DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Kirk Cousins, we all are already

I agree that we need to start winning...at a pretty good clip.

I'm really not going to be disappointed with Cousins because of the reasons you mention. But I think there are better albeit unknown answers out there.

I am a fan and I want to win, and Cousins would (should) help our cause.

Did I do that?

It looks like your response to me is the same as my response to Pit. Almost identical. So were you agreeing with me or did I not make myself clear in my post?

You were fine....I misread. Was still waiting for the coffee to take hold....my bad

He is a franchise QB. He is a proven player. The skins have been trying to sign him long term for 3 seasons now. He just doesn't want to play there under forced circumstances. He has been pretty blunt about it. He wants the freedom to choose where he plays for once in his career. With what he earns on the franchise tag I don't blame him. 35 mil for a 1 year deal is pretty sweet.

Which I think should tell people that it's not about the most money. The Skins have given up a fortune and have offered a fortune to get him to sign. Sure it's about the money but it's also about the opportunity to set him up for a future contract.

Why would he choose to sign where the HC is basically on a one year prove it deal. There is no real stability here and a year from now he could be learning his second system in two years.

That's not a destination I would find favorable if I were him.

Then why not trade for a QB who led the NFL in QB rating last year? A QB who is available for trade, Alex Smith. Smith or Cousins are our best options. Proven durability, Proven pre/post snaps reads, proven arms, proven winners. I am saying that we have been snake bit so many times by "possibilities," that we need to get past the 0 - 16 stigma.

Cousins or Smith would allow us to pick two top 5 position players, Barkley or Fitzpatrick for example, and be set to win for years. If we cannot get Cousins, or Smith, then we still have the fallback position of Rosen/Allen etc. I feel that all avenues should be pursued and if we can get Cousins or Smith, we should. It is nice having the # 1 pick of a college QB as a fallback position.

I won't let myself get excited about the prospect of Cousins coming here. I don't think he would. Give me Smith and draft White and away we go.

Most likely landing spots for Kirk Cousins

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000912644/article/most-likely-landing-spots-for-kirk-cousins

After a three-year audition in Washington, Kirk Cousins is finally ready for a taste of freedom.

In light of Tuesday night's news that the Redskins have agreed in principle to a trade that will install Chiefs star Alex Smith as the new face of the franchise, Cousins is fully expected to reach the open market in March.

With Smith out of the picture, Cousins will be the lone established franchise-altering talent available this offseason. In fact, the only quarterback ever to draw the franchise tag in back-to-back seasons figures to land the biggest contract in NFL history after inspiring the most fiercely contested free-agent sweepstakes since Peyton Manning's grand tour with the 49ers, Titans, Cardinals, Dolphins and Broncos in 2012.

As luck would have it, two of those very same organizations top the list of suitors this time around. Let's examine the most likely landing spots for Cousins this offseason:

1. Denver Broncos: After pocketing more than $40 million via the franchise tag, Cousins can afford to prioritize stability and roster strength over maximum dollar value. The Broncos have been one of the most respected and reliable organizations under the determined direction of John Elway, who is resolved to fixing his quarterback quandary this offseason. The veterans on Denver's championship-caliber defense are avowed Cousins fans, as is head coach Vance Joseph. If lightning strikes twice -- allowing Elway to land his white whale for the second time in six years -- the Broncos would immediately set their sights on regaining AFC West supremacy.

2. New York Jets: Never underestimate connections when it comes to NFL signings. Cousins emerged from Robert Griffin III's shadow under the guidance of former Redskins play designers Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay, not only two of the best offensive minds in the game but also proud graduates of the Mike Shanahan boot-action offense. You know who else learned at the knee of Shanahan? The Jets' recently promoted offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates, who is firmly on Cousins' radar.

"(Shanahan and McVay) are great football minds and I've been very fortunate to have one good coach after the other," Cousins told New York's WFAN on Tuesday. "Jeremy Bates does come from that coaching tree, if you will." Cousins went on to compliment the Jets on a "smart hire" by replacing John Morton with Bates. Flush with nearly $100 million in salary-cap space, general manager Mike Maccagnan is poised to give Elway a run for his money.

3. Arizona Cardinals: Yet another franchise in the market for a veteran signal-caller? Cousins' agent must look like the cat that ate the canary. Carson Palmer's retirement leaves the Cardinals without a single quarterback under contract. New coach Steve Wilkes emphasized to Arizona's brass that he wasn't prepared to take over a rebuilding effort in the desert. "We're going to have a very active and aggressive plan for free agency," Wilkes vowed, establishing Arizona's quarterback strategy.

4. Cleveland Browns: Could Cleveland pull an end-around on the three aforementioned teams and attempt to pry Cousins away from Washington via trade before the onset of free agency? New general manager John Dorsey reportedly struck out in his attempt to reach a deal with his former franchise for Smith's services. Thanks to Sashi Brown's almost unprecedented stockpile of draft picks, Dorsey has the arsenal to tempt the Redskins into a trade. That hypothetical swap would be dependent upon Cousins' willingness to sign long term in Cleveland before testing the market, a dubious proposition.

