Five things to know about Redskins QB Kirk Cousins as he prepares to play Lions

Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins celebrates with fans after his team's 37-21 victory over Iowa in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) stands on the field in the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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By Paula Pasche | The Oakland Press

PUBLISHED: October 20, 2016 at 5:03 p.m. | UPDATED: June 17, 2021 at 6:40 a.m.

ALLEN PARK >> It’s been a journey for Kirk Cousins.

The Washington Redskins quarterback, who played at Michigan State, played in high school at Holland Christian.

He’ll be back in Michigan on Sunday to face the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.

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It’s been a journey for Cousins who was drafted in the fourth round by the Redskins in 2012, after they had selected Robert Griffin III to be the franchise starter in the first round.

“If someone had told me when I was 17 at Holland Christian High School as a junior sitting out with a broken ankle on a team that went 3-6 that, hey in a few years you’re going to be in the NFL playing for the Washington Redskins starting for the second year in a row and you’re team is going to be 4-2, I’d say, I’ll take it,” Cousins said in a conference call this week.

He admits his career has been all over the map. His faith has helped him and he’s learned other lessons.

“Tough times don’t last, tough people do and just every single day chose to be a tough person and believe that if you do that, good things will happen in the long run,” Cousins said. “Hopefully the journey is far from over on the football field and we’ll see where it goes from here.”

Five things to know about Cousins:

1. The Redskins got off to an 0-2 start but now have won four straight in large part due to Cousins who had eight touchdowns and three interceptions in the that stretch. “We were happy that we were able to get back on track and get to a place now where we can control everything we want to go to on the field, but you know, it’s always one game at a time and whether you’re 0-2, 2-0, 4-2, 2-4, you just keep playing,” Cousins said. “I’ve learned that in this league, things change quickly and you just stay the course and take each week as it comes and that gives you the best chance to be where you want to be at the end of the season.”

2. Redskins coach Jay Gruden is happy with his growth as an NFL quarterback. “I think he’s a developing quarterback, and he’s taken advantage of the time that he had under center here, with the experiences of last year, training camp, OTAs and then this year. Every game, every practice he gains more experience, and more confidence in the players around him, in the scheme, and I’m sure Matthew (Stafford) could tell you the same thing,” Gruden said in a conference call. “There’s no substitution for reps, and he’s getting all of them and taking advantage of them. We’re happy where he’s at, and where he’s progressing, how he’s progressing. Utilizing everybody around him, gave him the targets that he has, and now he’s starting to manufacture some plays off schedule. Made a couple big ones last week, which were key to our victory.”

3. The Lions have the utmost respect for Cousins. “He’s doing an excellent job, his percentages, completions, it’s up there near the top of the League since he’s been in there,” coach Jim Caldwell said. “A very effective leader and he moves his team up and down the field. He does a nice job much like his coach. Actually, Jay Gruden, he was a freshman at Louisville when I was coaching there my first year in 1985, so he and I go back a little ways. There’s some similarities there.”

4. The respect is mutual. “I see a group of pass-rushers that are getting after the quarterback. I see a corner in (Darius) Slay who’s among one of the best in the NFL. I see a safety in (Glover) Quin who’s been among one of the best in the NFL and you know, a middle linebacker (Tahir Whitehead) who’s near the top of the league in tackles and making plays all over the field, so I think they have players, I think they play hard, they play on fire and they’ll be a good challenge for us,” Cousins said.

5. “I enjoy being able to come back to Michigan any chance I get, whether it’s an offseason trip or a football game against the Lions. There will be a lot of friends and family there in attendance and I’m looking forward to it,” Cousins said.