Kirk Cousins has ‘great opportunity’ with Robert Griffin III out

Kirk Cousins, second-year quarterback for the Washington Redskins, said he plans to take advantage of the “great opportunity� he has while Robert Griffin III recovers from reconstructive knee surgery.

“I view this as a proving ground to see if I deserve to be a starter,� Cousins said, per David Elfin of 106.7 The Fan. “Every game’s filmed. Even if coaches are coaching other games, they’re going to be able to go back and watch tape [of preseason] and see what I can do. It may be the best thing that ever happened to me to start my career in Washington. If I play well, it opens up doors elsewhere. If I don’t play well, it doesn’t.�

Cousins is slated as the starter until RGIII returns. That means the 2012 fourth-round pick might even start the first games of the season, although Griffin has made remarkable strides in his recovery.

“I see this as a great opportunity for me, however long it lasts,� said Cousins, who played well in relief in two games last season and beat Cleveland as the starter when RGIII was sidelined for a full game. “I wasn’t expecting to be with the No. 1 offense much at all, and so now to be able to do it will help my growth and development tremendously.�

Griffin, last season’s offensive rookie of the year, underwent surgery on Jan. 9 to repair the anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments in his right knee. He did some light jogging and went through agility drills with teammates at a workout last week.

“The knee feels great,� he told reporters, according to the New York Times. “I’m able to do stuff out there without any hesitation.�

He added: “If you put the work in, you’ll have the confidence when you get back out there. It’s about playing like you were never injured.�

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