Do you sit RG3 and play Cousins?

[j_y19]

Well, I'm coming around. RG3 is not 100% and will not get any better behind this Oline. His mechanics are getting worse, he is shell shocked at this point. Maybe its time we shut him down and put Cousins on display to see what his value is. Of course, Shanahan can't do this. He is now coaching for his job. Try and explain to the owner how you shelved your prize draft pick that you spent 4 premium draft picks on. That will automatically lead to his dismissal. Unless of course Snyder determines he wants RG3 protected for the future and demands shanahan sit him. I guess that could happen.

 

[SoCalWizFan]

I ask again do we play Cousins now?

At this point I am honestly just thinking "who cares". Let them do whatever they like. It is almost getting too painful to watch.

Skinsdad - I admire your confidence in the team, but did you honestly believe that this team was going to run the table (even before the 49ers game)? This team is really bad right now & truly does not resemble the team from last season. Remember last season they were scoring a lot of pts & did not have the complete breakdowns of this season (even when they were losing). They were pretty much in just about every game last season. This season they have only beaten two bad teams & were very lucky that the Chargers choked in the red zone to salvage another win. Until proven differently they are Jaguars bad at this time.

This team needs a major fix at this time just to even prove that they are heading in the right direction. Remove the fact that you are a Redskins fan from the equation. Objectively - how do you view this team compared to other NFL teams at this time? The extra cap money is not going to solve all of their problems.

Oh well - they are still my team - HTTR.

 

[Ritzarmy]

What does starting RG3 the rest of the season help? Shanny's are risking the future QB's long term health every time he out there the rest of the season behind that o-line. IF he gets hurt again he might not be just out for the off season. The skins have to think of the future of the team and not just causing a QB controversy. Listen RG3 is not the whole problem, the o-line needs major improvement, the WR's need to do better but again why put your future QB at risk when there is nothing to gain out of it. Screw what it looks like to everyone else, just protect RG3 the only way possible which is on the bench for the rest of this season.

 

[PDay8810]

What does starting RG3 the rest of the season help?

Him.

What do you have to gain by starting Cousins? Trade value? Well, you better sure trade him in the offseason cause messing with any starters head going into the next season isn't wise...especially a young QB like RG3. The point is 99% of these guys have been coddled all the years they played this game. The game was that easy and they seldom IF at all faced adversity on the field of play. Smart money rides with RG3, he is the meal ticket for Washington outta the basement. Gotta ride the low times with the high times or you run the risk of losing the player.

He wasn't as sure a thing as all of you redskin fans said last summer. His game hadn't arrived and still hasn't but he remains a great young QB to build a team around. Nothing has changed there and you gotta ride through the hard times and put a better team around him.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

What does starting RG3 the rest of the season help?

Him.

What do you have to gain by starting Cousins? Trade value? Well, you better sure trade him in the offseason cause messing with any starters head going into the next season isn't wise...especially a young QB like RG3. The point is 99% of these guys have been coddled all the years they played this game. The game was that easy and they seldom IF at all faced adversity on the field of play. Smart money rides with RG3, he is the meal ticket for Washington outta the basement. Gotta ride the low times with the high times or you run the risk of losing the player.

He wasn't as sure a thing as all of you redskin fans said last summer. His game hadn't arrived and still hasn't but he remains a great young QB to build a team around. Nothing has changed there and you gotta ride through the hard times and put a better team around him.

^^^ exactly. Griff needs the experience.

The real failure here is the incompetence in ADJUSTING to how other teams are playing us. Whatever the plan, it has to play to players strengths and be flexible enough to adjust to what is NOT working on the field.

 

[j_y19]

PD, I actually agree with what you are saying. I will offer this counter, however. While sitting him could affect his psyche, playing him behind this Oline will affect his health. His psyche is already affected. He is a deer in the headlights right now. A break could help him see things a bit differently and give him a chance to catch his breath. I'm just concerned that he isn't able to protect himself. Clearly he is not 100% recovered. He does not have the speed or burst he had last year to get out of harms way (of course sometimes that same speed put him in harms way). So it would be a gamble to sit him, but it would guarantee that he will be there next year in an attempt to re-group and re focus. He continues to take hits like he did last night, he won't be in the league long.

Of course, sitting him and playing cousins has other risks. Like if Cousins lights it up. Then we have a full fledge QB controversy. But I would rather have that problem than have our future dashed by a career ending hit on RG3.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

PD, I actually agree with what you are saying. I will offer this counter, however. While sitting him could affect his psyche, playing him behind this Oline will affect his health. His psyche is already affected. He is a deer in the headlights right now. A break could help him see things a bit differently and give him a chance to catch his breath. I'm just concerned that he isn't able to protect himself. Clearly he is not 100% recovered. He does not have the speed or burst he had last year to get out of harms way (of course sometimes that same speed put him in harms way). So it would be a gamble to sit him, but it would guarantee that he will be there next year in an attempt to re-group and re focus. He continues to take hits like he did last night, he won't be in the league long.

Of course, sitting him and playing cousins has other risks. Like if Cousins lights it up. Then we have a full fledge QB controversy. But I would rather have that problem than have our future dashed by a career ending hit on RG3.

