Former NFL scout continues to endorse QB Taylor Heinicke as the starter in Washington
“Tough times never last, but tough people do.” I will never forget former Redskins star defensive end Dexter Manley saying that on NFL Films. As a former NFL scout…as someone who worked on arguably the greatest staff in NFL history…as someone who watched all the greats under Gibbs…the Washington Football Team needs to stick with Quarterback (QB) Taylor Heinicke.
From the first time I laid eyes on him last season against the Carolina Panthers, I was sold. I have come out several times since and reconfirmed my belief in Heinicke, and I am doing it again.
Taylor Heinicke is a franchise QB – – and he is the franchise QB of the Washington Football Team. I do not know how much stronger I can be about it. I am not backing off this one. I am putting my name on Taylor Heinicke. The 2-4 record does not change my evaluation whatsoever. I love the young man. I love the gunslinger that he is. I love his heart. I love his will to win. I mean it was just a couple weeks ago, he showed all of us what he is made of against Atlanta.
Now is not the time to cave in and start this same nonsense, rattling off all his potential replacements. Now is the time to support him.
The reason I am sold on Heinicke as being the right fit for the Washington Football Team is he has the “It factor.” Very few have it. Washington has not had a QB like Heinicke since Mark Rypien.
The “It factor” is what means the game is never over. Heinicke will keep slinging it and fighting, and that characteristic is so desperately needed in the position. There is no quit in him.
Heinicke is tough as nails. Heinicke has uncommon poise.
He has the look and feel of a champion.
Do not give up on Heinicke. I do not know what it is about this fan base who has never been on board with him. He gave the eventual Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers more to handle than Patrick Mahomes or Aaron Rodgers did, yet I had to spend the off-season on social media looking at “Washington’s QB Wish-list.”
No, I do not want to see Ryan Fitzpatrick under center again, and I sure as hell do not want to see Aaron Rodgers in Washington, who has become a loose cannon. I do not want to see Kyle Allen either, who is about as exciting as watching paint dry.
I do not want to see another guy who does not care or another guy who is just in it for the paycheck. They are all over the league. Every roster is loaded with guys like that. Heinicke is not one of them.
He cares and for that reason he has my vote.
Taylor Heinicke is the least of the problems on the Washington Football Team.
Daniel Kelly is a former NFL scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated Detroit Lions and he is a contributing evaluator for Draft Diamonds. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @danielkellybook and his Facebook page is WHATEVER IT TAKES NFL TALK.
