Washington Redskins: Kirk Cousins can define himself against Seahawks

Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins is not what you’ call a Daredevil when it comes to his passing game, but can break out of that in Seattle.

Kirk Cousins, according to Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden, doesn’t do well with the complicated passes. There are obviously many things that the quarterback does well, but that’s not one.

CBS DC’s Chris Lingebach (via 106.7 The Fan) provided some insight on Gruden’s feelings about Cousins’ passing game:

"“If he does have a weakness, it’s that he’s too much of a perfectionist…He wants everything to be perfect. Unfortunately, I can’t get guys 30 f—ing yards open all the time. There are going to be some tight-window throws he’s going to have to throw some days. I’ll call some of these in practice, and if it doesn’t look exactly the way I drew it up, he’ll [say], ‘I don’t know if I like that. I can’t call it in a game.’ I’m like, ‘Bud, c’mon.’”"

This is Cousins. Everyone knows that he keeps it simple and safe.

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This season he’s averaged 8.0 yards a pass, not far off his career average per pass. Cousins’ defense has always been that he would throw more interceptions.  That is yet to be seen.  Last season, he averaged about the same amount of yards per pass (8.11) and had 12 interceptions and six fumbles.

In 2015 he had 11 interceptions and four fumbles. Again, he wasn’t  a gunslinger then either,  averaging 7.67 yards a pass.

Gruden is trying to make Cousins do something he hasn’t done since he joined the NFL: Average more than 10 yards a pass. He’s not that guy. If he wants that guy, then maybe Cousins does need to pack up next season. Cousins made his numbers off conservative football. It’s not going to change.

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However, Kirk Cousins is out of time.  The offensive injury list is only growing as each week passes. He’s gotta take a leap of faith and do more than his normal. Seattle would be a great place to prove that he can do that.