Washington Redskins Week 7 Stock Report

There aren't many members of the Washington Redskins who boosted their stock in Week 6. The 34-20 loss on the road to the New York Jets was really the first time this season the rebuilding NFC East club hasn't looked competitive.

Offensively, the Redskins were hamstrung by a dire outing from quarterback Kirk Cousins. His problems were magnified by the complete lack of a ground game. Normally steady veteran Alfred Morris continued to struggle.

Things weren't much better on the other side of the ball. A defensive line fortified by free-agency dollars was again pushed around far too easily in the running game. It's time for offseason imports such as nose guard Terrance Knighton to live up their billing.

Further back, an injury-hit secondary made its share of big plays, but also gave up plenty. More consistent and stable coverage is needed to supplement the opportunistic streak developing in Washington's defensive backfield.

Read on for a full accounting of the Burgundy and Gold's stock report headed into Week 7.

Stock Down: Kirk Cousins

Gary Hershorn/Associated Press

Jay Gruden  has "all the confidence in the world" in Kirk Cousins, according to Liz Clarke of the Washington Post. Ex-Redskins Super Bowl-winning passer Joe Theismann believes it's "too early to pull the trigger" on Washington's starting quarterback, per an interview with 106.7 The Fan (h/t CBS DC's Bryan Frantz).

But the list of Cousins' supporters is dwindling, rather than growing.

The 27-year-old remains the best fit to run the pocket-based offense head coach Gruden covets. At the moment, though, that's a statement only true in theory, rather than in practice.

Cousins looked anything but assured from the pocket against the Jets. He missed a host of throws he should have made. Bleacher Report's Cian Fahey highlighted some of the key plays missed by No. 8, well-designed plays that would have yielded big gains for Washington.

Cousins is currently wasting an offense cleverly tailored to help him succeed. For all of Gruden's faults, he and offensive coordinator Sean McVay have still provided 2012's fourth-round pick with a litany of passing concepts designed to help him get rid of the ball quickly to target receivers in space.

Much has been made of Cousins' interception woes. While it's a real issue, I'd settle for a few picks if Washington's chosen starter was at least hitting more of the plays he should.

Headed into Week 7, Cousins faces the challenge of ironing out his mechanical flaws, specifically footwork and timing. If he can't, those demanding change will show no mercy.

Stock Up: Bashaud Breeland

Gary Hershorn/Associated Press

The last cornerback standing in the Burgundy and Gold's secondary did all he could to help his team win in Week 6. For Bashaud Breeland, that meant recording three takeaways which were turned into the 13 points the offense managed all day.

His efforts were enough to earn an honorable mention from B/R columnist Mike Tanier, who dubbed the second-year cover man "the only Redskins player who deserves a game ball (or possibly even a paycheck) after Sunday's loss."

Breeland can still get caught out when he gambles a little too much. It's a folly that showed up on the two touchdowns the Jets earned against him. But the former Clemson man is nonetheless rapidly emerging as the one true playmaker on Washington's defense.

Players with Breeland's knack for getting his hands on the ball are essential for the swarming, zone-heavy style of defense current coordinator Joe Barry favors. The 23-year-old is doing his part, what he needs now is for those around him to do theirs.

Stock Down: Alfred Morris

Seth Wenig/Associated Press

Alfred Morris looks tired and broken down this season. It's a shame to see a three-time 1,000-yard rusher so timid in the way he's attacking defenses.

For the season, Morris has managed 297 yards on 85 carries with no rushing touchdowns. His paltry 3.5 yards per carry average tells you defenses are having little trouble halting No. 46 in his tracks on most plays.

Morris gained only 21 of those yards against the Jets in Week 6. Of course, the quality of the opposition played a role in his struggles, albeit a very minor one. Not many backs are going to enjoy big days against a defensive front loaded with linemen Damon Harrison, Sheldon Richardson, rookie Leonard Williams and the superb Muhammad Wilkerson.

But citing the toughness of the defense you're up against is a weak excuse, especially when the Morris-led running game is supposed to be the driving force of this season's team.

The last four games have shattered that myth. Gruden pulled no punches when he offered an explanation for the woes on the ground, according to Stephen Czarda of the team's official site:

"

It just hasn't been good enough. Our run blocking hasn't been good enough, our recognition of where the holes are at times hasn't been good enough. We haven't broken many tackles. So we've got to stick with it.

