IN one article Kiem explains why I dont think we resign Kirk, and why we dont settle for what falls

[Sharkinva]

Erosion of Redskins' fan base stems from years of disappointment

Read the link, but I have clipped thee why of why I think we dont resign Kirk, and why we trade up in the draft...


The numbers haven't been good: Two weeks ago they drew an 11.8 rating; barely topping the Eagles-Rams game, also on at the same time, in this market. Last week they were second in the market behind the Baltimore Ravens. There were thousands of empty seats against the Arizona Cardinals last week, and there will be more of the same for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos.

Some of the malaise stems from years of false hope and a segment of the fan base having had enough.

It's hard to overstate what Griffin's arrival meant to Washington. Griffin signaled legitimate hope for the first time in a while. After the Redskins traded up in the draft -- and before selecting him -- Griffin did a card show in northern Virginia. Hundreds attended, and many reacted as if greeting a legend; others wore the Superman socks Griffin popularized. He would lift the franchise out of its doldrums.

When he starred as a rookie, the possibilities were endless. If nothing else, the Redskins had a future superstar at the game's most important position. Everything that happened afterward tore down that optimism, piece by piece. He was hurt and wasn't the same player after his return. Over the next two years, there were multiple leaks and stories discussing coaches' displeasure with him.

A symbol of hope had crashed hard. It took some fans a few years to believe that, yes, perhaps Griffin wasn't what they thought. But who could blame them? They were told he'd transform the NFL; they saw his rookie-year feats; they believed a return to glory was just around the corner. Then it vanished. After 10-6 in 2012, they won seven games the next two years and Griffin was gone after 2015. What fans viewed as a potential golden era turned into one of massive disappointment. Again.

The Redskins have used the franchise tag the past two offseasons on their quarterback because they couldn't strike a long-term deal. In the first offseason, the organization wasn't ready to trust Cousins was for real and pay him accordingly. In the second, Cousins wasn't ready to believe in the franchise and was content playing under the tag.





The result: Two years of debate over what happened, who was at fault and how much is he really worth. It's led to intense nitpicking over every single pass. Was that a $30 million throw? Or a $20 million one? Or less?

It's exhausting and unhealthy, regardless of blame. For some, it was hard to invest belief in the Redskins' future. If quarterback is the most important piece, then who would be playing there for the foreseeable future? It's hard to find a good quarterback; would the Redskins really let one get away?

For others, if the Redskins paid him in the $30 million range, they're convinced it would wreck the franchise because of the cap space he would occupy. It's a reasonable argument.

Still, it's hard to build a marketing campaign around average. And they haven't appeared in the postseason in consecutive years since 1991-92. They've swung and missed, and fans' emotions have paid a price.

One more thing: They could tag him again this offseason. So the saga might continue.

 

[Stymietee]

Erosion of Redskins' fan base stems from years of disappointment

Read the link, but I have clipped thee why of why I think we dont resign Kirk, and why we trade up in the draft...


The numbers haven't been good: Two weeks ago they drew an 11.8 rating; barely topping the Eagles-Rams game, also on at the same time, in this market. Last week they were second in the market behind the Baltimore Ravens. There were thousands of empty seats against the Arizona Cardinals last week, and there will be more of the same for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos.

Some of the malaise stems from years of false hope and a segment of the fan base having had enough.

It's hard to overstate what Griffin's arrival meant to Washington. Griffin signaled legitimate hope for the first time in a while. After the Redskins traded up in the draft -- and before selecting him -- Griffin did a card show in northern Virginia. Hundreds attended, and many reacted as if greeting a legend; others wore the Superman socks Griffin popularized. He would lift the franchise out of its doldrums.

When he starred as a rookie, the possibilities were endless. If nothing else, the Redskins had a future superstar at the game's most important position. Everything that happened afterward tore down that optimism, piece by piece. He was hurt and wasn't the same player after his return. Over the next two years, there were multiple leaks and stories discussing coaches' displeasure with him.

A symbol of hope had crashed hard. It took some fans a few years to believe that, yes, perhaps Griffin wasn't what they thought. But who could blame them? They were told he'd transform the NFL; they saw his rookie-year feats; they believed a return to glory was just around the corner. Then it vanished. After 10-6 in 2012, they won seven games the next two years and Griffin was gone after 2015. What fans viewed as a potential golden era turned into one of massive disappointment. Again.

