Kirk Cousins may be one of the most popular backup quarterbacks in the NFL. To some, Cousins fits what the stereotypical quarterback is supposed to be in the NFL. Cousins has arm strength, leadership qualities, and he can move just enough to keep defenses honest. Cousins, whose skill set fits a pro-style offense rather than a spread offense put together his best game as a pro against the Jacksonville Jaguars in wake of another injury to Robert Griffin III. Cousins finished the game with 250 yards passing to go along with 2 touchdowns. In all fairness the Jags had no idea that they were preparing to face Cousins, and looking at the history of Kirk Cousins play, it should read as such.
Since Cousins was drafted in the same class as RGIII there has been many whispers that he could eventually become the starting quarterback over RGIII. It is easy to think that due to RGIII’s injury history, but Cousins is not the caliber of player that Griffin is. I will say that Washington calls better plays to get the ball to its best playmaker (Alfred Morris) while he is in the game, and there are less “cute” plays when RGIII is not in the game. At times coaches can become too innovative when they have a player like RGIII. Cousins is a solid backup quarterback, but when looking at the games where teams prepared for him they weren’t pretty. Last season, Cousins played in five games (starting three), and his numbers were mediocre outside of one game against the then lowly Atlanta Falcons. Against NFC East foes the Cowboys and Giants, Cousins put up pedestrian numbers.
In those five games, Cousins’ numbers show that he was an inconsistent passer with a passing percentage of 52.3% , and he was a turnover machine with a total of 7 interceptions and three fumbles. Cousins’ total QBR was also 26.5 which was in the bottom percentile for NFL quarterbacks. With RGIII out due to injury again, Cousins will get ample opportunities to show he is capable of being a starting quarterback in the NFL.
Cousins may have created some buzz with his recent performance, but I don’t think he is the second coming of a great quarterback. In the past, backup quarterbacks such as Kevin Kolb, Matt Flynn, and Rob Johnson created similar buzz in relief duty. If that doesn’t serve as a warning — I don’t know what does. Dear Washington, please be careful and don’t fall for the jig. Cousins is not the next Mark Rypien.
I def look at him as Matt Flynn’s brother lol