Redskins News, Rumors 2014: Robert Griffin III, Colt McCoy, Kirk Cousins, Brian Orakpo Updates

Zachary Stieber
10/21/2014
Updated:
10/21/2014

The Washington Redskins grabbed a win over the weekend and are looking ahead to a game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday.

Check out the latest news and rumors below.

McCoy Will Start Unless RGIII is Ready

Colt McCoy will start at quarterback for the Washington Redskins on against the Cowboys unless Robert Griffin III is completely ready.

McCoy will likely be starting considering that Griffin has yet to fully practice since dislocating his left ankle in week 2.

“He still has a long ways to go to show that he can play, to show that his ankle is 100 percent,” Gruden said, reported ESPN.

“He has to be 100 percent ready to go. We don’t want to put him out there at 85 percent, have it be weak and have him do something else to it. We want to make sure he’s ready to go when he’s out there.”

Still, Gruden added: “I wouldn’t rule him out.”

At practice last Wednesday, Griffin threw passes in individual and 1-on-1 drills for the first time since his latest injury.

On Sunday, before Washington’s 19-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans, Griffin was out on the field, taking snaps and throwing passes.

Kirk Cousins, who some believed should of started ahead of Griffin before Griffin got hurt, was benched during Sunday’s game after two turnovers.

Washington Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy (16) scrambles away Tennessee Titans linebacker Derrick Morgan during the 4th quarter of their NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Landover, Md. Redskins defeated the Titans 19-17. (AP Photo/Richard Lipski)
Washington Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy (16) scrambles away Tennessee Titans linebacker Derrick Morgan during the 4th quarter of their NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Landover, Md. Redskins defeated the Titans 19-17. (AP Photo/Richard Lipski)

 

McCoy, third string on the depth chart at the beginning of the season, led a comeback  that ended a four-game losing streak for the Redskins (2-5).

“Robert has to be honest with himself in how he’s feeling,” Gruden said. “He has to get out there and run around. We'll give him more this week and see where he’s at. But can he cut without pain? Can he run without pain? Is he full speed? Is it sturdy enough? Does he play good with the brace on? There’s a lot of issues that still go into making him the starter or seeing if he’s ready or not.”

The team trainer and doctors will need to give the go-ahead.

And then Griffin would have to feel as if he’s ready.

“If he says yes, then I have to feel comfortable putting Robert out there in the game,” Gruden said.

If, instead, McCoy begins the game against NFC East leader Dallas (6-1), it would be his first NFL start since December 2011, when he was with the Cleveland Browns.

“He does have great intangibles, in my mind. He’s very poised. He’s a great competitor. And I feel like he’s going to get us in the right play and make the right throw,” Gruden said about McCoy.

“He’s had some opportunities to succeed in the past as a starter, and had some rough patches. But he’s here for a reason. And I’ve always liked his demeanor.”

“I like Jay a lot, and when Jay came and told me to be ready to play, I just didn’t want to let him down,” McCoy said Sunday. “If he goes with you, and you go in and turn the ball over, and don’t start fast, or don’t win the game, or don’t play well, that just doesn’t look good.”

Cousins Likely Won’t Start Again

Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins waits for play during the first quarter of their game against the Tennessee Titans at FedEx Field on October 19, 2014 in Landover, Maryland. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins waits for play during the first quarter of their game against the Tennessee Titans at FedEx Field on October 19, 2014 in Landover, Maryland. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

 

Following his 10th and 11th turnovers of the season, it began to become clear that Cousins likely won’t start again for the Redskins--if for any team.

“Kirk Cousins is not an NFL starter,” says Bleacher Report.

“Indictments don’t get a lot more scathing than losing a gig to Colt McCoy, who hasn’t started a game since 2011.”

Joe Theismann, the former Redskins legend, was among those who thought Cousins should start over Robert Griffin.

“Let’s stop beating around the bush. Kirk Cousins has played much better at the quarterback position than Robert Griffin III has. Now, Robert is learning to work out of a pocket. He doesn’t look as smooth or as comfortable throwing the football. I mean, your eyes will tell you everything you need to know,” Theismann told the Washington Post.

