Redskins QB coach: Can’t lose taking Kirk Cousins

Getty Images

As the NFL world continues to ask why the Redskins drafted quarterback Kirk Cousins in the fourth round after drafting quarterback Robert Griffin III second overall, Redskins quarterbacks coach Matt LaFleur says the answer to that question is simple: Cousins is just too good a player to pass up.

“I thought Kirk would’ve been gone long before the fourth round, and when he’s sitting there, and you have a high grade on him, it’s like you can’t lose with that pick, in my opinion,” LaFleur said on 106.7 the Fan, via the Washington Post. “You can never have enough good players, especially at arguably the most important position of all of sports. This is a nasty game where some times things happen, and you have to go with somebody else, so we want to make sure we’re secure at that position.”

If you subscribe to the theory that a team should always take the best player on its draft board, and if Cousins was the top player on the Redskins’ board when their pick came up, then you can buy that Cousins was the right pick.

But the Redskins need players at other positions, too. And considering that they used three first-round picks and a second-round pick to get Griffin, one would think they’d want to use all their other picks on players who can help the Redskins win with Griffin, not players who will never see the field unless Griffin is hurt.

108 responses to “Redskins QB coach: Can’t lose taking Kirk Cousins

  1. The QB touches the ball all the time. He is the most important position on the field. Why would you not want a good backup?

    Did ANYONE at PFT see what happened to the Colts when they didn’t have a good backup QB?

  2. Maybe they should focus on preparing their actual franchise QB, rather than blow smoke up Cousins you-know-what to the media….somethin the Skins seem to be doing constantly right now

  3. Skins going to compete next year? No

    When Skins are ready to compete in 2 years would you rather have a 1st year back up qb and a 2nd year cb?

    Or would you rather have a 2nd year backup qb and a 1st year cb?

    Yeah…I thought so.

  4. Where’s the questioning of the Eagles taking Foles in the 3rd? Don’t they have a lot of needs too that could have been addressed instead of a 3rd string QB?

  5. Would whoever was left in the fourth round really have been able to make the huge impact you are implying they would? When Rex Grossman is your back-up you are in desperate need for an upgrade. Cousins will be trade bait in a year or two or worse case scenario takes over for RGIII of he gets a serious injury.

  6. these guys are trying to be too cute, just be a good football team and quit trying to be geniuses….man i hate sounding like prisco

  7. When you have a quarterback doing athletic things outside the pocket you have a greater opportunity for injury. Having a quality backup is essential when you have an athletic quarterback.

  8. Shanadumb is at it again. Why trade up all those draft picks for RG3 to select a QB in the 4th round? RG3 in college is a better QB than Cousins. Cousins could be the better QB. Shanahan loves confusion. I wish he would focus more on winning games than playing mind games with players.

  9. Future trade bait . He’ll play parts of games or 1 or 2 games due to injury. If he does well, future picks. If he fails huge botch.

  10. if rg3 is as good as you experts and says he is then he should be able to handle some competition fron a 4th round qb right? and with the guys the guys the skins signed before the draft that should be enough help for rg3 to make them winners right? or will he use the couisins signing as an excuse when the skins suck again this year?

  11. Guy reminds me of skill set of Matt Ryan and the mental game/leadership of Hasselbeck.

    I think very quickly if RG3 struggles this guy will be getting his name chanted, and if RG3 is playing well they won’t be able to keep him more than 2 seasons before someone trades players or picks for him.

    I am glad as a Raider fan Denver took Oswieller that ASU scrub ….. if they took Cousins he would have cherished film study and everything he could from Manning …

  12. The amount of scrutiny the media and fans are giving to all the 3rd – 7th round picks is completely without logic. It was DC’s 4th round pick. Drafting to fill a need in the 4th round pretty much ensures you’re gonna have that same need in one year’s time.
    What do most 4th rounders turn into? Special teamers, backups, and unemployed. If there’s ever a time for a team to drafting BPA it’s the middle through late rounds.
    Maybe everyone just assumed DC was only going to have 1 QB on its roster.

  13. Shanny and the gang froze, it happens. Sometimes you over compensate when you drop the ball as badly has Shanny did with his QB situation in Washington.

  14. vahawker says:
    May 1, 2012 9:23 PM
    Would whoever was left in the fourth round really have been able to make the huge impact you are implying they would? When Rex Grossman is your back-up you are in desperate need for an upgrade. Cousins will be trade bait in a year or two or worse case scenario takes over for RGIII of he gets a serious injury.

    ————————————————————————————————————————————- ok so let me get this straight, you think drafting cousins was a good thing? first if your trying to develope rg3 then how many of his reps will cousins get? not alot, second what does is it say to rg3? that maybe your not entirely buying in to him? and tell me this if you were cousins and just saw them put all those draft picks into getting rg3 i mean he cant be happy? either way you can say trade bait all you want, but really what do you expect to get out of him if he’s sitting on the back burner hoping to get some snaps from the new franchise? keep buying in skins fan for your sake i hope it works out for you since your team has stunk for so long. but in the end i doubt it will work, especially if rg3 struggles and the shanahan’s put in cousins and he does well for a couple of games and creates a qb controversy. just wait and see.

