Tag: Chris Cooley

Chris Cooley film review of Commanders’ DB Mike Sainristil

Cooley is a big fan of rookie CB Mike Sainristil.

Chris Cooley was asked by Kevin Sheehan to perform a film evaluation of four Commanders’ draft choices.

Cooley appeared on Sheehan’s podcast episodes on Thursday and Friday with those film reviews (Johnny Newton, Mike Sainristil, Luke McCaffrey, Brandon Coleman).

The former Redskins’ tight end and color analyst on the team’s radio broadcast really likes the Commanders’ choice of Michigan slot corner Mike Sainristil.

Here are some selected quotes from Cooley’s film breakdown:

“He’s an awesome athlete: great feet, great hips.”

“To me, he’s a smart zone cover guy. He does a great job getting depth in his drops, reads the eyes of the quarterback very well. He’s capable and able to drive on the football.”

“I think he does an excellent job finding the ball in coverage; he does a really good job playing the ball.”

“He’s not a P.I. guy; he’s well-trained, technically very good. He has great hands; had six interceptions, two were pick-sixes.

“He’s a really good tackler, a consistent tackler…he can be very physical as well…he was a big-time blitz guy for Michigan.”

“He is what Scot McCloughan would have called ‘a football player.’ I was super impressed.”

“Some of my concerns? His ability to play man coverage; his ability to press and then run and play man coverage. But they are drafting a man that fits them perfectly in what they want.”

“He can be over-aggressive in attacking receivers in their routes; double moves could be a problem potentially. At times, you see him taking risks, and it paying off…the risk/reward on some of this is big time.”

I think he is a big-time football player for them. I think he is going to be really helpful.”

It’s easy to see why Nick Saban would say that (“best pound-for-pound player in the draft“)… He’s a really versatile dude…really good at shedding blocks in space and getting off of blocks.”

“He has a really good understanding of football. I am sure Mike Sainristil is going to be a good football player. He is worth the second-round draft pick. I am sure of it.”

Chris Cooley: Commanders rookie OL Brandon Coleman ‘a project’

What does the former Washington star think about the potential new left tackle?

“I don’t know what I see.”

That was how Chris Cooley began his discussion with Kevin Sheehan, Thursday, during his film review of Commanders’ rookie offensive tackle, Brandon Coleman.

Here are some selected quotes from Cooley’s film review:

“He looks very athletic on the field.”

“34-inch vertical leap at the Combine. That is pretty amazing for a dude that weighs 350 pounds.”

“I see him as a really adequate pass protector…Good hands, good punch. He is hard to get around. He gets his arms extended. He has good feet, does a good job keeping his feet square at the line of scrimmage.”

“He has great range as a puller. He is explosive; he can run.”

“He played a lot of guard at the Senior Bowl. So many have projected him as a guard…Good thing is he can do both in a pinch (guard and tackle).”

“I think he plays high, really upright, tall. He has a tendency to bend at the waist. I think this is where he gets in the most trouble. It hurts him with his change of direction.”

“He is a position blocker in the run game. He is not a physical run-game blocker. He is not Trent Williams. He is going to try to get in, get his hands on you, and get his ___ where he doesn’t want the defender to go. He is going to try to quick and turn. I hate that.”

“He stops his feet on contact; he is not a physical power-driving guy…and he gets beat a lot in the run game.”

“I’d like to see him do a better job of finishing blocks…I’m concerned about his ability to sustain blocks, especially in space.”

“So, Coleman is a project.”

“He’s an athlete. He has a ton of innate athletic ability. He is a very good understanding of how to pass protect. But in terms of being an every down, get-it-done type of guy, there are going to be a lot of positions they put him in, and he is going to struggle.”

“You can’t put him at left tackle and run behind him. That is not a thing that is going to happen…I think he has some situations he has to improve in quite a bit.”

Watch college highlights of new Commanders TE Ben Sinnott

Ben Sinnott’s college highlights are a fun watch.

