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ASHBURN, Va. -- Kirk Cousins worked his way up from not being heavily recruited to becoming the starting quarterback at Michigan State. At least he thought he had.Going into Cousins sophomore season in 2009, Keith Nichol transferred from Oklahoma, and it was game on.He took that as an insult and felt like he had to prove himself all over again and win the starting job there, then-Michigan State quarterbacks coach Dave Warner said last week. I think the same things happening right now at (the NFL) level. He had a very good year last year, but maybe people are wondering if he can do it again.Cousins was at his best when he was in prove-it mode in college and finds himself in a similar position as the Washington Redskins new franchise quarterback. A fourth-round pick in 2012, Cousins sat behind Robert Griffin III before winning the starting job a year ago. Cousins is unquestionably No. 1 but didnt get the long-term deal he wanted.Cousins is playing this season with the franchise tag -- which means a pretty good raise to $19.95 million -- and said he isnt lying awake at night worrying about his future. Instead, hes focused on the next step of becoming more consistent and earning a contract and elite status in the NFL.I had a four-year deal as a rookie, but it didnt feel like a four-year deal -- it felt like a one-day deal every single day I was here, Cousins said. I dont think things have changed a whole lot in that regard. Ive got to go out there and prove myself each and every game of every season. When you do that, I think the rest will take care of itself.At 28, Cousins has made the Redskins his team in his own way, less flashy than Griffin except for his demonstrative celebrations in games and on the practice field. He wants the Redskins to be the San Antonio Spurs of the NFL: somewhat boring and without drama but unflinchingly successful.While Cousins aims to get the job done without much fanfare, teammates and coaches see a defiant confidence in him. Coach Jay Gruden believes its at an all-time high but without cockiness.He also understands hes got a lot of work to do and hes not afraid to put the work in, Gruden said. Hes a gym rat, hes a film rat. Thats just what you need to be a successful quarterback in this league.The great quarterbacks are that way in their first year and in their 15th year. Thats the way you have to be at the position, and hes got the mental makeup to be a great one.Cousins believes hes better than he was a year ago -- I dont know how to measure it, but you give me a measuring system and maybe I can tell you, he said. Quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh points to a comeback victory against Tampa Bay last season as a moment of growth for Cousins, who he said has the knowledge of the offense down and is working on different cadences, fakes and targets.Now Michigan States co-offensive coordinator, Warner sees Cousins more comfortable and willing to take off and run with the ball. Just as Cavanaugh believes no quarterback turns pro knowing how to do it all, Cousins remains a work in progress.The good thing about him is hes not content, Cavanaugh said. He sees a lot more improvement to be made, and thats what hes striving for. Being on the bench watching is OK, but theres nothing like getting your reps and making something happen to start to believe in yourself.Cousins threw for 29 touchdowns and a franchise-record 4,166 yards and had a league-best completion percentage of 69.8 in his first season as the starter. That made the Redskins decision to start him over Griffin look like a smart move.Not having to win the job at training camp, Cousins looked more relaxed and appeared to be having more fun.The biggest thing thats changed has been his confidence, running back Chris Thompson said. I think for him, also, its sort of a relief now because he knows hes the guy. At some point in their career, every quarterback wants to feel that because then the nerves sort of go away and theyre able to relax a little bit.While relaxed, Cousins is far from complacent though he can be comfortable in his job status. Teammates rallied around him as he led the Redskins to the NFC East title last season and Griffin is now in Cleveland.Hes the franchise quarterback, receiver DeSean Jackson said. He doesnt really have to worry about nobody on his heels and hes doing everything you ask to do in a franchise quarterback.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Womens Sabres Jerseys . Takahashi, who had a 10-point lead after the short program, received 268.31 points after the free skate to finish 15 points ahead of second-place Nobunari Oda. Adidas Sabres Jerseys .05 million next season unless Graham and the Saints subsequently agree on a long-term deal. The designation was released Monday after the deadline passed for NFL teams to use franchise or transition tags on players becoming free agents. http://www.cheapsabresjerseyschina.com/ . -- Playing time has been limited for Maxim Tissot this season, so the Montreal Impact defender made the most of his first scoring opportunity on Saturday. Cheap Sabres Jerseys . -- Claudio Bieler hadnt scored since early September, and not from the run of play since mid-July. Sabres Jerseys Outlet . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. Webber, who is fifth in the championship, earned his second pole from the past three races and 13th of his career. BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Buffalo Sabres forward Evander Kane is out indefinitely after cracking three ribs in Thursdays season opener.Coach Dan Bylsma said Kane will miss weeks, the latest misfortune for a Sabres team that is already without top-line center Jack Eichel, who will miss several weeks after being diagnosed with a high ankle sprain Wednesday.Kane was hurt when he crashed into the end boards during the second period of Buffalos 4-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. He was taken to the hospital after the game and released Thursday night, Kane said.While racing Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin for a loose puck up the left wing in the Montreal zone. Kane reached for the puck when the two bumped. Kane lost his balance, fell and slid with his left elbow slamming into the boards. Kane doubled over in pain as he was escorted off the ice.Kane posted on his Twitter page Friday, Thanks to everyone for their well wishes.Kane had 20 goals and had 15 assists last season for the Sabres after being acquired in a trade with Winnipeg. He missed 17 games with a knee injury.Kane had a tumultuous offseason in Buffalo. The 25-year-old player faces four counts of noncriminal harassment, one count of disorderly conduct and a count of misdemeanor trespass from a fight at a downtown bar in June. He is accused of grabbing three women by the hair and neck in separate encounters inside the bar and returning to the bar after being forcibly removed by a bouncer. He pleaded not guilty to all charges in August and is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 31.The Sabres struggled before and after Kanes injury in the opener. They were not only without Eichel but also forward Kyle Okposo (bruised knee) and defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (back), two offseason acquisitions expected to play significant roles this season.ddddddddddddkposo and Kulikov both practiced Friday and will likely return during Buffalos upcoming four-game road trip, which starts Sunday at Edmonton.Eichel said Friday he does not want to rush his return. The second-year star spoke following practice, using a scooter to move around the locker room with his left foot in a stabilizing boot.High ankle sprains are tricky injuries, Eichel said. You just want to let everything heal and just go about the whole process the right way and take it day by day and listen to the trainers, listen to the doctors. Really, its a lot about patience and sticking to your game plan.He will wear the stabilizing boot for about 10 days and then have his ankle evaluated.Patience is important for this, he said. Its a long season, you dont want to rush back and then see yourself out again.The injury occurred with less than 10 minutes remaining in Wednesdays practice when he became entangled with a defenseman and his leg buckled.Its a bad bounce, but hockeys a physical game and injuries are part of it, he said. So more than anything its how you handle it and how you return.Eichel was selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2015 draft. He is coming off a solid rookie season in which he had 24 goals and 32 assists in 81 games last year. Eichel played one year at Boston University and became the second freshman to win college hockeys top honor, the Hobey Baker Award. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '