Washington Redskins: Alex Smith happy to be with new team

Unlike the last guy, Alex Smith let everyone know he was excited to be the quarterback of the Washington Redskins.

Washington Redskins‘ vice president of player personnel Doug Williams opened the press conference to introduce new quarterback Alex Smith to the local media by saying this was a new beginning and the team wanted to look forward, not back.

Smith’s arrival signaled a positive change for the franchise and there was going to be no looking back at former quarterback Kirk Cousins and the team’s failure to reach a long-term deal with him.

Williams is right. It is a new beginning and for that reason, everyone affiliated with Washington should be excited. No more daily discussions about Cousins’ desire — or lack of desire — to remain in Washington. No more questions about his overall worth. He’s gone. Alex Smith is here and the veteran quarterback couldn’t be happier about his new destination.

Williams, who just so happens to be a former Super Bowl-winning quarterback for the Redskins, never quite understood why Cousins didn’t want to get a deal done with Washington. In an interview with Tom Friend of TheSportsCapitol.com, Williams spoke at length on Cousins and his apparent lack of desire to remain with the Redskins and also many of the plays Cousins left on the field (via ProFootballTalk):

"“For me to say he handled right or wrong is not for me to say. I can only say from my perspective — only me — if I was in his shoes, which I couldn’t be in his shoes, it would be hard for me not to still be here. Being in the nation’s capital, and having something to work with. When you talk about the offensive line, it’s a certain thing. And then there’s the comfortability part of it. No. 8 was here for six years. And had an opportunity to be here for the next five, I’m sure if that’s what he chose.”"

Just days after this interview with Friend, Williams told reporters — before introducing Smith — that the new quarterback was thrilled to be in D.C., and there would be no drama surrounding Smith.

When Smith himself took the stage, he was happy, smiling and humbly answered every question with polish and deflected all attention away from himself. He was clear, he was here to win a championship and is excited to play for head coach Jay Gruden and lead his offense.

For Washington fans, that one line is a refreshing change. After three years of Cousins never fully committing to the team — after the team didn’t commit to him — hearing a quarterback say how much he wanted to be with the Redskins is massive.

A 13-year veteran, Smith is coming off the best season of his career. Gruden’s offense is similar to the one he leaves behind in Kansas City, which both have roots in the West Coast offense. Smith improved each season under Andy Reid once he finally had coaching stability after years of coaching changes in San Francisco. Gruden, much like Reid, happens to be a quarterback guru, too.

In adding Paul Richardson, the Redskins were intent on giving Smith weapons. Chris Thompson, Jordan Reed, Jamison Crowder, Josh Doctson and Vernon Davis are a pretty good group. Health, of course, is the biggest issue with Reed. The Redskins are also expected to add a young running back in the upcoming draft as well.

Smith comes to Washington as its new unquestioned leader. Leadership is something you can’t force and it’s clear Smith has outstanding leadership qualities and his teammates believe in him. Mercurial cornerback Marcus Peters opened up about Smith after the Chiefs traded him to the Rams on an appearance on the NFL Network.

Smith is much more comfortable in a leadership role than Cousins. While Cousins was terrific when mic’d up, he often talked more about leadership than exhibiting it. Not Smith. If Smith is mic’d up, he’ll likely bore you, but he’s authentic.

Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Post-free agency 3 rounds

The first game is less than six months away. The decision to acquire Smith could backfire on Washington. Don’t count on it. While Smith doesn’t make the Redskins a Super Bowl favorite, he assures them they’ll be in the playoff hunt. That’s what you want out of the quarterback position. Someone to give you a chance.

This trade should have Washington fans excited, if for no other reason than Smith is jacked to be in D.C. and the quarterback of the Washington Redskins.