Despite signing veteran Zach Ertz in free agency, the Washington Commanders knew heading into the 2024 NFL draft they needed to add talent at tight end.

So, in the second round, with the No. 53 overall pick, Washington selected Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott. Sinnott was considered by many to be the second-best tight end in the draft behind Georgia’s Brock Bowers. Sinnott was a versatile offensive weapon during his time at Kansas State, as he could play tight end, fullback, or split out wide.

In his review of Sinnott, former Washington tight end Chris Cooley praised Sinnott for his ability as a receiver and blocker. He offered the ultimate praise, saying legendary head coach Joe Gibbs would love Sinnott.

While Ertz will begin the season atop the depth chart, the Commanders will likely use plenty of 12 personnel, meaning two tight ends will be on the field simultaneously. Sinnott will be factored into offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s plans immediately.

Let’s look at some of Sinnott’s college highlights from his time at K-State.

What does Chris Cooley think of new Commanders TE Ben Sinnott?

“Joe Gibbs would love Ben Sinnott.”

“If he is wearing No. 47, we are identical.”

That was Chris Cooley’s first reaction when watching film of the Commanders’ second-round choice (No. 53 overall), Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott.

Cooley was a guest Friday on the “The Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast and gave his film review of the tight end the Commanders drafted last week.

“He is what Joe Gibbs used to call an H-back; he’s versatile,” added Cooley.

Cooley said what he really liked initially about Sinnott was that he is flexible. The Commanders will be able to split Sinnott out wide. He can play in a tight split, a wing split, full back, tight, and next to the quarterback in the shotgun. Cooley concluded that K-State using Sinnott in so many positions reveals the young man is an intelligent player.

Pointing to his 4.68 at the Scouting Combine, Cooley praised his running of routes, “He is clearly a big-time target,” saying it was fun to watch him.

Cooley also praised Sinnott for being a hands-catcher of the ball rather than a chest-catcher. The former Washington tight end loved Sinnott’s ability to catch the ball at the high point and praised his vertical jumping ability.

A former wrestler, Cooley is fully aware of playing another sport at a high level and how this develops you athletically. He and Sheehan both pointed to the newest Commander also playing a lot of tennis and hockey as well as football.

Cooley was also excited about his ability to make some awesome runs after the catch as an H-back. He elaborated, saying Sinnott is tough to bring down and has that toughness to run through everything.

Seeing the Commanders will be able to line up Sinnott in multiple positions, Cooley pointed out that it also presents another challenge for the defense because your personnel becomes more unpredictable.

As for a weakness? Cooley feels Sinnott in his blocking needs some work in his hands and footwork early on in a block, saying he was not technically sound in some of the film.

However, Cooley was also quick to say that Sinnott made many good blocks. Thus, he was encouraged, saying Sinnott is certainly willing to block and will therefore improve his technique as his NFL career progresses.

“I will tell you right now, Joe Gibbs would love Ben Sinnott. This would be his guy. He would draft this guy. This is his H-back who can play receiver and tight end. He is a versatile tight end.”

Chris Cooley: How is Jayden Daniels not the Commanders pick?

Count Chris Cooley among those impressed with Jayden Daniels.

Former Washington Redskins tight end Chris Cooley appeared as a guest on the “Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast over the weekend, providing his film breakdown of Jayden Daniels.

Cooley began, “So I’m in my third game, and I’m like, this is like a walking highlight tape. You’re just watching throws…and it’s a highlight tape. It’s insane. Jayden Daniels is incredible.”

Pretty early Cooley commented on Daniels being exceptionally agile and knowing how to slide. “Except for when he doesn’t. Because he gets smoked. He’s gonna have to learn that…He knows how to slide. I think he’s just competitive as a runner. He gets freakin’ waxed in the first half of the Ole Miss game, which is a first half that is like 31-28 with unbelievable offense. But he got hit in the face so hard and fumbled and went up in the air…you gotta know that that’s not a hit you need to take. Especially a quarterback, and he took three or four in that game.”