  15. Where is the questioning of the Eagles?? Did you not see their draft?! Cox, Kendricks, Boykin, Curry – all immediate contributers. Tack on guys like McNutt, Washington, Brown who have a lot of upside and UDFAs Polk, Harris, and Thomas – they killed this weekend. They could afford to take Foles (and pass up on Cousins) because they have a veteran Qb and they can develop him. Plus, they have 1st round picks the next 2 years.

  16. Where are the stories about Russell Wilson going in the 3rd round to the Seahawks when they just gave Matt Flynn 10 mil guaranteed?? New York media and bias is why.

  17. mattyk72 : Where’s the questioning of the Eagles taking Foles in the 3rd? Don’t they have a lot of needs too that could have been addressed instead of a 3rd string QB?

    ……………………………………………………………..

    I agree and don’t forget the Patriots picking Ryan Mallett in the 3rd round last year and they have HUGE holes on their defensive line and secondary.

    Also the Seahawks signing Mat Flynn to a FA deal and then drafting Russell Wilson in the 3rd rd with needs in other areas.

    Amazing how the media is making this move seem as though the redskins are the only team that’s trying to attain QB depth

  18. What if RG3 turns out to be an absolute bust? Does it hurt to have a competent backup QB?

  19. r0b1b0y says:
    May 1, 2012 9:24 PM
    these guys are trying to be too cute, just be a good football team and quit trying to be geniuses….man i hate sounding like prisco

     Yeah we hate you sound like prisco too. What’s so cute about drafting the BPA in round 4? I hate when people regurgitate what they read and hear or tv.

  20. National and Local DC NFL media members are trolling.

    Didn’t the Saints GM get caught installing hidden video camera’s in all the ladies restrooms in the Super Dome? Or was that all the men’s restrooms?

    This is such a none story.

  21. I think Cousins could be a really good QB in the NFL…. I was hoping for The Bucs to draft him!

  22. Not a skins fan, but it was a smart move.

    1. Gives them depth in the event RG3 fails.
    2. Fourth round pick they’re going to turn around and trade for at least a couple of first rounders. What did guys like Kolb and Schaub fetch?
    and
    3. If he’s their top rated guy left, you have to make that pick. Usually the best way to draft isn’t based on need, but based on potential impact of the player.

  23. RGIII will almost certainly get hurt. He’s a running qb. Find me a starting running qb in the NFL in the past 10 years who hasn’t gotten hurt? The last one to survive without injury taking significant time from him was Kordell Stewart, and his last starting gig was in early 2002.

    So, now what’s your argument against Cousins?

  24. At first I was completely against this move, but now look at it like this. I think Shanny hopes Cousins shines as much as possible in limited duty that someone will give up a high pick. If he is able to flip it for a high pick in to years it’d be worth it. You can find gems in the 4th round, but being realistic, you take a project guy who might be solid in a couple of years. Chances are you miss. If he flips Cousins for a 2nd rounder in two years, that guy would contribute right away. Also, this would be an extra pick to make up for the RG3 trade. At worst we have a solid backup. Can’t take it back now, so I like the pick.

  25. Get your starting QB comfortable before you get a backup. You spend three firsts and a second on RGIII and when you are missing picks you shouldn’t be taking a luxury like Cousins. Many other needs can be addressed and say what you want about Grossman, he’s a bad starter but is probably ok as a backup.

    Not many teams can have their backup come and and not miss a beat, and those who do generally have a weak starter in the first place.

  26. For the love of god, not a fourth round pick. Think of the sure fire all-pro the redskins passed on….

    Furthermore, how dare those Redskins draft a second round value in the fourth.

  27. It doesn’t hurt to have a competent backup qb, but we’re talking about kirk cousins here.

  28. tommyj20 displays all the signs of a fool. Lots of ASSumptions about those Eagle picks there cupcake.

  29. @Mattyk72

    Vick is 32 with end in sight in the next 5 years. RGIII is a young buck. Foles is a developmental quarterback, might get the start in philly in the next 3 years..with the way vick has been getting beat up maybe less. with RG3 you’re hoping for him to be the franchise savior giving up 2 first round picks and going all in. Kirk cousins is either insurance to RG3 who will be running for his life against Philly and NY and is going to get hurt, or a golden parachute for shanahan.

  30. mattyk72……..you cannot be serious trying to compare the state of the eagles and their draft compared to the foreskins. The eagles didn’t fill needs ? They needed to improve their run defense the drafted the best DT in the draft …. They had a need at OLB and drafted one of the top prospects at LB in the draft …. Slot CB and KR drafted Brandon Boykin …Stuck to the board and drafted Vinny Curry with our 2nd 2nd round pick who many believe was a steal …. Back up QB was actually a need and AR drafted the qb he liked …. So what exactly were you trying to say?? The foreskins traded the farm for RG3 and created and unnecessary controversy by drafting Cousins. But you seem to believe and support whatever that awful front office is feeding you HTTR !! Enjoy the NFCE basement once again

  31. Prediction: rg3 will be good. Cousins will never see the field, redskins will suck and shanihan will be fired within 3 years. Then it starts all over again.

