Washington Redskins As Good As Kirk Cousins Can Be
By Dan Salem
The Washington Redskins got a lot better last season, in no small part thanks to their quarterback. But for them to improve and hold onto the division, Cousins must excel. As he goes, so go the Redskins.
Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL Sports Debate. Two brothers from New York yell, scream, and debate sports.
TODD:
The Washington Redskins are the final stop on our alphabetical trip through the NFL. Their offseason began with decisions at the quarterback position. None of the moves were surprising, but Washington handed its franchise over to Kirk Cousins by giving him the franchise tag, and it released Robert Griffin III, finally putting an end to that saga. It then re-signed Colt McCoy as the backup to Cousins, essentially setting in stone the most important position on the football field.
Washington’s ceiling comes down to the question of whether or not you believe in Cousins. The rest of this team can be pretty dang good. Letting Alfred Morris leave was probably smart. It is worth seeing how much of the workload Matt Jones can handle at the running back position. Jordan Reed and the wide receivers form a formidable attack through the air, and the offensive line has some anchors on either side.
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Surprisingly, on defense is where this team could really shine. It has the pass rushers in Ryan Kerrigan and Trent Murphy, while taking chances on pieces like Junior Galette. The Skins also brought in Josh Norman, arguably the best cornerback in football, after he was jettisoned by Carolina. To add to the secondary, they drafted the movable and flexible Su’a Cravens, as well as Kendall Fuller.
I like Cousins at quarterback. I think he’s solid and comfortably above average at the position. To me, that puts Washington in the driver’s seat of the NFC East.
I know you harped on Dallas being the cream of the crop recently, but the Cowboys aren’t as balanced of a football team as Washington. As for New York, it had too far to climb up to reach the level of the Redskins. And who knows what the heck is going on in Philadelphia. It’s easy to forget that Washington did actually win this thing last year at 9-7. It should be the front-runner to do so again in 2016.
DAN:
I don’t know what to make of the Washington Redskins. They were a good team last season, but nothing wowed me. They won their division, yet failed to tally double digit victories. Furthermore, the Redskins did not have a victory over a single playoff team. They only had two games all season against such competition, both losses.
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That being said, last season was an excellent year in Washington. The team got better and its quarterback got a lot better. Despite a lackluster showing in the wildcard playoff round, the Redskins are certainly on the up and up heading into the new season. But stating they are the best team in the NFC East is hardly a compliment. I think Dallas and Washington are neck and neck for the top of the division right now, but I’m sorry, hinging further prosperity on Kirk Cousins is a dangerous game and one the Cowboys are likely to win.
I agree that Washington is a favorite to win the NFC East, all be it tied with Dallas, but for them to impress me in 2016 they have to get better. They have to win at least ten games and secure a playoff spot once again. Cousins is entering his fifth season and nothing about last year should give fans reason to worry. I’m simply of the mindset that he must prove he can repeat, before I’m willing to believe.
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Many quarterbacks have one great season. Washington is no stranger to this phenomena at the position. Cousins had one very good year as a starter and I too believe he can hold up his end of he bargain, running the Redskins as well as he did in 2015. But is that going to be enough for this team to improve? Only if Washington’s other playmakers make similar strides forward. You called Cousins above average, which is a perfect description of last season’s Redskins. I’m just worried for this team. The NFC East does not yet feel like their division to lose, but another season like last year and all of that can disappear.