Kirk Cousins Development Tracker

[stevenaa]

I have to disagree with this. The one thing that gets over looked, often when people don't see games in person, is that the only receiver that gets open consistently past 15 yards in Desean Jackson. Even Garcon has a difficult time separating from the defenders down the field. And no, Jamison Crowder as good as he's been, does not get open past 15 yards.

Grant and Ross are exactly what they are, late round draft picks who cannot get past 4th or 5th on the depth chart for a reason, they're just not that good.

Andre Roberts? No.

We need someone big, strong and fast to take pressure of Garcon's double teams, other than Desean.

Thanks El. I've been wanting to hear some first hand accounts. We don't hear the media claiming he's missing a bunch of open receivers, so my take has been the receivers aren't getting it done. I don't think the game plan is pared down by Gruden to limit mistakes by Kirk.

 

[Chris]

Crowder, being primarily a slot receiver, should be able to consistently gain separation on the quick under routes like Amendola, Edelman, Welker do. His job isn't necessarily to be running 15 yards + routes.

 

[Elephant]

I can agree with all that, though our offensive production hasn't generally been much of an issue this year. Looking at the big picture, it seems to me that maybe the D needs more help than the O.

At critical times, it gets shut down...late in games we have a lead, they tend to have untimely 3 and outs.

 

[Elephant]

Crowder, being primarily a slot receiver, should be able to consistently gain separation on the quick under routes like Amendola, Edelman, Welker do. His job isn't necessarily to be running 15 yards + routes.

Which is fine, he is good at it, and will only get better. I agree and do not fault him, mostly...it's the other guys who can't get open Grant and Ross especially. With Ross' speed, he I just don't understand how he can't get separation, but he can't. At least Aldrich Robinson could get open...some of the time.

 

[servumtuum]

Which is fine, he is good at it, and will only get better. I agree and do not fault him, mostly...it's the other guys who can't get open Grant and Ross especially. With Ross' speed, he I just don't understand how he can't get separation, but he can't. At least Aldrich Robinson could get open...some of the time.

Thinking about the problem you mention about Ross not being able to get open I wonder if perhaps his speed-which differs from both quickness and agility-is his main strength and the ability to make the kind of sudden change-of-direction movements that can shake off a defender simply isn't one of the components in his physical skills set.

 

[Elephant]

Thinking about the problem you mention about Ross not being able to get open I wonder if perhaps his speed-which differs from both quickness and agility-is his main strength and the ability to make the kind of sudden change-of-direction movements that can shake off a defender simply isn't one of the components in his physical skills set.

I have to think it's a simple inability to run routes properly. Remember Renaldo Nehemiah?

 

[TomE]

More from Keim on Kirk

Here’s the thing: The Redskins are 6-7 with an inconsistent running game and a defense that has undergone many changes because of injuries. Part of the credit absolutely must go to Cousins. In the last seven games he’s thrown 12 touchdowns and three interceptions (the Redskins are 4-3 in that time). He still has a lot to prove and you can debate how good you think he’ll be -- or how much he should be paid after the season. But, for now, he’s giving the Redskins what they (mostly) need. The two words I hear most when talking to football types about Cousins: inconsistent (those who aren't sold) and efficient.

lots mo' at da page

 

[McD5]

Think back to before this season began.

Now check out this stat: Kirk Cousins has thrown for more yards this year than each of the following QBs.

Cam Newton
Aaron Rodgers
Russell Wilson
Andy Dalton
Ben Roethlisberger
Peyton Manning
Andrew Luck
Jameis Winston
Jay Cutler

Think he's overperformed? Think he's progressing? Backup? We're blessed to have this guy as our QB.

 

[fansince62]

Guess we'll find out next year when we aren't playing a bottom dweller schedule.

he is kinda dreamy though....you're right!

 

[Fear The Spear]

Guess we'll find out next year when we aren't playing a bottom dweller schedule.

Played against this year's #1 NFC team, and this year's #1 AFC team.

Another key thing : rating a strength of schedule is so mis-leading, since it was based on the team's previous year's record. And we all know that teams can make dramatic turnarounds, in either direction, in just one year.

A "bottom-dweller" schedule which plays against a particular team, for example, that was in last place in their division last year, could actually be a first-place division leader, by the time you play them, for example.

 

[Neophyte]

Think back to before this season began.

Now check out this stat: Kirk Cousins has thrown for more yards this year than each of the following QBs.

Cam Newton
Aaron Rodgers
Russell Wilson
Andy Dalton
Ben Roethlisberger
Peyton Manning
Andrew Luck
Jameis Winston
Jay Cutler

Think he's overperformed? Think he's progressing? Backup? We're blessed to have this guy as our QB.

I don't want to minimize what Kirk has done because I am impressed but lets be fair shall we?

Cam Newton - conservative run first offense that lost it's biggest receiving threat in pre-season
Aaron Rodgers - lost top receiver in pre-season and that offense has not looked right all year
Russell Wilson - run first offense until just a couple weeks ago
Andy Dalton - legit surprise here, I would have thought he was ahead of Kirk
Ben Roethlisberger - missed nearly 5 games with injury
Peyton Manning - missed 4 games with injury and is shell of himself even when healthy
Andrew Luck - missed 6 games with injury
Jameis Winston - rookie with injuries to both starting WRs
Jay Cutler - is well...Jay Cutler and has had an injury riddled WR and TE corp

Kirk has played well. I grant you that but lets not get all excited about yards vs other guys when throwing has been the only way this team could move the ball and those other guys have been either injured or playing handicapped.

 

[McD5]

You make valid points Bob. You always do.

But if it was before the season began, and someone told you that Cousins was going to throw for more yards than:

Cam--The NFL MVP this season.
Dalton--A top 5 candidate for MVP this season.
Luck--The best young QB in many years.
And Aaron Rodgers?

