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Three things that can make the Redskins a winning team in 2018

By Ian Cummings

KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 02: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins yells from the sidelines during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on October 2, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 02: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins yells from the sidelines during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on October 2, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – JANUARY 01: Alex Smith #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs scrambles from the pocket during the second half of a game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on January 1, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – JANUARY 01: Alex Smith #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs scrambles from the pocket during the second half of a game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on January 1, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

No. 3 – The Redskins have a quarterback who knows how to win

Ever since the Redskins traded for Alex Smith earlier this offseason, as a way to safely close out the Kirk Cousins saga in Washington, a burning question has raged on: Is Smith an upgrade from Kirk Cousins?

It’s a debate that has swept up an entire fan base. I’m inclined to believe that Smith is an upgrade, but the Redskins themselves aren’t in the business of comparing the two quarterbacks anymore. Smith is the team’s signal caller. Cousins is no longer.

There are plenty of reasons to be excited for Smith’s tenure in D.C., but none more than the simple fact that he gives the Redskins a fighting chance to win. His history speaks for itself. During his time in Kansas City, he had considerable roster turnover, and he still managed to make the playoffs in four of his five years with the team.

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His playoff record, at this point, doesn’t matter. Smith isn’t alone to blame for his 1-4 playoff mark, and even so, the Redskins can’t afford to get hung up on such a thing. They need to make the playoffs first. Smith is a quarterback who’s proven he can get there in different situations.

Some will say that Smith is a conservative quarterback, and that teams helmed by him can only go so far. It’s true that he has often fostered a reputation as a game manager. But as KC Kingdom writer Travis Steffen told the Riggo’s Rag staff in a recent podcast, Smith gives what the coach asks of him. That’s why when the Chiefs gave play calling duties to Matt Nagy in 2017, Smith underwent a midseason revival of sorts, following a slump.

Smith certainly wasn’t a game manager in 2017. He took shots down the field, while maintaining the deadly efficiency that’s made him such a consistent quarterback over his NFL career. Now in Washington, Smith has a broader, versatile supporting cast, and a head coach in Jay Gruden who openly and persistently challenged Kirk Cousins to be more aggressive and aware of options downfield, to no avail. With Kevin O’Connell assisting with the implementation of more west coast schemes, which will allow Smith to use his underrated running ability, there’s no reason to think that Smith can’t be the best version of himself in Washington’s offense.

Add up the pieces, and it’s clear: Alex Smith can win with the Redskins. He’s done more with less. In 2013, he went 11-4 with a Chiefs roster whose top offensive weapons, aside from Jamaal Charles, were Dwayne Bowe, Donnie Avery, Dexter McCluster, and Anthony Fasano. Let’s put the “limited quarterback” argument to bed. Smith is a high-floor player in wherever he goes. In Washington, there’s no telling where his ceiling is.

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