Kirk Cousins prepares for audition -- with help from RG3

Jim Corbett | USA TODAY Sports

ASHBURN, Va. – A preacher's son who grew up in Holland, Mich., three hours west of Detroit, Kirk Cousins hopes to deliver his own fiery Sunday sermon when the Washington Redskins' backup-turned-starter faces the Atlanta Falcons this weekend.

"There's a greater sense of urgency -- you feel it in your gut because it's your job on Sunday,'' Cousins said at Redskins Park Friday.

"It's extra motivation on top of the motivation already there to get better.''

Cousins knows the deal.

The Redskins, with a record of 3-10, are Robert Griffin III's team, and these next three games are his audition to create a trade market for himself and land a full-time starting job.

"I feel like with how much turnover there is in the NFL, how many coaching changes have happened, you're auditioning every day,'' Cousins says. "Who knows? My coordinator could become a coordinator somewhere else next year; my quarterbacks coach could become a quarterbacks coach for somewhere else.

"So every day you're treating people in a way, working and studying in a way for people around you to say, if I ever get the chance to stand on table for this guy, I'm going to find that table and stand on it.

"Hopefully, my performance the next few weeks will go a long way in convincing people to stand on that table.''

It's a less-than-ideal situation for all of the involved parties with the Redskins. Griffin was demoted Wednesday when coach Mike Shanahan said he was shutting down the star quarterback for the rest of the season to avoid a significant injury.

Cousins said Griffin has been completely supportive, helping him prepare to face the Falcons (3-10), while also giving the first-team defense the best possible look as scout-team quarterback.

"Robert's been great,'' Cousins said. "I asked him about different concepts and how he thinks certain plays should be read and your footwork on it.

"He's been very helpful, very positive. He's taken the high road.

"This doesn't change the fact that he's our franchise quarterback.''

Shanahan also praised Griffin.

"He's been great, done everything we've asked him to do and he's been up-tempo and taking advantage of the reps that he gets,'' Shanahan said.

Shanahan has seen progress from Cousins, the former Michigan State star who has completed 61.6% of his passes for 573 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions in six career NFL games.

"He's had a good week of practice with all the extra reps that he's gotten, he's feeling more comfortable,'' Shanahan said.

"It's a great opportunity for him to showcase his skills so people can see him under fire.

"He's looking forward to getting his opportunity. And hopefully, he takes advantage of it.''

Cousins led the Redskins to a 38-21 victory against the Cleveland Browns Dec. 16, 2012, completing 26 of 37 passes for 329 yards with two touchdowns and an interception after Griffin suffered a sprained knee the previous week.

Cousins has completed 12 of 25 passes for 107 yards with a pair of interceptions in two mop-up appearances this season.

Asked how he benefited from receiving first-team repetitions for the first time since the preseason, Cousins said, "I got reps. I got better. We'll find out Sunday how it really went.''

The 6-3, 209 Cousins has always prepared each week as if he would be the starter. But there is nothing like the real deal.

"You literally have to trick yourself into thinking you're the starter,'' he said. "Now I don't have to trick myself – I am the starter.''

How do his teammates feel Cousins has looked?

"Kirk is approaching this like he's going out to make his case to be a starter,'' fullback Darrel Young said. "His approach to the game is like a starting quarterback.

"He's going to have a hell of a future.

"And I respect Robert for the way he's been helping Kirk get ready.

"It's humbling. But I think next year we're going to see a whole different Robert Griffin.''

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