“They have a ton to correct,” said former Washington tight end Chris Cooley.
Cooley was a guest on Kevin Sheehan’s Wednesday podcast providing a film review of the Commanders’ 36-27 loss to Detroit. He disagreed with Ron Rivera that the defense missed a few explosive plays, feeling Detroit could have made even more big plays. The defense was a mess.
Sheehan pointed out that under Ron Rivera, Washington has been down 25 of the 35 games and in most of those have been down double digits in the first half.
Cooley felt an issue early was Carson Wentz took too long to get into a passing rhythm. He faulted Scott Turner for not providing quick rhythm throws, the offensive line for not protecting well, and Wentz for taking too deep of drops, moving too much in the pocket, and didn’t see the couple of receivers he did have open. He praised Wentz for bouncing back in having a good second half and Terry McLaurin for his effort in chasing down a long pass reception from Wentz.
“I didn’t feel like Turner got any of the first four drives going. I didn’t love the lack of balance I thought he had going early against Jacksonville…I don’t think they had balance to get into 3rd & 2. I still feel like they are going to struggle to run the football, don’t feel like they are good enough up front. I don’t feel like they are committed enough to run the football.”
Defensively, Cooley was flabbergasted at how badly the Commanders played the fly sweep which St. Brown ran for 58 yards with Washington having narrowed the 22-point lead to 22-15. He called out Jamin Davis, Darrick Forrest and William Jackson as simply clueless as to what was transpiring on the play. Cooley was aghast that St. Brown was uncontested, declaring this is not a new play in the NFL.
The Lions pick up 58 yards on a sweep play.
The Commanders defense needs to tighten up, fast.#HTTC pic.twitter.com/Peo5yJ9CAR
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) September 18, 2022
The D’Andre Swift 3rd & 15 touchdown play? Cooley clearly questioned why Washington was rushing six and dropping only five when the Lions needed 15 for a first down. He called out how Swift could fall down, pick himself up and still easily score, citing that William “Jackson was loafing.” Cooley said the Commanders’ defense on that play made Swift look like he was Barry Sanders.
Cooley said the zone run by Swift early was an embarrassing display of defense. “Their linebackers are terrible in terms of reacting and instinct. There were actually more big plays out there.”
“They don’t talk well, they don’t communicate well, they are not good enough at the line of scrimmage and they are not covering well on both levels.
“I don’t think they are as good up front as they have been in the past.” Then he pointed out how the backers are not filling gaps, and they are getting gashed in the run defense.
“I think Matt Ioannidis and Tim Settle were good players and they were consistent run-stop players. Why don’t you keep those guys? When you get 5th and 6th round picks that develop, just keep them. From what was an unbelievably built defensive line, they are now not that.”
Cooley pointed out the defense had zero tackles for loss in the run game. He added the game film was not fun to watch.