  32. Plain and simple, the Redskins had buyers remorse after having weeks to think about it again. After trading all those picks away to draft RG3, they had no choice but to go ahead and take him. RG3 has Akili Smith written all over him, and when he craps the bed they will have Cousins to step in and hopefully save them. Shanahan is so overrated as a HC, he inherited John Elway and won 2 Super Bowls, what has he done since John retired? What Qbs has he coached up since John was gone? And Philly done exactly what they needed to do, they brought in serious talent and yes they drafted a Qb but it was after they addressed obvious needs. Redskins are clueless.

  33. Still a wasted pick. There were a lot of good players around when they made the pick. Most of them at positions that would have helped RG3 right away. Almost as dumb as the Browns picking Weedon when they have so, so many needs to help Colt. Some of these teams never learn.

  34. Well with the recent market for back up quarterbacks they are probably hoping they can trade him for a 2nd rounder in 3 years

  35. If rg3 is worried about cousins in any way then we do have the wrong pick as the starter.
    Rg3 seems a confident kid and no 4 th round pick is going to rattle him
    Watch in a couple years all the bashers will want cousins on their team when there only good qb gets carted off the field and their dumbazz team has no back up …. Cough cough colts

  36. The redskins deserve no benefit of doubt here. Their personnel decisions have been suspect all throughout the Dan Snyder era so there’s no reason to believe this was a sound football decision. Somewhere in northern MD Vinny Ceratto was heard saying these guys are clueless!

  37. Do running quarterbacks that are small get hurt? This is a no brainer except for the media pundits who forget they aren’t playing Madden with injuries off.

  38. The QB depth chart had rg3, Grossman, Beck, and Crompton. Now it has Rg3, Grossman, Cousins, and Crompton. They’re making the roster younger and better. Enough said.

  39. tommyj20 displays all the signs of a fool. Lots of ASSumptions about those Eagle picks there cupcake.

    You have to draft assuming the picks will perform as projected. Based on that, the Eagles got great value all over while addressing needs. The Skins bet their future on one guy – then brought in a player at the same position when they have limited picks and a loss of salary cap, so bringing in players will be tough. You sound like a bitter Redskins fan who probably thinks they made a good move by drafting a player you hope never plays…

  40. Mike Shanahan and his nepotism are simply being exposed as the years go by and the magnification intensifies. Really examine what happened in Denver. He had what many consider the most gifted Complete QB to walk the gridiron. But he happened to fall upon Terrell Davis who turned out to be the ‘piece’ that made the engine run. Since then, he has not come close to replicating the success. From Plummer to McNabb to Grossman and Beck, his efforts have ended not only in lackluster outcomes but he has often alienated many around him including his ‘hand picked’ signal callers.

    I agree winning SBs back to back deserves respect. But Shanahan has past the point where he deserves complete benefit of doubt.

    @ESPNfeedback

     

  41. Let’s get our MATH right… Gave up TWO first round pick… The so called thrid the Redskins retained and used to choose RG3 there for that pick was not given up… and Point #2 you’re not going to want Grossman entering the game in the event of and emergency and throwing 4 or 5 picks not to mention he is only under contract for a year, so if you think that not having a back up QB is a good idea then thank God you’re just a writer and not a coach. Therefore a solid back up Qb is an area of need for the Redskins, and they chose well.. Writers and analysts have no true idea of football, players, who’s good, who’s not or what’s what’s in football, they sit back and watch real life and then report on it later with hindsight on their side pretending that “they knew it all along”

  42. The redskins drafted their backup qb for 2013 and beyond

    saves 600k or so over rex

    and we are set at backup now for 4 years

    not bad at all

  43. All these homer Redskin (Trolls) Hailing this move. HAHAHA!!! Sure, he’s too good to pass up, but what about the needs on your team, like an Oline or maybe some Dline depth. How bout those safeties? And you guys like D Hall? Really??? Plus London Fletcher is almost 40. You guys better worry about RG making an impact, not what pick you’re gonna get for Cousins. Seriously, someone that has played games would be smart to take RG under his wing (and no not a guy to tell him how to handle losses ie Grossman). Poor Shanahan, thinking he can groom Cousins into a 1st round pick. HAHAHA!!! (now cut, paste and call hater)

  44. mattyk72 says: May 1, 2012 9:21 PM

    “Where’s the questioning of the Eagles taking Foles in the 3rd? Don’t they have a lot of needs too that could have been addressed instead of a 3rd string QB?”

    ————————————

    Man oh man some serious drinking of the homeride going on here.
    To answer your question…NO they do not have a lot of needs, nowhere near the needs the Redskins have. They could afford the luxury of a project QB, the last place Redskins could not.

