Is the Redskins' Window starting to Open?

[ethat001]

Originally Posted by SirLK26

Yeah Kirk and Foles are on different levels, just based on my eyes. Foles never had me convinced while Cousins looks like the real thing.

My holdup is last years weak schedule and the fact we never beat a team with a winning record. I don't think it was a fluke season exactly but I would say we overachieved. Doubt we take a big enough step forward to be a serious Super Bowl contender this time around. Give it another year and the window will be wide open. Although if Kirk really is legit we should be a playoff contender again

NFL.com (8/13/2014): Nick Foles' growth has QB, Eagles facing sky-high expectations
Bleacher Report (6/30/2014): Is Nick Foles Already a Top-10 Quarterback?
4for4.com (7/26/2014): Nick Foles Has a Shot at Being Fantasy Football's #1 QB
(7/24/2014): Is Nick Foles the next Super Star Quarterback ?

Fun to look back at the headlines from 2014 and put things in perspective. Their optimism in 2014 seems eerily similar to ours this year for Cousins.

BUT -- Completely agree Cousins seems different completely than Foles. Not a gimmick system, has great weapons / O-line stability / elite TE that should make things stable this year. And most importantly, we have Scott McC as GM instead of crazy Chip Kelly who got rid of the WRs/RBs and destroyed the team.

[Meks]

Cousins has been better than Foles since college, foles arm stregnth was always his best asset. Kirks a more cerebral student of the game and athletically he is just fine as well. IMO hes way ahead of foles and will continue to distance himself from these types of qbs

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by That Guy

the offense was good enough until the playoff game where kirk went into super safe mode. so it really hinges on defensive improvement.

Kirk did that, or the offensive playcalling overall did that?

I think it was a strategic reaction by Gruden, McVay and Cousins deciding they had to get the ball out quick because the Packers pass rush was all over the place. Clay Matthews and Peppers gave us a hard time.

Which gets to your point about defensive improvement. There's such a difference between teams that bring consistent heat on the passer and teams that don't. We need Galette to wreck shop.

[Skinzman]

I think it is safe to say that the window is starting to open. It is certainly not fully open, but its getting there. You dont go from a dysfunctional team to the Super Bowl in one offseason. I think some good steps were made last year, and I believe we will take a few more this year. I like both draft classes from McC, although we havent seen this current one on the field yet so its hard to judge. But on paper, it looks good.

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Kirk did that, or the offensive playcalling overall did that?

I think it was a strategic reaction by Gruden, McVay and Cousins deciding they had to get the ball out quick because the Packers pass rush was all over the place. Clay Matthews and Peppers gave us a hard time.

Which gets to your point about defensive improvement. There's such a difference between teams that bring consistent heat on the passer and teams that don't. We need Galette to wreck shop.

i'd have to go back and watch it, but at the time i remember thinking that kirk looked like a guy playing to protect his stats rather than win the game (ie, 5 yard completions on 3rd and 10, etc).

other guys outplayed us, so maybe it's moot, i just remember being a bit disappointed there.

[KI Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by That Guy

i'd have to go back and watch it, but at the time i remember thinking that kirk looked like a guy playing to protect his stats rather than win the game (ie, 5 yard completions on 3rd and 10, etc).

other guys outplayed us, so maybe it's moot, i just remember being a bit disappointed there.

Do you still think that? I hope not.

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by KI Skins Fan

Do you still think that? I hope not.

for that game (only that game) i did. it was like, his personal version of martyball. we're months removed now, and i'm not really going to go find and rewatch a playoff loss just to confirm that.

I don't have any issues with kirk or any hesitation that he's the guy going forward though.

[PaRedskins44]

The Redskins have had some tough seasons and very good seasons. As a Redskins fan, I always feel that window of winning is always open to us. Its all on the team to play tough, make plays, and score points. Hope for as many little injury's as possible and make each game as meaningful as it is in a playoff game.

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by PaRedskins44

The Redskins have had some tough seasons and very good seasons. As a Redskins fan, I always feel that window of winning is always open to us. Its all on the team to play tough, make plays, and score points. Hope for as many little injury's as possible and make each game as meaningful as it is in a playoff game.

Welcome PA! I always feel the same way...I get pissed if we aren't in the playoffs every year.

[Skins4L]

I mean we're on the rise IMO. With the draft we just had.. Doctson is gonna be a stud, Cravens too. Then you add Josh Norman, Vernon Davis, Kendall Reyes. I think we're in good shape as long as Kirk keeps making sure we Like That.

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Kirk did that, or the offensive playcalling overall did that?

I think it was a strategic reaction by Gruden, McVay and Cousins deciding they had to get the ball out quick because the Packers pass rush was all over the place. Clay Matthews and Peppers gave us a hard time.

Which gets to your point about defensive improvement. There's such a difference between teams that bring consistent heat on the passer and teams that don't. We need Galette to wreck shop.

I am like a kid in a candy shop waiting for him to get out there

[Hog1]

Experts rank Washington Redskins tops in NFC East for next three years - Washington Redskins Blog- ESPN

Nice.........

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

Need to Know: Is the Redskins’ window open? | Rich Tandler's Real Redskins

Superbowl starting to come into focus??!!

Interesting question poise by Tandler, is it legit? I believe it is based on several things:

1) McCloughan - First the first time during the Snyder Regime, we are finally run like a professional football team in every aspect of the franchise.

2) Cousins - Pro Style QB who learned not only Jay's system but also learned how to lead a team into the playoffs. I don't see a step back and even a plateau wouldn't be a team killer.

3) Romo and Manning are in the back end of their careers and the supporting structures within those squads aren't strong enough to carry the load. IE the defense cant carry the offense or the coaching staffs cant out scheme the deficiencies lacking on the team. Philly is in transition and are generally a mess.

The window opening depends on the improving defense and my guess with the addition of Cravens, Norman, Fuller and Gallette we will certainly see an improvement.


Is the window opening, open, or still closed?

I would say it's starting to open. Still a lot of question marks, especially on the d-line and inside lb. The drafted players need to keep progressing plus we need another solid draft next year. Add in a couple free agents in the mix and we're well on our way.

Love how SM is running things. We might have a worse record than last year. 7 or 8 wins could be a possibility. Snyder just needs to stay patient. We're building something here...

I would disagree with Manning. He's still in the prime of his career and has had no injuries. Plus he has one of the best wr's in the game.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I'm also with people saying let's see it one more year. We've seen this song and dance before: win the division only to suck donkey balls the next couple years. This FEELS different and my cynicism is lower than it has been in years, but just need to see it one more year.

[punch it in]

The window certainly is not painted and rusted shut anymore, but I remain cautiously optimistic.