Skins-Jags Positives and Negatives

I'm kind of liking this Roberts guy. Not as flashy as some of the other acquisitions, just a really, really solid addition.

Dude he is up their with Hatcher as one of the best signings this year.

I think people are trying too hard to stick with the narrative that Griffin's playing style opens him up for injury. Rolling out and throwing on the run is something all QBs do, sometimes several times a game. It's unfortunate he landed wrong on that ankle, but injuries happen and sometimes they can't be prevented.

You're right.

People made snap decisions about Griffin when the draft pick trade was announced. They made snap decisions about Cousins when he was drafted shortly after Griffin.

The 2+ years since have been all about those people using any opportunity to justify/defend their snap decision and/or attacking other people's snap decision.

The only thing that's for sure is that we're starting to run out of time in terms of evaluating these two and picking one (assuming one hasn't already been picked, of course.)

The team has a team option clause on Griffin's contract, so we can pick him up for a 5th year whether he wants to be here or not (in the case of Cousins winning the job and Griffin being relegated to backup duty, or in case of injury)

We don't have such an option with Cousins. He's not going to stay here to be a backup. If we haven't committed to him as a starter by the time FA opens for the 2016 season, he's gone. If we don't trade him by the deadline in 2015, he'll walk and we'll get nothing for him.

All of which is really a topic to worry about in the off season, so I'm not investing much time in it now. But these are conversations that are going to matter. I personally think Griffin is a hell of a quarterback and can be an elite level quarterback in this league, I also think people are grossly exaggerating the mount of work needed to make him an elite QB. But it doesn't matter how good he is or how much potential he has if he can't stay healthy. If he's out for the season he'll be going into his 4th season with 1 healthy/ready season under his belt, his rookie season, and that's going to create some interesting/tough decisions...

I'm kind of liking this Roberts guy. Not as flashy as some of the other acquisitions, just a really, really solid addition.

I think he's explosive. By that I mean he has a nice burst and impeccable timing of when to use it. When he sees an opening, he blasts through it with power and speed. I love the way the guy plays!

You're right.

People made snap decisions about Griffin when the draft pick trade was announced. They made snap decisions about Cousins when he was drafted shortly after Griffin.

The 2+ years since have been all about those people using any opportunity to justify/defend their snap decision and/or attacking other people's snap decision.

The only thing that's for sure is that we're starting to run out of time in terms of evaluating these two and picking one (assuming one hasn't already been picked, of course.)

The team has a team option clause on Griffin's contract, so we can pick him up for a 5th year whether he wants to be here or not (in the case of Cousins winning the job and Griffin being relegated to backup duty, or in case of injury)

We don't have such an option with Cousins. He's not going to stay here to be a backup. If we haven't committed to him as a starter by the time FA opens for the 2016 season, he's gone. If we don't trade him by the deadline in 2015, he'll walk and we'll get nothing for him.

All of which is really a topic to worry about in the off season, so I'm not investing much time in it now. But these are conversations that are going to matter. I personally think Griffin is a hell of a quarterback and can be an elite level quarterback in this league, I also think people are grossly exaggerating the mount of work needed to make him an elite QB. But it doesn't matter how good he is or how much potential he has if he can't stay healthy. If he's out for the season he'll be going into his 4th season with 1 healthy/ready season under his belt, his rookie season, and that's going to create some interesting/tough decisions...

I know there is talk in the media that RGIII might be able to make it back in 4 to 8 weeks. I have a good friend (excellent athlete) who dislocated his ankle and broke a bone in his leg as well. It take more than 8 weeks just to walk with out a limp, much less play in the NFL. The Redskins sources in the media need to just report his status when they know something, otherwise keep their mouths shut about it. He will not be ready to play in the NFL in 8 weeks.
The sad reality is RGIII has no negotiating leverage. No other team is going to sign him to a big contract until he can prove he can stay healthy and time is not on his side.
Winning cures many issues and if Cousins continues to play well and win, he will get re-singed here. No question. Unless he wants to leave. He seems to like it ok in Washington, he doesn't hate it.
I don't think it is a distressing situation yet. At least we have two good Qb's and decent back up in Colt. Glass half full, not empty, IMO.