Chris acknowledged Daniels only weighs 210 but quickly added he could gain weight and be up to 225 in two years.

“He can get through progressions, at least can read the defense and identify who’s going to be open and where they’re gonna be open and throw the ball in rhythm and timing that is relatable to that concept.”

“He’s good out of a bunch set. Layering the ball down the field over linebackers on some of the little run-action, play-action throws. To really drive it in over linebackers is awesome. I think he’s very accurate.”

“He takes some risks, but I think he also takes necessary risks in the moments of the game where you’re like, Oh, that’s a bad decision…But a lot of the times, I think he’s got a good flow for the game and how he’s managing exactly that.”

Cooley lauded Daniels ability to run not as good but dangerously good. “He’s obviously a massive problem when he gets out in the open field…It’s not like he’s gonna gain 8 to 12 yards and slide, but he can get you 45 to 50 and outrun the entire defense.”

Touch on the ball is something Cooley liked, but he did notice that Daniels does not possess the strongest of passing arms. “I don’t think he’s got a rifle. He can really let it go; he can throw a ball downfield and throw a ball downfield with a ton of arc – he does a great job on deep balls – but I don’t think he’s got a throw it across the field to 17 yards on a comeback gun. To me, that’s not what I see.”

Concluding his review, Cooley praised Daniels, “I thought overall he’s really freakin’ special. To me, he seemed an incredibly experienced college quarterback. He’s calm in the pocket; his demeanor is absolutely tremendous. He makes big-time throws…I think his discipline is good, his timing is good… he’s a walking freaking highlight reel.”

Cooley asked, “How is this not your pick?”

Chris Cooley: Ron Rivera did ‘a complete 180′ with Commanders’ offensive identity

Cooley weighs in on Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio.

“It’s hard to play when you know your coach is gone,” said former Washington Redskins tight end Chris Cooley as a guest on the “Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast Friday.

Indeed the Commanders have now lost five of their last six games. In their last game, the defense at times offered no resistance.

“I didn’t feel like they were going to fire Jack Del Rio this week,” Cooley said. “I didn’t know or have an expectation that they were going to fire Ron Rivera this week. I am just telling you, you have a dead coach, and you just don’t play well. Go back to the Jim Zorn era, the end of (Jay) Gruden and (Bill) Callahan.”

Cooley said he has noticed that the first time out, a team often will play much better after a coach has been fired. He said he thought Washington would play better this week against Miami and then suggested, “If you want a better draft spot, you keep Ron Rivera in place.”

The former Washington Redskins radio analyst then joked, “I really don’t care if they make Craig Hoffman the coach, they are going to win the next game if they hire an interim head coach.”

Sheehan was in stitches at this point. Cooley added (you could imagine him smiling), “It was the first name I came up with.”

Cooley said he recognized players had been repeatedly trying to say the right things the last few weeks. He said when they say things like, “The players just have to do better,” or “It is just not working,” or “Something has to change,” that it was a clear indictment of the coaches.

Cooley pointed out how Rivera insisted that soon after last season, they were committed to running the football as their main identity and controlling the clock.

Then they hired Eric Bieniemy and threw the ball more times than anyone else in the league, and with a rookie quarterback.

“Rivera had this identity, he declared, and then he did a complete 180,” Cooley said.

“If I am Del Rio at this point, I am saying, “We went from a top-10 defense to 30th in part because we throw the ball on every down. Both sides of the ball affect both sides of the ball. I am by no means making an excuse for Del Rio or the big plays they give up. But at the same time, it doesn’t help.”

“I am almost blown away that Ron Rivera fell into that ‘OK, we will just do this now.’ You would think a guy that’s been around as long as he has would have said, ‘No, this is what I want. If this is going to be my last year, I am going out doing what I want to do.'”

