Cousins has arrived

Mark Rypien says Redskins' Kirk Cousins playing at 'elite level' - Washington Redskins Blog- ESPN (http://espn.go.com/blog/washington-redskins/post/_/id/22883/mark-rypien-says-kirk-cousins-playing-at-elite-level)

Hard to argue KC is playing some Elite Style QB.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14505036/jay-gruden-washington-redskins-bet-big-kirk-cousins-saved-nfl

Mark Rypien says Redskins' Kirk Cousins playing at 'elite level' - Washington Redskins Blog- ESPN (http://espn.go.com/blog/washington-redskins/post/_/id/22883/mark-rypien-says-kirk-cousins-playing-at-elite-level)

I'm interested in anything Mark Rypien has to say.

Stats don't lie I've always said this, so I agree kirk is playing like a top 5 QB right now. Honestly who is playing better? R Wilson and cam newton that's about all I got. Palmer maybe that's it though

I doubted him, I thought he might turn into a serviceable place holder as McCloughan built a team and after he got the meat of the team the way he wanted, then he would find the franchise QB. I think I even called him Rex Grossman 2.0 early in the season. I am so glad I was so wrong. What an awesome surprise, we may already have our franchise QB. That puts us at least 2 years ahead of schedule.

Why do I say may? Well, because the last time I let myself be this excited about our QB, it was RG3. In 2012 I thought,(having suffered through Schuler, Frerotte, Ramsey, and Campbell) FINALLY, a young franchise QB! He was a sure thing, I mean look what he had done, and he was just a rookie! Skies the limit, he's possibly a future HOF, he's changing the position, and he will only get better as he learns to be a pocket passer! Also, the team seemed to love playing with him, and he had a personality (unlike Jason Campbell *cough* *cough*). We were just beginning a new golden age of the Redskins. And then . . .

Ok, so I'm trying not to have my heartbroken again, but to me this time it feels different. I think he might be the one. Let me count the reasons:

1."You Like That!" most importantly he is passionate, which is just so fun to watch and route for, it kind of reminds me of watching Favre. God knows I'm acting like a maniac after a TD or a big win, and I want a QB that is pumped. He certainly matches and probably exceeds my level of passion as a fan, and I like that!

2. He's a pocket passer. He doesn't need to completely reinvent his style of play to progress as a QB. Even if he stops developing right now, and has this level of production (past 10 games) going forward he will be the best QB we've ever had, and be top 5 - 10 in the league.

3. I don't hold my breath every time he steps back in the pocket, or gets hit, or scrambles . . .

4. The whole team is inspired by him, not just likes him and thinks he's talented. He has won the whole team over and it shows, and they all seem to be having a blast!

If next season goes as we all are imagining it will right now, I think I'll be ready to commit.

HTTR

I would not worry about him breaking your heart like Griff. KC-1 is built to last.

It's hard to argue that Kirk is playing at an elite level right now. The biggest question, and this really goes for the entire team and not just Kirk, is whether they truly turned a corner a month ago or are the stats on offense severely inflated due to the level of competition they've faced to close the season.

It doesn't really matter for the rest of this season because playoff win or not, 9-7/winning the division is way exceeding expectations.

However because of the results, the expectations going into 2017 are going to end up being similar to 2013 where it is automatically expected the team is going to be 2-3 wins better, a playoff team, deeper run in post-season.

It's hard to argue that Kirk is playing at an elite level right now. The biggest question, and this really goes for the entire team and not just Kirk, is whether they truly turned a corner a month ago or are the stats on offense severely inflated due to the level of competition they've faced to close the season.

It doesn't really matter for the rest of this season because playoff win or not, 9-7/winning the division is way exceeding expectations.

However because of the results, the expectations going into 2017 are going to end up being similar to 2013 where it is automatically expected the team is going to be 2-3 wins better, a playoff team, deeper run in post-season.

Well said.

I will add, if KC and the offense puts up 24+ points (geez I'm easy to please) against a quality opponent like GB, then I will lose the last shred of skepticism.

I have no doubt that the next draft will add talent, and I expect it will add it at the right places. I also believe that we will make good choices with respect to all the returning players, including KC. All of that will lead to a better team next year.

Here are our last 4 opponents, (Total D rank, opponent, passing D rank)
14 Chi 4
19 Buf 19
30 Phi 28
17 Dal 5

Here is our path to the SB (+ Seattle)
15 GB 6
6 Car 11
5 Arz 8
2 Sea 2

Dallas didn't play us like a top 5 passing D(shocked me to see that), and Chicago we won by the Skins of our teeth.

IF KC's progression is real, then these next 2-4 games will bear it out, if not, then 1 and out will will provide fodder for the summer

I think what jumps out the most over the last month was the aggressiveness in the play-calling. I really think the Gruden & McVay might have done some reconsidering after that loss to Dallas where it looked like their game plan was to simply outlast a mediocre opponent.

Contrast that to how we played in the 2nd game, where it was go out and attack and score as much as you can, as early as you can. I know Sean Lee was missing from the game, but it's not like it was the running game that made any kind of difference early in that anyway which is where Lee shines the most.

It really makes you wonder how different this offense could have possibly looked early in the season if Cousins had a full camp taking 1st team reps. There is no way we lose that home opener to Miami in that fashion.