What did you learn from the Smith Trade?

[John from Riverside]

8 minutes ago, simpleman said:

I still don't think Cousins is the franchise solution for the Bills. I don't see him even worth the guaranteed money that Smith got. I want a bridge QB and a true franchise QB. I want to grow our own QB.  Please Buffalo, do not make an even worse move than Washington just did. I liked Smith, but not at that ridiculous contract. I do not see Cousins as > Smith. Give me one of the Minny QBs at a more reasonable price. I think depending on price, that Bradford is now my new favorite for a bridge QB.

I am really not against one of the Minny QBs....but I think Cousins is def a better player then Alex Smith.....and younger.

[BuffaloBillsGospel]

1 hour ago, Virgil said:

This isn't specifically about Alex Smith, moreso the entire NFL offseason and how this one move really set the table for a lot other moves.  Also, we are starting to see moves that you typically only see in the MLB.

 

1. The value of the QB is as high as we've ever seen it.  Let's just say that Smith is a 10-15 rated QB, which is generous in my opinion.  For him to net that much guaranteed money is crazy to me.  Getting 23 mil a year for his performance is going to reset the entire QB market, moreso than Carr and Stafford.  From that, I think we will see:
   1. Cousins may get the first fully guaranteed contract in NFL History
   2. Cousins may get 30 mil a year
   3. If McCaron's hit the market, I think he will eclipse the crazy contract that Osweiler got.
2. Trading the rights of players could become a thing
   1. The Chiefs were cash strapped and if it weren't such a high demand position, Smith could easily have been cut or asked to renegotiate.  In recent years, most other teams would have just waited for that to happen.  Not only was he not cut, but he was traded for a really high value just for the rights to him.  It also happened with Garropolo.  Maybe there's more of a precedent for this that I'm not thinking of, but it feels more like the baseball All-Star trading deadline where teams are getting players with limited contracts left in hopes to get a leg up on negotiating rights or use of the franchise tag.
   2. While we all have mixed opinions on Tyrod, I think most would agree he would be a solid backup and an improvement for some teams as a starter.  I still don't understand the cap restrictions with trading him because of his option, but I think there would be a market for him as well.  If Smith got a 3rd and a player, we could possibly get a 4th for TT.  Whether that would be worth it because of the cap hit, I don't know.
3. The Browns aren't sold on the rookie QB class
   1. The reports said that 6 teams were interested in Smith, but only the Browns and Redskins were working on a trade.  Since the Smith contract extension was announced so quickly, it has to be assumed that the extension was a prerequisite of the trade.  Assuming more, the Browns knew that Smith wanted and extension with the trade and were in on that.  TO ME, that would indicate that they were better with Smith as their starter for the next 4-5 years than using either of their top 4 picks on a QB.  Yes, it's the Browns, but still interesting to me.  It also shows that they are officially looking for a QB upgrade, which some did think they might try to go with what they had.
4. Of the teams needing QB's, we have the 2nd most cap space
   1. If we do want Cousins, we are in good shape to go after him from a total cap perspective.  The Broncos would have to cut and they have some expiring contracts.  However, I believe we have the most expiring contracts of any team, so we will need some cap.  If Glenn checks out as healthy, I could see him traded since McDermott has his love affair with Dawkins.  But, I again don't know the cap hit of that trade.
5. The number of teams needing a QB dropped by 1 and I think other teams are better off than they would want you to think. 
   1. Browns (Picks 1 and 4) - Will take a QB
   2. Giants - (Pick 2) - Has a lot of holes and say they want to stick with Eli - Trade Back Partner #1
   3. Colts - Pick 3 - I don't think McDaniels takes that job unless he knows Luck is good to go - Trade Back Partner #2
   4. Broncos - Pick 5 - Need a QB and could trade up to make sure no one jumps them (Could also make cap space and go after Cousins)
   5. Jets - Pick 6 - Need a QB and could trade up to make sure no one jumps them (Definitely has cap space for Cousins)
   6. Picks 7-14 all have QB's and only the Cardinals at 15 could use a QB.
      1. With all of that, Cousins has to go somewhere, which leaves 3 teams ahead of us that need a QB.  As it stands, if Allen is taken by one of them, that would leave us with Darnold, Mayfield, or Rosen as the leftover, which I'm sure most of us would be fine with.

