Who is Kirk Cousins?

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by DYoungJelly

I don't intend any offense, but I disagree with the premise of the question.

With superior talent evaluators, which most here agree we have now, we should always take the best player available.

So the answer would be whatever round a QB is the best player available.

You said it perfectly.

This team is weak all up and down the roster. We've got a few good players, but not a single superstar, and not nearly enough depth.

We simply need to continue the overhaul. We need better middle linebacking, more pass rush, lots of help in the secondary, a superstar WR would be nice if we could get our hands on one, we need upgrades everywhere.

D Hall should not be a starting CB in this league anymore, for example. Goldson is OK but winning defenses often have better players at that position. The defensive line hasn't been good despite being one of the deeper positions we have.

Not to mention, there's an element to this that could be on the coaches. Why aren't we run blocking better with Scherff in there this year? Did Lauvao mean that much? Long has had several years in this league and has been with this staff, why isn't he more impactful by now?

[Coff]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

You said it perfectly.

This team is weak all up and down the roster. We've got a few good players, but not a single superstar, and not nearly enough depth.

We simply need to continue the overhaul. We need better middle linebacking, more pass rush, lots of help in the secondary, a superstar WR would be nice if we could get our hands on one, we need upgrades everywhere.

D Hall should not be a starting CB in this league anymore, for example. Goldson is OK but winning defenses often have better players at that position. The defensive line hasn't been good despite being one of the deeper positions we have.

Not to mention, there's an element to this that could be on the coaches. Why aren't we run blocking better with Scherff in there this year? Did Lauvao mean that much? Long has had several years in this league and has been with this staff, why isn't he more impactful by now?

On the other hand, perhaps our greatest team weakness last year was pass blocking, which is arguably the best part of the team this year. I believe I saw a statistic recently that the Skins are allowing fewer sacks per drop-back than any team in the league. That's remarkable. Did we have to trade run-blocking for pass-blocking? And if you had to choose between the two, which would it be?

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

You said it perfectly.

This team is weak all up and down the roster. We've got a few good players, but not a single superstar, and not nearly enough depth.

We simply need to continue the overhaul. We need better middle linebacking, more pass rush, lots of help in the secondary, a superstar WR would be nice if we could get our hands on one, we need upgrades everywhere.

D Hall should not be a starting CB in this league anymore, for example. Goldson is OK but winning defenses often have better players at that position. The defensive line hasn't been good despite being one of the deeper positions we have.

Not to mention, there's an element to this that could be on the coaches. Why aren't we run blocking better with Scherff in there this year? Did Lauvao mean that much? Long has had several years in this league and has been with this staff, why isn't he more impactful by now?

Isn't Long a 2nd year player but essentially a rookie since he was still recovering from a knee injury his last year in college?

Either way, I agree overall with the premise that the roster as a whole needs an overhaul. It's going to be at least a 2 year process to purge some older/expensive players (bye bye this offseason to Hatcher, Garcon, Jackson, Riley to name a few) and bring in more via the draft and smart free agency.

I think there will be a number of QB on the market this offseason (Cutler, Stafford, Brees, Kap, RG3 to name a few) via trade or release but we shouldn't be in the market for any of them because we're not a QB away from being a contender.

How does that relate to Cousins? IMO, he's not the long term answer, he is a good backup to below average starter. He's Ryan Fitzpatrick...and that's not necessarily a bad thing. He will bounce around the league for 10+ years, win some games, maybe catch lightning in a bottle with the right team around him and have some success but ultimately be fools gold if you think he's a franchise QB.

BUT, for where we are and are going, he's the best roster option right now for 2016 and maybe 2017 while we look for our long term QB. I think while this is a weak draft class at QB, if there's value in the 2nd or 3rd round on a guy Scot thinks can be the long term solution.

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by SCRedskinsFan

I assume you typed his first name on purpose.

Whatever you think of his performance, Kirk Cousins has been a model citizen for the Redskins, and doesn't deserve your sophomoric attempt at humor. It's offensive and doesn't become you.

Are you attempting to polish him?

[SCRedskinsFan]

Are you attempting humor? Gotta say, not your strong suit.

Just stop it.

[HailGreen28]

I wonder how much criticism of Gruden and Cousins is because the offense has sucked again this season, and how much is due to people upset over Griffin's benching.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Coff

On the other hand, perhaps our greatest team weakness last year was pass blocking, which is arguably the best part of the team this year. I believe I saw a statistic recently that the Skins are allowing fewer sacks per drop-back than any team in the league. That's remarkable. Did we have to trade run-blocking for pass-blocking? And if you had to choose between the two, which would it be?

The low sack number has a lot to do with Cousins getting rid of the ball much faster than Griffin did. The pass blocking is definitely better though - Moses this year has been a HUGE upgrade over what we had at RT last year. And Scherff is anchoring better than what we had last year.

But it's easy to get your sack numbers down when the ball comes out on time. That's the part of Cousins' game that gets underappreciated. He turns some over, but it's coming out quick. Fewer negative plays overall.

[OmahaRedskins]

Originally Posted by DYoungJelly

I don't intend any offense, but I disagree with the premise of the question.

