Robert Griffin III vs. Kirk Cousins
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Kirk Cousins
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Even though the Washington Redskins lost 37-34 to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Redskins QB Kirk Cousins had a career game. Even with a rough 4th quarter, Cousins passed for 437 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, a passer rating of 103.4, a QBR of 75.8, and a interception. On top of that performance, Cousins threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns along with a QBR of 93.4 and passer rating of 109.4 in three plus quarters of action against the Jaguars after Griffin went down in the first quarter. Cousins has the starting job for the near future with the timetable for Griffin's ankle unset. However, it is time for the reins of the team to be handed over to Cousins. Cousins, like Griffin, is in his third professional season, but unlike Griffin, has not had two surgeries on his ACL and currently has a dislocated ankle. The appeal to RGIII in the 2012 NFL Draft was his passing and running ability. Now that his legs are fragile and will have to run less, his effectiveness will go down. Cousins is a pocket passer who knows the system and shinned in when replacing Griffin both this year and in 2012 (He was not good during the 2013 season). It's time for the Redskins to move on from RGIII. Cousins does and will given them the best chance to win.
The Bad Bucs
The Tampa Bay Bucanners are 0-3 and coming off one of the worst losses in franchise history. Atlanta smashed them 56-14 and the Bucs did not score a point until the fourth quarter. QB Josh McCown, who the Tampa Bay signed after a career year in Chicago last season, has been disappointing and has a sprained thumb. Doug Martin is hurt, as well as Vincent Jackson and Gerald McCoy. This is turning out to be another year of sorrow in Tampa Bay, as it is going to be all but impossible to make the playoffs with an 0-3 record in the tough NFC South. What Bucs fans should be hoping for now is the number one pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Mohamed Sanu: Passing Wide Receiver
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Mohamed Sanu and Andy Dalton
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In the Cincinnati Bengals' game vs. Tennessee, Andy Dalton pitched the ball back to Mohamed Sanu who, after running horizontally for a few yards, threw the ball back to Dalton. Dalton caught the ball and ran the ball into the end zone for the score. That pass was the fourth ever pass thrown by Sanu. Of those four passes, all four have been completed. The first ever pass Sanu threw was in 2012, his rookie season. It was the week three game against Washington. It was the first play from scrimmage and Sanu was lined up as the QB in a shot gun formation. He took the snap and lofted a deep ball for AJ Green, who caught it and ran it into the end zone for a 73 yard touchdown. In 2013, Sanu threw a 25 yard pass to Giovani Bernard. Sanu also threw a pass in Week 2 against the Falcons. He ran an end around and after Dalton faked the handoff to the running back, he pitched the ball to Sanu. Sanu received the ball and threw a beautiful ball to Golden Tate, who had one defender draped on him and one coming to help. Sanu's career passing stats are: 4/4, 2 TD, 166 yards, and a perfect 158.3 passer rating.
Cleveland Browns Trickery
Speaking of unusual plays, the Browns pulled off a very unique play, but had to be called off. After Johnny Manziel handed the ball off to Isiaih Crowell, he ran over to the sideline, except Johnny Football stayed on the field. He was a facing away from the field, looking at the sideline. When the ball was snapped, Manziel started running and Brian Hoyer threw Manziel the ball, who caught it and picked up 39 yards on the play. The only problem was that the Browns were penalized because running back Terrence West was not set when the play started. However, according to the rules, that was not the only problem on the play. The Browns should have also been assessed a 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty because Manziel lined up within five yards of the sideline. While the rule is that the play is illegal, it was still a smart idea and worked perfectly.
49ers Struggles
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Frank Gore
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The San Francisco 49ers are currently 1-2 and at a crisis point in their season. After beating the Cowboys handedly in Week 1, the 49ers gave up 21 points in the fourth quarter and lost to the Bears in Week 2 and then were beaten by the Cardinals in Week 3. The 49ers have a big match-up against the 3-0 Eagles on Sunday. A loss to Philadelphia would put the 49ers in full blown panic mode. The Seahawks and Cardinals are both currently on path for great seasons and a 1-3 start for the 49ers would be a season ruiner. They need the offensive to pick up in the second half of games. In three games, they have scored only three points in the second half. For the offense to be successful in the second half and in general, they are going to end better production from Frank Gore. Gore rushed for 10 yards on six carries against Arizona. While the 49ers went with a more passing attack vs. the Cardinals, Gore did nothing with his touches. They need Gore to play for the 49ers to be successful and get their season around.