If Shanny doesn't adjust his plan to better protect Griff, then I can't disagree.

 

[Sharkinva]

I really think a big part of the problem is his head in that he knows (or assumes) he cant be benched no matter how poorly he plays. If we were talking about any other player, and his skills were regressing at an alarming rate, he would have been benched by now. If he cant recognize that his level of play is off, and the coaches wont pull him (even leaving out the chance of injury), what good is he actually doing?? The real problem with starting Cousins is this...

Say we start him, and he wins out the next five with good play. One you have a QB quandry, and two Shanahan looks like a total moron for investing so much in RG3. So we are stuck with him even though his level of performance is dropping faster than stocks of beef in India.

 

[PDay8810]

PD, I actually agree with what you are saying. I will offer this counter, however. While sitting him could affect his psyche, playing him behind this Oline will affect his health. His psyche is already affected. He is a deer in the headlights right now. A break could help him see things a bit differently and give him a chance to catch his breath. I'm just concerned that he isn't able to protect himself. Clearly he is not 100% recovered. He does not have the speed or burst he had last year to get out of harms way (of course sometimes that same speed put him in harms way). So it would be a gamble to sit him, but it would guarantee that he will be there next year in an attempt to re-group and re focus. He continues to take hits like he did last night, he won't be in the league long.

Of course, sitting him and playing cousins has other risks. Like if Cousins lights it up. Then we have a full fledge QB controversy. But I would rather have that problem than have our future dashed by a career ending hit on RG3.

only issue I see is Bob. Can't see him understanding he's sitting cause his teammates are bad and it's for his own good. That's a hard sell for anybody in the competitive business of professional sports. QB controversies have never been good for a team. It divides a team. Hey...if Washington at some point see's a Trent Richardson situation with Bob then trade him for a first and roll with Cousins. Players compete and no way sitting a healthy bob when his team is competing would sell. Wouldn't with anyone I've known in sports.....maybe I'm wrong, just an opinion.

I also think your coach has to go and not for Bob's old college coach either. Bob needs to be a drop back QB working his processions with a few read option plays per game.

 

[SoCalWizFan]

only issue I see is Bob. Can't see him understanding he's sitting cause his teammates are bad and it's for his own good. That's a hard sell for anybody in the competitive business of professional sports. QB controversies have never been good for a team. It divides a team. Hey...if Washington at some point see's a Trent Richardson situation with Bob then trade him for a first and roll with Cousins. Players compete and no way sitting a healthy bob when his team is competing would sell. Wouldn't with anyone I've known in sports.....maybe I'm wrong, just an opinion.

I also think your coach has to go and not for Bob's old college coach either. Bob needs to be a drop back QB working his processions with a few read option plays per game.

If RG3 is to be primarily a drop back QB he has a long ways to go. He has too many flaws in his game now (doesn't step into pocket, cannot feel pressure, cannot read the field, etc) to be effective with that type of system at this time. Of course that could change with work on RG3's part and good coaching. I also don't think you are going to get too many arguments about Shanahan at this time.

 

[fastforward]

Which improves RG3 more? Playing through this or sitting it out and watching. If playing hurts him, (physically, mentally, or technically) then pull him out, otherwise let him play. This is about the next 5-10 years for a franchise QB which makes Cousins irrelevant to the conversation. I hope RG3 gets through this, somewhat expected, 2nd year blip and goes on to be a top QB for a long time.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Art Briles would be a horrible decision as a coaching change.

 

[PDay8810]

If RG3 is to be primarily a drop back QB he has a long ways to go. He has too many flaws in his game now (doesn't step into pocket, cannot feel pressure, cannot read the field, etc) to be effective with that type of system at this time. Of course that could change with work on RG3's part and good coaching. I also don't think you are going to get too many arguments about Shanahan at this time.

Running Baylor's offense isn't the ticket. He has the required skillset to become a drop back passer and he's a very smart player. Many of you over valued him last season and now way undervalue the talent. The game is coming at him to fast and the OC isn't helping him. The coaches rode last year, and to me, it's always been about the head coach and his perceived legacy of himself. The game as passed him by and only RG3's rookie season masked that. Dump the coach and surround RG3 with a respected QB coach. The speed and running ability remain a bonus to his game, but he was never going to revolutionize the QB position. It remains a passing league first, not a tricked up read option, roll out offensive league. Bob has the skills and the desire to excel and remains as far from a finished product as he was when he left Baylor.

 

[Sharkinva]

only issue I see is Bob. Can't see him understanding he's sitting cause his teammates are bad and it's for his own good. That's a hard sell for anybody in the competitive business of professional sports. QB controversies have never been good for a team. It divides a team. Hey...if Washington at some point see's a Trent Richardson situation with Bob then trade him for a first and roll with Cousins. Players compete and no way sitting a healthy bob when his team is competing would sell. Wouldn't with anyone I've known in sports.....maybe I'm wrong, just an opinion.

I also think your coach has to go and not for Bob's old college coach either. Bob needs to be a drop back QB working his processions with a few read option plays per game.