The Redskins have used the franchise tag the past two offseasons on their quarterback because they couldn't strike a long-term deal. In the first offseason, the organization wasn't ready to trust Cousins was for real and pay him accordingly. In the second, Cousins wasn't ready to believe in the franchise and was content playing under the tag.





The result: Two years of debate over what happened, who was at fault and how much is he really worth. It's led to intense nitpicking over every single pass. Was that a $30 million throw? Or a $20 million one? Or less?

It's exhausting and unhealthy, regardless of blame. For some, it was hard to invest belief in the Redskins' future. If quarterback is the most important piece, then who would be playing there for the foreseeable future? It's hard to find a good quarterback; would the Redskins really let one get away?

For others, if the Redskins paid him in the $30 million range, they're convinced it would wreck the franchise because of the cap space he would occupy. It's a reasonable argument.

Still, it's hard to build a marketing campaign around average. And they haven't appeared in the postseason in consecutive years since 1991-92. They've swung and missed, and fans' emotions have paid a price.

One more thing: They could tag him again this offseason. So the saga might continue.

Interesting article and thanks for posting it @Sharkinva! Let me mention a few things about it.

First, there a lot to be said about the futility of this organization and how much loyalists have had to suffer. Mere words cannot express this better than this:

.....George Preston Marshall owned the team from 1932 until 1960. During his tenure (28 years) his teams had 12 winning seasons and 2 NFL Championships (1937 and 1942) A years to win ratio of 42%

.....Jack Kent Cooke owned the team from 1961 until 1998. During his tenure (37 years) his teams had amassed 21 winning seasons, 3 SB's, and 5 NFC Championships. A years to wins ratio of 56%

.....Dan Snyder has owned the team since 1999. During that time (18 years) His teams have earned 6 winning seasons, 0 SB victories, and 0 NFC Championships. A wins to years ratio of 33%

Additionally, Snyder's teams had double digit wins every 6.5 years on average. The last coming in 2012. So statistically this team is due a double digit win in either 2018 or 2019. This could be seen as a good thing until there's the sobering realization that statistically speaking there's another 6.5 years of futility to follow.

So much for historical futility.

Now, there are other theories about Kirk Cousins beyond a love/hate perspective for his predecessor and subsequent spill-over as his career progressed. One that's fairly popular in the circle that I travel begins and ends with Kirk Cousins himself. In it, based upon his initial foray into the starting gig, most seemed to believe, at the time, he wasn't suitable for the job. It wasn't until Gruden arrived that folks began to take a second maybe a third look at him as the man for the job.

As Kirk progressed, so did opinions, Kirk not only became competent, but, likeable to a point where some could see him as the answer at the position.

There's an interesting phenomenon that happens to NFL fans/supporters/followers as their teams begin to show promise from also ran to playoff qualifier. With every step in that direction, expectations rise. The sometime loveable poor player on poorer teams is no longer acceptable. At every position, we want and expect the talent level to rise as the team improves. This is the spider web that finds us debating Kirk Cousins.

It is an either/or situation and has almost NOTHING at all to do with what Kirk Cousins can or cannot do on the field and laterally, almost EVERYTHING that Kirk Cousins can or cannot do on the field.

Defense has and always will win Championships, on that, there's NO legitimate argument even in the current offensive minded NFL. Let's take a look at then examine this quote from former NFL head coach Bill Cowher.

"It's harder to play defense than it's ever been," said former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher, now an analyst for CBS. "At the same time, if you can't stop people, you're putting so much pressure on your offense. Not everybody has that type of offense."

Notice anything?....Well, not only does he support a stout defense but reduces the QB position to type of system that he plays in. ("type of offense") This in a nutshell, asks the question relating to the Kirk Cousins situation for most that I know. It has nothing at all to do with how much or little he should be paid, that's an internal question, nor, is there a connection between what's happening now and during the time of Griffin.

It has been the continuous refrain for most here that this team needs a much better defense and, that's true. Lacking that, as this team currently does, the question then becomes, do we need a much better offensive system run by a better QB? As I said, NOTHING and EVERYTHING to do, with what Kirk Cousins can, and cannot do, on the field.