McNally: Kirk Cousins’ three-game audition doesn’t yield too many favorable answers

[tshile]

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — It was a golden chance for Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins, but his three-game audition as the starting quarterback simply raised more questions than it answered.

After a second consecutive rough week, this time at MetLife Stadium in a 20-6 loss to the New York Giants, any hopes that Cousins had raised his trade value appear dashed. That was one of the goals Washington coach Mike Shanahan stated publicly when he decided to bench quarterback Robert Griffin III for the final three games against Atlanta, Dallas and the Giants. It didn’t work out as planned.

Albeit in a driving rain, Cousins completed just 19 of 49 passes for 169 yards against New York. He fumbled with his team inside the 20 and driving for the go-ahead score in the third quarter. He was also intercepted twice.

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Kirk Cousins' three-game audition doesn't yield too many favorable answers - Washington Times

 

[Elephant]

I'm not worried about this sample, he was solid in 2 games and had a tough game in terrible weather when the OC seemed to be throwing the team to the wolves.

Regardless, his greatest value is staying with this team for another year.

 

[fansince62]

IMO..he got progressively WORSE.

expected better.

career backup.


yea, yea, yea...too soon to tell.

 

[Bulldog]

Amusing.

Weren't we all saying the same thing about Nick Foles this time last year?

I remember Joe Montana starting a game in 1980 against the Cowboys where SF was roasted 51-7 and he looked awful. The team finished 6-10 with Jie at the end of the year.

They went 13-3 in 1981 and beat Dallas in the playoffs.

3 games for Cousins?

How about Griffin? If he had looked like this last year after 3 games would you be calling him a bust?

What I don 't get is some players get a very long lead here with fans to improve while you all write off others after a cameo appearance.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

I have a fear that the more we see of Cousins, the more holes we will see in his game. I still believe that the less they could give teams to look at him, the higher his value would be in a trade. His doesn't have any special skills. He's just like 50 other QBs in the league. Maybe he'll develop into a great QB, or maybe he will an average QB, or will be a career backup, or maybe he will be out of the league in a couple of years, or something else. Who knows. Time will tell. We just can't turn that 4th round pick into a 1st or 2nd rounder just yet.

 

[Elephant]

I have a fear that the more we see of Cousins, the more holes we will see in his game. I still believe that the less they could give teams to look at him, the higher his value would be in a trade. His doesn't have any special skills. He's just like 50 other QBs in the league. Maybe he'll develop into a great QB, or maybe he will an average QB, or will be a career backup, or maybe he will be out of the league in a couple of years, or something else. Who knows. Time will tell. We just can't turn that 4th round pick into a 1st or 2nd rounder just yet.

But for now, his greatest value is backing up Griffin until we are certain Griffin is playing the way most think he can.

 

[Cycleans]

I don't think any qb will do well behind this Oline.Lots of dropped passes again as well.

 

[fansince62]

Amusing.

Weren't we all saying the same thing about Nick Foles this time last year?

I remember Joe Montana starting a game in 1980 against the Cowboys where SF was roasted 51-7 and he looked awful. The team finished 6-10 with Jie at the end of the year.

They went 13-3 in 1981 and beat Dallas in the playoffs.

3 games for Cousins?

How about Griffin? If he had looked like this last year after 3 games would you be calling him a bust?

What I don 't get is some players get a very long lead here with fans to improve while you all write off others after a cameo appearance.

but it's not 3 games. it's been two years. not saying he's a dreg. saying I was not impressed. too many un-forced errors. too many bad passes. int machine. fumbles. if I am going to call Butterball out for this - I'm going to call Cousins out as well.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

But for now, his greatest value is backing up Griffin until we are certain Griffin is playing the way most think he can.

Agreed. We can hope Griffin gets to where he needs to be and Cousins can just wait behind him as insurance.

 

[Bulldog]

it is 3 games. you learn by playing. Cousins started one game last season.

we have no idea what he is capable of good or bad if the Redskins actually fielded a team early in the season with a scheme suited to what he does well.

but many fans here are losing sight of what is important.

If Griffin is the franchise qb of the future, then the next year or two are an opportunity for Cousins to help us win games when Robert is injured.

it's not an either/or.

We are not saying Cousins is going to be here instead of Griffin.

But what I am saying is that I think you are selling him way short based on 3 meaningless games where most of the players mailed in their performances.

I don't think Griffin would have won this game either.

Not with Robinson and Moss dropping passes, Morris fumbling and the defense turning Jernigan into a star despite the fact he is the Giants #4 receiver.

 

[Boone]

I don't think most here would disagree Bulldog. Cousins biggest value to this team has always been as a good capable backup. Not as trade bait. And yes he is still learning. And yes, there was no real logic in expecting him to shine in an offense that has struggled mightily all year.

 

[Fear The Spear]

I think this is a good thing. This probably means he stays for at least a while. Which is good.
He's a capable backup, at least, which is hard to find.
And I'd prefer to have that, than an extra draft pick that could end up being a bust, while we simultaneously have to go out and look for a new solid backup.

 

[Bulldog]

and that's why Moss said that Cousins was being set up to fail.

you put a guy out there on a downward trending club for a series of meaningless games when the coach is on a week to week watch for being fired.

I don't know of many guys that would succeed under these circumstances.

Shanahan talking about trading Cousins for a #1 pick was an irresponsible comment.

First, it put pressure on Cousins. Unnecessary pressure.

Second, it made it seem as if the club couldn't wait to package Kirk to another club, something I don't believe.

You saw what happened to the Packers without Aaron Rodgers with Scott Tolzien and Seneca Wallace starting?

We all saw the mess in New York with the Jets.

You need TWO quarterbacks to be a consistent winner in the NFL these days. Those teams that have capable backups are few and far between.

Last night the Cowboys second quarterback was 41 year old Jon Kitna, who had been teaching high school math

 

[Boone]

Last night the Cowboys second quarterback was 41 year old Jon Kitna, who had been teaching high school math

Actually, Orton as a backup proves your point. He was one bad pass away from doing what their starter hasn't been able to do. Final score aside, Orton is exactly the kind of capable backup you need if your starter goes down.

 

[Bulldog]

Yes, Orton played well. If Murray doesn't fumble on the opening drive in Eagles territory, Dallas has the winning points.

And Jones is paying Orton $3M to be the backup.

We have a low cost alternative in Kirk Cousins who still has 2 years on his rookie deal.

 

[Fear The Spear]

The other good news from this, is that it gives more confirmation for the reasoning of RG3's struggles.
Perhaps Cousins' struggled for mostly the same reasoning that RG3 did - the lack of protection - and not lack of his own talent.
Which is a good thing, because it means once we get our Line taken care of, that maybe RG3 really can be that franchise QB we hoped for, and that his performance this season was not an indication of his actual NFL talent level.

 

[RG3 Fan]

The other good news from this, is that it gives more confirmation for the reasoning of RG3's struggles.
Perhaps Cousins' struggled for mostly the same reasoning that RG3 did - the lack of protection - and not lack of his own talent.
Which is a good thing, because it means once we get our Line taken care of, that maybe RG3 really can be that franchise QB we hoped for, and that his performance this season was not an indication of his actual NFL talent level.

I agree wholeheartedly, plus the need for better receivers. In my opinion on most teams Garcon is the only receiver who would start. Way too many dropped passes this year. True that some were due to bad throws, but many were not. There are so many holes to fill. It is like a sieve. OL changes need to happen first.