Should the Redskins Make a Run for Kap?

The Redskins were one of a few teams that ultimately went full blast to witness last Saturday's clown show of a workout for Colin Kaepernick in Atlanta. Why?

The answer for me is more than ever a resounding and complete no!

There's a significant question already about Dwayne Haskins' future. It's unfair but four games and two starts into his NFL career many are asking the question - is he the right quarterback?

I hope he is. I don't know if he is.  I've lost some of my faith in Haskins as I've talked to more people around the NFL and those that make up the foundation of the Redskins' franchise.

It doesn't matter what I think or what they think. What matters is what Dan Snyder believes. There's almost no chance he's going to be willing to move on from Haskins so quickly and/or invite a major firestorm into the building.

Could you imagine Dan Snyder, who handpicked a quarterback just last year, drafting Joe Burrow  with the No. 2 overall pick and creating an even bigger circus than the franchise already is?

More - could you even contemplate the notion that Snyder and at least for now, Bruce Allen, would allow Colin Kaepernick and the gobs of media that do not care one bit about what is best for the Redskins into the building?

Often Snyder and Allen are accused of being dumb, ignorant, insulated and any other criticism that I can safely write in this space.

They're not completely tone deaf. They aren't complete fools.

The Redskins and interim  coach Bill Callahan, specifically, clumsily said at first they would not be attending Kaepernick's workout in Atlanta this past weekend.

That quickly changed in the hours after that, when the team's public relations arm clarified that the Redskins would indeed be attending. As they should have.

League sources tell the Redskins Maven channel that the Redskins sent one of their top pro scouts, Richard Mann II, to Atlanta to witness the workout.

It was expected to be at the Falcons' practice facility and then changed at the last moment because apparently Kaepernick wanted transparency and media to be allowed in.

At first, the problem was a waiver and language involved. Then it was wanting it to be open and the media be allowed to attend. 

Here is a statement released by Colin Kaepernick’s camp as they relocate the workout today. pic.twitter.com/zZ3Y522dWS

— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) November 16, 2019

So we're all to believe that Kaepernick cares all of a sudden about the media? The same guy who hasn't done an interview in a couple of years? The same quarterback who didn't take questions after his statement on Saturday?

Or did he want his minions and lackeys to gush about how good his arm looked while forgetting every single other element about being a good quarterback?

Ultimately, he got what he wanted in a way.

Except this: Of the 25 or so teams that were planning and expected to attend the first location, only a handful made it to the secondary location. The way it was described to me was around seven.

The Redskins were one of those teams, per NFL sources.

Why? That's the interesting question. They have Dwayne Haskins. For now, they have Case Keenum and Colt McCoy under contract. The last two will be free agents at the end of the year and it's almost impossible to see either back under any circumstances.

As of right now, they have Alex Smith scheduled to make over $21 million  under the cap in 2020. Even though he's been lightly throwing, it's far from a guarantee that he will ever play again.

Monday marked the one-year anniversary of Smith's horrific injury. His wife posted this Instagram look back at his journey. 

The Redskins COULD use a quarterback. They don't NEED a quarterback. 

 Do they want to draft another one with a top-three pick? I don't believe so. 

What if the organization, which is desperate to create buzz and interest, takes the plunge on what no team has been willing to do?

Kaepernick has  done nothing illegal or even wrong, but his presence would create a major firestorm.

The media coverage on a national basis would be relentless.  We're also not talking about football media. Think MSNBC, FOX News Channel, CNN and many more outlets roaming around your building and property to talk to or about your backup quarterback.

Sounds fun, right?

Could you  imagine what would happen if Haskins is struggling and Smith is not ready to go early in the 2020 season, what the conversation is going to be like? Smothering would be kind, as the media and a loud section of the fan base would be stuffing the "Kaepernick has to be better" narrative down your throat.

What happens if Kaepernick plays and gets benched? 

Media and fans would accuse you of being biased or racist for making that decision, no matter how right or wrong it is. 

 Could you fathom how blistering the criticism would be if the Redskins (or any other team) then released Kaepernick?

The same team that gave him an opportunity would be crucified for ending that experience.

What about Kaepernick's personality once he gets inside your building. Does he charm you through the initial process and change once he's in?

In talking to a few league sources, they were stunned at how outspoken or confrontational Kaepernick was on Saturday.

He's mad at the NFL and every owner in general for what many have said is tantamount to "black-balling" him. I have no doubt he has been intentionally kept out of the NFL but not because of his movement, cause or political beliefs.

Not for taking a knee and causing an uproar that extended far beyond him. He's been kept out because nobody wants the circus brought back to town. The Redskins are already a disaster. Why would they want another debacle of epic proportions on their hands?

They don't. And they shouldn't. 

Here's a novel idea: How about we just focus on trying to win a game instead of making another spectacle?