***Official*** Washington Redskins 2014 Thread (In-Season) (1 Viewer)

[dgreen]

Well, if Gruden really does favor Cousins, his comment that Griffin needs to be ready "mentally" is going to be the card he can play. And then we can go through debates about whether he's capable of picking up new systems. "He's just not mentally ready yet." It will be Griffin's version of McNabb's cardio problems with running the 2 minute offense.

So is what we've seen any indication of Cousins' mental readiness? Is that the lofty level Robert has to reach?

 

[Ted Mullins]

The weird thing is, Kyle Shannarat actually did design a offense that took advantage of Robert's skills. If you kept part of that offense and just tweaked it so that Robert was protecting himself more, then you might have something.

Remember the big injury he got vs. Baltimore was NOT a designed run but an improvised scramble on Robert's part. That injury did not come as a result of Kyle calling up a designed running play.

Exactly, and it was the same kind of situation when he had the concussion vs the Falcons. It probably wouldn't be the case anymore as defenses have become more accustomed to it, but at the time it really seemed like the read option gave Robert big clear running lanes with the defenders in fairly predictable positions and had the D line hesitating to the point where he was actually safer. Robert had much cleaner pockets than he probably should have given the O line, and an O line that was not very talented looked good.

I still have some faith in Robert when healthy simply because it seems to me like his issues are mental/require practice (reads, anticipation, etc) and everything I have ever heard about him suggests he has ample smarts and work ethic. It's been a long few years, but go back and read draft analysis from some of the better NFL writers - many of them suggested that his arm strength/accuracy was better than Luck's was. No way is he better right now, but that alone suggests the kind of physical tools he has as a passer.

I worry about him staying healthy because it seems like he is either oblivious when he runs or has some sort of hero complex where he takes pride in getting hit. I also wonder if he will ever have a perfect meeting of the minds where the staff and him are on the same page, with an offense he wants to run that uses everything he can do. The downtrodden Redskins fan in me won't be surprised at all if he is really successful somewhere else in a few years. Seems like the constant tension with the staff and Kirk and recovering from injuries, he's very much had an uphill climb these last two years.

 

[packersfan]

Well, if Gruden really does favor Cousins

If that's still the case based on how Cousins has played I think Washington fans should be very concerned about Gruden's ability to be a successful NFL head coach.

 

[hammerva]

so in other words next week he will start. it really doesn't matter whether Gruden "favors" Cousins because the owner definitely favors Super Bob. As far as physically well as we have learned from 2013 there isn't much Gruden can do on that as well. They rushed him back on the field then there is nothing that makes you think he won't now

 

[packersfan]

It might matter if Cousins had shown he deserves to remain the starter. He could've at least turned this into a McCown/Cutler discussion where both sides could be argued. Cousins has failed to do that. Maybe he can flip the switch this week but it sounds like it may be too late. He had a great opportunity and failed to capitalize on it.

 

[Ted Mullins]

Gruden coming out and saying that seems to me like he is acknowledging the "QB controversy" is over - I'd think the "mentally and physically ready" part is just to insinuate there's no real clear timeline. Not a lot of pressure for Robert to rush back for playoff purposes, but I'd imagine Gruden wants to see more of him to see if he thinks Robert is viable in the future. Reading some of the tweets that have been posted about Gruden not liking Robert as his QB and the front office already overruling Gruden on some stuff, I think there's a good chance Gruden is out of here in a couple years.

 

[jbz]

On a lighter note

Now, we don't know if we even have one starting QB.

I think I'm likely in the minority here, but I'm confident we do have one.

Same here.

Which one? I think we do, but it's Cousins. He is a gunslinger. He can be built around. We need a Defense and a better OL, and then I think Cousins will look good. His INTs are coming late in games, and that's because the opponent can sit on the pass and eventually a QB of his sage will make a mistake. I also think Gruden abandons the run whenever he is behind. Rookie coach mistake to panic too early in game.

On a lighter note, Fred Smoot is ####### hilarious. In his words, it's all about the fatboys.

