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News: Should Jim Harbaugh replace Jay Gruden? Trent Williams for Stefon Diggs?
The Washington Redskins have just one practice left before they take on the New England Patriots in Week 5, and they still don't have a starting quarterback, or at least Jay Gruden's not tell us if they do. With all three QB's at practice on Thursday, anything's possible. Gruden will holdout as long as he can before announcing. He'd better hope he picks the right guy as he fights for his job. One article Thursday suggests Jim Harbaugh as replacement, and it makes a ton of sense.
Another offering Thursday brings us a Stefon Diggs for Trent Williams (and change) trade proposal. That's something the Redskins would surely consider if Williams would relent, right? Williams is still holding out with no end in sight and former agent Joel Corry offers his insight into the situation, calling upon his past dealings with Bruce Allen, and what might be happening behind closed doors right now. With only three days until their Sunday match up, the Redskins have their fare share of business to handle.
NFL: EPA Rankings, Red-Zone Efficiency, Explosive Plays for Week 5 :: Redskins Maven
The Redskins are currently second-to-last in NFL EPA Power Rankings, and they're set to face off against No. 1 New England. That doesn't bode well for the boys from D.C. They'll need to lean on their big play ability and balanced defensive approach.
Redskins vs Patriots: How to Watch, Live Stream Online, Listen and Wager :: Redskins Maven
This weekend's game against the Patriots kicks off at 1:00 PM ET at FedEx Field in Landover, MD. The Over/Under is set at 42 and the Patriots are favored by 16. Yikes. For all media options and further game info click the link above.
Jay Gruden says Redskins are ‘getting closer’ to naming starting QB for Patriots game :: Washington Post
Gruden again refused to name a starter on Thursday, with just one more day of practices before Sunday's match up with the Patriots. At this point, one has to hop Gruden is just trying to get a strategic edge on Bill Belichick (Ha!), and not that he doesn't actually know who he's going to pick yet.
Agent's Take: A first-hand look at Redskins GM Bruce Allen handling a holdout as Trent Williams continues to sit :: CBS Sports
Joel Corry nailed his analysis of the Ezekiel Elliott holdout earlier this fall, now he offers his insight on the holdout between the Redskins (Allen) and Williams.
Referencing his experience negotiations with Allen in the pass, Corry offered up the Keenan McCardell's contract holdout as an example to Williams'. Basically, it's a game of chicken.
The lack of substantive communication isn't unusual when both sides are firmly entrenched in their respective positions. Neither side wants to make an overture to break the impasse because the gesture will probably be perceived as a sign of weakness from the other side.
Eventually, we found the right button to push. A former colleague of Gruden's in Oakland told me he hated confrontation. We had McCardell fly to Tampa about a week before the trading deadline for an impromptu meeting with Gruden where he was instructed to be extremely combative, which was out of character for him, because we thought that approach might help spur movement. We wanted Gruden to get a taste of what life might be like if a disgruntled McCardell came back.
Redskins should consider hiring Jim Harbaugh as their next head coach :: Redskins Wire
In a build off of Touchdown Wire's initial suggestion, Redskins Wire frames Harbaugh as a potential replacement for the lesser Gruden brother in Washington. Harbaugh has the pedigree of bringing his team to the Super Bowl, and having played at a high level. He can connect on multiple levels within an organization and his days at Michigan may be numbered. This may be a match mad in Hog Heaven.
Redskins should explore trading for Stefon Diggs amid reported unrest :: Riggo's Rag
Say whaaat? Yeah. Diggs wasn't exactly shy on Thursday when asked if there was truth to his trade demands. He responded "There's truth to all rumors. I won't be speaking on that." So, the question is, 'If the Vikings make him available, what's the price tag?' Not cheap, that's what.
The Vikings would likely demand at least one first round pick a la Amari Cooper to the Cowboys in 2018. The Redskins could look to create an alternative package that includes Trent Williams and his contract, not only to get value out of their hold-out, but because Diggs is already on his second NFL deal, and doesn't come cheap in and of his own right.
Redskins cut Robert Davis to bring back Cam Sims, but why? :: NBC Sports
The Redskins drafted Davis in 2017 in the 6th round, and this feels like giving up on the surface, but what's lost with Davis could be found int he gamble on Sims. Sims has more potential and if Terry McLaurin comes back in Week 5, (which it looks like he will), then the Redskins have wiggle room to take a chance on Sims.
For starters, it likely means Terry McLaurin is close to returning to game action after missing the loss in New York last Sunday. Through the first three games of the year, McLaurin has shown to be Washington's best offensive threat. With him dealing with a hamstring injury last week, the team needed Davis.