  45. This is one of the most stupid overblown stories around. Yes they traded future picks away and drafted a backup QB. So what. Do they need more players, yes. But they also had two 4th round picks and adding two additional picks in the draft so no loss drafting a backup. So you want to bash them for not taking one of the available lineman but when does Mike draft your typical lineman. He drafts guys that fit a zone scheme that aren’t everyone’s conventional lineman. Stupid story that the media is making way overblown. Move on.

  46. Many teams say they take the best player available regardless of need. But the Giants are probably the only team that does it consistently. I think Allen and Shanahan feel real good about the last two drafts. So if he was at the top of their board……
    So if it takes 3 years to grade a draft, lets see what happens.
    HTTR

  47. jamaltimore says:
    May 1, 2012 10:36 PM
    The redskins deserve no benefit of doubt here. Their personnel decisions have been suspect all throughout the Dan Snyder era so there’s no reason to believe this was a sound football decision. Somewhere in northern MD Vinny Ceratto was heard saying these guys are clueless!

    ————————————————–

    Crows fan with his/her facts wrong. Imagine that. Shanahan and Allen have been in charge of the Skins personnel moves for the last 3 offseasons. Considering they gutted all the crap over blown vet contracts they inherited, and had solid drafts since coming to DC, as a Skins fan I gladly give them the benefit of the doubt. The **** us Skins fans have witnessed from LiL Danny and Uncle Vinny, Shanallenhan are sent from heaven.

    Also, how did Kyle Boller, Dan Cody, Elvis Grbac, etc… work out for the Crows? Even the great Ozzie Newsome gets it wrong from time to time.

  48. vikescry…well first off..I’m avowed Skin hater since the seventies. But I don’t think it was the horrendous, fall off the face of the earth, hot poker in the eye move that so many pundits(and people like you) are trying to make it out to be. Definitely sucks for Cousins, but Rex is gone next year and now you have a talented guy who has already been in the system for a year to move up to #2.

    Ask the Colts and Bears how that no decent back up QB situation works.

  49. The Redskins had no QBs on their roster capable of winning last year. Their first and second string QBs are experienced and neither is capable of winning. Cousins could develop into a quality QB. Grossman will be there one more year and then Cousins should be ready to take the second position. I don’t understand the fuss. They drafted a position of need that is proven to have no depth.

  50. It’s called a backup plan. Because if RG 3 gets hurt in the NFC Championship, I’d rather have Cousins in for the Skins than the original RG3 “unleashing his dragon” in the Super Bowl.

    Why would I be bitter about a fully stocked trophy case in DC? The Redskins might let Philly rent one for a day or two.

  51. The great unstated issue here is both of these guys are rookies, have never played against NFL-level competition, and need reps in practice.

    So who gets the first team reps?

    If they are split, then neither guy will be prepared. If RGIII gets them all, then Cousins will not be prepared to be an effective back-up.

    This was a hare brained scheme if ever there were one.

  52. Salary for a 4th rounder is dirt cheap. Dollar for dollar, potentially the best backup in the league in a year or two. For a team that got blindsided by Goodell and Mara the eve of free agency, I’d say that’s pretty smart.

  53. bduncanscott is correct, while the author of this non-story is wrong. Two 1’s and a 2, not three 1’s and a 2. And, due to some great drafting last year – turning 8 picks into 12, with 11 of them making the roster last year, followed by making 9 picks out of 7 this year, we could afford to invest in a quality back-up. As another poster points out, look what happened to the Colts last year.
    Hail!

  54. All fail to the redskins! !!! Joke of a franchise, RG-akili , will be running for his life, all hail to (I-RG3)

  55. Does anyone else remember the first time Grossman went into the game for McNabb? If not, let me refresh your memory – he fumbled the ball away on his very first snap. That’s the quality of backup QB we had in Washington. Since Sexy Rexy only has one year left, it’s obvious he’s there to help the other two guys get a grasp on the offense*, then he’s outta here and Cousins becomes the #2. I really don’t see how this is a bad situation. The QB situation is solidified in a very satisfactory way.

    *Before you haters say “Grossman sucks, he shouldn’t be tutoring RG3/Cousins,” it’s not like he’ll be the only guy doing it, so don’t even bother.

  56. Poor Shanahan, thinking he can groom Cousins into a 1st round pick. HAHAHA!!! (now cut, paste and call hater)
    ———————-
    Actually, I think “dope” would be more precise.