5. Buffalo Bills: The Browns aren't the only outfit with draft picks to burn and a long-standing need under center. The Bills have two picks apiece in the first two rounds, plenty of ammo to join the Cousins hunt should they opt to pursue an upgrade on Tyrod Taylor. Considering Taylor has been benched for less than stellar backups in each of the past two seasons, nobody should be surprised to see Buffalo enter the Cousins derby.

6. Minnesota Vikings: Much like the situation in Arizona, the quarterback cupboard is bare with Case Keenum, Sam Bradford and Teddy Bridgewater all set to reach free agency. While it seems likely that at least one of those incumbents will return to hold down the fort, it's conceivable that the Vikings will kick Cousins' tires as proper due diligence. Would Cousins be comfortable signing on with an unknown entity at offensive coordinator after Pat Shurmur left for the Giants job?

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: This outlook seemed much more realistic a few weeks ago, before Bortles led an upset victory over Pittsburgh and nearly knocked off New England in the AFC Championship Game. Even if the Jaguars' brain trust still harbored doubts after watching the coaching staff coddle the beleaguered quarterback with ultra-safe game plans, their options are limited following news of Bortles' recent wrist surgery. The fifth-year option on Bortles' rookie contract is guaranteed at $19 million for injury only, which means he will collect if he can't pass a physical in March. Should that scenario play out, it's hard to imagine Jacksonville's commitment to change will compete with the likes of those listed above.

Interesting take. I wonder what it would take in a trade and sign deal? Swap #4 with the Skins 1st pick? They pick 13....hmmmm

I think people underestimate what the Browns offer.

The team could literally make a call to Kirk Cousins, Earl Thomas and Allen Robinson, three of the highest profile free agents, and say, let's make some magic... the Browns could sign all three and still have amongst the most cap space in the NFL.

Obviously, you're not getting them all, but it highlights just how incredible the Browns options are. There is a lot of spending money, and a guy like Kirk Cousins knows he'll attract people to come with him.

Add guys like Saquon Barkley and a top flight right tackle, just to sweeten the deal for Cousins, and the Browns still have three second round picks (Let's say WR and CB are likely options there).

Still have a 3rd and two fourths to add impact players.

And that's all coming from a front office who suddenly don't get a whole lot of "Can sell a FA on the team" love but just last year were getting praised through the roof for what they'd done with their former teams.

And we've just signed an OC who has a long history of putting a great offense on the field.

Not to mention it's hard not to already be excited about this defense. 0-16 doesn't mean we didn't see flashes out of Ogbah, Garrett, Ogunjobi, Schobert, Kirksey and Collins.

The Browns also boast impressive blocking. A lot of our wounds last year were self-inflicted from a rookie quarterback and the struggles of the unit largely taking their first steps together. It improved over the course of the season. Denver and New York have much weaker o-lines.

As for the Cardinals, Jets and Broncos: The grass ain't always greener. Denver has no cap and is already regressing because their once-championship-defense got older. The Jets played some good football, but they're not a great team. The Cardinals have been on a downward slope for a while.

None of the "top teams" listed for Cousins are actually top teams. What the Browns offer, however, is the assets to actually do something about it.

I love our future. I would think anyone objective would too. There is no real reason to think this rebuild isn't going to be awesome.

Denver could free up cap room lickety split... they already been rumored to releasing Talib and Demaryius to do just that.

Two of their better players. And it won't be enough. Talib, Thomas, Peko and Anderson. That's what they'd need and what is floating around.

That's enough to sign Cousins and their rookies. Virgil Green, Todd Davis, Jared Crick, Shaq Barrett and Matt Paradis are all off contract. Max Garcia, Bradley Roby, Zach Kerr and Jeff Heuermann are all next.

They are all on small deals. Peko is at $3.7M, everyone else is less than $2.8M. They don't get natural cap relief until 2020, with Sanders, Thomas, Talib, Wolf, Harris, Watson and Anderson all off contract. They'll also have to use much of that space on Ray, Gotsis, Simmons, McGovern, etc all needing deals.

They're getting old. That's why they're talking about casting these guys off. The dreaded 30+. And they've also got quite a few guys in the 28 range.

So where is this great team he's going to? I just don't see it.

The memory is nice, but Cousins wouldn't be joining the same team that Manning joined. He's joining a team that's lost what they had, and haven't done a great job of replacing that talent.

I don't doubt they can clear enough room for him. I just question why he'd even bother. I'd take our future over theirs.

Denver is 17th in salary cap space with $24,658,793 ... Courtesy www.spotrac.com

I think you're probably right... and I think this would be one of Elway's last hoorahs. I don't think their drafts have been anything special since he's been there... and if I'm Kirk Cousins, a QB in this league, do you sign with a team whose GM is a hall of fame QB or do you sign with a team who just went 1-31 over the past 2 seasons....




This is a rare thought around here. I would agree that I'd take our future over ours. I'd take our future over a lot of teams, but I think Dorsey has to get these picks right (like always).

j/c:

I have absolutely no idea how the Cousins situation will play out, but it sure is going to be interesting.