I completely disagree with you. Cousins being a gunslinger is not a good thing since he doesn't have the arm talent to match what he thinks he can do. That's part of his problem. You don't just get INTs because it's late in games and it's obvious passing downs. He's trying to squeeze passes into areas he shouldn't. He's making horrible reads and completely not seeing defenders. You are giving him a lot of benefit of the doubt. A solid defense and a better OL would make any QB look good, lol. The bottom line, Cousins has a terrible W/L % as a starter and a negative TD/INT ratio. In fact his TD/INT is the worst in the NFL I believe. That's not something you build around. That's called Rex Grossman 2.0. Version 1.0 got to a Super Bowl with an OL and defense too, it doesn't mean he was a good QB.

 

[jbz]

so in other words next week he will start. it really doesn't matter whether Gruden "favors" Cousins because the owner definitely favors Super Bob. As far as physically well as we have learned from 2013 there isn't much Gruden can do on that as well. They rushed him back on the field then there is nothing that makes you think he won't now

"They" rushed him back? The they part of that is gone. Shanny was the man who rushed him back and left him in vs Seattle. RG3 was part of that too. Or are we really back to blaming Snyder for everything and being controlling again?

 

[fatness]

Now, we don't know if we even have one starting QB.

I think I'm likely in the minority here, but I'm confident we do have one.

Same here.

Which one?

The one who has actually proven success in the NFL.

That's who I mean also: Griffin.

As of right now Cousins is part pipe dream, part Grossman, part disaster, part young guy learning. 3 out of 4 of those are bad. Grossman was a "gunslinger" too.

 

[fatness]

Well, if Gruden really does favor Cousins, his comment that Griffin needs to be ready "mentally" is going to be the card he can play. And then we can go through debates about whether he's capable of picking up new systems. "He's just not mentally ready yet." It will be Griffin's version of McNabb's cardio problems with running the 2 minute offense.

So is what we've seen any indication of Cousins' mental readiness? Is that the lofty level Robert has to reach?

It really is starting to look like double standards for the QB's on Gruden's part. And it's starting to look questionable whether Gruden knows how to run the best offense for this team.

 

[fatness]

From John Keim

Griffin participated in individual drills Wednesday, looking like a player who, well, hasn’t played since Week 2. He looked spry enough and his throws had some zip, but he was inconsistent with his placement. The Redskins want to see him work for a couple weeks in practice before they would put him back in the lineup.

There's a lot more good than bad in that report. And I'd much rather wait a couple weeks than rush him back in.

 

[fatness]

One thing is for sure: losing really brings us together in this thread.

 

[fatness]

Despite playing in only five games, Cousins leads the NFL with 10 interceptions. He threw four picks – three in the third quarter, one in the fourth – against the Giants in Week 4, and he threw three interceptions – all in the fourth quarter – against the Cardinals last Sunday.

Those numbers go a long way toward explaining why the Redskins are 0-4 in Cousins' four starts, and they've left Washington coach Jay Gruden trying to figure out the problem.

"I don't know. If I knew, I wouldn't call those plays," Gruden said. "They've come in bunches. The fourth quarters haven't been very good to us and I think those are the most important times for us to make plays and get the win.

"I don't know if he's forcing them too much or just maybe hesitating on a couple of them. Sometimes you force them, sometimes you just miss the throws … Some of it's an accuracy issue, some of it's a footwork issue, some of them are just not believing in what he's seeing, and some of them are forced."

http://www.tennessean.com/story/titansinsider/2014/10/16/gruden-ponders-kirk-cousins-picks/17352403/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin=

 

[fatness]

Some of the comments at PFT about that article are pretty funny.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/16/jay-gruden-i-dont-know-why-kirk-cousins-throws-so-many-picks/

Because he can NEVER be the chosen one in Washington no matter how great he plays…..He will always have RG3 right in front of him or standing over his shoulder..Cousins has what it takes to be a great QB but until he is named the starter for a team he will always play like a back up

I think it’s because Cousins spent the off-season at the Carson Palmer QB Academy where you rack up garbage yards until you can throw that crucial game-ending pick in the 4th quarter.

Seems like something the head coach of a professional football team should know or be able to figure out.

I want to see him play 16-20 games before I give him the thumbs down. If it truly is “the toughest position in pro sports”, temper your expectations!