“It’s going to be a decision that Jay Gruden is going to have to make. Right now, Robert Griffin III is his quarterback. Now, if there was a quarterback competition, it wouldn’t be a competition. Kirk Cousins would be the man I believe he would have to go to, because of the efficiency with which he has run [the offense].”

Even former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher got in on the action, saying that Cousisn should keep the job even when Griffin recovered from the injury.

But Bleacher notes that the horrible games since shouldn’t be a shock to anyone.

“The thing is, none of this should come as a huge, jaw-dropping shock for anyone. Many people developed a ’tunnel vision' of sorts where Cousins was concerned,” it said.

“They lauded his big game against the Eagles and relief wins both this year and in 2012, while forgetting that Cousins is 2-7 in games he’s started. They tout his potential as a starting quarterback in the NFL, while conveniently glossing over the fact that Cousins was awful in three starts at the end of last year.”

Orakpo Out for Season with Torn Pectoral

In this Oct. 19, 2014, file photo, Washington Redskins outside linebacker Brian Orakpo (98) pauses on the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Landover, Md. Redskins coach Jay Gruden says linebacker Brian Orakpo is done for the season because of a torn right pectoral muscle. Gruden says Monday, Oct. 20, 2014, that Orakpo needs surgery. (AP Photo/Mark E. Tenally, File)
In this Oct. 19, 2014, file photo, Washington Redskins outside linebacker Brian Orakpo (98) pauses on the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Landover, Md. Redskins coach Jay Gruden says linebacker Brian Orakpo is done for the season because of a torn right pectoral muscle. Gruden says Monday, Oct. 20, 2014, that Orakpo needs surgery. (AP Photo/Mark E. Tenally, File)

 

Orakpo will miss the rest of the season because he needs surgery on a torn right pectoral muscle.

“The production may not be where people think it should be, but he’s still been playing very good against the run and been disruptive in the passing game,” coach Jay Gruden said Monday. “That'll be a big loss.”

Orakpo, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, was hurt trying to make a tackle on a running play early in the fourth quarter of Washington’s 19-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

Orakpo twice has torn the pectoral muscle near his left shoulder in the past, including in Week 2 of the 2012 season.

He had a half-sack for the Redskins (2-5) this season.

“I know he’s frustrated with his sack numbers, statistically, but he’s been a big piece of our defense,” Gruden said.

Now the question becomes whether Orakpo, a first-round draft pick by the Redskins in 2009, has played his last game for the team.

He was playing under a one-year deal worth about $11.5 million after the Redskins designated him as their franchise player.

“We'll have to evaluate that after the season,” Gruden said.

Rookie linebacker Trent Murphy, a second-round pick out of Stanford, will start in Orakpo’s spot next Monday night, when Washington plays at the Dallas Cowboys (6-1).

“He’s got to step up his game. He’s got to play better. He’s got to play more physical at the point of attack. We’re playing against the No. 1 rushing offense in the National Football League. So he’s going to have to be very good at the point of attack and then obviously transition to some pass rush,” Gruden said.

“He’s going to have his work cut out for him,” the coach said about Murphy. “He’s going to have to grow up very fast.”

Dallas Website Introduces Fans to Redskins

A Dallas website has introduced fans to the Redskins.

The Dallas Morning News published a slideshow about the Redskins, titled “10 thing Cowboys fans should know about the Washington Redskins.”

The website described the Redskins as having “quarterback woes” and said that there are “turnovers for the taking.”

“The Cowboys defense will have plenty of opportunities to make a big play,” it said.

“The Redskins have 15 turnovers this season (nine interceptions, six fumbles), tied for the most in the league. Their -9 turnover differential is also the worst in the NFL.”

However, the website praised the defense.

“Defensively, the Redskins are pretty good thanks to a solid pass defense. Washington allows 321.9 total yards per game, which ranks seventh. While it’s run defense ranks 12th, it’s pass defense is eighth, allowing 218.6 yards per game.”

The story concluded that “it should be an evenly matched affair.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.