I don't think I am in favor of trading for Cousins. After what Washington just gave up, they will want a King's ransom in return for Cousins.

Why would we have to pay for Cousins? He’s an FA when the offseason starts.

The more I think about it, we can't trade for Cousins. The trading deadline ended. Cousins is set to be a FA. The reason why the KC trade was announced is because Smith still had a year on his contract. He wasn't slated to be free.

There were rumors of Cousins being traded before the FA period begins. I'm not sure where that stands now.

I read the rumors as well... I thought I saw it had something to do with a sign and trade... but I'd assume Cousins would have to be on board. But after this, I don't think I'd be happy if I'm Cousins and I wouldn't want Washington to gain anything out of losing me.

I was referring to Vambo's article that said the Browns could trade for Cousins before he hits FA.

Agree. With the praise he's recently got from Anderson training folks, why not bring McCown back...I don't want to give up lots of capital for place holder....GO Browns!!!

I actually could get behind that....but it would be wildly unpopular and the fanbase would barely give him a nanosecond of leeway.

Cousins has done great for his family and future security....but JMHO, he thinks he's somebody and wants to go to contender....Josh McCown gives you everything he's got and would teach several of our QBs, Kizer and X, to be pros...the opposite of what Johnny M did....we aren't going to be good next year either, but we can set up the future....GO Browns!!!!

Josh McCown will be 39 to start this season. We saw Josh McCown at 37 and 36. He had a great season at 38. But let's not forget the past.



I like McCown. Seems like a great guy. Decent bridge QB.

But he holds the ball too long and reminds me of Charlie Brown.

I mean, really. Is Josh's year last year what we should expect? Or is it much more likely to expect more like Josh when he was on the Browns for two season?



I'm a pretty open guy, but going into the season with Josh as the "bridgegap" QB would make me sick. We've done that. Happy for him that he had a wonderful year last year, but i'm not going to get fooled by that one.

There's other options out there

This trade for Cousins thing makes no sense. The trade deadline for this year has passed and trading will not start for 2018 until March 4th the same day free agency starts. I don't think the league would look to highly on teams agreeing ahead of time on trading of players who are about to be Free Agents.

Sign and trades never happen in the NFL. They would have to tag him, let us negotiate a contract with him before the trade, and then trade him to us.

Earl Thomas is not a free agent.



Do they have a lame duck coach with an owner who fires everyone every two years?

Bingo. There is no way Washington tags Cousins. Imagine they tagged him and he immediately signed the tender?

All of that could be set up .. Washington tags him.. Cousins signs the tag.. Trade happens and Browns/Cousins renegotiate a contract.. it would be sneaky.. but after what Belichek pulled with trading Garrapolo around us.. why not ?

We would have to be able to negotiate the contract before the trade.

It seems like there are going to be a lot of very disappointed people on here when Kirk Cousins signs with someone else. I think we have very little chance at signing him and people will have their torches and pitchforks ready to go.

It's good to see you are back Eo .. Hope everything improves and you make it home soon

j/c

Asked what it’s like hearing so many people discuss his personal financial situation, Cousins said, “You don’t want to talk about money. I mean, that doesn’t get you anywhere. So I want to talk about winning football games and, yeah, it’s a business, but ultimately this decision going forward is going to be about winning games, and how do we do that best, and where can I do that best?”

“The Redskins have the first move with the tag deadline March 6,” he said, “and they can decide what they want to do and then I’ll react accordingly. But if they choose to tag me, I’ll be content to go forward in that route. I’m okay with that. I’ve shown I’m okay with that. But if they don’t, then, yeah, I’ve got to be active and go look at what’s the best option for me.”

“Kirk, I don’t for a second think that you’re being disingenuous,” Rome said. “But are you completely okay with that? Do you gotta prove yourself every single year?”

“Well, I don’t know that I see it as proving myself,” said Cousins. “I feel like for me I’m okay going year-to-year, even if I’ve already proven myself to them, and they’ve made it clear: ‘We believe in you. You’re our guy.’ They just don’t want to pay a dollar more than they have to, and so that’s really more the challenge, is coming to an agreement there. But they believe in me and I feel that. It’s just more about trying to get the right circumstances.”

Asked what’s most important to him, Cousins said, “It’s winning. I want to win. I’ve had an opportunity to earn a good living playing football. That box is checked, quote, unquote, and so I want to go win.

http://washington.cbslocal.com/2018/01/3...nse-of-winning/

I think it is more like Plan A .. Plan B.. Plan C.. etc. with the final fall back position being drafting Darnold/Rosen/Allen @ #1. It's all in the process..

Right. I don't think the front office will be serious about signing Kirk Cousins.

Right. I don't think the front office will be serious about signing Kirk Cousins.

The best option for us is probably drafting Mayfield. Not only do I want to see this because it will have us on the fast track to the top, but it will be entertaining watching some people explode, including Grossi... I can't imagine the backlash of not signing Cousins and drafting Mayfield all within 1 1/2 months time....

Whatever gets you to stop mentioning Baker Mayfield in every post is what I'm in favor of.