There's also some discussion of how Dalton's INT rate has gone down since Gruden left, and of the obvious-to-most-everyone reasons why Cousins throws so many picks.

 

[CapnJB]

The one who has actually proven success in the NFL.

12-18 is now success?

 

[MattFancy]

The one who has actually proven success in the NFL.

12-18 is now success?

Hell of a lot better than 1-7

 

[fatness]

Theoretically they have a decent chance for a win this weekend. I hope they do. If they lose the drama's going to quite a bit worse next week than this week.

 

[fatness]

So it was no surprise Wednesday when coach Jay Gruden said that Robert Griffin III will reclaim the Washington Redskins starting job when healthy and sufficiently up to speed in practice, and that third-stringer Colt McCoy might get into a game if, according to Gruden, "things continue in this downward spiral."

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2014/10/redskins-could-bench-kirk-cousins-for-colt-mccoy-if-downward-spiral-continues-108212.html

I hope it doesn't get that bad.

 

[TxBuckeye]

But Cousins has succumbed to the NFL's high-pressure moments. His third-down passer rating is 39.8, more than 20 points below anyone else among those with enough attempts to qualify for the league's leaderboard. His second-half rating, which includes all of his interceptions, is 63.9.

 

[PinkydaPimp]

 

[PinkydaPimp]

on the plus side, we will have fully evaluated our qb position by years end....

 

[ConnSKINS26]

Can't score TD's, handed off playcalling duties to the OC (which has apparently been happening periodically this year), benched Cousins, benched and then unbenched Polumbus....can't WAIT for this post-game press conference with Gruden.

 

[PinkydaPimp]

i didnt think things could get worse.... but here we are! At least we have our first rounder next year.

 

[TxBuckeye]

This whole laughingstock thing is getting old.

 

[PinkydaPimp]

we won and im not even excited

 

[TxBuckeye]

we won and im not even excited

All it did was hurt next year's draft position.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

we won and im not even excited

Yeah, still feels like a loss, we are terrible. At least it keeps a sliver of hope alive for a winning streak when Griffin returns.

 

[dgreen]

we won and im not even excited

Beats losing. Wouldn't say I'm excited but it's better than losing to another horrible team. Hard to win with bad QBs. Tennessee has a bad one too.

 

[fatness]

we won and im not even excited

I'm a bit excited. There were 52 players in uniform today who all figured they'd probably lose that one, on something crucial at some crucial time or other. But they won.

They don't have a lot of recent experience with winning. That stuff matters.

Now if Gruden will just bench Biggers.........................

 

[fatness]

Can't score TD's, handed off playcalling duties to the OC (which has apparently been happening periodically this year), benched Cousins, benched and then unbenched Polumbus....can't WAIT for this post-game press conference with Gruden.

I didn't hear the press conference. What did he say?

Glad to see the benchings by the way.

 

[fatness]

By the way, the "When does Kirk Cousins get his chance to show he's the #1?" topic is a gold mine.

 

[jbz]

The cousins experiment accomplished little except completely tanking whatever trade value he had left.

 

[dgreen]

From Keim:

So many good things happen when the Redskins take shots downfield to Jackson that I’m surprised they don’t do it a little more. Just look at Sunday: the Redskins threw the ball to him downfield three times and he gained 37 yards, drew a pass-interference penalty for 22 and caught another for 36 that was wiped out by a penalty. He separates and tracks the ball well.

I agree that it's pretty amazing they don't do it more often. Any time he's 1-on-1, you have to strongly consider putting it up deep to him.

 

[MikeApf]

Well, it was ugly, but a win is a win.

Please no one start a petition that Colt McCoy be the starting QB. "The second Cult of Colt."

Anyways, I'll give the team this...they at least have some heart and really do keep trying. There is some character on this team and I appreciate that.

BTW, good move getting DJax involved downfield at the end of the game. It's really becoming clear to me that that guy can be a serious difference maker if we ever solidify QB position...

Oh, and the Titans are just baaad....

 

[fatness]

A couple times I've asked "why is EJ Biggers on the field?" or even on the team. I figured out why. In the offseason when trying to upgrade at CB Bruce Allen spent money on a frequently-injured Tracy Porter, who's been injured almost all this season.

