Those who have been around Cousins for a few seasons have noticed a difference in 2021, even if the explanation remains a bit abstract.
"He has a little more swag to him this year, actually," said Vikings running back Alexander Mattison. "Being around [Jefferson] in the locker room, the lockers are switched around a little bit … he has a little more swag to him.
"He's one of those playmakers. He always has been that way," Mattison added. "He's just stepped up even more, honing in on his craft and making everyone better around him."
Cousins and Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer had watched film and chatted Xs and Os in previous years, but this year they have a standing, weekly appointment. Football is at the forefront, but improved communication has been a benefit. Each is gaining an understanding of what he sees from a particular defense.
"I think it's helpful to have a structured time every week to meet with the head coach as the quarterback. With the role I have, I think it's great to just have [a scheduled] time every week to meet," Cousins said. "I forget which week it was, but coming out of Monday or Tuesday I had a thought for him, but I knew, 'Hey, Thursday I have my time for him. We'll go over it then, we'll talk about it then,' and so I just think it just helps to have that planned time every week to go over third downs, go over our offensive plan at a high level, go over our team dynamics, whatever it might be."
Zimmer said the meeting has helped communication "both ways."
"I can understand some of the things he's thinking about during the game. I can kind of try to give him some tips on what defensive backs or alignments or front-wise, what teams are trying to do," Zimmer said. "I mean, he asks a lot of questions about defenses and defense in general.
"And I try to talk a lot about even past history things, you know? What happened when I was in Dallas or Cincinnati or whatever," Zimmer added. "He asks a lot of those things. And we talk a lot about different things. Things that may upset him, things that may upset me. I think it's been really good."
Most importantly, the benefits have made their way from the meeting room to the field. Zimmer complimented Cousins' leadership and execution.
"I think he's playing outstanding. But not only that, he's playing with a lot of confidence," Zimmer said. "He's also ... I really appreciate the leadership that he's been doing lately.
"He's very confident where he's throwing the football," Zimmer added. "He's very confident with these receivers. I think the offensive line has helped him do some of those things, as well."
Cousins admitted after a Week 3 win over Seattle that his comfort level in the organization has increased over time.
"I think it's important to be self-aware and understand how you fit," Cousins said. "In '18 I wasn't going to show up and say, 'Hey, you guys just went 13-3. I have all these good ideas, listen to me.'
"There's a little bit of, 'How do I fit into this puzzle? Now that three years have passed," Cousins added, "there's a little bit more ability to have assimilated and understand how this organization works, how you fit in that puzzle."
"fit" - Google News
October 07, 2021 at 03:01AM
https://ift.tt/3uNfkUI
Kirk Cousins Finding His Fit - Vikings.com
"fit" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2SpPnsd
https://ift.tt/3aP4lys
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Kirk Cousins Finding His Fit - Vikings.com"
Post a Comment