 

The most important thing I've learned from last night is that this offseason is going to be a lot of fun and I'm glad I have this place to talk it out with people

 

I learned they overpay for everything from an owner who thinks he can just buy anything he wants. You have a younger, better version of Alex Smith in Cousins, I would have just paid him the money. Now they give up a 3rd, a solidcorner for a 33 year old stop gap QB who will never get them a SB ring, oh and they saturate the market for the QB position, it was always a high market but they just set the bar even higher, 71M guaranteed? Are they nucking futs? Just an idiotic move by a clueless organization imo.

Edited January 31, 2018 by BuffaloBillsGospel

[BillsFan130]

17 minutes ago, KelsaysLunchbox said:

There's more to it than that I think, but it's still a valid point. The Redskins FO has caught a ton of heat over the last 2 off-seasons for not locking Cousins up. But now they have a comparable player under a smaller contract then Cousins was reported to want and gave up peanuts to get him. A decent slot corner and a 3rd. And they could very well end up with a 3rd round comp pick for letting Cousins walk...right?

I’m not too sure about the comp pick.

 

And ya, I personally think it’s s good move by the Redskins, to your point .

 

I really don’t think there’s much of a difference between them and like you said, they got Smith wayyyy cheaper

[whatdrought]

Hey all- long time reader, first time poster.

 

I think something that is being forgotten in all of this is that the only reason Cousins market value is so high is because the Redskins drove it up by franchising him two years in a row. It's been widely reported that Cousins was willing to take a team friendly deal two years ago but Snyder and the other idiots in D.C. mismanaged the situation and instead drove his price through the roof. 

Cousins will get paid like crazy (more probably than he deserves), but a big reason why is because Washington screwed up. Now they're trying to save face by importing an equal talent (whose older) and pretending like this is a forward thinking move. 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

55 minutes ago, Doc said:

That ontogeny really doesn't recapitulate phylogeny. 

 

It's a long way, from amphioxus, it's a long way to us

It's a long way, from amphioxus, to the meanest human cuss

 

Protect the Notochord!

 

[Kirby Jackson]

31 minutes ago, Luxy312 said:

 

There is no way I would pony up that type of money, unless the annual amount remained around $25m per year or so.

Yeah, it feels absurd. They are saying 5 years, $150M and $90M guaranteed for Cousins!!

 

I thought that we would see a middle class of QBs develop with all of these teams regretting the big money deals to guys like Flacco, Tannehill, Etc... Apparently that isn’t happening and the next pretty good starter to hit the market instantly becomes one of the highest paid players in league history. I couldn’t imagine paying that for him. 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

55 minutes ago, The Wiz said:

 

I've changed my mind.  I like .gifs now

 

[cba fan]

1 hour ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

(Edited your post to focus on the most interesting point)

It is interesting news to me that the Browns were working on a trade and contract extension for Smith.

 

Unless you have more gouge on what they offered, not sure it means they thought they'd be better for 4 years with Smith.  Maybe they offered more of a bridge contract with possibly higher per year, but less guaranteed and an "out" after 2 years to allow them to dump him in favor of an emerging starter.  Kind of what I thought the Redskins had done until the contract details emerged

Good thinking about Browns.

 

Other thing is since they had such mega cap surplus they could have signed Smith for a good deal like Skins did, eat sign bonus later if/when they decide he needs to be traded. So instead of an option out or cut, they trade Smith in future turning a cut into a trade for assets.

 

Browns may have pulled out due to what looks like a serious overpay for A Smith's talents be Washington.

[Kelly the Dog]

I learned that three separate times in his career, Alex Smith has lost his job because his coaches wanted a new guy, including Jim Harbaugh and Andy Reid, and somehow Smith parlayed that into 71 million dollar guarantee. 

 

Ain't that 'Murica.

[The Wiz]

14 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

I've changed my mind.  I like .gifs now

 

Glad to be of service.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

18 minutes ago, whatdrought said:

Hey all- long time reader, first time poster.