So now that I have that answer here's the next question: "why is Bruce Allen in charge of personnel?" And "will Bruce Allen be in charge of personnel next season?" Because that's an obvious weak point with the team.

Really happy for McCoy today by the way. I don't really know a thing about him, but on the first drive of the second half he told the huddle "I'll do my job. Just do yours and we'll win." His performance was more than acceptable, and with similar performances in other games earlier this season they'd have a few more wins than they do now.

That Houston game still bothers me. And that Arizona game. And that Philly game.

 

[fatness]

If you're searching for a reason to never be an NFL kicker:

“You guys work and fight throughout a game,” Comcast SportsNet’s Rob Carlin said to Redskins defensive lineman Jason Hatcher after the game. “And when it comes down to the little kicker, what’s your thought on the sidelines as you wait and watch?”

“You better make it or I’m gonna kill you,” Hatcher recalled. “Because that’s all you’ve got to do is kick the ball.”

Carlin laughed — a long, hearty, slightly nervous laugh, attempting to at once enjoy the moment while acknowledging that Hatcher could also probably disembowel stray reporters while he was at it.

“And then when it goes through the uprights?” the reporter asked.

“He okay,” Hatcher said. “He allowed back in the locker room.”

“And you’re being honest, that’s not a joke?” Carlin asked.

“I’m not lying,” Hatcher said. “I’m not lying.”

 

[fatness]

The tipping point was Cousins’s interception late in the second quarter.Washington’s defense had just made a momentum-shifting play, with cornerback Bashaud Breeland grabbing a pass intended for Tennessee tight end Delanie Walker on the Washington 42 yard-line.

It was exactly the sort of play Gruden had begged his defense to make the past few weeks. But before the celebrating over Breeland’s heroics had died down, Cousins heaved a ball high over the middle and into the hands of linebacker Wesley Woodyard

A previous Cousins throw would have been intercepted, as well, but was dropped.

“We talk about accountability, ball security,” Gruden said afterward. “That was a standard pass play that we have run for a long time. He threw right to him unfortunately. I decided to go with Colt in the second half.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/kirk-cousins-replaced-by-colt-mccoy-says-redskins-cant-win-with-his-turnovers/2014/10/19/77a67dc0-55b3-11e4-809b-8cc0a295c773_story.html

 

[fatness]

Orakpo may have a torn pectoral.

 

[fatness]

Dan Steinberg's Best & Worst columns after each game are pretty funny.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2014/10/19/redskins-titans-best-and-worst/

Best final drive: Hey, Colt McCoy. Weird. The third-string deploy-only-in-case-of-emergency quarterback came in after halftime, was perfectly competent, and eventually led Washington on a drive for the game-winning field goal. The final drive totaled 76 yards over 10 plays, and included McCoy going 5 for 5 for 38 yards, with another completion wiped out on a penalty, plus a long pass interference call.

Worst thing: It’s the middle of October, and the lead item in this here game summary concerns McCoy.

Worst tackling: The game’s first touchdown was scored when Kendall Wright caught a short pass, erected a shield of invisibility and activated three repellant bombs, and then calmly walked between three would-be defenders. This looked like a comical reenactment of three paid actors pretending to be bad at tackling.

 

[fatness]

The relief felt by the players was huge. Tight end Logan Paulsen admitted that winning felt “even better than I thought it would.” Player after player admitted that there was a loss of confidence because of the four-game skid.

http://espn.go.com/blog/washington-redskins/post/_/id/12079/redskins-concerned-with-brian-orakpos-pec-muscle

 

[General Tso]

So has the Coach officially named McCoy the starter going forward until Griffin returns? And when does Griffin return?

 

[MikeApf]

So has the Coach officially named McCoy the starter going forward until Griffin returns? And when does Griffin return?

Don't have link handy, but Gruden said in press conference that starter for next game is not determined. It could be McCoy, Cousins, or even Griffin.

I think the comment was something like, "Griffin is going to practice Wednesday. It start with him, then we'll evaluate." or something like that.

 

[MikeApf]

Orakpo may have a torn pectoral.

