Discussing the potential future benching og RG3

[Boone]

I wasn't commenting on his performance. Cousins has shone at times, and looked entirely average at times. I'm not sure what we've really got in him. But I think this 2nd injury for Robert (if it truly is season-ending) means we have to secure Kirk for the long haul and can't let him go if it looks like he can really be a starter.

 

[Special K]

Without the MRI results, it's hard to know if RG3 is out for the season. The most hopeful estimates I've come across from various orthopedic specialists are that he would be out only 8 weeks. I have a hard time believing it's "only" a dislocated ankle though, and suspect they're going to find some ligament damage with this MRI and he's going to be out longer than 8 weeks. Who knows though. The point is I agree with John in that we need to re-up Cousins' contract and keep him in Washington for the future.

 

[Ax]

One things for sure, Cousins won't be dissected with the ignorance Robert always is. The haters would be focused on how so many passes were high/behind the receivers, and it was mostly "great catches" of lousy throws.

Kirk was good. I have no doubt that Robert was gonna do the same, or better.

I hope to continue to see the Kirk from yesterday, and the Cleveland game 2012, and not the second coming of Rex Grossman we saw at the end of last year.

HTTR

 

[Cycleans]

Actually Griffin was doing just fine right up to his injury...The Texans have a far better defense than the Jags. I think we should enjoy the end of the 9 game losing streak but temper the enthusiasm until we play the Eagles next week. Cousins looks more comfortable than Robert regardless. I've said it before and I'll say it again I don't care who is our Qb. I want a division title. Last season Cousins got a chance to show he could play at this level...Were the woes on pass pro on Robert? Evidently not...at least not solely, That's fine, that told anyone without an agenda that we needed a new Coaching staff and personnel.
I for one will be happy for the team and us fans to take a break from the RG3 " Is he a bust or does he need more time.?" The question remains but we can focus on winning the division without the circus atmosphere.

 

[fansince62]

I wasn't commenting on his performance. Cousins has shone at times, and looked entirely average at times. I'm not sure what we've really got in him. But I think this 2nd injury for Robert (if it truly is season-ending) means we have to secure Kirk for the long haul and can't let him go if it looks like he can really be a starter.

Cousins would want to have to stay. If I'm Kirk...when the time comes....and RG remains the future...I'm outta here. Next contract is his big chance:

- starting QB

- big salary

Skins can't afford two starting QB salaries. A trade, IMO, is more likely for one of these guys.

 

[MikeSr619]

hate to say it but we won't get nearly as much for Griffin as we would Cousins. He is now an injury prone QB by reputation whether warranted or not. He has had 2 ACL surgeries and a dislocated ankle. That just screams red flags.

I don't think either can or will command a big salary though when it comes time to sign with us or anyone else. Neither have proven to be worth top tier money. I think they will get around journeyman to upper level but nothing like Krapperneck, Flacco, or any of the top QBs.

 

[Goaldeje]

Cousins would want to have to stay. If I'm Kirk...when the time comes....and RG remains the future...I'm outta here. Next contract is his big chance:

- starting QB

- big salary

Skins can't afford two starting QB salaries. A trade, IMO, is more likely for one of these guys.

Agree, but which one? Cousins would be easier to trade right now, or after the season (assuming he doesn't crap the bed), but if he plays well enough to earn the starting job, what do we do with Griff?

 

[Primus Porcus]

The next 5 weeks is going to be a HUGE determining factor as to what happens with this franchise heading forward. Next week if Cousins can hang with Philly and then the Monday Night game against SEA are the two big tests. I think Griff has the skillset, the heart, and the drive... but I'm seriously starting to question the durability. This is something I've pushed back against and argued to no end with people about, and I'm sorry to say but it's not looking good for him and his future as an NFL QB. I hope and pray he can come back and be what we've all wanted him to be, but the future is looking less bright by the game. Gruden did not draft either one of these guys, so he has an open choice here. If Cousins comes out and plays well, it might currently be his job to lose... not the other way around.

 

[MattFancy]

The next 5 weeks is going to be a HUGE determining factor as to what happens with this franchise heading forward. Next week if Cousins can hang with Philly and then the Monday Night game against SEA are the two big tests. I think Griff has the skillset, the heart, and the drive... but I'm seriously starting to question the durability. This is something I've pushed back against and argued to no end with people about, and I'm sorry to say but it's not looking good for him and his future as an NFL QB. I hope and pray he can come back and be what we've all wanted him to be, but the future is looking less bright by the game. Gruden did not draft either one of these guys, so he has an open choice here. If Cousins comes out and plays well, it might currently be his job to lose... not the other way around.

Alot of it comes down to how Cousins plays the next few weeks. If Griff is out for at least 4 weeks, that means Cosuins gets games against the Eagles, Giants, Seahawks and Cardinals. 3 playoff contenders in that bunch. If he can play well in all 4 of those games, it may be his job the rest of the season. I think he'll need to go 3-1 to have a legit argument to keep it. I sitll think it's Griff's job, but Cousins could, COULD, win it if he plays well.

Now with all that said, keep in mind Cousins is still at 58% career passer with a 1:1 TD:INT ratio. He looked good yesterday, but the Jags have been outscored 75-10 in their last 6 quarters. They aren't a team going anywhere this year. I want to see him do it against better teams. Remember he looked great against Atlanta last year in 1st start before falling apart against the Cowboys and Giants. I'm taking a wait and see approach with Cousins. I want him to do well, but I'm not willing to crown him yet.

