Here's what I've learned so far! (Pt. 1)

[Stymietee]

Interestingly, I've seen the future and it doesn't include many of the players that manned the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Make no mistake, five young guys trumpeted their arrival via SM's draft wizardry yesterday and to me that translates into one thing........consistent winning will come when the ratio of new players out pace those still around from those disastrous pre-Scott eras.

Kirk Cousins is a good player in this league and while he's likely to improve as a player, I'm still not convinced that he will find those next level skills necessary to.......well......advance the team to the next level as they get better. He is an on time, in rhythm type of player, but ask him to do next level stuff like throwing receivers open, extending plays, especially in the red zone or depending upon him to creatively improvise when the timing or rhythm has been disrupted is asking too much.

Today Matt Williams, skipper of the Nationals lost his job and there is a lesson there for Washington's football team to pay attention to. To be sure injuries played a part in their failure, but the bigger issue was their lack of big hitters (difference makers) on either side of their lone superstar. DC just resigned R. Kerrigan to a contract in line with the best at his position, but where are his big hitters? In fact this is a pretty good team in a league filled with pretty good ones, while we all are applauding SM's draft acumen sooner rather than later the team is going to need an infusion of next level guys.....threats that the opposition game plans for on both sides of the ball.

 

[Samurai Night Fever]

He is an on time, in rhythm type of player, but ask him to do next level stuff like throwing receivers open, extending plays, especially in the red zone or depending upon him to creatively improvise when the timing or rhythm has been disrupted is asking too much.

Hmmm.... have to say I disagree. Didn't KC throw Garcon open in a super tight window for that TD catch at the end of the game? And I would call a muffed snap followed by running it in for a TD creatively improvising after a disrupted play.

 

[Stymietee]

Hmmm.... have to say I disagree. Didn't KC throw Garcon open in a super tight window for that TD catch at the end of the game? And I would call a muffed snap followed by running it in for a TD creatively improvising after a disrupted play.

The Garcon play was by design and the touchdown push was on a fumble recovery, not a creative play but a forced one.

 

[Sharkinva]

The Garcon play was by design and the touchdown push was on a fumble recovery, not a creative play but a forced one.

Actually they have stated the Garcon TD was NOT a scripted play, it was KC going to his hot read AFTER reading the defense and changing Garcons route. You could say it was still on script, but it does show that he is capable of adjusting and isnt always going to be locked into a robotic script or fail mentality.

 

[Sportster 72]

First you can't expect Sty is going to give Cousins any credit. Just last week he declared him a career backup. I am not smart enough to make that determination yet.

The play was scripted but it was scripted in a way that is common to football and at the NFL level with even more options. Cali put up Cooley's diagram of the play. They came to the line, Cousin's has to determine if the Eagles are in man or zone. He reads the CB over Thompson has outside leverage. The S over Garcon has inside leverage. He recognizes the Eagles are in Cover 0 with a blitz coming from the left side. He shifts the protection to pickup the blitz (something he didn't do last week when he came up short on a pass to Reed over the middle because a blitzing DB came free). Based on all those reads he knew he should have Garcon, so he looked right to hold the D but then had turn back and throw quickly before the CB cam off CT to close small window Garcon had. Cousins threw the ball before Garcon broke. The ball was thrown to the perfect spot to keep it away from the safety but just before the CB diagnosed and recovered. As much as it was a good play by Cousins it was a hell of a catch by Garcon who got hit from both sides. All 11 men did their job and made the play work.

It should be noted that any one of those 5 receivers could have been the first read. It just depends on whether the D is in man or zone and how the D lines up.

What he did was execute a basic NFL play. The reason he is playing is Griffin has not show the ability to make all those reads and adjustments. As Sty has correctly pointed out Griffin was not taught those things prior to coming to the NFL whereas Cousins had training in a pro style offense. When Griffin learns those things he will have a chance to be QB somewhere again. He is certainly young enough to learn.

I don't want to sound like I am bashing Griffin either. The kid has handled this situation in a professional and fantastic manner. He is cheerleading and supporting his teammates every time you see him on the sideline. I respect that. For his sake I hope he is studying his ass off so he can do these things in the future.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I am not letting one game change my mind, I still don't think the QB to take us where we want to go is on the roster. All I've hoped for was for Kirk to be serviceable enough to allow us to be competetive while we build a team and find that guy and Sunday gives me hope. I am also convinced this is not the right coaching staff. Once again the team got dominate after halftime adjustments. This happens virtually every game.