Something tells me he won't be in Washington next year.

 

[fatness]

So has the Coach officially named McCoy the starter going forward until Griffin returns? And when does Griffin return?

Don't have link handy, but Gruden said in press conference that starter for next game is not determined. It could be McCoy, Cousins, or even Griffin.

I think the comment was something like, "Griffin is going to practice Wednesday. It start with him, then we'll evaluate." or something like that.

It will not be Cousins.

Frankly I hope they let McCoy start another week or 2 while Griffin practices and gets back up to speed.

 

[MattFancy]

Orakpo may have a torn pectoral.

Something tells me he won't be in Washington next year.

Yup think his time here is finished. Unless he comes back next season on a big discount, he'll be playing elsewhere next season.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

1. As a supporter of Kirk Cousins, what I saw yesterday was a guy with no confidence who was predetermining his target. His performance was awful. I still think he can make all the throws needed in the NFL, but given the regression over the past 3 weeks it's safe to assume that's never going to happen with the Skins, and probably not with any other team either.

2. OL - God they are bad. Lauvao is terrible, which comes as no surprise to anyone on this board. Heck, CLE didn't want him. We are now starting a 3rd stringer at RT.

3. Def - Can anyone in this group play? No pressure up front. LBs vulnerable in coverage. Not good enough in the back to help out. And a defensive coordinator that is done after this season.

4. Coaching - Gruden has a ways to go. I like him. He's to the point. He doesn't sugar coat it. But the play calling has been bad and the delay of game penalties have become rampant. Maybe that's on McVay, but Gruden is the defacto OC.

5. Front office - They desperately need a real GM. They probably need to fire the scouting/personnel directors too. They can say all they want about these guys being respected around the league. They are failing more at personnel decisions than any other thing. Everyone on this board said we needed S/CB/OL in the offseason. Nope, we need 2 more WRs. So, let me get this straight...a bunch of guys messing around on a message board while we are working our real jobs are better at personnel than the people that do this everyday. If we were in charge, Orakpo would be gone, Lauvao nor Porter would be here, Haslett would be gone...folks, we are better decision makers than the people in charge of our beloved team.

So, let's turn to the 2015 NFL draft, where Allen and his minions can again screw up something.... Landon Collins, PJ WIlliams, Andrus Peat, or dare I say it....Jameis Winston? My early call is Landon Collins. We need a S really, really bad.

 

[MattFancy]

Defense showed me a little yesterday. I'm sure that had to do with the opponent, but I liked what I saw from Kerrigan, Hatcher and Breeland. Still need alot of work on that side of the ball, but we have some pieces to work with for the next couple of years.

Our OL needs a ton of work. Outside of Trent Williams, there is no one on our line that I would be sad if we just cut after the season. Our 1st and 2nd round picks next year need to go to the OL. We made a huge investment in RG3 and have done nothing to address his protection. Sure getting DJax and Roberts is nice, but we need the OL to open running lanes and protect the QB.

Gruden impressed me today. Instead of letting Kirk keep digging himself a hole, he benched him and went with McCoy. This was a week after Gruden said he wouldn't consider benching Cousins. Shows me that he's not afraid to admit to being wrong and that he's holding everyone accountable. If you're not producing, he's not going to be afraid to bench you. This team needs that fear.

Agree on the FO. Bruce Allen is not a GM. He's great as the President of the team, but we need a full-time GM. Not someone like Allen who is busy setting up "Homecoming" for the alumni and worrying about bringing back gold pants. We need a real personnel guy.

 

[dgreen]

@john_keim: Just one thought on the cousins situation: In practices this summer, saw the INTs. It's why those there every day never said he was best QB

@john_keim: issue this summer was always about RG's development or in some cases his slow pace or lack of it.

 

[dgreen]

I'm a little confused by Keim's tweet. I'm pretty sure there were many people who were there every day who said Cousins was better. And there have been reports that Gruden wanted Cousins week 1 and was overruled and I remember reports that the Patriots staff were talking about how much better Cousins was than Griffin.

 

[dgreen]

Orakpo may have a torn pectoral.

MRI confirmed. Out for the season.