With superior talent evaluators, which most here agree we have now, we should always take the best player available.

So the answer would be whatever round a QB is the best player available.

I think it is very relevant. If you draft a QB in round one or two, you are giving up on KC. If you draft a QB in round three – seven you have to bring KC back and coach up the rookie while he is on the bench. If the team falls apart and we finish with three or four wins; I have no issues with using the first or second pick in the draft on a QB. If we draft a QB in the first round, the offense will be starting over, and Jay will be given another two years.
History shows QB’s drafted beyond the third round seldom pan out. When you have so many holes in the roster, I do not agree with drafting a QB this year, unless you are giving up on KC. In two or three years, I have no issue with drafting a QB in the later rounds.
I understand the theory around drafting the best player availed, but we are not good enough for this theory. We need to draft the best player available at a position of need. If you are bringing KC back, we should not use a pick on a QB.

[30gut]

Kirk's ability and the scheme's near over emphasis on getting the ball out quick without a doubt contributes to the low sack totals.

On the flip side, that same emphasis on getting the ball out quick and taking less sacks also leds to the league worst YPA and Cousin interception rate.

--On drafting a QB

I think we should draft a QB. I believe in the Ron Wolf philosophy that many west coast offenses follow: draft at least 1 QB somewhere in every draft. The beauty of drafting WCO QBs is that they don't require top level physical traits that 1st round QB's have. The number 1 trait for WCO QBs isn't "expensive" in terms of drafting early.

[DYoungJelly]

Originally Posted by OmahaRedskins

I understand the theory around drafting the best player availed, but we are not good enough for this theory. We need to draft the best player available at a position of need.

Need is certainly factored in somewhat to determining best player available.

BPA is how teams become good and is the best way to build quality depth year in and year out.

Going into a draft determined on drafting a player at a certain position means the team is passing over more talented players at other positions to fill a need.

Taking the BPA every round in every draft builds quality depth across every position.

Every player on an NFL roster is one play away from a season ending injury. The way to be successful in the league is having really good football players that can be the next man up.

McLovin and I respectfully disagree with your draft strategy.

[OmahaRedskins]

Originally Posted by DYoungJelly

Need is certainly factored in somewhat to determining best player available.

BPA is how teams become good and is the best way to build quality depth year in and year out.

Going into a draft determined on drafting a player at a certain position means the team is passing over more talented players at other positions to fill a need.

Taking the BPA every round in every draft builds quality depth across every position.

Every player on an NFL roster is one play away from a season ending injury. The way to be successful in the league is having really good football players that can be the next man up.

McLovin and I respectfully disagree with your draft strategy.

This is a great theory when you have a strong roster. When you are in rebuilding mode, you take the best player at a position of need. If you need a DB, Safety, Linebacker, and Receiver; you do not draft a Left Tackle because he is the best player available. I am confident Mclovin will agree with me.

[OmahaRedskins]

If we went with best player available we would not have draft Sheriff, we went with best player at a position of need.

[DYoungJelly]

Originally Posted by OmahaRedskins

If we went with best player available we would not have draft Sheriff, we went with best player at a position of need.

Talent isn't the only consideration. McLovin looks at the entire package including character and work ethic when considering best player available.

Williams came in out of football shape after an entire offseason:

Leonard Williams realizes he’s out of shape after Jets debut | New York Post

He says in the article that they did team conditioning in college and conditioning was very much an individual thing in the NFL. Maybe McLovin picked up on this kind of thing and didn't want to chance it.

He may be great but is his work ethic as good as his talent? IDK, maybe McLovin didn't either and decided to take a talented guy who works his ass off, plays hurt and is 100% dedicated to football.

He basically says that he emphasizes character in this interview and will pass on a bigger, faster, stronger guy for a high character guy:

Scot McCloughan on Redskins Draft Strategy, 12-15 Impact Players in this Year's Draft - Hogs Haven

Just because he didn't draft Williams doesn't mean he didn't draft the BPA based on his own(McLovin's) evaluations. His evaluation might not match Mel Kiper's, and that's totally fine.

[DYoungJelly]

Originally Posted by OmahaRedskins

This is a great theory when you have a strong roster. When you are in rebuilding mode, you take the best player at a position of need. If you need a DB, Safety, Linebacker, and Receiver; you do not draft a Left Tackle because he is the best player available. I am confident Mclovin will agree with me.

Sorry dude, straight from the horse's mouth:

https://youtu.be/v-CAZECL2nE?t=1433

BPA is a big tent with room for all. Welcome.

[DYoungJelly]

Originally Posted by 30gut

--On drafting a QB

I think we should draft a QB. I believe in the Ron Wolf philosophy that many west coast offenses follow: draft at least 1 QB somewhere in every draft. The beauty of drafting WCO QBs is that they don't require top level physical traits that 1st round QB's have. The number 1 trait for WCO QBs isn't "expensive" in terms of drafting early.

I agree.

I believe McLovin is following this to some degree.

Generally, there isn't much separation between a 6th or 7th rounder and an UDFA. I acknowledge there are exceptions and I think we got one this year in Jarrett.

Signing Conner Halliday seemed like a good move at the time and in line with Wolf's philosophy.