 

I think something that is being forgotten in all of this is that the only reason Cousins market value is so high is because the Redskins drove it up by franchising him two years in a row. It's been widely reported that Cousins was willing to take a team friendly deal two years ago but Snyder and the other idiots in D.C. mismanaged the situation and instead drove his price through the roof. 

Cousins will get paid like crazy (more probably than he deserves), but a big reason why is because Washington screwed up. Now they're trying to save face by importing an equal talent (whose older) and pretending like this is a forward thinking move. 

 

Good first post!  Post more!

 

You make a very valid point.  Washington is suffering from a self-inflicted wound.

 

I'm unsure that Cousins and Smith are equal talents. 

Cousins is coming off 3 years >4000 yds and >25 TD. 

Smith had a career year last year, >4000 yds and >25 TD for the first time, with Hill, Kelce, and Hunt ( I think >> Crowder, Davis, and Thompson)

 

At best, one has to say that Cousins has demonstrated he can play at a high level for a longer time.

At worst, Smith could regress towards his career mean sort of like...well, sort of like a Bills QB who got signed to a sweet deal after half a great season.  Hopefully not to that degree.

 

We'll see.

Edited January 31, 2018 by Hapless Bills Fan

[BillsVet]

I've learned that it's not even February and some are already overanalyzing the heck out of this off-season.

 

 

[Cash]

16 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Yeah, it feels absurd. They are saying 5 years, $150M and $90M guaranteed for Cousins!!

 

I thought that we would see a middle class of QBs develop with all of these teams regretting the big money deals to guys like Flacco, Tannehill, Etc... Apparently that isn’t happening and the next pretty good starter to hit the market instantly becomes one of the highest paid players in league history. I couldn’t imagine paying that for him. 

 

All of these teams overpaying for top 15 (but not top 5) QBs will eventually regret it.  I don't agree with this whole "you have a QB or you have nothing" mentality that's so pervasive these days.  I'd rather have a bad-but-not-horrendous QB at a cheap price (Josh McCown?) than a good-but-not-great QB at an expensive price (Smith? Cousins? Flacco? Stafford?).  Basically, I either want a guy so good he can drag a bunch of stiffs to the Super Bowl (i.e., Aaron Rodgers, prime Peyton Manning, etc.), or a guy who comes cheap enough to build a Super Bowl contender around him.  If there was a real QB middle class, where you could sign a guy like Flacco or Dalton for like $14 million/year, then I'd be up for that as well, but that doesn't really exist right now.

[Big Turk]

Fans who only read stats and dont understand football on anything more than a casual level value Cousins far more than most people who do know football and run many of the teams...

 

But I already knew this and had been saying the same stuff for at least 3 or 4 months now...

Edited January 31, 2018 by matter2003

[Hapless Bills Fan]

2 minutes ago, matter2003 said:

Fans who only read stats and dont understand football on anything more than a casual level value Cousins far more than most people who do know football and run many of the teams...

 

But I already knew this and had been saying the same stuff for at least 3 or 4 months now...

 

Er well that remains to be seen, now, dunnit?  All you can say is we value Cousins more than the Redskins did.

 

Bring on March 14...we shall see

[Big Turk]

4 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Er well that remains to be seen, now, dunnit?  All you can say is we value Cousins more than the Redskins did.

 

Bring on March 14...we shall see

 

Every GM and coach think they can fix whatever problems a player has...I should have specified the Redskins...he will play whatever team against anyone else, even if its only them to pretty much guarantee one of rhe biggest QB salaries...

 

Pretty crazy to think he will likely have made more money than any QB in NFL history in the past 3 years with the guaranteeed money he will get. Nowhere close to being the best QB

Edited January 31, 2018 by matter2003

[Freddie's Dead]

I learned that the Bills can sign Captain Kirk to the Starship Onebillsdrive.  My dream from the 2012 draft will finally be realized!

