There are still purportedly sane people arguing that Kirk  Cousins should be the starting QB for the Redskins (not to mention multiple current players, which is strange, to say the least). I’m not sure I can properly emphasize how stupid I think this is, so I’ll let Kirk Cousins do the talking:

“Robert’s a young player, too, and he’s getting better. It doesn’t happen overnight. To take him off the field so I can develop, then he’s not developing. It’s a much bigger deal for him to get the reps than for me because he’s the starting quarterback. It sounds nice when you say that but you have to see it from both angles.”

Of course, what is Cousins going to say? “Hey, RGIII is trash. Put me in.” But his logic remains: What is the benefit of putting Cousins in? Trade value? Right now Cousins is a good backup. Maybe in the right situation or the right team, he could be a starter. But he’s played four regular season NFL games and started just one. Against Denver, he came in and promptly threw two picks. He has such a small sample size, it’s hard to even judge his statistics, let alone make assumptions about what he can do with this team. The idea that Cousins can “run this offense better” is, statistically, completely baseless.

So let’s just say Cousins does come in. And let’s say he tears it up. What are you left with? Trade bait? A QB controversy? Are teams going to give the Redskins a first round or even a second round pick for Cousins, based on the final four games of a hopeless season?

Most of these reactionary, attention-grabbing arguments ignore that this whole team is horrible. Throw anyone behind that offensive line and watch them run for their life. Is the secondary going to suddenly start covering the opposition? Will receivers suddenly catch balls thrown to their chest if they are coming from Cousins? Cousins — of all people — seems to have the most level-headed approach to the whole situation. RGIII needs to develop. He cannot develop on the bench. What else is there to say?

I understand that there is a risk for injury. But it’s been there all year. It will always be there. Now is the time to figure things out. The season is lost. Work on developing RGIII as a pocket passer and fixing his mechanics. Ride that into the off-season. And for the love of God, stop with the read-option.

Leave a comment