Brock Bowers return will answer Kirk Cousins questions with talented rookie waiting in wings
Kirk Cousins’ response to questions about his arm strength comes with a request: Consider everything that happens before the ball leaves his hand.The play call.The coverage.
The progression.The responsibility to pass up a tempting throw when the defense has something else in mind.A short completion, the Raiders quarterback argues, does not automatically represent a physical limitation.Sometimes, it means he did his job.“Not to be a broken record, but I do think it kind of goes back to just executing what’s called,” Cousins said.
“And if it’s intermediate passes, if it’s quick game, if it’s bootlegs, if it’s screens, you just execute what comes in the headset.”Fair enough.But through two games, the 38-year-old has provided evidence for both sides of a discussion that figures to follow him until he consistently makes it unnecessary.Against Miami, Cousins completed just one of seven passes traveling more than 10 yards beyond the line of scrimmage, with two interceptions.Against the Chargers, he completed 8 of 12 for 181 yards on those throws.That is a significant difference, and a reminder that the first Sunday of a season rarely delivers the final verdict.Cousins finished the Raiders’ 26-14 win over the Chargers with 253 passing yards and three touchdowns, helping the Silver and Black improve to 2-0.
His afternoon included a 40-yard touchdown to Tre Tucker and a 42-yard connection with the speedy receiver that helped create a field-goal opportunity before halftime.Those throws matter.An offense built around efficiency still needs the ability to punish a defense for crowding the shorter portions of the field.Raiders coach Klint Kubiak considers that a necessity.“If you don’t push the ball down the field or make explosive plays, you won’t win games, usually,” Kubiak said.
“Again, you call shots and if they’re there, you hit them and if they’re not, you check it down.”The Chargers game supplied examples of what happens when Cousi...