Griffin Out For Undetermined Time, It's Cousins Time

[donofriose]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

So then explain to me why Andrew Luck, Andy Dalton, Russell Wilson, RG3, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and so many others never had a clunker of a game like that in their rookie seasons?

Because I look at QBs like this: if you don't have a chance to be one of the best then you're not the answer.

Every QB in the league can carve up a defense if he's given time to throw and his receivers are capable of getting open. See Foles, Nick circa 2013, Grossman, Rex circa 2006, McCown, Josh circa 2013. What separates the championship-capable QBs from the rest is how they perform under pressure. Can they escape, can they elude, can they get rid of the ball quickly, do they make sound decisions under pressure?

Foles is being exposed behind that line. So is Cousins. See, Kirk Cousins is a guy that if you can protect him all season, he might be able to get you to the playoffs. But once there and you're facing better pass rushes, he won't get you past the first round because even the best line is going to give up some pressure. That's not the answer. I don't think handling pressure is something you get better at. QBs are either born with a knack for handling pressure or they weren't - it's a personality thing. Do you get frazzled and anxious or don't you. That's why we see some young QBs succeed and others do what Kirk did.

Both of them didn't play their rookie season.

Manning's first three games were terrible, 8 ints 2 touchdowns. Andrew Luck's rookie season had stretches where he threw 5 interceptions and only 3 touchdown passes.

Give Kirk a chance.