I know there is talk in the media that RGIII might be able to make it back in 4 to 8 weeks. I have a good friend (excellent athlete) who dislocated his ankle and broke a bone in his leg as well. It take more than 8 weeks just to walk with out a limp, much less play in the NFL. The Redskins sources in the media need to just report his status when they know something, otherwise keep their mouths shut about it. He will not be ready to play in the NFL in 8 weeks.
The sad reality is RGIII has no negotiating leverage. No other team is going to sign him to a big contract until he can prove he can stay healthy and time is not on his side.
Winning cures many issues and if Cousins continues to play well and win, he will get re-singed here. No question. Unless he wants to leave. He seems to like it ok in Washington, he doesn't hate it.
I don't think it is a distressing situation yet. At least we have two good Qb's and decent back up in Colt. Glass half full, not empty, IMO.

Cousins is not going to stay here if he believes it's still 'Griffin's team.' He thinks he's a legit starter in this league, and he's probably right. He thinks he can be a franchise QB somewhere.

He's not going to stay here to be a backup. Period. It has nothing to do with liking it here or not, and everything to do with whether he believes he has a legit shot at winning the starting job.

We can make Griffin stay here for his 5th year because we control his rights. We don't have that option with Cousins.

As for the media... they're going to keep writing about it as long as people keep clicking on the links.

Wise apparently wrote an article this morning (I didn't read it, fuck Mike Wise, but they talked about it on the Monday Morning QB Show) saying that the 'dirty secrete' is the coaching staff has liked Cousins more all along.

That kind of garbage will keep getting play as long as people keep reading it. It's unfortunate, but the media is driven by ratings/clicks/ad money and that's it.

So... prepare yourself for a long season of Cousins vs Griffin bullshit.

If - and this is a big if - Cousins plays the rest of the season and RG can't come back, and IF Cousins does a very good job ( not just a decent job ) and especially IF the Redskins make the playoffs, THEN you have a QB situation going into 2015. If all the aformentioned happens, I don't know how Cousins ISN'T going into camp as the starting QB. I like RG as much as the next guy - at this point, it isn't a "I like Billy" or "I like Sonny" situation (for those of you old enough to remember that - I was a kid when that happened).

This is all assuming RG doesn't come back, which I just don't see happening. And I think the management is going to be really cautious about rushing him back this time around.

Side note - I hate Michael Wilbon. That man is a phony.

I think we should give Colt the start next week, just to make this controversy thing really interesting. If he puts up big numbers maybe we can trade 2 QBs this offseason and make up for some of what we lost for RG3.

If - and this is a big if - Cousins plays the rest of the season and RG can't come back, and IF Cousins does a very good job ( not just a decent job ) and especially IF the Redskins make the playoffs, THEN you have a QB situation going into 2015. If all the aformentioned happens, I don't know how Cousins ISN'T going into camp as the starting QB. I like RG as much as the next guy - at this point, it isn't a "I like Billy" or "I like Sonny" situation (for those of you old enough to remember that - I was a kid when that happened).

This is all assuming RG doesn't come back, which I just don't see happening. And I think the management is going to be really cautious about rushing him back this time around.

No I really dont think you have a QB situation if Kirk leads the team to the playoffs. The decision will be made

No I really dont think you have a QB situation if Kirk leads the team to the playoffs. The decision will be made

Yeah, it depends.

If he's a game managing QB then I'll still be curious what the team looks like with Griffin. I won't want to settle for a game manager that lets the rest of the team win he game.

If he looks good... if he looks like a comfortable qb that can make big plays and more importantly make smart plays on a regular basis...

Well. Then Griffin is relegated to backup duty :)