  57. Articles like this really frustrate me as a Skins fan, or a fan of any pro sport for that matter (ok maybe just the skins but I’m annoyed so indulge me). It seems to me that everyone complaining about the Cousins pick comes from one perspective: “Your the lowly Redskins and you should be satisfied with just one good player at QB”. The perrinial winners in the NFL have a few common denominators: Good Coaching, a little bit of Luck when it counts (can’t explain all success), Stability of talent at the QB position, and Depth. In the article above there was a statement that said to some effect: ” The redskins should be using picks to help surround RGIII with talent. Bad teams are easy targets for finger pointing in the NFL ( or any sport for that matter) and lazy evaluation and poor articles like this one flood the news. Why is Cousins a bad pick. He’s not the #2 guy he’s the #3… We still have Rex, and if Rex gets beat out for #2 then so be it. When is it “ok” for the redskins to begin get ahead of the curve? Or should we just be happy with RGIII? Picking up another good player for the team is great because KC s gonna come through for us in some way or another… Teams get insurance picks all the time, stockpile at a position, these moves give those teams leverage. If we had a Logo, the media would be circle jerking out of control about how GENIUS this pick was… We still addressed the biggest needs on our roster and picked up 2great QB prospects… Lay off the Skins… Go right another easy “they suck” article about another team…

  58. Articles like this really frustrate me as a Skins fan, or a fan of any pro sport for that matter (ok maybe just the skins but I’m annoyed so indulge me). It seems to me that everyone complaining about the Cousins pick comes from one perspective: “Your the lowly Redskins and you should be satisfied with just one good player at QB”. The perrinial winners in the NFL have a few common denominators: Good Coaching, a little bit of Luck when it counts (can’t explain all success), Stability of talent at the QB position, and Depth. In the article above there was a statement that said to some effect: ” The redskins should be using picks to help surround RGIII with talent”. Bad teams are easy targets for finger pointing in the NFL ( or any sport for that matter) and lazy evaluation and poor articles like this one flood the news. Why is Cousins a bad pick. He’s not the #2 guy he’s the #3… We still have Rex, and if Rex gets beat out for #2 then so be it. When is it “ok” for the redskins to begin to get ahead of the curve? Or should we just be happy with RGIII? Picking up another good player for the team is great because KC s gonna come through for us in some way or another… Teams get insurance picks all the time,& stockpile at a positions, these moves give those teams leverage. If we had a different Logo, the media would be circle jerking out of control about how GENIUS this pick was… We still addressed the biggest needs on our roster and picked up 2great QB prospects… Lay off the Skins… Go right another easy “they suck” article about another team…

  59. When u have so many needs and positions to fill no need to take a QB in the 7th that’s was a really dump mistakes esp a QB with talent like kirk Cousins who can beat RGlll because he’s more polish and NFL ready

  60. Dc can’t win either. Hopefully this season they can demolish the cow patties. 1-15?

  61. This was a solid pickup. Cousins will be replacing rg3 before you know it. and just because he is a 4th round pick doesn’t make him a bad player. I mean look at tom brady he was the 199th pick and he has a excellent career

  62. people saying pats draftin ryan mallet is completely different situation and a horrible example. The same goes for all the other examples because these are two rookies its not tom brady whos established and is trying to mentor the future qb of the franchise like brett favre did to aaron rodgers…unless Rg3 is going to mentor kirk cousins to take his position I dont get that argument. It was a dumb draft pick period.

  63. Half of first round picks and about two thirds of second round picks are busts. Mostly it is due to injury. Bad things happen and it is smart to have a plan b. Just ask colts and bears fans.

  64. I’m thinking the Redskins drafted Kirk Cousins for the simple reason of future trade purposes. Example: Kevin Kolb. When Griffin goes down, Cousins steps in, plays great for a few games (matt flyn) and there you have it. Quarterback hungry teams will give up a second rounder anyday. Talk about trying to get some picks back from the RG3 trade.

  65. I can’t stand the NFC East and all the media coverage they get. But:

    1. Look at this teams QB depth, they clearly wanted at least one other guy.

    2. It’s not trade value for the future, it’s just nice to have QB1 and QB3 on the same lesson path. Efficient if you ask me.

    3. Without a tremendous collapse in talent in the division, Washington is looking at a three year project at least. RGIII will surely ignite a spark in this team, but you are only limited by your own limitations, and this team is limited compared to the rest of the division.

    4. You have to have a backup. That’s what Cousins is. We’ve seen enough good teams get smashed during the playoffs the last couple years to believe that position is anything than it is…Cousins on on that team because he had a great draft value, he will be a good study class member and he will win a playoff game when RBIII gets hurt.

  66. No Worries,

    Shanahan says he’ll stake his reputation !

    “You talk about a guy not being experienced

    I believe in the guys,” Shanahan told reporters on Friday, per the Associated Press.

    “I believe in ‘em.

    And I’ve been doing this for a long time. And I put my reputation on these guys that they can play.”

    Hmmmm . . .

  67. Why would I be bitter about a fully stocked trophy case in DC?
    ___________________________________________

    Ahh..yes,

    We all remember the days of:

    spandex shorts
    Pokemon
    Grunge music and fashion
    Koosh Balls
    Saved By The Bell
    The Macarena

    keep ” drinkin’ that Kool Aid ” and paying through the nose.

  68. Kurt cousins will be the redskins starting QB by week 6 RG3 is going to be the biggest QB bust since jamsmarcus russsells.

