Tag: Kevin Sheehan Show Podcast

Jay Gruden: Changes will come for Commanders after loss to Bears

Gruden provides some excellent analysis into what the Bears were thinking last week.

“The Bears are grown men who were getting destroyed in the media,” began Jay Gruden in his interpretation of what transpired Thursday at FedEx Field.

Gruden appeared on “The Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast Friday to discuss his observations of the Commanders’ miserable 40-20 loss to the Bears Thursday.

Here are a few select quotes from Gruden’s appearance.

“Nobody gave these guys [the Bears] a chance, including me.”

“They came out and threw haymakers early, and Washington never responded. When it was too late in the third quarter, Washington tried to throw a couple of body blows, but Washington was already knocked out.”

“I don’t know what is wrong with Washington’s defense, but they have to figure something out, especially in the secondary and at linebacker.”

“It was an impressive performance by Chicago, and you have to look at Washington and figure out what happened. They could never get anything going, got ambushed early, and could never recover.”

“They were battered and bruised up and had to fly to Denver and play Sunday. Then fly back to Chicago, and then to Washington (on a short week). Sometimes, when people are calling you names and your back is against the wall, grown men will fight back, and that is what Chicago did.”

“To allow DJ Moore to get 200+ yards (230) and three touchdowns is a little on the coaching and the technique of the players, but that can’t happen. But to have Moore hit you for 230, that is hard to fathom.”

“I was disappointed in the push and the pressure. I think Herbert had way too many runs between the tackles for gashes (10-76). That can’t happen with that front.”

“I felt the heat after every game (loss); that’s the way it is around here. You feel the heat when you lose. This is a very proud franchise with fans that feel very deeply about their football team and haven’t won since the run Joe Gibbs had (1981-92).”

“They are dying for success, and when they don’t get it, they want change. And that is what is going to happen.”

“You have to try to ignore the noise, focus on your job and make sure the players focus on their job, quit looking at Twitter and Instagram, whatever the heck they are looking at, and just focus on the next opponent and go from there.”

Chris Cooley evaluates horrible loss to the Bears

Some excellent analysis as always from Thursday’s embarrassing loss.

“You can’t lose these games. You can’t get down like that early in games.”

That’s how former Washington tight end and Redskins radio broadcaster Chris Cooley began describing his observations of the Commanders’ horrendous 40-20 Thursday night loss to the Bears.

Cooley appeared on the “Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast on Friday. Here are a few of his observations. Here is the link to the entire episode.

“If you are a good team, then win these games. If you are a good team, then consistently find ways to win these games. They can be a good team, but they are not. There is a lack of consistency.”

“Who are they? They got run by the (0-4) Bears early in this game!”

“I thought Washington was garbage. And are they going to continue to give up over 30 points a game? They are early in the season, so the preparation…….”

“He (Sam Howell) is better than Taylor Heinicke.”

Regarding Sam Howell’s interception: “They (receivers) are too short on their route. That route has to be run 10-12 yards by Curtis Samuel, period. But he cut it off five yards early, which would take about one second longer.”

Trailing 27-11 when Coach Rivera chose to kick a field goal on 4th & 3. “My concern is you haven’t stopped the Bears enough, so at this point, you can’t trade field goals with them, which is exactly what happened. Didn’t Chicago drive right down the field and kick a field goal?”

Playing against Philly last week, a big game, it went right down to the end. Getting your body ready for a Thursday night game is a challenge…They are early in the year, so I don’t know if they were tired, stiff, sore, but it sure didn’t affect the Bears” (who also played a close game Sunday, losing 31-28 to Denver).

“You know you can do a lot of preparation early for a Thursday night game. You could actually do some preparation during the preseason for your Thursday night game so that you are not waiting until you travel back from Philadelphia on Sunday night.”

I’ll bet you right now there are probably about 25 players upset, and they are cursing the coaches, the game plan. And there are probably several coaches saying, ‘these guys just don’t get it.’ Every dude in that locker room is probably pointing the finger at someone…there is a huge disconnect between coaching and playing. And I am not here putting it on either side. I think it is probably on both, and we need to figure something out.”

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 on Commanders loss: ‘It didn’t have to be that ugly’

The former Washington tight end with some excellent analysis on QB Sam Howell.

“It was so ugly, top to bottom, and it didn’t have to be that ugly.”

That was how former Washington tight end Chris Cooley began his film review with “The Kevin Sheehan Show” Wednesday concerning the 37-3 loss to Buffalo.

Here are some of Cooley’s observations from his film review. When he says it didn’t have to be that ugly, Cooley then begins showing how the very first drive of the game for the Commanders could have been so different.

“I do see a lot of confidence when he (Sam Howell) knows where his one read is. And I see some gamer in him.”

“Dude, if you are not going to throw that check down, you have to get out of the pocket. You can’t just stand there, eyes down the field, waiting for it to come open. You have to make that decision quicker.

