starting QB job. He's obviously feels ready to take the next step despite a couple of disappointing games in 2014 and wants a chance. I don't know if it is smart to say it publicly but I certainly understand the feeling and in fact I think it shows spirit, good for Kirk I wish him well wherever he ends up.

riggofan wrote:Yeah I don't see anything bad about what he's saying. He wants a chance to compete for the job.

What I think is interesting is that he's not giving that "This is Robert's team" answer anymore.

oj wrote:This is how flood gates are opened up.
I can think of a few teams where Cousins could compete for a starting job, but players are looking for a better environment. The real message is players are dissatisfied, looking for a competitive organization. Do you think DJaxs' manager is testing the market? Kerrigans'? The FO had better respond in a very positive mannor, allay any lingering doubt to prove that the players' interests are paramount.

Countertrey wrote:

oj wrote:This is how flood gates are opened up.
I can think of a few teams where Cousins could compete for a starting job, but players are looking for a better environment. The real message is players are dissatisfied, looking for a competitive organization. Do you think DJaxs' manager is testing the market? Kerrigans'? The FO had better respond in a very positive mannor, allay any lingering doubt to prove that the players' interests are paramount.

Your dog don't hunt.
Cousins wants to start... and will do what he feels gives him the best chance... This is no indicator of "team morale" or dissatisfaction with the organization, as you suggest. That's not to suggest it doesn't exist... but this has not one thing to do with that...

cowboykillerzRGiii wrote:I think its arrogant to assume Coach ISNT going to have a fair competition for all qbs... seeing how he yave all three their shot during the actual season.

Is he sad that he got shelved for pooor play for the third string?

That is reality. . And he needs to hone his skills before poppingnoff at the gums. IF he is traded... itll most likely be for a back ip role anyhow. Now his trade value drops another notch if im a gm looking for a suitable back-up.

As we saw this season a lot of backups get their chance to shine.

Im not impressed with his choice of words

ASHBURN, Va. – Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins said nothing has changed in his stance since last offseason. He wants a chance to compete for a starting job. What he hasn’t done is demand a trade.

Cousins said in a conversation with reporters Monday morning that it would be tough to return without a chance to compete. But he stopped short of demanding a trade. It’s only when a tweet went viral suggesting Cousins wanted to be traded if Robert Griffin III returned as a starter did Cousins feel the need to clarify his comments.

Cousins started five games this season and was benched after throwing nine interceptions (against 10 touchdowns). His passer rating of 86.4 was the worst among the three Redskins quarterbacks. But with none of the three separating themselves, including Colt McCoy, Cousins said he’d obviously like another chance to compete for the job.

“Perception is different than what reality is,” Cousins said. “I want to come out and say I have loved Washington. I’m happy here. If I’m the backup for my fourth year in Washington, then so be it.”

The Redskins drafted Cousins in the fourth round of the 2012 draft, three rounds after taking Griffin. Cousins is a free agent after next season.

Last offseason, Cousins first made it clear that he wanted a chance to compete for the starting job, whether in Washington or elsewhere. He also made it clear that he liked playing in Washington.

“I’m under contract and I’ll honor that contract if that’s what it comes to,” he said. “I’m focused on getting better. We all know I have a long ways to go. I have a lot of work to do. I had two awful quarters and threw nine interceptions, which is way too many. I have plenty to work on to get better.

“I’m excited to get back to work. I do think with another offseason in Jay’s system, I can take another step forward. That step forward needs to happen and if it does, I do like where I’m headed. That’s the message I want out, not anything about demanding anything. That’s not reality. The reality is for three years I’ve been a great teammate and representative of the Redskins and I want to continue to be that. I’m very happy to be here and content with being in the NFL and a member of the Redskins.”

SkinsJock wrote:WALE UP PEOPLE

emoses14 wrote:Enough with this entire thread. Kirk has already said this "report" was bunk. Why in the world are we still debating anything relating to that (once again) erroneous report from the folks covering the redskins? At this point if it doesn't come from john keim or rich tandler, it's most likely not true enough to have a 4 page thread about.

Just sayin'