Edited January 31, 2018 by Freddie's Dead

[Kirby Jackson]

14 minutes ago, Cash said:

 

All of these teams overpaying for top 15 (but not top 5) QBs will eventually regret it.  I don't agree with this whole "you have a QB or you have nothing" mentality that's so pervasive these days.  I'd rather have a bad-but-not-horrendous QB at a cheap price (Josh McCown?) than a good-but-not-great QB at an expensive price (Smith? Cousins? Flacco? Stafford?).  Basically, I either want a guy so good he can drag a bunch of stiffs to the Super Bowl (i.e., Aaron Rodgers, prime Peyton Manning, etc.), or a guy who comes cheap enough to build a Super Bowl contender around him.  If there was a real QB middle class, where you could sign a guy like Flacco or Dalton for like $14 million/year, then I'd be up for that as well, but that doesn't really exist right now.

Really well said!! This is an excellent post.

[whatdrought]

16 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Good first post!  Post more!

 

You make a very valid point.  Washington is suffering from a self-inflicted wound.

 

I'm unsure that Cousins and Smith are equal talents. 

Cousins is coming off 3 years >4000 yds and >25 TD. 

Smith had a career year last year, >4000 yds and >25 TD for the first time, with Hill, Kelce, and Hunt ( I think >> Crowder, Davis, and Thompson)

 

At best, one has to say that Cousins has demonstrated he can play at a high level for a longer time.

At worst, Smith could regress towards his career mean sort of like...well, sort of like a Bills QB who got signed to a sweet deal after half a great season.  Hopefully not to that degree.

 

We'll see.

I agree. I think that the argument could be there that you could reasonably expect similar things out of these two but I see that as Cousins middle ground, and Smith's ceiling. I think Cousin's potential has him worth significantly more than Smith even before you factor in age. That being said, I struggle to see Cousins being the highest paid player in the league, but again, that will happen because Washington made the decisions that they made.

This trade is a pride move by Snyder. He didn't wan't to pay Cousins because he didn't want to admit that he was wrong about RG3, and now he wants to pretend that he can replace him easily and act like Cousins was never that good. Not going to happen. I expect Cousins to perform very well wherever he goes.

[DCOrange]

2 hours ago, Mrbojanglezs said:

I'm wondering why the NFL doesn't have a max player salary ceiling. Doesn't the NBA have this?

 

NFLPA would probably never get on board with limiting how much their stars are paid.

[whatdrought]

16 minutes ago, Cash said:

 

All of these teams overpaying for top 15 (but not top 5) QBs will eventually regret it.  I don't agree with this whole "you have a QB or you have nothing" mentality that's so pervasive these days.  I'd rather have a bad-but-not-horrendous QB at a cheap price (Josh McCown?) than a good-but-not-great QB at an expensive price (Smith? Cousins? Flacco? Stafford?).  Basically, I either want a guy so good he can drag a bunch of stiffs to the Super Bowl (i.e., Aaron Rodgers, prime Peyton Manning, etc.), or a guy who comes cheap enough to build a Super Bowl contender around him.  If there was a real QB middle class, where you could sign a guy like Flacco or Dalton for like $14 million/year, then I'd be up for that as well, but that doesn't really exist right now.

 

This definitely makes sense, but there's one flaw with this. When it comes to the Superbowl and the playoffs, teams will find ways to put the game on the shoulders of the Quarterback (tune in Sunday for a front row seat of this)  so you have to have a QB who can at least handle that pressure and make the necessary plays needed to win. That's why Joe Flacco get's paid that way, because even though he reminds me of day old coffee during the regular season, he has shown poise and ability in the postseason (Though that part of his career might be over).

[aceman_16]

I learned that the Redskins' front office is a dumpster fire.

[buffaloboyinATL]

I learned that we need to get a young QB in the first round so that we get the extra year at his rookie salary, because these guys are getting VERY expensive!

 

(now let's just hope we can find a good one)

[Formerly Allan in MD]

That nothing has changed in DC.  Dan Snyder still thinks he can run and make all the decisions in his "organization," ergo he doesn't need to real GM. 

[Southern Bills Fan]

I learned that many of our "board experts" (26 Cut and Paste, who ranted "Smith sucks, Smith sucks, Smith sucks and anyone who disagrees is an idiot"), are nowhere to be found in this thread. And he is in EVERY thread. LOL

[billsredneck1]

4 hours ago, Virgil said:

This isn't specifically about Alex Smith, moreso the entire NFL offseason and how this one move really set the table for a lot other moves.  Also, we are starting to see moves that you typically only see in the MLB.