We would have said "sign me up!" We literally would have been going crazy.

Now I'm not saying that he's Tom Brady......but this "he's a good backup" nonsense is exactly that--nonsense.

He's at least an average STARTING QB in the league. Some could argue that he's an above average starting QB.

And I'm not some Cousins homer. It just seems so dark in here sometimes. Bizarro world, honestly. We've got a good QB, but a loud minority that still seems to be upset about the benching of RG3 would tell you otherwise if you didn't know better.

He's had a very good season. He seems to be part of the solution--not a problem.

 

[Bulldog]

Bottom feeder schedule?

The division is down this year granted but mainly because of all of the injuries Dallas has had. I didn't see the Giants or Eagles as being very good this year in any case.

But the road schedule has been brutal. New England when they were undefeated. Carolina when they were undefeated. The Jets when they were 5-3 and the Redskins had 11 players out of the lineup.

The Redskins are a middling football team, one that has some talent but also has a number of big holes.

That means we are going to beat the bad teams most of the time, the decent teams some of the time and the really good teams not very often

And for the most part that is what we have done.

Actually, Cousins is MORE challenged now to try and get 'W''s for this team.

People talk about what he may or may not do with more talent to work with and a better defense to hold a lead.

But, it's the fact he has consistently brought the team back in winnable games to a late touchdown or field goal to salt away the win, get the team to OT or make the other team score with near no time on the clock to hand us a loss.

In my mind it will be easier for the qb with a more experienced OL with some upgrades at OC and LG; some youth and size at WR; and a back that is a threat to turn the edge on a defense.

If he gets those things he won't be the reason we don't make the playoffs or continue to improve. Far from it.

 

[fansince62]

Played against this year's #1 NFC team, and this year's #1 AFC team.

Another key thing : rating a strength of schedule is so mis-leading, since it was based on the team's previous year's record. And we all know that teams can make dramatic turnarounds, in either direction, in just one year.

A "bottom-dweller" schedule which plays against a particular team, for example, that was in last place in their division last year, could actually be a first-place division leader, by the time you play them, for example.

why yes...there is that chance! as it turns out.....the teams we played this year were weak.....guess the NFL played the averages smartly. the two teams we played with winning records...toyed with us.

in the event...as posted.....I'll reserve judgement on the boy with dreamy eyes until I see him perform under previously described conditions. others are free to under/over estimate actual abilities as they choose!

 

[Elephant]

why yes...there is that chance! as it turns out.....the teams we played this year were weak.....guess the NFL played the averages smartly. the two teams we played with winning records...toyed with us.

in the event...as posted.....I'll reserve judgement on the boy with dreamy eyes until I see him perform under previously described conditions. others are free to under/over estimate actual abilities as they choose!

You realize the prevailing tide of opinion on Cousins is changing rapidly away from your strongly held conception. But...I know someone who held onto a strong belief.

 

[fansince62]

You make valid points Bob. You always do.

But if it was before the season began, and someone told you that Cousins was going to throw for more yards than:

Cam--The NFL MVP this season.
Dalton--A top 5 candidate for MVP this season.
Luck--The best young QB in many years.
And Aaron Rodgers?

We would have said "sign me up!" We literally would have been going crazy.

Now I'm not saying that he's Tom Brady......but this "he's a good backup" nonsense is exactly that--nonsense.

He's at least an average STARTING QB in the league. Some could argue that he's an above average starting QB.

And I'm not some Cousins homer. It just seems so dark in here sometimes. Bizarro world, honestly. We've got a good QB, but a loud minority that still seems to be upset about the benching of RG3 would tell you otherwise if you didn't know better.

He's had a very good season. He seems to be part of the solution--not a problem.

no we wouldn't. we'd be wondering who is producing more production in terms of TDs out of those yards and who has a winning record driven by all those yards.

 

[Boone]

Cousins has performed better than 90% of those here predicted he would. And he's done it on a team that's had a ton of injuries and has struggled to field starters at some spots for most of the year. Yeah, other teams have injuries - but we've had more than our share. Overall, Cousins has shown grit, fire, and more than a little talent and competence.

I really don't have any need to argue with anyone who disagrees - because you're either not watching games, or you don't want to see what's obvious to most.

 

[Fear The Spear]

Cousins has performed better than 90% of those here predicted he would.

I am absolutely in the 10%.
And beyond that, I've been a 10%er for far longer than 100% of the rest of you 10%ers !!!

 

[Chris]

I will readily admit that I was one that categorized Cousins as nothing more than a decent career backup weeks ago. His development, growth, and performance exhibited since that time has changed my opinion. I now see him as an average NFL starting QB at worst and am optimistic that he has a reasonable chance to continue to improve.

 

[Goaldeje]

I am absolutely in the 10%.
And beyond that, I've been a 10%er for far longer than 100% of the rest of you 10%ers !!!

Congrats, and don't strain yourself too much.

I will readily admit that I was one that categorized Cousins as nothing more than a decent career backup weeks ago. His development, growth, and performance exhibited since that time has changed my opinion. I now see him as an average NFL starting QB at worst and am optimistic that he has a reasonable chance to continue to improve.

Me too. I am unequivocally in this boat. As Tr1 said recently, I transferred some of my frustration in the way Gruden effed up the Griffin situation last year unfairly on to Cousins. Cousins had nothing to do with that, and deserved better than what I gave him. I still struggle when I see him compared to Newton, Rodgers, etc, because I don't think he is in that class. But I can certainly live with a Dalton/Stafford/Tannehill type-player.

Having said that, I don't think FS's position is that unreasonable. We've been destroyed against Brady and Newton this year, with Kirk being unable to muster much of anything against either team. Until he makes that jump, some criticism is fair game, imo.