We're not saying that Cousins won't be able to rise above the heightened challenge, but the risk of backing into a horrid long-term deal is far greater than some hurt feelings over one season. Of course, that's not normally how this process works. Now that the Redskins have gotten rid of Robert Griffin III, there really is no backup plan. Cousins wants a long-term deal regardless of how hard he pounds his fist in public and he holds the cards. Washington had better hope there is no plateau.