 

1. The value of the QB is as high as we've ever seen it.  Let's just say that Smith is a 10-15 rated QB, which is generous in my opinion.  For him to net that much guaranteed money is crazy to me.  Getting 23 mil a year for his performance is going to reset the entire QB market, moreso than Carr and Stafford.  From that, I think we will see:
   1. Cousins may get the first fully guaranteed contract in NFL History
   2. Cousins may get 30 mil a year
   3. If McCaron's hit the market, I think he will eclipse the crazy contract that Osweiler got.
2. Trading the rights of players could become a thing
   1. The Chiefs were cash strapped and if it weren't such a high demand position, Smith could easily have been cut or asked to renegotiate.  In recent years, most other teams would have just waited for that to happen.  Not only was he not cut, but he was traded for a really high value just for the rights to him.  It also happened with Garropolo.  Maybe there's more of a precedent for this that I'm not thinking of, but it feels more like the baseball All-Star trading deadline where teams are getting players with limited contracts left in hopes to get a leg up on negotiating rights or use of the franchise tag.
   2. While we all have mixed opinions on Tyrod, I think most would agree he would be a solid backup and an improvement for some teams as a starter.  I still don't understand the cap restrictions with trading him because of his option, but I think there would be a market for him as well.  If Smith got a 3rd and a player, we could possibly get a 4th for TT.  Whether that would be worth it because of the cap hit, I don't know.
3. The Browns aren't sold on the rookie QB class
   1. The reports said that 6 teams were interested in Smith, but only the Browns and Redskins were working on a trade.  Since the Smith contract extension was announced so quickly, it has to be assumed that the extension was a prerequisite of the trade.  Assuming more, the Browns knew that Smith wanted and extension with the trade and were in on that.  TO ME, that would indicate that they were better with Smith as their starter for the next 4-5 years than using either of their top 4 picks on a QB.  Yes, it's the Browns, but still interesting to me.  It also shows that they are officially looking for a QB upgrade, which some did think they might try to go with what they had.
4. Of the teams needing QB's, we have the 2nd most cap space
   1. If we do want Cousins, we are in good shape to go after him from a total cap perspective.  The Broncos would have to cut and they have some expiring contracts.  However, I believe we have the most expiring contracts of any team, so we will need some cap.  If Glenn checks out as healthy, I could see him traded since McDermott has his love affair with Dawkins.  But, I again don't know the cap hit of that trade.
5. The number of teams needing a QB dropped by 1 and I think other teams are better off than they would want you to think. 
   1. Browns (Picks 1 and 4) - Will take a QB
   2. Giants - (Pick 2) - Has a lot of holes and say they want to stick with Eli - Trade Back Partner #1
   3. Colts - Pick 3 - I don't think McDaniels takes that job unless he knows Luck is good to go - Trade Back Partner #2
   4. Broncos - Pick 5 - Need a QB and could trade up to make sure no one jumps them (Could also make cap space and go after Cousins)
   5. Jets - Pick 6 - Need a QB and could trade up to make sure no one jumps them (Definitely has cap space for Cousins)
   6. Picks 7-14 all have QB's and only the Cardinals at 15 could use a QB.
      1. With all of that, Cousins has to go somewhere, which leaves 3 teams ahead of us that need a QB.  As it stands, if Allen is taken by one of them, that would leave us with Darnold, Mayfield, or Rosen as the leftover, which I'm sure most of us would be fine with.

 

The most important thing I've learned from last night is that this offseason is going to be a lot of fun and I'm glad I have this place to talk it out with people

what i take out of this is that the redskins will remain the same or worse for the next few years.....just a different name on the qb jersey.

[flomoe]

I learned that The Pegulas might not be the smartest owners in the NFL but they sure as hell aren’t the dumbest.

Snyder has a firm grasp of that honor and isn’t letting go anytime soon.

[meistersinger]

8 hours ago, DCOrange said:

 

NFLPA would probably never get on board with limiting how much their stars are paid.

 

They might if that left more money for the other players on the team. Being a vet with 4+ years of experience but not a super star is pretty tough now a days.  But absolutely, no way would they let the total pie shrink.