 

[Sportster 72]

I am not suggesting last Sunday means Kirk is the answer. I am not pigeon-holing the guy after a few games though.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Oh I agree, we are still in wait and see mode. I do know one thing at this point in time, I'll take Kirk over that little bitch Ryan Tannehill every time. Heard the reports? Philbin asked the practice squad player to take it easy on Tannehill as they were getting him in practice. After they kicked his ass Tannehill said "enjoy your practice squad paychecks". LOL at building a team with that guy behind center.

These Ryan Tannehill quotes from Dolphins practice are just embarrassing

 

[SoCalWizFan]

DC just resigned R. Kerrigan to a contract in line with the best at his position, but where are his big hitters? In fact this is a pretty good team in a league filled with pretty good ones, while we all are applauding SM's draft acumen sooner rather than later the team is going to need an infusion of next level guys.....threats that the opposition game plans for on both sides of the ball.


SM has been the Redskins GM for less than one year. Make no mistake - this is a work in progress & we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg in terms of this team & their overall makeup. They already have playmakers in terms of Kerrigan, Robinson & several of the D-lineman. They would have had another one in Galette but unfortunately he was hurt (& may still be part of their plans). On the offensive side they have potential big time players in Jackson, Jones & Reed (assuming health) and possibly Thompson & some of the younger WRs.

SM's 1st draft with the Redskins shows real promise in terms of budding playmakers to include Jones, Crowder & P. Smith. However - this is only the beginning. I pretty much EXPECT that SM will add numerous other playmakers with future drafts and carefully thought FA pickups. His first year here also showed what many believe to be the correct philosophy - unlike the previous FOs here - develop the LOS on both sides before worrying about glamour positions.

Honestly - none of us can truly evaluate Cousins until we see an entire season. However - if it is similar to what he showed on Sunday then I am 100% on board with that. A QB doesn't have to be Rodgers for a team to succeed in the NFL. I don't really blindly back either QB on this team, but with RG3 you have to see that the writing is pretty much on the wall (nothing personal - just business).

Oh well - IMO - so far so good in terms of developing this team. Again - I don't care if they lose the majority of the remainder of their games as long as many of the younger players show improvement throughout the season which will bode well moving forward.

 

[SoCalWizFan]

Oh I agree, we are still in wait and see mode. I do know one thing at this point in time, I'll take Kirk over that little bitch Ryan Tannehill every time. Heard the reports? Philbin asked the practice squad player to take it easy on Tannehill as they were getting him in practice. After they kicked his ass Tannehill said "enjoy your practice squad paychecks". LOL at building a team with that guy behind center.

These Ryan Tannehill quotes from Dolphins practice are just embarrassing

Yep. Also - this is where you have to be thrilled that the Skins currently have GM like SM - Suh is turning out to be more of a disruption than a contributor & is sulking again as per usual for this prima donna. Remind you of anyone from the Redskins past?

 

[gkekoa]

I would also take KC over the selfish RGME.

 

[skinsdad62]

KC has a ways to go but look at what he learned . he blew a TD to reed vs the giants because he didnt read blitz and his throw was short .

this week the situation occurs again and he makes the adjustment and we get the game winner

it doesnt make him a world beater or any less inconsistent but it means he can improve

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Man I hate to keep going back and forth depending on the last game. But with a guy like Kirk it's hard not to fall into that trap. He throws a bunch of picks and it's easy to say that's who he is. But if he plays like the other 3 games with knowlege that he will improve well it's hard not to believe he can hold down the fort for a few years.

 

[Breed]

Heh. I can't front. I couldn't help, but laugh when I read Stymie's "throwing receivers open." comment. and thought there was a bit of moving the goal posts involved. I was just happy there were no INTs in 46 pass attempts. If I had to pick a way Cousins would win a game that hopefully gets him over the hump and on his way to becoming a legit NFL QB. Sunday's game or damn close to it would be it. Hopefully he can build upon what I thought was the best performance as a starter in his career.

I do share Dave's concern about coaching/halftime adjustments. Thus far the Skins have been outscored 57-32 this year and half the Skins 2nd half points, 15, came in the 4th quarter of the NY game when they were in go for broke mode.