Redskins Ready to Push Towards the Playoffs

Redskins QB Kirk Cousins is ready to lead his team to the playoffs

Photo courtesy of Joseph Adase

Redskins QB Kirk Cousins is ready to lead his team to the playoffs

Joseph Adase

After a very active offseason and with big changes coming to the roster, the Washington Redskins seem like they have an excellent chance to make it to the playoffs.

Five years ago the Redskins drafted Robert Griffin III with the hopes that he would become the team’s franchise quarterback for years to come.  Griffin III led the Redskins to their first division title since 1999 and was named the 2012 rookie of the year.  Since then he hasn’t had much success in the NFL and now plays for the Cleveland Browns.

“I think they made a mistake with RGIII,” said senior Connor Plaska.

With Griffin III gone, the Redskins have turned to Kirk Cousins, hoping that he can be the quarterback they were looking for back in the 2012 draft.  Cousins filled in for the injured Griffin III last season and led the Redskins to a 9-7 season and a division title.  The Redskin’s first game this season was against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where Cousins threw for 329 yards and 2 interceptions.

“Based on what he did last year, I think he can be a franchise quarterback,” said senior Daniel Adu.

The team has made a few additions this offseason, including rookie wide receiver Josh Doctson from TCU.  Doctson hasn’t had much playing time due to an Achilles injury, and the Redskins don’t want to rush him back onto the field and end up having him get injured again.

Perhaps the biggest story of this offseason was Josh Norman.  After leaving the Carolina Panthers following last season’s Super Bowl loss, Norman had no trouble finding a new home right here in Washington.  Coming off his best season, with 56 total tackles and 4 interceptions, the self-proclaimed “best cornerback on Earth” is looking forward to his future with his new team.

“I think he is one of the better corners in the league, but he only plays one side of the field,” said Adu.

The Redskins got a much needed win over the New York Giants that gave the team their first win this season.  Cousins threw for 2 touchdowns and almost 300 yards and led the team to a close 29-27 victory.  Safety Su’a Cravens sealed the victory by intercepting Giants quarterback Eli Manning with only about a minute left in the game.

“I was running around my house after that interception and I was especially happy with our entire defense,” said sophomore Harry Bolvin.

The Redskins are looking like a better team this year, despite their 0-2 start at home.  Kirk Cousins picked up his game against the Giants and fans are confident that he’ll continue to de well.

“Cousins has been playing without confidence,” said Bolvin, “once he regains it he’ll be his normal self again.”