  69. When considering the odds of a fourth round pick contributing, and then looking at how much the ones that do contribute actually add on average…..How can you be chastised for using it on a non need player.

    Odds are your fourth round pick is not going to be a pro bowler. Odds are your fourth round pick is not going to be a starter. Odds are oyur foourth round pick may not even be on the team in 3-4 years. So why not use it on who you believe is the bet player? How much are you really risking, and how much are you really losing by not reaching for another position?

  70. Also…..are they suposed to be happy with the backups they have? After QB’s have proven themselves to not be the answer, I personally would rather go with an unknown. That is, I’d rather have a guy who I dont know if he can do it or not than a guy I know can’t do it.

  71. MDS STHU…I mean what’s your point no one is asking non Redskins fan to like what the Redskins do and if you saw what happened in Indy and Chicago when the main guy went down then that should be explanation enough. And if you talking heads were such experts on team needs and talent you’d be a scout, coach, GM not a journalist whether print or radio etc., bottom line your opinion means NADT. In closing these were the Skins needs:

    QB-addressed (2)
    ILB-addressed
    OL-addressed
    Corner-addressed

  72. Cousins is a sleeper. I think he has the skill set to be a very productive QB in the NFL. Whether he ever gets the opportunity to showcase that is a different story.

  73. mattyk72 says:
    May 1, 2012 9:21 PM
    Where’s the questioning of the Eagles taking Foles in the 3rd? Don’t they have a lot of needs too that could have been addressed instead of a 3rd string QB?

    —————————————————-

    That’s because the Eagles didn’t give up three draft picks to select a franchise quarterback. They also don’t have as many holes as the Skins do, and are MUCH closer to being competitive than Washington. The Skins could have used another offensive lineman or defensive back at that position.

  74. This is going to end up being a mess. First time RG3 struggles, Redskin fan base is going to call for Cousins.

    Most popular person on an avg football team is the backup QB.

  75. This was not the dumbest draft move the Redskins have made but not the smartest either. Generally, a team develops a quality back up qb by teaching, coaching and reps not devoted to getting the starter ready. In this case, the staff already has to primarily devote its energy and resources to developing its starting rookie qb, leaving Cousins to learn what he can on his own on a parallel program. If he’s devoted and smart he will make progress in spite of this scenario but this is not the ideal circumstance for developing a backup for the Skins and it is certainly an unappealing situation for Cousins, who, no doubt, aspires to be a starter somewhere, someday. While it may be questionable as to whether he has starter potential, it is unquestionable that the Redskins’ did not present Cousins the ideal environment to launch his pro career nor did they create the ideal environment for developing a guy who can step in if RG3 falters. Having said the above, it’s really not that interesting of a story, anyway, for a team whose gloried past seems more distant every year.

  76. ” one would think they’d want to use all their other picks on players who can help the Redskins win with Griffin, not players who will never see the field unless Griffin is hurt.”

    And the Skins had who at Back up QB? Rex Grossman – 1 Yr Deal, John Beck, 1 Yr Left on his deal I believe. So who was going to be the back up next year? Did you really believe they’d keep John Beck? Did you believe that Rex would actually stay after a rookie gets picked that high? Plus there are the cap implications. If the NFL hadn’t taken a lot of Cap Space from Washington, then they could perhaps have signed a veteran backup, now, they’ll be lucky to have much left over after signing their rookies.

    Cousins by virtue of dropping became not just a great value, but an economical one too. Find me a Backup QB in the league worth anything who will earn anywhere close to as little As Cousins will in the next two seasons? I don’t think the player exists.

    Besides, who would you have rather the skins take, a WR that may take 3 years to catch on in the depth chart, with an already crowded WR corp?

    Plus about those draft picks. It’s one pick in 2013 and 2014 gone for the Skins. YEs its a 1st, but they still have, last I checked, 6 other picks in those drafts at minimum, and that presumes they don’t trade for more picks or earn some compensatory ones.

    Last but not least, look at the Skins franchise draft history in the 4th Round, How many players in the previous history of the draft have the skins drafted which contributed enough to be remembered? I only found two. 1979 TE Don Warren, and in 1996 RB Stephen Davis. That’s it. Other teams may have more luck with their 4th Round picks, but that’s just not the Skins MO. Cousins at least has a chance to both make the team, earn the #2 job, and stick for at least the duration of his rookie contract. If he performs really well, he might be able to be traded to a team later for more picks for the Skins, and a chance to potentially start.

    I think it’s a great pick for a Redskins team that is slowly changing it’s depth through smart picks after a decade of throwing money at any Free Agent with notoriety.

  77. I love the spin and mock outrage over all of this. What’s especially amusing is the geniuses who keep parroting the nonsense like “With limited picks the Redskins couldn’t afford to pass up other players of need for a luxury pick in Cousins.”

    1. The Redskins even with the loss of their 2nd round pick still had NINE draft choices. When confronted with Cousins and their LB and OL prospects still being on the board they traded down with Pittsburgh and used the EXTRA pick acquired to get some of that depth/need that everyone is crying about.

