Redskins Practice: Kirk Cousins Presser 9/17

How this season compares to previous ones:

.@KirkCousins8 on taking over starting QB duties: "It's different (than last season)." Said there's lots on the line the rest of the season.

— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) September 17, 2014

Cousins: "If we're comparing the last three games of last season to now, certainly, it's a lot different."

— Zac Boyer (@ZacBoyer) September 17, 2014

Beaing the starter:

Cousins: "This isn't something new that we need to make a big deal of." Trying to downplay the role he'll have for several weeks.

— Zac Boyer (@ZacBoyer) September 17, 2014

Jay Gruden:

Cousins on HC Jay Gruden: "You trust him, because he's been there and he's been in your shoes." Credits his success with Andy Dalton.

— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) September 17, 2014

Cousins on Gruden: "He knows what he's talking about and he has a proven track record. I fully trust him." #RedskinsTalk

— CSN Redskins (@CSNRedskins) September 17, 2014

Kirk cousins acknowledges his similarities to Andy Dalton, says he was selfishly glad to see Jay Gruden hired in January. #Redskins

— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) September 17, 2014

Gruden's offense:

Cousins: "I do feel comfortable. I feel lile this is a system that mirrors a lot of what I've done in the past."

— Zac Boyer (@ZacBoyer) September 17, 2014

1st team offense:

Cousins said he's developing increasing chemisty with No. 1 offense. "You saw a lot of guys catching the football last Sunday."

— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) September 17, 2014

Cousins said normally he got only scout team reps in practice as the backup. Now gets the reps running redskins offense.

— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) September 17, 2014

Experience at QB:

Cousins gained confidence from starting three games last year. "You go through experiences and day, 'I've been there and done that.'"

— Zac Boyer (@ZacBoyer) September 17, 2014

Cousins said he "gained a lot of confidence" starting 3 games last season. "The longer I'm out there, the better I'm going to get."

— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) September 17, 2014

Control of the offense:

Cousins: "I'm not 6-5, I don't run a 4.3, I don't have an arm that can throw 90 yards." Said his focus is good command of the offense.

— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) September 17, 2014

Protecting the football:

Cousins said he's worked on protecting the football every day. Said "you take the good with the bad" when you take chances down the field.

— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) September 17, 2014

Cousins: "For me it's always going to come down to decision making ...if I'm not making good decisions, I won't be in this league long."

— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) September 17, 2014

Cousins: "the best QBs in the league are going to average and INT a game," but aims to eliminate them, complete 3rd dwn for 1st dwns.

— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) September 17, 2014

Opportunity to showcase himself for a start position:

Cousins: "I think every opportunity in the NFL is big. ... It's just important that you're well-prepared ... and you don't lay an egg."

— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) September 17, 2014

Cousins: "I have a laser focus. I'm an intense guy" but says he does have a sense of humor.

— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) September 17, 2014

Zone Read:

Cousins says scrapping zone read Sunday probably hurt Redskins but he tried to do well w whatever plays were called for him.

— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) September 17, 2014

Cousins said the zone read was a good portion of the game plan Sunday againt Jacksonville. With Griffin out, that wasn't going to work.

— Zac Boyer (@ZacBoyer) September 17, 2014

DeSean Jackson:

Cousins said he'll emphasize working with @DeSeanJackson11's speed this week. "It is hard to overthrow him ... You let him go get it."

— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) September 17, 2014

Cousins said one emphasis will be developing chemistry with wide receivers, particularly gauging D-Jac's speed. Hasn't worked with him much.

— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) September 17, 2014

Sean McVay being retained from previous coaching staff:

Cousins said it was the "best-possible scenario for me" to hire Jay Gruden as HC and Sean McVay as OC.

— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) September 17, 2014

Cousins: "in this league you're only as good as the guys around you. That goes for coaches play callers and receivers. I feel fortunate"

— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) September 17, 2014