Shanahan Decision Not to Take Out RGIII

[SpringfieldSkins]

I agree that Shanahan was in a terrible position and I agree that he knows a thousand times more about football than I ever will. He would be second guessed no matter what he did. It has to be very difficult no matter what you decide.

On the other hand, he is paid $7 million dollars to face tough decision and the second guessing that comes with them, so I am not going to be worrying too awful much about Coach Shanahan in that sense.

Again, to me the entire point is that while it could have gone either way in hindsight, there is an inconsistency here there seems perfectly legitimate to point out: RGIII looked considerably BETTER before the Cleveland game than he did in the second half today ...and he was benched and Cousins given a chance to show what he could do.

Why was a totally different approach taken this time in this must win game?

Cleveland was an easy opponent, Seattle wasn't.

[Dirt]

And if Shanahan had put in Cousins much earlier and he stunk up the joint, folks like you seeing RG3 walking up and down the sidelines would've been screaming why Shanahan didn't give him more of a chance.

THIS THIS THIS THIS

come on people

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

Do you think Shanahan let a teenaged Kyle drive a sports car to high school keggers? Because I now feel like he might have been cool with that plan.

[SpringfieldSkins]

Cousins should have started the third..
But the Defense had 4 hard nosed kick but series that kept it ctlose.

And of Cousins struggled? Then we would be in the same freaking boat. Oh, but we would be second guessing Shanahan for not keeping RG3 in. Dur.

[Drkstar]

Do you think Shanahan let a teenaged Kyle drive a sports car to high school keggers? Because I now feel like he might have been cool with that plan.

Derp...

[SkinsGuy]

This so stupid.

I don't think most of us are concerned about the game today or the win/loss. Letting RG3 go out there for that long put next season and the future of the franchise needlessly at risk.

Please.

So easy to say that now that the game is over. As I said, hindsight is so 20/20.

It is amazing how many "brillant" head coaches and GMs come out of the woodwork on this board after a game, win or lose.

To listen to them, you would think these types of decisions are easy.

[wrecker]

Then shame on RG3 putting it all on himself. If that's the way you want to focus your blame that is...

Ok. Right. Shame on the 22 year old rookie.

[Pride]

Basically all of you are saying that RG3 is worthless if he can't run. His rep is that he's a passing QB that is capable of running, as opposed to a guy like Vick. No it wasn't pretty, but where's the Willis Reed vibe? A couple of catches here in there and better field position, a seahawk lineman tackling Morris with his ass and this game could be different.

Throwing requires a base (legs).. You could tell he wasn't getting anything on the ball and what he did get down the field well, I heard someone say it looked like Brunell out there.. I don't think anyone is faulting RG3 for his performance, the guy did what he could.

[visionary]

I don't get the fairly weak excuse that if RG3 had been taken out earlier, people would be upset about it if Cousins sucked.
Why would we blame Mike for not wanting to risk RG3's career and trying to give us more of a chance with Cousins, even if he failed?

[jadams5214]

One of the worst coaching decisions EVER on so many levels.

Besides the first that he was risking the health of RG III and the future of the entire franchise.

But otherwise it makes even less sense ---

Shanahan drafted Cousins because he said he loved him as a QB and could play in the NFL. That move was vindicated when Cousins led the Skins to a comeback win over Baltimore and a win over Cleveland the following week.

How can Shanahan not even put Cousins in for a series or two? The offense was awful after the first quarter and wasn't moving the ball. RG III was barely able to move in the pocket, couldn't run and was missing open receivers. ONE score in the 3rd or 4th quarter quite possibly could have been enough to win the game.

At worst case Cousins struggles and Shanahan could put RG III back in even though injury wise that wasn't the right move. Leaving a hobbled RG III in and not even giving Cousins ONE CHANCE to get something going is inexplicable.

Shanahan deserves all the heat and then some that he will get in the coming days...

[Bacon]

And of Cousins struggled?

Put RG3 back in for the 4th. You limit opportunities for him to re-re-re-re-injure the knee and give him some incentive to come out hot.

[DCthomahal]

Cleveland was an easy opponent, Seattle wasn't.

Seattle was definitely tougher, but Cleveland (maybe esp. their defense) was pretty hot at the time and nobody was saying that Cousins was getting the start because of the quality of the opponent ...it was all about doing what was best for the team and the player. I agreed with Shanahan's decision in that case (win or loose), disagree with his decision this time (win or lose).

[visionary]

And of Cousins struggled? Then we would be in the same freaking boat. Oh, but we would be second guessing Shanahan for not keeping RG3 in. Dur.

Not really. That would have been a lot easier to swallow for most I think.

[SpringfieldSkins]

Jesus. You guys complaining about putting RG3's career at risk need to get a ****ing grip.

The man hurt himself on a typical football play. If you can't ****ing handle that then watch another ducking sport. We drafted RG3 because of his speed in part. Now you are ready to chastise the coach for exploiting this? Beyond dumb. Don't know a thing about football. This will be a problem for RG3's entire career. I hope your cajones hang a lot further than this because you're in for one hell of a ball bashing if you can't even handle this.

---------- Post added January-6th-2013 at 09:26 PM ----------

Seattle was definitely tougher, but Cleveland (maybe esp. their defense) was pretty hot at the time and nobody was saying that Cousins was getting the start because of the quality of the opponent ...it was all about doing what was best for the team and the player. I agreed with Shanahan's decision in that case (win or loose), disagree with his decision this time (win or lose).

Cleveland beat some easy opponents in an unspectacular fashion. Seattle did the same in a rather spectacular fashion.

[justice98]

And of Cousins struggled? Then we would be in the same freaking boat. Oh, but we would be second guessing Shanahan for not keeping RG3 in. Dur.

So now we don't have faith in Cousins anymore? He could not have played worse than RG3. Second guessers in this instance would've been dead wrong. They could think what they think, but Shanahan still would've made the right decision.