    2. Shanahan and Allen had 3 O linemen targeted before the draft and got ALL 3. They drafted Fletcher’s potential replacement whom they targeted, they drafted 2 project CB’s, they also signed 2 WR’s, get Cooley and Hankerson back, finally have a healthy Jammal Brown and signed several UDFA’s that could pan out nicely. Like it or not backup QB WAS A NEED! Anyone who thinks Grossman is in any way acceptable is just nuts, the guy is a turnover machine!

    3. The Shanahan Allen FO has signed and drafted more picks in a 3 year time than any other FO in Redskins history, and have now proven a tendency to trade down and find quality players. They had 12 picks last year and 10 this year before the RG3 trade. Even without those future 1sts they still have 6 next year and are sure to trade down to acquire more like they have every year they’ve been here.

    4. RG3 is going to be bothered by this pick or is going to feel like the Redskins have buyers remorse. ROFL…seriously? Yea that’s why the Redskins rolled out the Red Carpet (literally) and had him out to a draft coming out party at Fed Ex in front of 20K fans. Yea that’s why the guy is getting the full star treatment and has the Shanahans looking like they just blew their load every time they talk about him. Some of you really need to put down the pipes and go get some fresh air.

    This notion that the Redskins have limited picks or have been hampered in their ability to draft by either the Cousins pick OR the RG3 trade is a complete myth.

  78. The Redskins could give away Hot Dogs and Beer at every home game and SOMEONE, would have a problem with it………..I like the fact that people hate the Redskins……….winning will be that much sweeter………..Cowboys barely beat us in 2 games….6-FG’s in one game and the other in OT……beat the Giants twice……..Skins are not as bad as people think!

  79. Look, you can say that it was a “controversy” to take a QB in the 4th round after trading up to snag our franchise QB. That is a legit debate, one that I will have with you and can see both sides of the argument. What we Skins fans will not stand for, however, is a media driven QB controversy over whether Cousins will be competing for the starting job over RG3. Seriously, pass me what you are smoking Jaws/Skip Bayless/Herm Edwards/Ashley Fox…..most irresponsible reporting I have ever seen.

    So lets focus on the debate that I am willing to contribute to, the value of a 2nd QB in the 4th round. Mel Kiper and most other talking heads that are against this pick have been screaming from the roof-tops that the Skins have too many holes elsewhere and that they passed up on players who could immediately help RG3….POINT ME TO ONE. I have not heard one “analyst” point to one name, one player who they feel would have been a more “valuable” pick with our 1st of two 4th round selections.

    OL, you say? Yea, we drafted THREE of them. Secondary, you say? Yep, got two of them in the draft as well. LB, then? Nope, drafted what looks to be a solid protege for London Fletcher in Keenan Robinson out of Texas. Oh wait, you mean we need more weapons around RG3, don’t you? I’m sorry, but with 15+ WRs on our roster and about 9 of them competing for a contributing role, I doubt we could find or would need any WR still on the board in the 4th round. And RB is stacked with depth with two players we drafted last year, both of whom played very well when called upon last year…..

    So, where exactly would all these pundits like for us to have drafted other than the WEAKEST position on our entire team. QB.

    You want to have to rely on Rex Grossman again who is also only under a one year contract? Nope. We saw a window of opportunity and the Skins grabbed it. End of story.

    We no longer have to find a veteran replacement for Rex at the end of this year and we just solidified the most important, yet weakest position on our entire team.

    Keep hating though. Your time is running out.

  80. To me, you have to have back-ups and depth, but it also says to me that they’re concerned about protection and injury…that being said why not shore-up the O-line…if the protection is bad – both guys are going down.

  81. Congratulations to the media talking heads for creating controversy where there is none. Which one of the people that came up with the ideas that drafting Cousins was a bad idea has ever had the job of putting a team together and drafting?? Look at what happens when you do not have a decent backup to take over when needed: Eagles with VY, Texans, Chiefs, Rams, and that is just the 2011 season.

    How does picking Cousins “undermine” the pick of RG3??? It doesn’t.

    The only people that have a problem with tis are the ones whose job it is to find contraversy where there is none and the haters. Makes sense to me to upgrade the most important position on the field then upgrade the depth of that position. #HTTR

  82. I think somebody in the organization said they were gonna develop him for trade value… umm okay skins. Makes no sense. You make arguably the largest investment in franchise history and rather than getting an o lineman you waste your 4th rd on this guy. Here’s a nice stat, 50% of all o lineman drafted in the 4th rd end up as starters in the league. Take a chance at least instead of some guy RG3 is gonna see on the sidelines holding a clipboard when he de-treads himself off the ground after a David Carr introduction to the league. What a terrible franchise, they could learn A LOT from the team 30 miles up the BW Pkwy.

  83. Therefore they grabbed two o-lineman. One in the THIRD round and one later. This was not about protection series, it is about depth. That is all.