 

[Primus Porcus]

Alot of it comes down to how Cousins plays the next few weeks. If Griff is out for at least 4 weeks, that means Cosuins gets games against the Eagles, Giants, Seahawks and Cardinals. 3 playoff contenders in that bunch. If he can play well in all 4 of those games, it may be his job the rest of the season. I think he'll need to go 3-1 to have a legit argument to keep it. I sitll think it's Griff's job, but Cousins could, COULD, win it if he plays well.

Now with all that said, keep in mind Cousins is still at 58% career passer with a 1:1 TD:INT ratio. He looked good yesterday, but the Jags have been outscored 75-10 in their last 6 quarters. They aren't a team going anywhere this year. I want to see him do it against better teams. Remember he looked great against Atlanta last year in 1st start before falling apart against the Cowboys and Giants. I'm taking a wait and see approach with Cousins. I want him to do well, but I'm not willing to crown him yet.

yeah... so you're agreeing with me?

 

[Cycleans]

Let's hope we can come out with one franchise QB...Does it really Matter which one...It's not as thought the Rams have done much with the picks...
I will hope and support Cousins just as I would for Griffin.

hate to say it but we won't get nearly as much for Griffin as we would Cousins. He is now an injury prone QB by reputation whether warranted or not. He has had 2 ACL surgeries and a dislocated ankle. That just screams red flags.

I don't think either can or will command a big salary though when it comes time to sign with us or anyone else. Neither have proven to be worth top tier money. I think they will get around journeyman to upper level but nothing like Krapperneck, Flacco, or any of the top QBs.

 

[MattFancy]

Sounds like on Twitter that he could be back in 4-6 weeks.

 

[Primus Porcus]

If im not mistaken his MRI was scheduled for Noon today... If that's correct, then he's still got half his body in the machine. Early speculation was 6 weeks but based on what I saw, it would be an act of god if he didnt do any serious damage. I would imagine we'll get a better, more solid prediction during east coast rush hour.

 

[Boone]

Cousins would want to have to stay. If I'm Kirk...when the time comes....and RG remains the future...I'm outta here. Next contract is his big chance:

- starting QB

- big salary

Skins can't afford two starting QB salaries. A trade, IMO, is more likely for one of these guys.

Valid points for sure. We are in a pretty big jam. Our choices are a) to continue to operate as if Kirk is a temporary solution, destined to go be a starter elsewhere, or b) try to sign him to a long-term contract as insurance against Robert not fully recovering or continuing to experience injuries. Both viewpoints are problematic.

Option A is obviously an 'all-in' on Robert. You could make the argument that Griffin has just been unlucky. This year will be the first time he's missed significant playing time due to injury since becoming a Redskin. I'm not glossing over the two major injuries he's had, but he did come back from the first one in record time - and then was gutted almost universally because he played poorly. If you view Griffin's injury as more 'bad luck' (or possibly being misused in the read option) then he's still a franchise QB in the waiting, and it's reasonable to wait for him to recover and perhaps let Kirk move on when his first contract ends.

Option B would be a reflection of a belief that Griffin just lacks the durability to be a long-term NFL QB - period and that it is inevitable that we find his replacement. If we currently believe (or at some point this season become convinced) that Kirk is that guy, then we have to sign him to a long-term deal. I understand the 'we can't afford 2 starting QBs' reality, but a Cousins contract will never be cheaper than it would be right now. If we do that, you are probably right - it would mean moving on from RG3 eventually.

I just don't see the team ready to go to Option B. Not yet.

 

[Goaldeje]

I keep coming back to Matthew Stafford, who missed significant chunks of time in several early seasons and now is considered one of the better QBs in the league, without durability questions. If Griff has just been unlucky, I think we stick with him. He can simply do things Kirk cannot do. To me, this injury is a freak accident. He had been playing well, avoiding contact, is running to get out of bounds or throw a late pass to avoid more contact and landed funny on his ankle. I'm not sure we should try to draw more from it than that.

 

[Boone]

That's where I land too Goal. Fans talk incessantly about our front office lacking 'patience' and the continuous upheaval we've seen with revolving doors at the coaching spots, at QB, and at nearly every other position. This is where we as fans need to show patience.

 

[Chris]

Keim reporting no fracture, no surgery.

 

[Fear The Spear]

He can simply do things Kirk cannot do.

At the same time, Kirk does things very well, that Griffin does not.

To me, this injury is a freak accident. He had been playing well, avoiding contact, is running to get out of bounds or throw a late pass to avoid more contact and landed funny on his ankle.

He has a known habit of "landing funny". Which IMO makes him injury prone, and not a random victim of "freak accidents"

 

[Boone]

He never gives up on a play, and at times puts himself at risk for contact that isn't necessary - that's a reasonable criticism. But 'known habit of landing funny'? Can you tell me of another time he's 'landed funny' and hurt himself? If you don't call yesterday's injury a freak one, then what WOULD constitute a freak injury?

There are plenty of legitimate reasons to critique Griffin, but I don't think the injury yesterday was of his doing.

 

[Boone]

Keim reporting no fracture, no surgery.

That would be awesome news if accurate! Don't know what kind of recovery period he is looking at but it's got to be a positive that there is no fracture.

Katie - any idea if this is the kind of injury that can become a chronic or recurring thing? Just wondering if once you've dislocated your ankle if you're more prone to it (as you are with a separated shoulder for example)?