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Some time has passed since the draft and I, like many in the media, am still trying to figure out the Redskins' draft, not what they did on the first day but the move they made on day two. There I am at FedEx Field for a press conference and draft party for Robert Griffin III. Close to 10,000 fans were there to see The Franchise. Then came the news that the Redskins selected quarterback Kirk Cousins out of Michigan State, marking the first time since 1989 that a team selected two quarterbacks in the first 4 rounds of the draft.
I have no problem with the talent of Cousins. He is a great pick but not for this team at this time. This is a squad that went 5-11 last year. This is a squad that needs people to help it on the field now. This is a squad that just gave up a ton to get a quarterback.
Cousins said in a radio interview right after he was drafted that Mike Shanahan told him he was a player he couldn't pass up. Really? I would submit to you that what Shanahan couldn't pass up was a chance to get maximum value with each and every pick in this draft. In the fourth round, you can get a player that can stay around in the league for six to 10 years. Instead, the Redskins have a backup who is not supposed to see the field. This would be good for a team that is winning and established, but not for one who has just three playoff appearances in 19 seasons.
Let me say that I see some of the logic here. I know this is not a popular thing to say but I still have my questions about Griffin. Due largely to the fact that they have done without a franchise quarterback for so long, the burgundy and gold fan base has gone over the top for RGIII. But the NFL is not the Big 12 and he may struggle or get hurt. Even if that is the case, you have committed to this guy by the number of picks you gave up to get him. Why would you select another quarterback that high in the draft whose role going in is to be a stopgap and not the franchise?
The team gave up so much to get its quarterback and it's not enough? For better or for worse, I thought Rex Grossman was the stopgap for this year? What is the plan here? When you need players on the field that can help now, I don't get the luxury backup QB pick of Kirk Cousins in the fourth round.
What are your thoughts on this?