  84. It takes a year to learn the system and our current backup is on a 1 year plan. otherwise we’d have to bring Grossman back ANOTHER year and draft someone next year where QB is supposed to be much weaker. At some point we had to solidify the position which we did with RG3 and KC. Now we can phase Rex out and move forward. Good move. While we could have gotten another player at the end of the day it’s best value. Next year in the 4th the QB would have been a 4th round rated QB versus a 2nd round who fell to 4. Would we rather have gotten the Houston QB???

  85. I’m laughing my butt off at all the people saying “were gonna trade him”….for what, a box of cookies??

    EVERY team passed on him in the draft. At least three times each, some even four. So he wasn’t good enough to draft then, but in the limited time he has to get reps at training camp and OTA, he’s gonna impress everyone so much that they’re gonna fall in love with him more than their current roster, set aside their ego’s to admit they were wrong, and give up a pick/player for him?? I don’t think so.

    For that to be even remotely possible, he’d have to be so good that the Skins would consider starting him over RG3. And if he were that good, they wouldn’t consider trading him.

    FACT: Skins blew this pick by drafting best guy available

    To the guy stating 4th rounders aren’t expected to compete/start/be on the roster in 3-4 years: tell that to Marion Barber, Assante Samuel, Brandon Jacobs, Shaun Phillips, Jared Allen, Rudi Johnson, Brandon Marshall, and Elvis Dumervil, Michael Bush, Doug Free, Paul Soliai, Dashon Goldson, Leron Mclain, Leon Washington, Gostkowski. All absolute studs. I could go on and on. Tom Brady was drafted in round 6. There is no reason to think a guy drafted in the the 4th wont contribute right away or make an impact. A good scouting team uncovers these gems.

  86. It’s good to be an NFL fan of the team you choose. However, it is sad to be totally blind, foolish, gullible and dumb enough to believe the bull*** Redskins management throws at their fans and expects them to swallow. The head coach last season “staked his reputation” on the two QBs on his roster. They both failed. That should tell you just a little bit about the ability of this head coach to judge QB talent. Moving forward, use of a 4th round draft pick to back up…repeat…back up your starter, when your team has ssoooooo many holes to fill is just not a wise move people. If you think so, you seriously lack a fundamental understanding of what the player draft is all about. If you want a back up QB you could’ve looked to the waiver wire this off season–there will be plenty of “back-up” level QBs to be had without using a PRECIOUS draft pick to select one. Using up your 4th round pick (and 3rd overall) on a guy who is going to carry a clipboard most games is assinine!! Redskin fans should be marching on Ashburn! You should be demanding to know what kind of idiocy is being employed on many personnel decisions. And all of you speak as if Cousins is guaranteed to be great. You cannot assume that. You can’t assume that with any player drafted, but when taking that chance, you don’t take it with a guy you PLAN to keep on the bench! Those of you who really know football understand this. Those of you who are just blind fans with no clue about what the draft is for…enjoy that knowledgeable head coach you have.

  87. Jesus last year everybody ripped the Skins for not taking a QB and this year they get ripped because they went and got their franchise QB and drafted a darn good back-up in the 4th round who I already feel better having on my team than REx is so Gross-Man. What would the Skins do say in a year if RGIII has a freak injury and they need somebody to step in and Capt. Kirk would be able to come in and run the O efficiently and better than Grossman the TO machine.

  88. The Skins have drafted 21 players in the last two years. The signed 10 FA this off-season. That’s 31 players right there. That doesn’t include UDFA from last year that made the roster or any UDFA from this year that might make it. How much more depth could they need at other positions? The weakest position by far on the Skins roster was at QB. Rex Grossman and John Beck people. That is who was quarterbacking the Skins last season. And people are actually questioning the Cousins pick. Unbelievable.

  89. A good scouting team takes a chance on almost every pick they ever take. Look at all the first round busts. Give me a break, just because you can name a few 4th round picks that did we for a second does not make them gems. Some performed at a high level longer which makes them gems. But you are far from naming enough 4th round “gems” to consider yourself an expert at 4th round picks. Allen and Shanahan have turned this team from joke into a legitimate contender in 2 years with nothing. Time can only tell who will be right and who will be wrong. If another team picked up Cousins and he ended up the starter, would he not be a “gem”??? If skins trade him away in 2-3 years for a 2nd or 3rd rounder who will say that was the stupidest move ever??? #HTTR

  90. We’ll see.

    Bringing in a 22 year-old guy who knows he will not even get a shot to compete for the starting job?

    I have my doubts…

  91. “The Shoeman says:
    May 2, 2012 5:36 AM
    Why would I be bitter about a fully stocked trophy case in DC?
    ___________________________________________

    Ahh..yes,

    We all remember the days of:

    spandex shorts
    Pokemon
    Grunge music and fashion
    Koosh Balls
    Saved By The Bell
    The Macarena

    keep ” drinkin’ that Kool Aid ” and paying through the nose.”

    LEAVE SAVED BY THE BELL OUT OF THIS!!!

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to leave a comment. Not a member? Register now!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.