ES: First Cousins, Once RG3 is Removed

[DC9]

kirk looks promising, but he threw two freaking passes and some of you act like he's going to walk all over the browns. smh

Little brother,

I think more people are more worried about Robert long term... he's shown he's pretty good off of a week of rest in the past... why not let Cousins go in there and start and let RG3 heal fully?

Or would you rather him go in there and get his leg smoked on a slick field?

[AlvinWaltonIsMyBoy]

Some people want Kirk to play well to increase his trade value. I want him to play well and then I want to keep him.

People tend to underestimate the value of a good backup QB. With that being said, I would be surprised if Griffin didn't play Sunday.

[Skinz4Life12]

Little brother,

I think more people are more worried about Robert long term... he's shown he's pretty good off of a week of rest in the past... why not let Cousins go in there and start and let RG3 heal fully?

Or would you rather him go in there and get his leg smoked on a slick field?

on a slick field? now we are resorting to predicting the weather a week out as an excuse to bench Griffin?

If Griffin says he can play and the doctors clear him, he needs to play. I doubt we beat the browns otherwise and our playoff chances diminish significantly and this great run will be all for not.

[Rocky52Mc]

Steven Strasburg his ass and make him watch us lose in the playoffs.

[styx491]

I agree with this, RG3's aura of "will he run or won't he" is lost if his knee is messed up, plus defenders will be looking to hit him around that area too. The Browns haven't played anyone substantial as of late and their offense and defensive stats are inflated because of that. Cousins can run this offense well especially if we get our run game going, which I don't see how we can't. Our running game will be going and the play action and quick passes WILL be there. I would much much rather rest RG3 this week and next week, have him be the primary backup, even go so far as making him come in 5 times in the Browns game to mess with their heads a little. We SHOULD win this game with our run game and offensive scheme, one that Cousins can run and should be able to be fairly adept at. Our defense should get some turnovers as well and hopefully stop Trent Richardson. If we can do that, then I don't see us losing.

[maxspruill21]

Anyone else think that picture looks like RG3 has just powered his foot through Ngata's body, with Ngata's insides flying off his cleats? I mean, that would have been brutal and disgusting, but would have probably improved our chances of seeing RG3 on the field next Sunday, as opposed to what actually happened.

I seriously lold.

[Laron Burgundy]

on a slick field? now we are resorting to predicting the weather a week out as an excuse to bench Griffin?

If Griffin says he can play and the doctors clear him, he needs to play. I doubt we beat the browns otherwise and our playoff chances diminish significantly and this great run will be all for not.

It's this kind of talk that absolutely baffles me. You doubt we win without Griffin? Against the Browns?! Griffin has been nothing short of amazing, but who we need to beat the Browns is Morris, not Griff. I expect Morris to have his biggest game of the year.

[Chachie]

IMHO this thread is a moot point. Griffin won't be ready on Sunday and I think he'll be the first to admit it. I will be pleasantly surprised if he can go against Philadelphia.

I know the report came back as a mild sprain but it was a doozy of a mild sprain. He's going to be real stiff and sore for 10 days and let's not forget how many times those "mild sprain" reports get "updated" after a week. I think it's a two week recovery no matter what we're hearing tonight.

[Skinz4Life12]

It's this kind of talk that absolutely baffles me. You doubt we win without Griffin? Against the Browns?! Griffin has been nothing short of amazing, but who we need to beat the Browns is Morris, not Griff. I expect Morris to have his biggest game of the year.

its this sort of talk that baffles me. we lost to the panthers not long ago dude.

[BRAVEONTHEWARPATH93]

Steven Strasburg his ass and make him watch us lose in the playoffs.

Are you a fan man?

what kind of post is that?

[SittingBull]

its this sort of talk that baffles me. we lost to the panthers not too long ago dude.

Winning can get people disillusioned as much as losing can. As others have said it's simple. If the doctors clear him to practice and Shanahan thinks he looks good enough to play he plays.

WE ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO SIT OUR MOST DYNAMIC AND VALUABLE PLAYER REGARDLESS OF OPPONENT.

[Bacon]

The Strasburg shutdown had to be one of the most foolish and insulting managerial decisions I've seen. Sacrificing the team's chances when the stakes are at their highest to protect one player is a slap in the face to the team. No one is that good unless the rest of the team is that horrible. This situation is nothing like Strasburg's, because Shanahan isn't a pulling a predetermined number of starts out of his ass and throwing the team to the wolves without RG3 because the number had been reached. Besides, RG3 is the key to our success for the decade ahead, while Strasburg is one shining light in an already great rotation.

I would actually sacrifice this season to save RG3's career, if the situation called for it, but I really don't think it does.

[moondog]

I'm almost starting to think that this game was meant for Robert to come out, be less mobile, and still dominate proving once and for all to all the idiots who claim otherwise that he's "just a mobile QB". Maybe it has to happen like this.

I honestly can see Robert sitting in the pocket and lighting it up. He's that good.

And I can honestly see a less mobile Robert getting eaten alive by a good pass rush because they have a very talented defense and would let the dogs loose early and often to test Robert's ability to avoid pressure. I do not trust Polumbus in any way, shape or form to protect RG3 with a balky knee against the Browns defense.

I think RG3 is a talented pocket passer, but as E-Dog Night pointed out, he is not yet at a level where he is ready to be purely a pocket passer and much of what makes him successful is how open guys are due to defense being afraid him/Morris running off the play action. RG3 is deadly accurate, but a huge contributing factor to his completion percentage and only 4 interceptions is the fact that if receivers don't have great separation, more often then not RG3 simply scrambles and either tucks it or finds time til the receivers are more open. He has all the tools of a great pocket passer but I think right now he is still a little hesitant to force it in there without great separation. He's definitely done it on occasion and is more than capable, but his mobility has absolutely factored into his efficiency as a passer.

I think RG3 will be capable of playing on Sunday and playing well. But I think it would be a mistake to let him play injured against an opportunistic defense that will almost certainly send heavy blitzes early and often...why wouldn't they? With a sprain, it is very possible to cause further damage simply by planting/cutting without even getting hit. I see very little reason to risk further injury to him. For all the reasons listed in the original post, I think it very wise to prep Cousins and see what we have. I think he may be our best option. No doubt RG3 will lobby to play and tell everyone he is absolutely fine. I think Shanahan would be wise not to leave the decision up to RG3 and take full responsibility. This is why we drafted a Cousins in the first place. He is not unused to playing in cold weather either, as he hales from Michigan State. He's suited perfectly for this game.

[PerryMason]

Good write up. Although I disagree almost totally.

Grade I sprain (less than 10% of fibers are damaged) + Dr. James Andrews + Great Facility + Daily Treatment + Playoff Race + RG3's Drive = RG3 starting on Sunday.

He'll probably wear a brace to prevent further damage and will play amazing.

[HeluCopter29]

The dude completed two passes after the hit guys. Everyone seems to forget this.

I think if you need anymore proof that he'll be read to play, I don't know what to tell you.