Many fans and analysts alike questioned former Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan for the team’s decision to draft two quarterbacks in 2012.
The team had already given up three first-round draft picks and a second-rounder to the Rams to select Robert Griffin III with the second overall pick, yet they elected to take Cousins as well in the fourth round.
Judging by what we know now, it appears that the decision to trade up and draft Griffin likely came from the team’s front office, while Shanahan supported using a pick in the later rounds to select Cousins. Shanahan said earlier this year that he was not in favor of giving up multiple draft picks to take Griffin, and that the team was high on four other quarterbacks in the draft (Cousins included).
So when Shanahan came out and showed his support for Cousins on Thursday during a radio interview, no one was surprised. However, he did take a bold stance in comparing Cousins to two Hall of Fame quarterbacks.
Shanahan appeared on 106.7 The Fan to speak with Grant Paulsen and Danny Rouhier about the Redskins’ starting quarterback on Thursday, and he said Cousins’ touchdown-interception ratio at this point in his career is better than the statistics John Elway and Steve Young managed (as transcribed by Chris Lingebach of CBSDC.com).
“I remember just being with [John] Elway his first year, or Steve Young, and you take a look at their touchdown-interception ratios — you’re talking about Hall of Fame quarterbacks — and actually Kirk’s statistics are better than theirs. They didn’t have that great running game and they were counting on the passing game. So I think what [the Redskins] are doing right now is great.”
Shanahan was clearly showing support for the guy he drafted and favored over Griffin, which was also his way of throwing some shade at the Redskins. Everyone knows that Elway threw plenty of interceptions throughout his career. He threw 300 touchdowns and 226 interceptions, but also won two Super Bowls. And Young, in his first two seasons, tossed 11 touchdowns and 21 interceptions as a member of the Buccaneers. But he followed that up with 10 touchdowns and 0 interceptions the following year as a member of the 49ers, and went on to win three rings.
Cousins has thrown 20 touchdown passes and 21 interceptions in 16 games thus far during his career. Is that better than the numbers Elway and Young put up early in their careers? Sure it is. Does it mean he’ll go on to win multiple Super Bowls and end up in the Hall of Fame? That remains to be seen, but it’s highly unlikely.