More Draft Talk

More on the Cousins pick: I have been having a couple of second thoughts on the picking of Kirk Cousins for a couple of reasons.

Reason #1: Ye Have Little Faith
The Redskins have been hyping up RG3 and getting ready for his arrival to the team for months now. With all this hype and talk, you would think that all of the QB eggs would be in his basket. However, it seems as if the Skins are second guessing that by drafting Cousins. In my opinion, it's a slight shot at Griffin and letting him know he's not necessarily the guy.

Reason #2: Hogs Anyone?
What is a QB without his offensive line? Well, for a lack of a better word, screwed. The offensive line is full of unsung heroes from a team. The Redskins were ranked 25th in the NFL last year in yards per game. Not all of the fault should fall on the offensive line for that abysmal ranking, but if you watched any game they played all year, you know it needs work. Redskins' QBs were sacked a total of 41 times last season. One of the main reasons that Grossman and Beck didn't perform as hoped was because of the lack of time they had in the pocket. The Redskins offensive line has a history of greatness, toughness, and glory because of the "Hogs" in the early 1980's. That legacy has changed a bit over the decade. From offensive line wonders, Jon Jansen to Pete Kendall to Stephon Heyer, to say the line was lacking would be an understatement. So, it would make a little sense to try to reverse this latest trend of washed up linemen. To the Skins credit, they have made an effort in the Shanahan era to get new linemen out of the draft, like Trent Williams, or through trades, like Jammal Brown. However, it could always use work. And maybe it would have been a good idea to draft some more linemen.

Reason #3: In Good Hands?
The Shanahan era started with the just horrendous trade for Donovan McNabb. Not the best way to get a franchise off the ground. We all know how that turned out. And with great controversy. If you recall, during a October game against the Lions, McNabb was benched due to "his lack of understanding of the two-minute offense." Not really the best way to treat your starting QB who is being paid millions of dollars. Nevertheless, it happened and put some doubts in my mind about Shanahan's willingness to deal with star QB's. This is why I have concerns about Cousins and Griffin. Shanahan hasn't proved his open mind and his ready-to-teach attitude. There is always going to be controversy with him and his coaching staff. And does it really help to have your son as your Offensive Coordinator? That's an issue for another time.