Redskins Notes: Playoffs, Quarterback, Philly Monday Night

December 2, 2018

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The Washington Redskins are not the same Washington Redskins team that fans became to adore and admire earlier in the season. This team went from being a Top 5 defense to now not being able to stop a nosebleed.

They are who we thought they were.

First, Washington started the season on fire, had some key plays here and there on defense and beat good teams: Carolina, Dallas, and Packers … they also lost to bad teams: Colts and Falcons … I get it, Atlanta isn’t a bad team, but, this year they are.

The Colts, they aren’t terrible, but after they defeated the Redskins they then went on a four game skid before beating Buffalo in a rout.

Secondly, all the media and fans alike heard that this Redskins defense would be the deciding factor in 2018. If that stands true, they won’t be in the playoff race much longer. Washington’s defense had good moments earlier in the season and everyone thought they were the best in the NFL, just so happens that they’ve digressed and haven’t been able to bounce back yet.

Altering moment

The Redskins had an altering moment to their season in Week 11 when their starting quarterback Alex Smith was injured. The result came as a season ending injury and the latest reports say that it could be career altering as well.

Smith, 34, faces a long road to recovery which could take up to eight months. Although Smith is in great shape for his age, a timetable for his return is uncertain.

So, what do the Redskins do at quarterback then? Keep McCoy is the realistic option, but, he can’t lead the Redskins or can he? The coaching staff loves McCoy, the locker room does as well, but, do they believe in him? That is the question.

Obviously Washington won’t keep Mark Sanchez around for a long-term period and as Thomas Boswell of The Washington Post wrote, it is not too early to look ahead at a Redskins future quarterback.

Build through draft

We won’t even discuss the guys who are expected to go in the first round, like Oregon’s Justin Herbert or Missouri’s Drew Lock. What about Duke’s Daniel Jones, could be a possibility, but not likely.

*everything transcribed in these quotes are from WalterFootball.com.*

If Washington does decide to take a quarterback, it likely won’t be until the second round or later.

Ryan Finley, QB, N.C. State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 208.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2019): 1-2.

Here is what Walter Football says:

“In 2018, Finley has completed 67 percent of his passes for 3,380 yards with 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has been an accurate game-manager who does a good job of protecting the football and leading an efficient passing offense. However, Finley has limitations as a passer and is not a dynamic thrower of the football. He could be a less-athletic version of Alex Smith for the NFL.”

Dwayne Haskins*, QB, Ohio State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 220.
Projected 40 Time: 4.78.
Projected Round (2019): 1-3.

Here is what Walter Football says:

“Haskins flashes the ability to be a NFL quarterback, but he needs to become more consistent. In 2018, he has completed 69 percent of his passes for 4,003 yards with 41 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Haskins struggled as a pocket passer against Penn State, but dominated Michigan’s tough defense. As a sophomore, he completed 70 percent of his passes for 565 yards with four touchdowns and an interception.”

Good thing about Haskins is that he keeps his eyes down the field looking for open targets. Reminds me of a DeShaun Watson type of quarterback.

Jarrett Stidham*, QB, Auburn Height: 6-2.
Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2019): 2-3.

Here is what Walter Football says:

“Stidham has completed 60 percent of his passes in 2018 for 2,421 yards with 13 touchdowns and five interceptions. Team sources have been disappointed with Stidham’s play, which has included underwhelming games against the likes of Mississippi State, LSU and Tennessee. Stidham should return to Auburn for next year to improve before going pro.”

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Although it is suggested he returns to college he could pull what a Jerod Evans did at Virginia Tech and leave for the pros anyways.

Will Grier*, QB, West Virginia Height: 6-2.
Weight: 221.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2019): 2-4.

Here is what Walter Football says:

“In 2018, Grier has completed 67 percent of his passes for 3,864 yards with 37 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Multiple team sources who have seen Grier in person say he has just average arm strength and when he can’t set his feet, he has a hard time driving the ball.”

Grier does have a hard time setting his feet, that is true, but he throws his receivers open. Possibly won’t see Grier drafted until the later rounds, maybe even after the projected fourth round.

The guys mentioned above have all been linked to the Redskins in someway this season. Therefore, it was fitting to fill the readers on some knowledge on the current prospects at the quarterback position.

Primetime … again

That is right — Washington doesn’t play on Sunday, but they do play on Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles, a bitter division rivalry game with a lot riding on the table as well.

With Dallas winning on Thursday night, they now sit at 7-5 while Washington sits at 6-5 and Philly is 5-6. If the Skins win on Monday night they move to 7-5 and would be tied with Dallas for first place, however, if Philly wins their playoff hopes would still be alive even with a 6-6 record.

After Monday night, the Eagles will play Dallas, who they lost to earlier in the season then they will play the Rams and Texans before finishing the season against Washington at FedEx Field.

For the Redskins, they will play the Giants, Jags and Titans before finishing off their season against the Eagles.

Dallas remaining schedule also favors them as they play Philly, the Colts, Tampa Bay and finish off with the New York Giants.

The current playoff seeding is Rams at number one seed, Saints at number two seed, Bears at number three seed, Cowboys at number 4 seed, Vikings at number 5 seed and the Redskins barely make it in as a current sixth seed.