We've got to stick with the plan and before the season started, that was going to be a heavy, major emphasis on how we were going to be successful is to have a good, strong running game.

"

Okay, so that's the problem, but how about a solution or two, Jay?

The coach did suggest involving fullback Darrel Young, a criminally underrated talent, might help: “We could use him more. We probably should use him more." You think?

Whether Young is in the lineup or not however, the onus remains on Morris to re-ignite his Redskins career. The 26-year-old is not playing in the same zone-stretch scheme that helped him dominate defenses during his first three pro seasons. But there are still enough similar concepts to expect more from one of the key figures on offense.

Stock Up: Pierre Garcon

Seth Wenig/Associated Press

For one half at least, Pierre Garcon reminded everyone why he's still an invaluable part of Washington's passing game.

The veteran wideout snagged the Redskins' lone offensive touchdown when he easily made perennial shutdown cornerback Darrelle Revis snatch at air in the end zone.

Anthony Gulizia of the Washington Times detailed the impressive play, along with highlighting Garcon's early production.

"

It was impressive how cleanly Garcon beat the four-time All-Pro corner. After Revis took the bait on Garcon’s quick jab step toward the outside, Garcon was wide open on the slant pattern.

Garcon finished the first half with five catches for 28 yards and was targeted eight times.

"

What was easy to like about Garcon's initial play was how he never shied away from working over Revis. He also made the tough grabs over the middle, something Cousins needs from his receivers every week.

Sadly, Garcon's production dropped off a cliff after intermission. The 29-year-old didn't catch a single pass during the final two quarters.

While Gruden insisted this was nothing personal, according to Gulizia, not keeping No. 88 more involved was yet another major coaching faux pas.

With DeSean Jackson perma-crocked, Gruden has to know how much his struggling offense needs one of its most dependable playmakers. Heck, even with Jackson on the field, the ball should be going to Garcon a minimum of half-a-dozen times a game.

He's still a tough-as-nails catch machine who owns the middle and piles up yards after the catch as though he has a vendetta against every player who has ever played defensive back in the NFL.

Fixing Cousins is Gruden's top priority. The solution isn't rocket science. Just get Pierre the damn ball!

Stock Down: Defensive Line

Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

So why exactly did general manager Scot McCloughan recruit three defensive linemen this offseason? If it was to stop the run, Washington's new decision-maker should ask for a refund.

For the second straight week, the Redskins were stomped all over on the ground. The Jets amassed 221 rushing yards, with Chris Ivory accounting for 146 of them. Hey, Terrance Knighton, that sound you can hear isn't an actual pot roast boiling on the hob, it's every Redskins fan wondering where the hell you are.

What exactly has happened to the interior behemoth who, before this season, had rightly merited a reputation as one of the NFL's most formidable run-stuffers? It's a legitimate question. With Knighton at the heart of the line, Washington isn't supposed to own the league's 23rd-ranked rushing defense.

Worryingly, Knighton's disappearing act isn't the only issue up front for the Burgundy and Gold. At least Pot Roast is making it on to the field. Stephen Paea isn't. The high-priced recruit from the Chicago Bears has stood watching the last two weeks while incumbent Chris Baker has taken his place with the starters.

A skilled interior pass-rusher in Chicago's 4-3 front, 27-year-old Paea has been a little boy lost on the edge in Washington's 3-4 base.

As for Ricky Jean Francois, the third stooge in McCloughan's increasingly ill-advised looking D-line overhaul, he couldn't stop the run in Indianapolis or San Francisco. So why think he'd been any different just because he's donning yet another new uniform?

Any team's run defense starts with the men up front. This group has to get it going in Week 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Real Redskins blogger Rich Tandler has rightly identified corralling Bucs running back Doug "Muscle Hamster" Martin as a key to the game.

But that won't happen unless Knighton and Co. finally start earning their respective crusts.

It's been a very tough week for the Redskins. The rebuilding NFC East club emerged from a tough overtime loss on the road against the then-unbeaten Atlanta Falcons in Week 5 with some credit. But any good will evaporated after the Jets had done a number on Gruden's men.

The coach and his players, especially his quarterback, are now under intense scrutiny. If the struggling Buccaneers leave FedEx Field with a win, the way they did in Week 11 last season, the critics will be unforgiving.

It'll be hard to blame them.

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