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

I hope the Skins win a division title in Philly Saturday but whatever happens in Philly the future looks extremely bright. The Skins now have a quality GM who has measurably improved the team in just year 1. The 7 wins thus far equal the win total of the two seasons combined before his upgrades. Jay Gruden proved himself to me by making the huge coaching decision of the season overriding the owner and committing to and developing Cousins as our franchise QB, a huge accomplishment.

The Skins searched vainly for over 20 years for a franchise QB until Gruden said Kirk is our guy and helped him succeed despite criticism. I believe in Gruden now. I think Jay can continue to grow along with his team because he can make decisions and keep moving forward. Finally, Cousins himself who labored mightily in the shadows for 3 seasons improving his game and then shook off all the criticisms that came his way and delivered a tremendous season after being named the starter. Cousins probably saved Gruden’s job and brought harmony to a franchise that has seemed more like a reality show than a football team for decades.

I have not been this excited about the Skins in a very long time. The last time I can remember being really optimistic about the future of the team was during Marty's late season surge. Dan Synder threw that away in the most foolish of many stupid moves but I think Dan has finally learned his lesson and will be happy to let Scot, Jay and Kirk lead his team going forward. I have to believe no one was happier to listen to the crowd roar "da like that" than Dan Snyder.

Imagine his joy and relief as he saw his team resurrect itself this year and begin his redemption as an owner. Obviously he is a shrewd business man but it can’t be fun to be the most hated owner in the NFL. That onus may pass in time because not only do the Skins have a quality GM, coach and QB they probably have an older and wiser owner who won't screw things up this time, embracing Snyder is the true leap of faith but I am so optimistic I just did.

OS, Over time what you are saying may be true but not yet. I agree we have a quality GM and a journeyman QB that should also improve over time but I want to see how well the coach will do taking the team to the next level. Already, this year we have seem improvement and by the end of next year I may jump in the wagon with you.

SKINS#1 wrote:OS, Over time what you are saying may be true but not yet. I agree we have a quality GM and a journeyman QB that should also improve over time but I want to see how well the coach will do taking the team to the next level. Already, this year we have seem improvement and by the end of next year I may jump in the wagon with you.

Journeyman QB?

He's on his 4th year and he's played for the same team all 4 years.

StorminMormon86 wrote:

SKINS#1 wrote:OS, Over time what you are saying may be true but not yet. I agree we have a quality GM and a journeyman QB that should also improve over time but I want to see how well the coach will do taking the team to the next level. Already, this year we have seem improvement and by the end of next year I may jump in the wagon with you.

Journeyman QB?

He's on his 4th year and he's played for the same team all 4 years.

Yes...you beat me to it!!

Yes, and this so called journeyman is going to get a enormous franchise QB contract from the Skins.

OldSchool wrote:Yes, and this so called journeyman is going to get a enormous franchise QB contract from the Skins.

Noboby is arguing that..just wonder why you called him a journeyman??

He's only ever been employed the Washington Redskins in his NFL career. So the term "journeyman" is inaccurate. That term can be place on Colt.

Chris Luva Luva wrote:He's only ever been employed the Washington Redskins in his NFL career. So the term "journeyman" is inaccurate. That term can be place on Colt.

Point of order, here...

Journeyman: an individual who has completed an apprenticeship and is fully educated in a trade or craft, but is not yet a master.

I'd say that the term applies... it has nothing to do with traveling... it's a simple statement, most often applied to quarterbacks in this context, to suggest that they are competent... but with no embellishments. It could be applied to players like Kilmer, Kitna, Matt Hasselback, and others... They are players whom you can trust to run your offense... but you'd like to find a better player...

Countertrey wrote:

Chris Luva Luva wrote:He's only ever been employed the Washington Redskins in his NFL career. So the term "journeyman" is inaccurate. That term can be place on Colt.

Point of order, here...

Journeyman: an individual who has completed an apprenticeship and is fully educated in a trade or craft, but is not yet a master.

I'd say that the term applies... it has nothing to do with traveling... it's a simple statement, most often applied to quarterbacks in this context, to suggest that they are competent... but with no embellishments. It could be applied to players like Kilmer, Kitna, Matt Hasselback, and others... They are players whom you can trust to run your offense... but you'd like to find a better player...

But has it applies to football..

A journeyman quarterback is a term used for an American Football (typically NFL) quarterback who plays for several teams over a career. Such a player is typically signed to year-by-year contracts, and may be signed by a team to fill in for an injured starter.

Countertrey wrote:

Chris Luva Luva wrote:He's only ever been employed the Washington Redskins in his NFL career. So the term "journeyman" is inaccurate. That term can be place on Colt.