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

Kirk Cousins is getting a 120+ million dollar contract.

 

It will take a 2nd and a 5th to trade for AJ McCarron.

[mjt328]

Alex Smith just had his career-best season at age 33. 

In most seasons he is a Top 15-20 type guy.  This year, he was arguably among the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

Odds are that Smith regresses back to his normal performance.  But the Redskins are banking that he's made a jump into the league's elite.

 

I think this bodes really very well for the Case Keenum market.

[GunnerBill]

I don't think it tells you anything about the Browns view on this class.  They have zero legitimate options to throw out there week 1 if their drafted rookie is slow picking up the offense in camp.  The rumour is that their offer to re-sign Smith was a 2 year deal not a 4 year deal.  They are thinking "bridge" and they need to.... because if they draft Darnold and he isn't ready week 1 they are done for.  Tyrod to Cleveland is something that makes a ton of sense to me.  

[Magox]

That those who thought that the Alex Smith would fetch less than 3rd round equivalent draft choice were seriously mistaken.

[Doc]

1 hour ago, Call_Of_Ktulu said:

Kirk Cousins is getting a 120+ million dollar contract.

 

It will take a 2nd and a 5th to trade for AJ McCarron.

 

Way too much. 

[nucci]

22 hours ago, Virgil said:

This isn't specifically about Alex Smith, moreso the entire NFL offseason and how this one move really set the table for a lot other moves.  Also, we are starting to see moves that you typically only see in the MLB.

 

1. The value of the QB is as high as we've ever seen it.  Let's just say that Smith is a 10-15 rated QB, which is generous in my opinion.  For him to net that much guaranteed money is crazy to me.  Getting 23 mil a year for his performance is going to reset the entire QB market, moreso than Carr and Stafford.  From that, I think we will see:
   1. Cousins may get the first fully guaranteed contract in NFL History
   2. Cousins may get 30 mil a year
   3. If McCaron's hit the market, I think he will eclipse the crazy contract that Osweiler got.
2. Trading the rights of players could become a thing
   1. The Chiefs were cash strapped and if it weren't such a high demand position, Smith could easily have been cut or asked to renegotiate.  In recent years, most other teams would have just waited for that to happen.  Not only was he not cut, but he was traded for a really high value just for the rights to him.  It also happened with Garropolo.  Maybe there's more of a precedent for this that I'm not thinking of, but it feels more like the baseball All-Star trading deadline where teams are getting players with limited contracts left in hopes to get a leg up on negotiating rights or use of the franchise tag.
   2. While we all have mixed opinions on Tyrod, I think most would agree he would be a solid backup and an improvement for some teams as a starter.  I still don't understand the cap restrictions with trading him because of his option, but I think there would be a market for him as well.  If Smith got a 3rd and a player, we could possibly get a 4th for TT.  Whether that would be worth it because of the cap hit, I don't know.
3. The Browns aren't sold on the rookie QB class
   1. The reports said that 6 teams were interested in Smith, but only the Browns and Redskins were working on a trade.  Since the Smith contract extension was announced so quickly, it has to be assumed that the extension was a prerequisite of the trade.  Assuming more, the Browns knew that Smith wanted and extension with the trade and were in on that.  TO ME, that would indicate that they were better with Smith as their starter for the next 4-5 years than using either of their top 4 picks on a QB.  Yes, it's the Browns, but still interesting to me.  It also shows that they are officially looking for a QB upgrade, which some did think they might try to go with what they had.
4. Of the teams needing QB's, we have the 2nd most cap space
   1. If we do want Cousins, we are in good shape to go after him from a total cap perspective.  The Broncos would have to cut and they have some expiring contracts.  However, I believe we have the most expiring contracts of any team, so we will need some cap.  If Glenn checks out as healthy, I could see him traded since McDermott has his love affair with Dawkins.  But, I again don't know the cap hit of that trade.
5. The number of teams needing a QB dropped by 1 and I think other teams are better off than they would want you to think. 
   1. Browns (Picks 1 and 4) - Will take a QB
   2. Giants - (Pick 2) - Has a lot of holes and say they want to stick with Eli - Trade Back Partner #1
   3. Colts - Pick 3 - I don't think McDaniels takes that job unless he knows Luck is good to go - Trade Back Partner #2
   4. Broncos - Pick 5 - Need a QB and could trade up to make sure no one jumps them (Could also make cap space and go after Cousins)
   5. Jets - Pick 6 - Need a QB and could trade up to make sure no one jumps them (Definitely has cap space for Cousins)
   6. Picks 7-14 all have QB's and only the Cardinals at 15 could use a QB.
      1. With all of that, Cousins has to go somewhere, which leaves 3 teams ahead of us that need a QB.  As it stands, if Allen is taken by one of them, that would leave us with Darnold, Mayfield, or Rosen as the leftover, which I'm sure most of us would be fine with.

