Update: Kirk Cousins to Start vs Browns

I would imagine there's a decent chance he'll be wearing some sort of knee brace, which would inhibit his mobility. Do we want less than 100% standing in the pocket behind our offensive line?

Sounds iffy to me.

Let Cousins start if need be but I'd dress RG3 too just in case. This game is too important.

I like that approach. Bring him in in crucial situations...maybe put both guys on the field at once...confuse the heck out of Cleveland.

Kyle has been incredible at playcalling lately. Forget the Baltimore defense, I'm a fan of of the Skins and didn't see them running Cousins up the middle for that two-point conversion. Expect the unexpected with this offense.

Make him the back up for that game and only bring him in if you have too. I would also activate Grossman for that game as insurance.

Stop stealing my ideas SFREDSKIN! :smashfrea

I kid of course. But yeah, start Kirk, make RG3 the back up.

If RG3 is medically cleared to play, and he feels 95%, he should start. If there is any legitimate concern that his playing could cause him to re-injure the knee, whereas sitting him a week would do wonders for his recovery, then he should sit.

If he can go he has to go. The hubris is just too much to me. I am fighting my inner need to err on the side of caution though. A huge part of me wants him to sit.

Right now, all signs point to him not playing. Shanahan is the kind of coach who believes it’s a strategic advantage to keep something like this a mystery. Yet, he publically expressed optimism that RG3 would play Sunday. The only reason I can see Shanahan doing that is if he wants the Browns to prepare for RGIII, but start Cousins.

If Shahahan was truly optimistic that RG3 would play, he’d say it was too early to know anything and probably be a game-time decision - that way the Browns would be preparing for both.

Knowing the heart that RG3 has, I don't see him sitting this game. As long as he thinks there's no risk of him re-aggravating that knee, he's going to be out there.

RGII said the plan is for him to play. RGIII will never miss this game. That said, I would want Cousins starting and have RGIII and Gross-man dressed just in case. ?The Browns are gonna be hard to beat.

Right now, all signs point to him not playing. Shanahan is the kind of coach who believes it’s a strategic advantage to keep something like this a mystery. Yet, he publically expressed optimism that RG3 would play Sunday. The only reason I can see Shanahan doing that is if he wants the Browns to prepare for RGIII, but start Cousins.

If Shahahan was truly optimistic that RG3 would play, he’d say it was too early to know anything and probably be a game-time decision - that way the Browns would be preparing for both.

It's still Tuesday. We will know on Friday. If they say, "it's a miracle!" he plays.

I say play RGIII, but give him the "non-running Kirk Cousin gameplan". Very little triple-option pistol, more streach runs and play-action boot-legs out of the old Shannahan playbook. Then if RGIII can't hold up or gets sore, you bring in Cousins to run the same offense. The other 10 guys will be practicing and playing the same gameplan, and it won't be a drastic change.