“If it is my last year as head coach and I am resigned to my fate, or at least I think I am, I am going down swinging the way I want to go down swinging.”

 

What Chris Cooley sees watching Chase Young on defense

Simply put, the defensive line as a whole needs to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

“They are not playing great gap-sound defense,” started Chris Cooley.

This was in response to Kevin Sheehan asking Cooley what he has observed regarding why the Commanders might have been giving up so many yards and points to the Eagles offense. Cooley was a guest on the “Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast on Monday.

Then Cooley became very direct and simply said, “Chase Young is not playing very well. Chase Young is somewhat of a problem on that side with Jonathan Allen. He seems like he is doing his own thing. To me, that is somewhat of an issue.”

Against the Broncos in Week 2, Young collected 1.5 sacks, and then he also had a sack against the Eagles last week.

In response, Sheehan added, “Yes, at times, he appears to not be doing what they want him to be doing.”

Cooley continued, “It’s really like he’s aloof to what they are doing on the defensive side of the ball. It’s not like he is not a good player. He’s a freak athletically, but he is still not the guy I saw two years ago before the knee surgery.”

Cooley briefly then discussed problems with the linebackers and secondary and voiced that teams will now be targeting Emmanuel Forbes before he circled back to what he feels is the core issue defensively.

“But it also goes hand-in-hand with the fact you are not getting dynamic pressure week in and week out in situations where you should be winning consistently up front.”

“When I mean ‘winning’, I mean kicking the s— out of the offensive line because you’re so good. You’ve paid (Daron) Payne, and you’ve paid (Jonathan) Allen. You’ve drafted first-round picks in (Montez) Sweat and Chase Young. You’ve got so much invested in those four dudes on the defense. You have to dynamically better.”

 

Chris Cooley praises Commanders’ Eric Bieniemy

Cooley thought Bieniemy did an excellent job preparing Sam Howell for a tough defense. And he also weighed in on Terry McLaurin’s “catch.”

Chris Cooley had high praise for Washington offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s preparation of Sam Howell for the Eagles game.

Cooley was a guest on the “Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast Monday, sharing his observations of having watched the Commanders fall to the Eagles 34-31 on Sunday.

“Bieniemy does a phenomenal job getting a young quarterback going in this game,” declared Cooley. “Keeping the quarterback going by changing the spot, the location of the pocket, mixing in more run. It was literally everything we talked about last Wednesday.”

Indeed, Cooley, a week earlier, had questioned Bieniemy’s game plan in repeatedly having Howell in predictable locations for the Bills defense. “You can’t simply drop a young quarterback into the pocket, leaving him in the same spot to fend for himself.”

“To me, it was an excellent game. It’s a huge bummer not to come out with a win. But it was an excellent game against a good team,” expressed Cooley.

Regarding the overtime non-catch by Terry McLaurin, Cooley was very confident that replay demonstrated McLaurin’s second foot indeed coming down on Blankenship’s arm, which was inbounds. Consequently, in Cooley’s view, the ruling of an incompletion should have been overruled, giving Washington a first down rather than punting the ball back to the Eagles.

What did Cooley think when Howell connected with Jahan Dotson for a touchdown on the game’s final play, making the score 31-30 Philadelphia?

“In the moment, I thought it’s Ron Rivera, and they are on the road; he is going to go for the two points. Personally, I think a young quarterback, you play it into overtime, so I didn’t mind Rivera’s call.”

Chris Cooley was impressed with Commanders QB Sam Howell

The former Washington star liked what he saw in Sam Howell’s performance against the Ravens.

“I loved the offense; I thought it was terrific.”

That’s how former Redskins tight end Chris Cooley opened his film review of the Commanders first-half performance against the Ravens. Cooley was a guest on the “Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast on Wednesday.

Here are some selected comments by Cooley:

“Actually, Sam Howell was really good. He did put himself in some bad situations, like taking a sack early.”