Problem is, its not just his team mates that are bad. He has been missing open WRs, struggles to read defenses. And its almost a joke that we actually DONT have any kind of audibles built into the playbook. thats not an issue of bad team play. Those are directly related to the QB. I admit, I was totally snookerd by his performance last year and that at present all he appears to be is an option QB. He lacks the ability currently to read defenses and thus be a complete QB. Playing him just to get experience does dicknada if the experience he is getting dont include

1. Reading defenses
2. Checking out of plays once he has read a defense


You can only blame but so much on line play if we are sitting at home and see the blitz coming and are forced to still run the initial play. If a WR is open by 4 yards, and the ball is 5 feet over his head, that falls on the QB.

 

[Ritzarmy]

So you risk starting him so he can get hurt and now you have NO QB for the future. If Rex was the backup I was say the same thing sit RG3 and start Rex. Its like a blowout game and you bench your starter for his backup. You don't want to risk a injury in meaningless games. If Cousins does well great then trade him during the off season. If Cousins does ok and no serious offers then he remains your backup, and if he does poor then you have a QB battle for the #2 spot next season. RG3 is and will be the starter for the Redskins next season everyone wants it that way fans, coaches, his teammates but getting him hurt behind that horrible o-line just makes this team go from decent next season to having another top 5 pick every year.

 

[Sharkinva]

Guys you know it is quite possible for him to actually do more harm than good simply by playing even if he doesnt get injured. Right now Bob has developed some really bad habits. And he is making them worse by pressing at this point to try and PROVE he was ready and that he is a franchise QB. Instead of getting rid of the ball faster, he is holding it longer trying to make a play. Instead of working on solid footwork, he is doing the whole I can make any throw from any angle thing. He doesnt need to be sat as some kind of punishment. But he does need to be pulled out of it from a starting standpoint to allow HIM to take some pressure off. His game and mechanics are getting worse, not better. Playing him just because is pointless.

 

[SoCalWizFan]

Running Baylor's offense isn't the ticket. He has the required skillset to become a drop back passer and he's a very smart player. Many of you over valued him last season and now way undervalue the talent. The game is coming at him to fast and the OC isn't helping him. The coaches rode last year, and to me, it's always been about the head coach and his perceived legacy of himself. The game as passed him by and only RG3's rookie season masked that. Dump the coach and surround RG3 with a respected QB coach. The speed and running ability remain a bonus to his game, but he was never going to revolutionize the QB position. It remains a passing league first, not a tricked up read option, roll out offensive league. Bob has the skills and the desire to excel and remains as far from a finished product as he was when he left Baylor.

I was not suggesting that they only run the college style offense. I was suggesting that RG3 needs to work hard on this during the offseason (& it may take several seasons to improve dramatically). A QB coach like you suggest would certainly help. For starters - if they change the coaching staff - first order of business may be to basically tell RG3 to simply keep his mouth shut! Why does he feel so compelled to talk so damn much about all of this. Focus on football and not the cameras.

 

[Sharkinva]

I was not suggesting that they only run the college style offense. I was suggesting that RG3 needs to work hard on this during the offseason (& it may take several seasons to improve dramatically). A QB coach like you suggest would certainly help. For starters - if they change the coaching staff - first order of business may be to basically tell RG3 to simply keep his mouth shut! Why does he feel so compelled to talk so damn much about all of this. Focus on football and not the cameras.

Socal... admittiedly Im a bit jaded with Bob at the moment. But I think he has the whole bosses son complex thing going on. But reality is, he cant be fired and he knows it. Thus he doesnt really have to take responsibility for any of the issues we are having, and he knows that even if his team flames out over the next five..... He at least wont lose his job. This is where i think even the perception of competition could actually help him. If he knows he could lose his job, maybe he concentrates more on actually doing his job and learning the Skills needed to keep it instead of throwing the persona of, well its my fault... but not really. Right now though lets face it, he could come out next week and throw 5 picks with 3 completions for negative yards and it will be assumed that his play is the end result of other problems and cant possible imagine that he might be more responsible for our struggles.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

There certainly seems to be an element of this mentality Shark. Next few games will give us a better idea, but its not heading the right way currently, that's for sure.

 

[PDay8810]

Socal... admittiedly Im a bit jaded with Bob at the moment. But I think he has the whole bosses son complex thing going on. But reality is, he cant be fired and he knows it. Thus he doesnt really have to take responsibility for any of the issues we are having, and he knows that even if his team flames out over the next five..... He at least wont lose his job. This is where i think even the perception of competition could actually help him. If he knows he could lose his job, maybe he concentrates more on actually doing his job and learning the Skills needed to keep it instead of throwing the persona of, well its my fault... but not really. Right now though lets face it, he could come out next week and throw 5 picks with 3 completions for negative yards and it will be assumed that his play is the end result of other problems and cant possible imagine that he might be more responsible for our struggles.

as a fan of Bob's since his days at Copperas Cove High School............you haven't a clue about Bob's make up. It's the NFL.....50% of these guys or more know they won't be fired or benched.

you know shark....it's an art with you. I don't think I disagree with anyone more than you on the most basic of football observations. Wouldn't you know.....I think that's all you