Before winning Super Bowl, Kirk Cousins must win over Vikings

The white-hot spotlight is on Cousins, who has to fulfill the richest contract in NFL history by carrying the Vikings across a threshold that has eluded them since John Kennedy moved into the White House. Heady times for this 29-year-old accidental franchise quarterback who was treated like an outcast in Washington despite several productive seasons that allowed him to cash in the free-agent PowerBall.
Before winning the Lombardi Trophy, Cousins has to win over new coaches and teammates by proving himself all over again. Springtime reps are important, but personal relationships are vital in a sport that requires 11 moving parts on both sides of the ball to mesh.
Subtly buttonholing teammates on the sideline, at their locker and in the film room about receiving routes and protection schemes will help Cousins command respect in the huddle. But the Vikings’ most important player on and off the field has to learn how and when to assert himself on a veteran team that accomplished more in 2017 with Case Keenum than Cousins has in six pro seasons.
“I’ve come a long ways in about six weeks, but there’s still a long ways to go,” he said. “I think as a seventh-year player, now you have a little freedom to be yourself and not take a backseat, to just be vocal, within reason. Be a leader. Step up and let your voice be heard. To their credit, the guys have received it well. It’s been fun.”
https://www.twincities.com/2018/05/30/brian-murphy-before-winning-super-bowl-kirk-cousins-must-win-over-vikings/