Philip Rivers has been here before.
The San Diego Chargers lost their top two playmakers in the past two weeks with receiver Keenan Allen and running back Danny Woodhead done for the season after suffering successive ACL knee injuries.
Last year, Allen was on a historic pace for receptions in a season before a lacerated kidney ended his 2015 campaign on Nov. 1.
In Week 1 of this year, Allen looked unstoppable against the Kansas City Chiefs, totaling six catches for 63 yards before a non-contact knee injury shut him down early for the third straight year.
Now we hear reports about some players being frustrated with Cousins. Well, no kidding. They’re 0-2, he’s the quarterback making nearly $20 million and he has missed throws and tossed a killer pick Sunday. There’s something wrong if some guys — we’re talking about competitive athletes here — aren’t a bit ticked. Watch the receivers’ body language, whether Pierre Garcon or DeSean Jackson, after bad plays.
Perhaps some of the players are just like many others: still wanting to know if last year’s finish truly was the start of something for Cousins.
It also should be noted: The Redskins hope he boosts his stock this season. It would mean a strong defense of their NFC East title. It would cost them several million dollars a year with his contract demands; it would be the price of success — but it’s never been a lock that, even if he had a good season, they would open the vault for him or at least meet his wishes. Still, that’s a decision they want to face. Their desire wasn’t to save money as much as it was to be sure.
And it also should be noted that their defense has struggled mightily, and the running game only has 29 attempts through two games. They have built a roster that relies too much on one aspect, the passing game, to be a true contender. Heck, the defense has not finished in both the top 10 in points allowed and yards per game since 2008. The inability to build a stronger defense has been a major issue for years.