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NoCalHail · 10-18-2015, 10:06 PM

I really am trying to give Kirk the benefit of the doubt. I know we are running a very vanilla offense right now with not a lot of star power at the skill positions.

However, something I have noticed that is probably more frustrating than the INTs, is just how often Kirk is unable to throw to targets in stride, whether it is a 3 yard pass, a 10 yard pass or a heave downfield. Now, I am watching the Pats/Colts right now, and a big number of Brady's passes are actually very similar distance to what Kirk is throwing. The main difference though is Brady is delivering these passes in stride. It is allowing the ball carriers to run, and keep running. They are turning short catches into long gains. And it's not like they have their defenders beat by 5 yards. A lot of these defenders are in decent position for coverage, but it's where the ball is delivered that is making all the difference.

I hear a portion of our fanbase repeat things like "if your fingers can touch the ball, you should be able to catch it" which sure, some of the times the WRs might be able to do better to bring a catch or two in, but you look at the routes they are running, and without those balls being delivered to the right spot, a completion is going to end up being a moot point anyway.

With that said. The question is, why is Cousins doing this so much? It can't be lack of understanding the offense, he often makes the correct read. It can't be that he is rushed, because the O-line is protecting pretty well more times than not. Is it lack of arm strength? Is it bad mechanics? I know people see a QB heave a ball downfield as proof they have good arm strength, but I would say the actual velocity on the ball is more important than how far you can chuck it.

Not to bring up the "other guy" because I am not looking to make this Cousins vs. "other guy" but I remember some of the throws that the other guy made look effortless. It wasn't necessarily the long passes, it was the crossing route patterns that he could deliver on a frozen rope, with zip on the ball to where the WR would run in stride and keep running. When I see Cousins throwing these routes, it is like you are holding your breath every single time that the DB doesn't have time to get a step right in front of the pass and take off the other way.

10-18-2015, 10:06 PM	#320
NoCalHail Special Teams Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 368	Re: Redskins v. Jets Gameday Thread I really am trying to give Kirk the benefit of the doubt. I know we are running a very vanilla offense right now with not a lot of star power at the skill positions. However, something I have noticed that is probably more frustrating than the INTs, is just how often Kirk is unable to throw to targets in stride, whether it is a 3 yard pass, a 10 yard pass or a heave downfield. Now, I am watching the Pats/Colts right now, and a big number of Brady's passes are actually very similar distance to what Kirk is throwing. The main difference though is Brady is delivering these passes in stride. It is allowing the ball carriers to run, and keep running. They are turning short catches into long gains. And it's not like they have their defenders beat by 5 yards. A lot of these defenders are in decent position for coverage, but it's where the ball is delivered that is making all the difference. I hear a portion of our fanbase repeat things like "if your fingers can touch the ball, you should be able to catch it" which sure, some of the times the WRs might be able to do better to bring a catch or two in, but you look at the routes they are running, and without those balls being delivered to the right spot, a completion is going to end up being a moot point anyway. With that said. The question is, why is Cousins doing this so much? It can't be lack of understanding the offense, he often makes the correct read. It can't be that he is rushed, because the O-line is protecting pretty well more times than not. Is it lack of arm strength? Is it bad mechanics? I know people see a QB heave a ball downfield as proof they have good arm strength, but I would say the actual velocity on the ball is more important than how far you can chuck it. Not to bring up the "other guy" because I am not looking to make this Cousins vs. "other guy" but I remember some of the throws that the other guy made look effortless. It wasn't necessarily the long passes, it was the crossing route patterns that he could deliver on a frozen rope, with zip on the ball to where the WR would run in stride and keep running. When I see Cousins throwing these routes, it is like you are holding your breath every single time that the DB doesn't have time to get a step right in front of the pass and take off the other way.