“The Bills were saying, ‘Dude, throw it underneath. We dare you. You’re not going to do it. Your eyes are downfield too long. We’ll play soft. We will give you some of these early check-down throws and see if you can do it.’ And he is not going to. So, he ends up taking sacks.”

“You’re on the 34-yard line. It’s 3rd & 19. You do not have to be a hero on the 3rd & 19 on the first series of the game. He has his tight end out in the flat for an easy gain of 9 to 14 yards. I don’t think Bates is going to get it (first down), but it puts you down to the 25-yard line. It’s an easy field goal. Let’s take the points and have some success early.”

That is an example of some of the details of Chris Cooley’s film review on the first drive alone.

There is much more. Here is the link again.

Chris Cooley: ‘This team has a chance to win a lot of games’

Cooley was super impressed with Sam Howell in Week 2.

“This is a team that definitely has a chance to win a lot of football games,” said Chris Cooley, former Washington tight end.

Chris Cooley was a guest on the “Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast, Wednesday.

Here is a sampling of what Cooley had to say about the Commanders’ performance against the Broncos last week.

“The offense played with a lot of confidence… and a lot of speed that I’ve not seen in a while (from Washington). They played fast.”

“The defense made Marvin Mims look like the All-Star of All-Stars in the first half of this game.”

“On defense, 57 (Cody Barton) no eyes whatsoever. Lost as far as eyes and vision.”

“As for the defense, after the s___ show in the first half, they came back and played a much better game.”

Regarding Emmanuel Forbes? “This is where you learn quick as a rookie. There is one thing Denver was trying to do in that position (:09 remaining with no timeouts). Forbes cannot let the receiver get outside of him to allow that catch. The game is over at that point. Understandable that you are a rookie. But there is one conversation we are having before that play. ‘They cannot get out of bounds.’ You cannot give them an easy four-second out-of-bounds play of 16 yards.”

“Sam Howell, he is a stud. He had great poise in the pocket. He had a ton of courage in the pocket. He stood there, made big throws and got hit in the face. He is not afraid. He stayed in the pocket a lot more than rookie quarterbacks will stay in there with the pressure.”

“Most of the throws he made were incredibly catchable balls into tight windows. I thought he was really accurate. I was impressed.”

Cooley provided several more very good insightful observations from his watching of the film. You will be glad when you listen and you will feel more informed as well.

 

Commanders’ Sam Howell supports Rivera’s decision

Sam Howell says all the right things when discussing Ron Rivera’s decisions at quarterback.

Sam Howell has a much different perspective than most.

Howell a guest on the “Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast, on Tuesday seemed to say all of the right things and more.

Sheehan commented that Howell has only played in one regular season game, so he asked Howell if he was feeling pressure for the game Sunday.

“No, not really. I try to treat it as any other game, and I try to do my best throughout the week to be prepared…”

Howell explained to Sheehan that Wednesday’s practice will be working on base downs, Thursday on the 3rd down offense and Friday will focus on red zone offense.

Adjusting to a new offense is certainly not anything easy. Howell is also adjusting to a new offensive coordinator in Eric Bieniemy. Again, Howell was positive. “It’s been so much fun to learn from and play for a guy that works so hard and cares so much. I’ve learned so much from him. I can’t imagine someone better to go into battle with on Sunday.”

Sheehan inquired into Howell’s reaction to Ron Rivera’s statement regarding not knowing Howell could play that well last season or he would have played him sooner. “I really don’t think much of it. He’s a great coach and knows exactly what he is looking for.”

“Last year, we had Carson (Wentz), who I still think is a talented quarterback. We had Taylor (Heinicke), who has proven himself in the opportunities he was given. So, I don’t think he (Rivera) was wrong in the decisions he made last year. Do I think I could have played and played well? Of course, I do. But I will always think that way.”

“I think Coach Rivera has always had good judgment. You can only do so much in practice. I feel like I was doing the right things in practice. But you really don’t know about somebody until they go out there in a real game and prove it.”

We don’t know how well he will perform on the field Sunday, but Sam Howell sounded genuinely humble, genuinely responsible, and supportive of both Ron Rivera and Eric Bieniemy.

Logan Paulsen: ‘Sam Howell has earned this’

Howell deserved the opportunity—and he earned it.

“Sam Howell has looked pretty gosh-darn good.”

That is how former NFL tight end Logan Paulsen started his conversation Friday morning as a guest on the “Kevin Sheehan Show” on The Team 980.

Paulsen quickly clarified, of course, Howell has been far from perfect, but he is, in Paulsen’s view trending upward. Pointing to the “team blitz” part of the workout against the Ravens, Paulsen expressed that though Howell had struggled earlier in blitz sessions. But against the Ravens, he was “very solid.”

While it is certainly not a surprise that Howell was named the starter, Paulsen was quick to add, “This is something he has earned; this is something he deserves.”

Pointing to the Cleveland game, Paulsen liked what he saw in Sam extending a few plays for positive yardage, feeling it adds value to Howell’s game and shows he continues to be improving.