 

The most important thing I've learned from last night is that this offseason is going to be a lot of fun and I'm glad I have this place to talk it out with people

The Redskins don't know what they're doing?

[bobobonators]

23 hours ago, billsfan11 said:

That to me is a red flag as well, if that’s what you’re implying.

 

Washington wouldn’t just let cousins walk if they thought he’s the guy.

 

 

Or washington knew that Cousins wasnt going to resign with them, was unhappy in Washington, and wanted out. Why franchise him one last time at 33?million when you know hes unhappy and will 100% be gone the following year. The opportunity was there to get Alex so they took it. 

 

Cousins doesnt want to be there now. The skins had their chance to extend him a couple of years ago but didnt believe in him then and it became a fiasco. 

 

From day one Cousins has sorta been slighted by Washington. The skins drafted RGIII the same year and Cousins became an afterthought. Then it turns out Cousins was the guy they shouldve been focusing on. When he finally started for the skins he put up crazy numbers but the Skins still wanted to see more. 

 

Cousins bet on himself and he won. The Skins dragged their feet and are going to suffer in the long run for this. 

 

But all of this is irrelevant bc the main problem with the redskins is that their HC is extremely subpar and doesnt come close to being as good as Andy Reid. Alex Smith in Wash under Gruden is going to be an epic failure. 

[SaviorPeterman]

It's pretty clear this is still a QB driven league and teams are desperate for any semblance of 'franchise QB' play.

 

But in the end I still think the Redskins gave up way too much for a guy whose career body of work screams average at best and more of the quintessential 'system' QB vs a true franchise type of player.

 

This is why there is also hope that Beane is on the phone right now trying to get decent value for Taylor and fool another team into thinking he's a quality NFL starter.

[BuffaloHokie13]

I learned that Dan Snyder is still the owner of the Redskins, and he is still Dan Snyder.

[bobobonators]

Just now, BuffaloHokie13 said:

I learned that Dan Snyder is still the owner of the Redskins, and he is still Dan Snyder.

Hes an idiot. And Gruden sucks. Bad combo. Really bad. 

[Dablitzkrieg]

That there are very few elite QB's in the NFL, when Alex Smith get $71 million guaranteed

[Cash]

22 hours ago, whatdrought said:

 

This definitely makes sense, but there's one flaw with this. When it comes to the Superbowl and the playoffs, teams will find ways to put the game on the shoulders of the Quarterback (tune in Sunday for a front row seat of this)  so you have to have a QB who can at least handle that pressure and make the necessary plays needed to win. That's why Joe Flacco get's paid that way, because even though he reminds me of day old coffee during the regular season, he has shown poise and ability in the postseason (Though that part of his career might be over).

 

I don't really disagree with your main point, but here's why I stand by what I originally said:  How many times in recent history has the Super Bowl been won by a QB making roughly top 5 money who wasn't arguably a top 5 QB that year?  Only one I can think of is Peyton Manning in his last year, which is a weird situation - he had been a top 5 QB up until that year, and had definitely been worth the high-end $$$.  Maybe Eli in his 2nd Super Bowl win?  I don't have time to look up his contract details, but it easily could've been in the range I'm talking about

 

So basically, what's the point of having a Flacco type who can make the plays under pressure, if he costs so much that you'll never be able to get him to those pressure situations?  I think you're better off trying to find the next Flacco than paying an existing one in the hopes he takes a Rich Gannon leap.