Cooley’s Analysis Very Flawed

Aug 20, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) prepares to throw the ball in front of Detroit Lions defensive end Darryl Tapp (52) in the first quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

I choose not to listen to Chris Cooley’s analysis on ESPN 980 because I generally find it one-sided. Cooley may be seeking ratings or just not want Robert Griffin III to be the quarterback of the Washington Redskins. After reading Dan Steinberg’s column today in the Washington Post. I was amazed at what I read on Cooley’s responses.

First Cooley is asked if Griffin is running a different offense which is ludicrous since every player on the offense would have to learn two offenses if that were the case. Cooley responds that it isn’t a different offense which is fine but goes on to tell everyone that thinks that “You are so skewed, and so wrong. That is a fool’s trap; that is a trap for fools to believe that this is a different offense”…blah, blah, blah.

I don’t really remember any serious comments referring to Griffin having a different offense but I took Cooley’s comments to be him trying to belittle any supporters that Griffin has left. Either way, I moved on with the next question, hoping to read some real analysis.

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The next question referred to the Redskins not getting Griffin on the move. Cooley’s response was “they play their defensive ends as wide nine techniques. They’re not susceptible to boot easily”…more blah, blah, blah. The wide nine technique that Cooley refers to means that the defensive ends are lined up wider than normal outside the tackles. They are also cocked in towards the quarterback with an intention of coming hard at him. This would be a great defense to not only run the boot at but also to move the pocket away from the rush and the left tackle who is having an all-time awful game.

The next question asks if any quarterback would get annihilated behind that offensive line? Cooley’s response was “I’m going to tell you that it wasn’t great offensive line play,” (a major understatement) “but it wasn’t like you’re going to have to get killed if you’re behind that offensive line.” Come on Cooley, did you watch the first quarter? He goes on with more blah, blah, blah…

Then Cooley is asked about Griffin’s first pass when Brandon Scherff was bull rushed into Griffin in less than three seconds. Cooley’s response included, “It’s a simple matter of sliding and finding a window to throw the football.” and more blah, blah, blah… Scherff was pushed back into Griffin in less than 2 seconds and then grabbed by the defensive tackle of the Lions. Sure Griffin needs to get better at pocket presence but he had no time to “simply slide” and make the throw on that play.

Cooley goes on in the same comment to say that “It’s a simple movement of two steps right, throw ball.” Cooley fails to notice that Morgan Moses is a step to the right having to contain the rush as well. If Griffin had 3 seconds, it is an easy completion. With less than 2 seconds, not possible.

The next question was “What happened on the first down pass (a “read rail” route)that was batted down?” Cooley responded again that it was Griffin’s fault because “You just find a window to throw the football.” The problem with that answer is that Griffin did have a window to throw and began his throwing motion. While he was releasing the ball, The blitzing linebacker, Whitehead, had crossed in front of Griffin and leaped to knock the ball away. Willie Smith, the left tackle, had been pushed by Whitehead so far that he was even with the right tackle, Morgan Moses, at the time he batted the football.

Then Cooley was asked about the last 2 plays of Griffin’s which were not good plays by him but of course, Cooley blames him despite the beating that he had taken to that point in the game. Steinberg goes on to link to Mark Bullock’s take on Griffin’s performance which is a much more even analysis. After Cooley’s take on the game, I am reminded why I don’t listen to Cooley’s radio program.

Next: Redskins Rewind: Robert Griffin III vs. Lions-Preseason 2015