Point of order, here...

Journeyman: an individual who has completed an apprenticeship and is fully educated in a trade or craft, but is not yet a master.

I'd say that the term applies... it has nothing to do with traveling... it's a simple statement, most often applied to quarterbacks in this context, to suggest that they are competent... but with no embellishments. It could be applied to players like Kilmer, Kitna, Matt Hasselback, and others... They are players whom you can trust to run your offense... but you'd like to find a better player...

Thanks Countertrey, this was/is my intended definition.

I'm not sold yet. You guys do understand the Skins are 7-7 in a terrible division right? If Kirk continues to play well I will jump on the wagon. The Skins would be stupid to give him an enormous amount of money right now. He's won 1 game on the road. I'd feel safer with franchise tagging him next year and then evaluating a contract. This team is not good. A decent defense with no running game what so-ever. I'll still be rooting for them, but I can't jump to conclusions on this team.

With that being said. They are an improved team. Better than I thought they would be. I have to give this defense a lot of credit.

DEHog wrote:

OldSchool wrote:Yes, and this so called journeyman is going to get a enormous franchise QB contract from the Skins.

Noboby is arguing that..just wonder why you called him a journeyman??

I didn't call Kirk a journeyman the other poster did, I scoffed at that characterization when I used the phrase 'so called".

What we are seeing is the training wheels being taken off.. if you view the "Micd up" thread I just posted you'll hear a very telling exchange between Kirk and Sean. Basically they were playing it down to take pressure off of Kirk, and now that he is finding his Groove, and making plays and good decisions, they can be more aggressive with the play calling.

The doubters still have some valid pause... But what we can't deny-

Kirk Cousins is the franchise's:
-all-time single season Completion record holder
-Most games in a season with 300 or more pass yards
- will likely break the passing yards in a season record
- and is currently poised to win the division.


Like it or love it, he's our man... And we are getting hot in December, for the first time since 2012. Only this TEAM is better, and this QB is healthy and running a pro style O.

Say what you will about this "crappy division", and I'll be the first to remind you how the Gnats 8-8 season turned out vs an 18-0 Pats team in the Super Bowl... Champs.

Let's GO!!!!!

Cowboy Killa wrote:The Skins would be stupid to give him an enormous amount of money right now. I'd feel safer with franchise tagging him next year and then evaluating a contract. This team is not good. A decent defense with no running game what so-ever. I'll still be rooting for them, but I can't jump to conclusions on this team.

This doesn't make any sense. You don't want to give him enormous money, so you'd like to franchise him, giving him $18.5M guaranteed next year, then if he replicates (which is likely) by mid year, you'll have to sign him to a LARGER contract than would be negotiated this season during the next year. If you do that, you are looking at giving him close to $50M ($18.5M Franchise in Y1 plus 25M+ signing/1st year contract salary in Y2) cash in 2 FREAKING years. WTF???? If it were me, I'd be looking to sign him to a deal where by year 4 it's cap friendly if you want to part ways.

Cowboy Killa wrote:He's won 1 game on the road.

When you consider the fact we've played @NYG (where we're 3-12 in our past 15), @ATL (when they were killing it and undefeated), @NYJ, @NE, @CAR, and @CHI --- 1 win isn't unreasonable when looking at the teams we played, with a team that as you say "is not good". Does talking out of both sides of your mouth hurt?

Cowboy Killa wrote:With that being said. They are an improved team. Better than I thought they would be. I have to give this defense a lot of credit.

For what exactly?

Our DEF has been below average this year. Our DEF is:
- 25th in the NFL in total defense
- 31st in rushing yards per attempt
- 26th in passing yards per attempt (against)
- 22nd in INTs
- 21st in Sacks
- 16th in points against average
- 21st in DEF penalties
- 17th in opponent 3rd down %

Now, with 32 teams, 16th would be AVERAGE. At 7-7, you'd think we'd have more meaningful DEF stats at or above the 16 number that our record shows.

So how much credit does our DEF deserve? Granted last year we were 20th in total DEF, 13th in rushing yards per attempt, but 29th in points against average (equaling 3.5 points per game less). Now, the points against is a great thing, BUT our OFF actually has a better improvement year over year with an increase of 3.7 points scored per game versus last season.

So basically, I have no clue how anyone can reasonably say our DEF deserves "a lot" of the credit. It has been a two way street and to say it has been more DEF is actually showing a clear bias when considering all relevant statistics.

The stats may not indicate improvement but they appear to be better defensively. Having Cousins picking up third downs helps but despite the injuries the defense has turned in some better play this year. The whole team is improved.

Those stats are for the entire season. The defense has played much better lately.