“I thought throughout the first half he was really accurate, his release was quick, and when he was on the move he was actually really good.”

“In the second quarter, when he hit (Jahan) Dotson on the run, great vision down the field. Great ball to Dotson. Who, by the way, was tremendous in the game. He (Dotson) is going to be a stud.”

“When he was holding the ball too long on a sack, he had two dudes open…He had early pressure; he should have stepped up and let it go.”

Over the middle of the field, I thought he made some really good throws…I was really pretty impressed by him.”

A couple of negatives:

“He bounces so much; he is like a rabbit back there. He is always bouncing, bouncing. He has happy feet. He is always looking down the field way too long to throw the ball. It’s open, or it is not. But he will get there. It’s open or it’s not, and your check-down is open now. Your check-down is not usually open later…That’s a young player, and I am fine with that.”

“Dyami Brown also looked good in this game. All the receivers looked good in this game.”

“All in all, I was impressed with the offense. He (Howell) did a great job executing within the game plan. He made accurate throws, and he looked very confident in doing so.”

“Can he read 4-Verts? Kansas City lives off of 4 vertical routes. Can he really push the ball down the field? If he can’t, he is going to get tight man coverage, press. Guys are really going to disrupt things, and you are going to have problems. So he has to be able to throw the ball down the field.”

“Can he survive in the pocket? Can he understand when some people start bringing some zone pressures and different looks? Can he not take a bunch of sacks? That is going to be a problem for this year because he is going to do that. Because he is hopping around a lot. He looks a little anxious in the pocket. So, he is going to take some sacks this year, but that is a young player.”

“My favorite thing about this game was we have a really young quarterback who has not seen enough looks. What are we going to do in this game? Why don’t we throw the ball 30 times? Great idea. Is it that hard? The one guy we really need? Let’s get him going.”

Albert Haynesworth trashes former Washington players, defends Dan Snyder

Unbelievable.

When you thought you’d never hear the name Albert Haynesworth associated with the Washington NFL franchise again, he opens his mouth.

OutKick posted an interview this week where Clay Travis interviews Haynesworth — who last played for Washington in 2010 — and asks him about his time in Washington, specifically playing for former owner Daniel Snyder, who foolishly gave Haynesworth a seven-year, $100 million contract.

That contract will forever be remembered as one of the worst in NFL history.

Not surprisingly, Haynesworth defends Snyder, calling him “super cool, and “not an a-hole.” Haynesworth said he would talk to Snyder at least once a week, and they were “super close.” Haynesworth likened Snyder to a “billionaire fantasy football,” who loved the Redskins but didn’t know a lot about football.

Let’s quickly review Haynesworth’s two-year stint in Washington. He played for two different coaching staffs, causing problems for each, complaining about the defensive schemes. Jim Zorn didn’t have the clout to stand up to Haynesworth — Mike Shanahan did.

And Shanahan became a hero to Washington fans by ridding the franchise of Haynesworth two seasons into that ridiculous contract. Washington traded Haynesworth to the New England Patriots in the summer of 2011 for a fifth-round pick.

He lasted four months in New England.

If Haynesworth’s comments about Snyder weren’t enough to enrage Washington fans, it was his comments about three former standout players: Cornerback DeAngelo Hall, running back Clinton Portis and tight end Chris Cooley.

He called all three former players “a joke” and said that they represented what “that team represented back then,” which was “trash.” He reiterated the trash statement again before the interview ended.

Hall, Portis and Cooley were some of Washington’s best players, along with Santana Moss, Sean Taylor, Chris Samuels, Trent Williams and Ryan Kerrigan over the last 20 years of Snyder’s ownership, and popular with fans.

You almost have to ask yourself, did this really happen?

Yes, it did.

We’ll leave you with Al Galdi’s response to Haynesworth, which is how every Washington fan “fondly” remembers him.