Cousins Named Starter For At Least Opener

There appears to be a major schism in Washington regarding Redskins former first-round pick Robert Griffin, III and if he should remain the team’s starting quarterback.

After suffering a concussion in the team’s preseason Week 2 loss, Cousins started in Saturday’s preseason victory over the Baltimore Ravens and has reportedly been named the starter for the season opener at least.

A team source told Football Insiders that the coaching staff doesn’t believe in Griffin’s abilities to run head coach Jay Gruden’s offense.

When asked if there would her a move, the source simply replied, “that’s up to the man upstairs.”

We’re assuming he was talking about Redskins owner Daniel Snyder and not God, (however much Snyder believes he may be an infallible being).

Snyder has always had his quarterback’s back, possibly even too much as it’s reportedly alienated other teammates and now two separate coaching staffs.  Since Griffin’s magical rookie season in 2012, he has gone 5-15 as a starting quarterback, while throwing 20 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.

The thing that made Griffin special in 2012 was his legs and running the spread.  After tearing his ACL in Washington’s playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks, he hasn’t been nearly as mobile and he’s simply not an accomplished passer in the pocket.

A team scout told Football Insiders that Griffin has “slow eyes.” The inability to make quick decisions certainly doesn’t work with a timing based offense as Gruden runs.

“Here’s a quarterback who hasn’t been able to acclimate himself into the NFL system,” NFL Network analyst and former Green Bay legend James Lofton said about Griffin.  

Lofton added, “We’re back at square one for RG3 and you didn’t expect to be at square one in year four.”

An ESPN report has stated that Washington looked into dealing Griffin in the offseason, but “talks didn’t get far.”

It certainly appears that RG3 is no longer in Jay Gruden’s plans (assuming he ever was) and it looks like it’s going to be Kirk Cousins show.  Cousins has played well in previous preseasons, and was auditioning for the job last season when Griffin was down with an ankle injury, but was eventually replaced by journeyman Colt McCoy.

Big Money Extensions Over The Weekend

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones was patient with his contract situation as he never complained or missed any mandatory or voluntary camps.

“Whatever they feel like I’m deserving of … I’m just here,” Jones said. “I’m just trying to be the best teammate. I’m just trying to play. My thing is to play ball.”

His patience was rewarded on Saturday as he signed a five-year contract extension reportedly worth $71.25 million with $47.5 million guaranteed.

Jones guaranteed money exceeds all wide receivers, including the new contracts that Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas recently signed.

The market is now set for A.J. Green and the Cincinnati Bengals to get something done.  Unfortunately for Green, Bengals owner Mike Brown has never been as willing to part with money as Falcons owner Arthur Blank.

Meanwhile, throughout the drama which is going on with the Washington Redskins and their quarterback situation, the team used some of their money that they won’t be spending on Robert Griffin, III’s second contract and gave it to one of his protectors, left tackle Trent Williams.

Full terms were not disclosed by the team, but multiple media outlets reported Saturday that the deal is a five-year, $66 million contract extension, making Williams the highest-paid offensive tackle in NFL history.

Williams will receive $43.25 million in guarantees and $32 million at signing, and will average $13.2 million per year.

The former first-round pick confirmed the extension via his Twitter account.

Happy to announce I will be a redskin for the next 5 years. This is a dream come true HTTR 4 Life. #sbg

— Trent Williams (@TrentW71) August 29, 2015

Whoever the Redskins decide will be their quarterback going forward will at least have one of the better left tackles in football locked up on a long-term basis.

On The Football Field…

There were two preseason games on Sunday and they weren’t exactly memorable.  In the first game, the Houston Texans defeated the New Orleans Saints, 27-13.

In his first game after officially being named the team’s starting quarterback, Brian Hoyer was efficient and led his team to a touchdown and a field goal on three drives.

“It’s good to come out and start the game and move the ball like we did,” Hoyer said. “That means what we are doing is moving the team in the right direction.”

Some players that stood out for Houston were rookie cornerback Kevin Johnson, backup cornerback/running back Charles James, II and Kenny Hilliard.

Players who stood out for the Saints were running back Marcus Murphy, cornerback Keenan Lewis, and both kickers, Dustin Hopkins and Zach Hocker.

“He’s making this team.” Saints head coach Sean Payton said of Marcus Murphy, who had 110 yards from scrimmage.

Meanwhile in Oakland, the Arizona Cardinals looked like anything but a Super Bowl contender in their 30-23 victory over the Oakland Raiders.

Carson Palmer played the entire first half and struggled…mightily.  Palmer completed just 8 of 22 throws, for 103 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions and was sacked three times.

The first-team Cardinals offense could only muster up three points against an Oakland defense that finished 21st overall in defense last season.

Meanwhile, Oakland looked good moving the football between the 20’s but struggled in the red zone, kicking five first half field goals.  Derek Carr threw his first touchdown pass of the preseason in the third quarter, but it went to Cardinals cornerback Cariel Brooks who took the throw 81 yards to the house.

Players who stood out for Arizona were running back David Johnson, backup quarterback Phillip Sims, tight end Ifeanyi Momah and second-year wide receiver John Brown.

One standout for Oakland was rookie wide receiver Amari Cooper, who beat one of the best in the business, Patrick Peterson on a long completion.  Last year’s rookie sensation Khalil Mack registered two sacks and was a disruptive monster, and safety Nate Allen registered two interceptions.