Paulsen feels with Howell; his upside is always part of the equation that cannot be ignored. “He is a little more physically talented than Jacoby…So they are hoping that develops into something more. It is something you are always navigating and negotiating as a coach. This guy (Brissett) is ready, but this guy (Howell) behind him will be a better player long term.”

During the offseason workouts, the preseason game in Cleveland, and workouts against the Ravens, the coaches feel Howell “has shown you enough positive flashes of that tremendous upside.” So the coaches are saying they are “going to bet on his potential because they believe he can get there.”

Explaining to Sheehan through his NFL experience with veteran quarterbacks, Paulsen believes Howell has also exhibited a quiet confidence to his offensive teammates. He also pointed to the skirmishes that transpired with the Ravens that Howell was out there leading, reminding teammates of their task, their focus.

There will be ups and downs for Sam Howell, no doubt. Joe Theismann certainly experienced them for Washington in the 1976 and 1977 seasons. He was even benched as George Allen went back to Billy Kilmer in both seasons. But Theismann developed into a fine quarterback and capable leader in time.

Washington coaches are going to provide Sam Howell with the same opportunity.

Chris Cooley’s film review of Commanders 2nd-round pick, Quan Martin

Cooley is a big fan of Martin and hopes the Commanders have a defined role for him.

“Did you see he jumped a 44 inch vertical? Do you know how far 44 inches puts you over the rim?”

Those were the first thoughts Chris Cooley expressed on his film review of the Washington Commanders second-round selection Jartavius “Quan” Martin, a defensive back from Illinois.

Cooley was a guest on the Kevin Sheehan Podcast this week, providing film reviews Martin and first-round selection Emmanuel Forbes.

“He moves around, wherever they need him. He’s played a ton.”

“He might be a safety, the more I watch him.”

“Are you taking a guy in the second round because you think he is going to be good somewhere? Or do you have a role for him?”

“I like this pick, and I like a lot about Quan if there is an actual role for him. If in their mind, ‘This is where this dude plays.” Cooley said he doesn’t want Martin to be a guy they try at corner and then settle for safety.

“You don’t take those guys in the first, second, or most likely the third round. You take starters who can be starters that year because you have a position that you know they can fill.”

“The reason I like him at safety is he is fast and has really great hips in transition. He has really great range when he is moving across the field. His red-line to red-line speed is really good.”

“Through the middle of the field, he could be in a straight backpedal, and his turn and pivot to run red-line to red-line is exceptional athletic transition.”

“I think he is a good block shedder. He has a great downhill approach to run-stopping. He makes a ton of TFLs (tackles for a loss) on the other side of the ball.”

“He is a real physical player, fearless.”

“There is something lacking when he is outside in vertical stuff down the field.”

“I didn’t love him in tight-press situations…I don’t think he is a mirror corner. One thing I am sure of, he is not an outside corner.”

 

Chris Cooley’s film review of Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes

Cooley says defensive playmakers are hard to find, and Forbes is one.

Former Washington tight end Chris Cooley is again going to conduct a film review of each of the Commanders 2023 draft class.

A guest on the Kevin Sheehan Podcast Wednesday, Cooley began with part one of this film review.

Emmanuel Forbes, CB Mississippi State

“He has unbelievable speed.”

“He is not big, I will tell you that. Is it really that hard to get the dude some Creatine and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? Is his metabolism so unbelievably high that they can’t put 15 pounds on him in a year?

“He made a business decision in some of the run-game stuff…He doesn’t have a great block-shed ability. When dudes get their hands on him, he is getting blocked. Now, he does have a good avoid. But I wouldn’t say he is out there yanking dudes around shedding blocks.”

“It only gets harder because it is such a demand for receivers to block in the NFL. And they will, and he is going to get blocked. He is going to have to find a way to get off of these blocks.”

“This is not a deal breaker for me. I would much rather have a guy that can cover than a guy that can shed blocks.”

“You just don’t (easily) get playmakers. It is one of the hardest traits to find in my opinion, especially on defense, and he is one. He has really good instincts. He sees things very well.”

“He jumps throws really well.”

“His off-zone coverage I really like. I think he plays with good hips, good vision on the quarterback, and is able to jump things when the quarterback turns to read or make a throw to the receiver Forbes is working on.”

“There is some potential that he over-commits to things. There is some stuff I would attack him deeper vertically down the field. His recovery speed is pretty good. But he is waiting for a breakpoint at 5 yards, at 10 yards…”

“My last concern with Forbes is that on the turn and run stuff… he gets super handsy. He will potentially get some defensive holding stuff.”

“I do like him in press. He can run, he can press, he has good hips… I think he is an outside guy (corner) right now.”

“You have to take risks to make plays, so I think you have to play with a lot of confidence to take those risks, and that is what I see with Forbes. That is the thing I like about him most. Playmaker who takes risks.”