Who is Kirk Cousins?

I think the other thing that has to be considered is he's doing this with a very mediocre running game. If you told me in August that Alfred Morris and Matt Jones would combine to rush for 78 yards per game and 3.5 yards per carry (yes, those stats are real), and Cousins would have a 60+ QBR, I'd have told you you're crazy.

Those rushing stats are abysmal. Yet he's still turning in a respectable QB performance.

Mediocre is probably being kind.

Not to sidetrack this, but what the heck is going on with the running game? I realize that Lauavo and Stiger going out hurt, but can it possibly be just that? It's amazing how much it has fallen off since the start of the season, with no real glimmer of significant improvement.

I was pretty thrilled with the last run from Jones -- 3rd and long and needed a 1st down to run out the game, and he beast-moded it (is that a term?). I suspect that I was not alone when I was nervous that the predicted run would net a yard or two, and that there'd be a long punt return. Jones really gutted that one out.

Back to Kirk, I think the guy has performed admirably under the circumstances. The run game has evaporated, our TEs keep going out hurt (thank goodness we've gotten as much Reed as we have this season), and his main deep threat has missed half of the season. He's certainly got my support, and I am really interested to see what we can build around him.

Not to sidetrack this, but what the heck is going on with the running game? I realize that Lauavo and Stiger going out hurt, but can it possibly be just that? It's amazing how much it has fallen off since the start of the season, with no real glimmer of significant improvement.

I was pretty thrilled with the last run from Jones -- 3rd and long and needed a 1st down to run out the game, and he beast-moded it (is that a term?). I suspect that I was not alone when I was nervous that the predicted run would net a yard or two, and that there'd be a long punt return. Jones really gutted that one out.

Back to Kirk, I think the guy has performed admirably under the circumstances. The run game has evaporated, our TEs keep going out hurt (thank goodness we've gotten as much Reed as we have this season), and his main deep threat has missed half of the season. He's certainly got my support, and I am really interested to see what we can build around him.

I think yeah, that's pretty much it. Rib's snaps are a problem, the timing is often pretty rough. You see him snap it a half beat slow or a half beat fast, meaning the whole line looks like it's coming off the ball slowly.

I keep seeing us having to run off tackle, which is a sign that the interior isn't winning. Rib and Long aren't nimble enough in there to maintain leverage, they give up a lot of penetration. So we end up being pretty darn predictable in there.

And I think Steiger had a good eye for adjusting run blocking schemes given what he sees when the defense lines up.

Updated QBR rankings after week 14. Still solid.

RK PLAYER TOTAL QBR
1 Carson Palmer, ARI 83.6
2 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT 78.1
3 Andy Dalton, CIN 73.1
4 Russell Wilson, SEA 72.5
5 Drew Brees, NO 70.2
6 Aaron Rodgers, GB 69.4
7 Ryan Fitzpatrick, NYJ 68.2
8 Tyrod Taylor, BUF 67.1
9 Tom Brady, NE 64.9
10 Cam Newton, CAR 64.9
11 Brian Hoyer, HOU 63.8
12 Marcus Mariota, TEN 63.1
13 Teddy Bridgewater, MIN 62.9
14 Eli Manning, NYG 62.4
15 Jameis Winston, TB 62.2
16 Jay Cutler, CHI 62
17 Kirk Cousins, WSH 61.4
18 Alex Smith, KC 60.7
19 Philip Rivers, SD 59.5
20 Matt Ryan, ATL 58.9
21 Matt Hasselbeck, IND 56.3
22 Matthew Stafford, DET 55.8
23 Derek Carr, OAK 55.7
24 Josh McCown, CLE 53.9
25 Blake Bortles, JAX 49.8
26 Andrew Luck, IND 47.6
27 Colin Kaepernick, SF 47.1
28 Peyton Manning, DEN 45
29 Joe Flacco, BAL 40.9
30 Sam Bradford, PHI 38.3
31 Ryan Tannehill, MIA 34
32 Nick Foles, STL 30

Never been a huge fan of QBR:

ESPN’s QBR stat puts Tebow ahead of Rodgers | ProFootballTalk (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/10/espns-qbr-stat-puts-tebow-ahead-of-rodgers/)

QBR is "black box", nobody knows what's inside but everyone is expected to follow it.

I prefer Football Outsiders DVOA and DYAR.

Just personal preference though.

In my eyes Kirk has played decent, journeymen level QB. Maybe down the stretch he can finish hot and put together some strong performances.

I agree Griffin has more potential, actually Griff has shown proven ability. But I disagree that Griffin should have played.....not with Jay, a HC that cleary didnt want or believe in him. Imo Bruce's nepotism lead us to hire a HC that wasnt nearly as committed as he should've been to the development of what was at the time the franchises greatest talent and assest. Either way spilt milk.

I think there is a degree of desperate optimism with Kirk because at this point he's the only option and that causes many to be view him as better then he's shown.

IMO you made some good points.

IMO you made some good points.


You, 30 Gut, and Mr Griffin.....

You, 30 Gut, and Mr Griffin.....

Are all delusional

Are all delusional
Absolutely!

Never been a huge fan of QBR:

ESPN’s QBR stat puts Tebow ahead of Rodgers | ProFootballTalk (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/10/espns-qbr-stat-puts-tebow-ahead-of-rodgers/)

QBR is "black box", nobody knows what's inside but everyone is expected to follow it.

I prefer Football Outsiders DVOA and DYAR.

Just personal preference though.
Nobody follows it besides espn.