Redskins: Scot McCloughan at the Bye. Grade A performance

Scot McCloughan earns a mid-term grade of A- from Hog Heaven for the job he is doing as Redskins General Manager.

The Redskins are winning. They are in contention for the playoffs because talent McCloughan picked contributes at depth. Some of his decisions have yet to play out.

We have a higher regard for McCloughan than for his bosses. His presence bumps the grade curve assigned to football executive leadership: Daniel Snyder, Bruce Allen and Jay Gruden.

That bunch earns a B thanks to improved salary cap management. Credit to Bruce Allen for that. Fan support for Gruden is soft, as shown with every setback. But he followed a four-win season with a nine-win season and divisional crown. The ‘Skins are in the conversation for a repeat playoff appearance. That would be a feat that neither Mike Shanahan nor Joe Gibbs accomplished this century.

[Insert awkward silence about Daniel Snyder here.]

This, however, is all about McCloughan and how he makes the grade.

WINS AND PLAYOFFS

The Redskins are 13-10-1 since McCloughan’s arrival in 2015. Last year’s performance was baked with ingredients already in the oven when Scot arrived. Credit him for backing Gruden’s quarterback change to Kirk Cousins. That must have been difficult for the owner and the team president to accept.

True to his GM role, McCloughan speaks out of both sides of his mouth to shield his bosses.

When he says, “The way I look at it is I want Kirk in a long-term deal, no doubt about it,” — believe it. Cousins gives Gruden’s offense the best chance to work and that gives the team the best chance to win.

And when he adds, “but also I’m not gonna put our franchise in a situation where we’re gonna lose three or four younger guys that I think are gonna be good football players for one guy,” — don’t believe it. That’s Snyderallen talking. Parting ways with Griffin the Third was emotionally trying. We get it.

All NFL GMs are lying liars who lie. It’s a necessary part of the job. McCloughan is good at it.

When the Redskins do get around to signing Kirk to a contract, and they shall, they will find that upper half QBs will earn $18-$20 million per year with $50 million guaranteed. McCloughan knows this, even if the owner has yet to accept it.

DEPTH AND CONTRIBUTORS

Seasons are a test of your depth. We say that often around here. It was a concept Snyder and his minion, Vinny Cerrato, never grasped. It showed on the field.

In the economics of the game, NFL teams need the core of their team to be players working in the third year of their rookie contract. This GM is in his second year, but it “feels like” the Redskins are evolving to that type team.

Six of the 10 players drafted in 2015 remain on the roster. Brandon Scherff, Preston Smith and Jamison Crowder are starters, with Crowder having a breakout season. OL Arie Kuandjio and Martell Spaight are second team at their position

It takes about 36 games to know what these players truly offer. The trend lines look good

Four 2015 free agents are solid contributors. Ricky Jean Francois and Duke Ihenacho are starters. Ty Nsekhe steps up for the suspended Trent Williams. Colt McCoy is the back-up QB.

Four of the seven players drafted this season are on the roster; three are on Injured reserve. Rookies Su’a Cravens and Kendall Fuller have flashed. Their story will be written in 2017.

McCloughan draws his “A” grade from 2016 free agents. Josh Norman is everything we hoped him to be. Vernon Davis’ performance is a surprise, even to McCloughan. Ziggy Hood is starting at nose tackle.

DECISIONS

McCloughan made two calculated decisions that have yet to pay off. One was unfortunate. The second is still playing out.

First-rounder Josh Doctson was to be a big target for Kirk Cousins. The 6 ft. 2 in. receiver has speed, good hands and leaping ability, according to scouts. He was the intended target for downfield 50-50 balls relieving defensive pressure on DeSean Jackson. And he was to be another scoring target in the Red Zone, relieving defensive pressure on TE Jordan Reed.

Doctson’s absence (injured reserve) partially explains the team’s struggle in both areas.

Link: Scot McCloughan injures hand after hearing of Josh Doctson’s injury.

Vinny Cerrato took a chance on WR Malcolm Kelly despite micro surgery on Kelly’s knee. Kelly offered the same potential as Doctson, but he never overcame his knee issue. He was a failed pick (2008, second round, 51^st pick overall).

We won’t lay Doctson’s Achilles injury on McCloughan, unless he knew of a medical problem and took him anyway. We’ve not read that anywhere.

The second decision was a known risk. There are no veteran running backs on the roster. The Redskins committed to the passing game. In the first two games, they over-relied on it.

Now, they struggle to score touchdowns from the red zone and struggle to score over-all.

Compare the Redskins’ balance of the rushing game to overall offense to the division leading Cowboys.

Percent of rushing to overall offense.

Percentages are rounded.

I hope this works out. If the Redskins need more from the running game, they are not well equipped to get it from young rushers.