Expectations are high for the Redskins this year, but that doesn’t bother head coach Jay Gruden.
“I felt pressure the moment I signed the contract,” Gruden said (via John Keim of ESPN.com). “That’s the way it is here in D.C. Everyone expects a winner. I know Mr. Snyder does and Bruce [Allen], the whole city and the fans. I’ve been fortunate enough to get to this without winning a playoff game. I understand the expectations are high. We’ve put ourselves in position that it should be high, given the talent on this team.”
In Gruden’s opinion, this year’s Redskins roster is the club’s most talented since he was hired in 2014. Indeed, the Redskins do have more depth on the defensive line and at running back than they’ve had in years past, but the quarterback position remains a question mark for most. The Redskins believe that Alex Smith is an upgrade over Kirk Cousins, but plenty of people in the football world disagree with that notion.
Here’s more from the NFC East:
- The Eagles‘ toughest roster decisions will be at running back, Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com writes. Donnel Pumphrey, Matt Jones, Josh Adams, and Wendell Smallwood are likely competing for two roster spots and each player brings something unique to the table. Meanwhile, both Pumphrey and Jones have worked hard to improve their pass-catching ability. If they continue to make strides as receivers, they could both have an edge heading into September.
- The Cowboys worked out wide receiver Ricky Jeune on Tuesday, as Todd Archer of ESPN.com tweets. Jeune, who previously spent time with the Rams, could add to the club’s depth in the wake of Cedrick Wilson’s shoulder injury.
- Recently, former agent Joel Corry gave his thoughts on what an extension for Giants star Odell Beckham Jr. might look like.
Any meaningful comparison between Smith and Cousins is unlikely. Andy Reid used a system that kept Smith tightly under wraps most of the time. Both of these guys can win games for you if they have a reasonable amount of support.