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  4. title => "Redskins fans shouldn't forget about Colt McCoy because the coaches haven't"
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  6. article_body => "<p>After a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/redskins\/colt-mccoy-not-redskins-otas-he-recovers-another-leg-procedure-source\">third surgery<\/a> on his leg in April, Colt McCoy did not practice with the team during OTAs or mandatory minicamp. He was in Ashburn for many of the workouts, but did not take any team snaps.<\/p>\n<p>In a normal quarterback battle, that would put McCoy at a distinct disadvantage, but the Redskins quarterback battle is not exactly normal.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Veteran Case Keenum and rookie Dwayne Haskins got nearly all of the work at signal caller during the spring practice sessions, and both showed signs of being able to take over head coach Jay Gruden's offense. Keenum proved he can handle the huddle and has&nbsp;quickness when plays broke down behind the line of scrimmage. Haskins showed a rocket arm and a ton of potential, but he's also a rookie trying to learn a boatload about life in the NFL in a hurry, like calling plays, and that showed too.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>All of that is a long way to say neither Keenum nor Haskins locked up the top QB job. And that means the door is still open for McCoy.<\/p>\n<p>\"We would love for him to take some reps, but obviously his health is more important right now than anything, and that is the most important thing for him,\" Gruden said about McCoy on the first day of minicamp. \"When his time comes it will come quickly. He will be ready.\"<\/p>\n<p>Gruden's quote speaks to the biggest advantage McCoy will have once he hits the field. He's been with the Redskins since 2014, and knows Gruden's version of the West Coast offense backwards and forwards.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Throughout the spring sessions, Haskins made clear that his number one goal for the offseason was to learn the playbook and gain mastery of calling plays in the huddle. McCoy already has that.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking with reporters on the last day of minicamp, Keenum explained that Gruden's offense is the seventh or eighth new system he's learned in the NFL. Keenum said each system is like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/redskins\/case-keenum-working-translate-his-spanish-portuguese\">learning a new language<\/a>, and that \"there is no Rosetta Stone for the West Coast Offense.\"<\/p>\n<p>If there was a translator, its name would be Colt McCoy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Once doctors clear the former University of Texas star, he will immediately be the Redskins quarterback with the best understanding of the offense. That will show up on the field right away.<\/p>\n<p>Remember too that Gruden has tried to turn to McCoy as his quarterback at a few different turns, but injuries have always derailed those plans. If McCoy gets fully healthy in time for Richmond, which team sources believe will happen, he has a chance to finally take over this job.<\/p>\n<p>Make no mistake, Haskins is the Redskins long-term future at the quarterback position. He has the talent but needs to learn the speed of the NFL, from playcalling to pass rush. Eventually though, he will be on the field for the Redskins.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If he wins the job, it's his.<\/p>\n<p>Same for Keenum, who is probably better than he showed last year in Denver but not as good as his career season with Minnesota in 2017. Keenum could certainly start Week 1 in Philadelphia and is probably ahead of Haskins right now.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>But fans would be wise not to count McCoy out of the quarterback competition. The Redskins coaching staff definitely hasn't.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>MORE REDSKINS NEWS:&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Trey Quinn:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/redskins\/theres-reason-excitement-about-trey-quinn-and-numbers-back-it\"><strong>Why everyone should be excited<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Trent Williams:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/redskins\/why-trent-williams-one-holding-leverage-when-it-comes-his-situation-redskins\">Why he has leverage over the Redskins<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Closing practices:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/redskins\/eagles-will-open-just-one-training-camp-practice-fans-and-charge-them\" target=\"_self\">Eagles make troubling training camp choice<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"
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Redskins

Redskins

After a third surgery on his leg in April, Colt McCoy did not practice with the team during OTAs or mandatory minicamp. He was in Ashburn for many of the workouts, but did not take any team snaps.

In a normal quarterback battle, that would put McCoy at a distinct disadvantage, but the Redskins quarterback battle is not exactly normal. 

Veteran Case Keenum and rookie Dwayne Haskins got nearly all of the work at signal caller during the spring practice sessions, and both showed signs of being able to take over head coach Jay Gruden's offense. Keenum proved he can handle the huddle and has quickness when plays broke down behind the line of scrimmage. Haskins showed a rocket arm and a ton of potential, but he's also a rookie trying to learn a boatload about life in the NFL in a hurry, like calling plays, and that showed too. 

All of that is a long way to say neither Keenum nor Haskins locked up the top QB job. And that means the door is still open for McCoy.

"We would love for him to take some reps, but obviously his health is more important right now than anything, and that is the most important thing for him," Gruden said about McCoy on the first day of minicamp. "When his time comes it will come quickly. He will be ready."

Gruden's quote speaks to the biggest advantage McCoy will have once he hits the field. He's been with the Redskins since 2014, and knows Gruden's version of the West Coast offense backwards and forwards. 

 

Throughout the spring sessions, Haskins made clear that his number one goal for the offseason was to learn the playbook and gain mastery of calling plays in the huddle. McCoy already has that.

Speaking with reporters on the last day of minicamp, Keenum explained that Gruden's offense is the seventh or eighth new system he's learned in the NFL. Keenum said each system is like learning a new language, and that "there is no Rosetta Stone for the West Coast Offense."

If there was a translator, its name would be Colt McCoy. 

Once doctors clear the former University of Texas star, he will immediately be the Redskins quarterback with the best understanding of the offense. That will show up on the field right away.

Remember too that Gruden has tried to turn to McCoy as his quarterback at a few different turns, but injuries have always derailed those plans. If McCoy gets fully healthy in time for Richmond, which team sources believe will happen, he has a chance to finally take over this job.

Make no mistake, Haskins is the Redskins long-term future at the quarterback position. He has the talent but needs to learn the speed of the NFL, from playcalling to pass rush. Eventually though, he will be on the field for the Redskins. 

If he wins the job, it's his.

Same for Keenum, who is probably better than he showed last year in Denver but not as good as his career season with Minnesota in 2017. Keenum could certainly start Week 1 in Philadelphia and is probably ahead of Haskins right now. 

But fans would be wise not to count McCoy out of the quarterback competition. The Redskins coaching staff definitely hasn't. 

MORE REDSKINS NEWS: