There’s little sympathy for Redskins coach Mike Shanahan today, but it can’t be easy having his job in the last week of the preseason. This
is when tightening the roster forces decisions such as cutting beloved veteran Chris Cooley. He’s been a fan favorite because of his game but also his involvement in the community
(and it didn’t hurt that he vocally hated the Dallas Cowboys). Kicker Graham Gano also got let go, but that didn’t prompt the fan wails that greeted the Cooley release.
Of course, Shanny’s decision might be forgiven if he’s shaping a team that shows some
fierce resolve in the regular season, starting with a trouncing of the Saints on September
9. Tonight the Redskins have their last preseason game, at FedEx Field against the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Alas, rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III will not be playing, but the team’s other rookie QB, Kirk Cousins, will be and, hopefully, showing some of the same pluck he did against the Colts.
It’s still to be decided whether Cousins or veteran Rex Grossman, who had a good game last week, will be the official backup to RG3.
But back to Cooley, who has been topic A among the sports chattering class today;
the news of his departure even scored the front page of the Washington Post. We took to Twitter to capture a selection of comments, and noticed a trend toward
nominating Cooley for practically every team in the NFL. Of course, like so many,
we hope he gets picked up soon and comes back to visit often. Future touchdowns on
Redskins turf is one way to say, “Thank you, Coach Shanahan.”
Don’t Miss Another Big Story—Get Our Weekend Newsletter
Our most popular stories of the week, sent every Saturday.
Tweet Beat: Lots of Fan Love for Chris Cooley Today
But no love for the coach who released him from the Redskins.
There’s little sympathy for Redskins coach
Mike Shanahan today, but it can’t be easy having his job in the last week of the preseason. This
is when tightening the roster forces decisions such as cutting beloved veteran
Chris Cooley. He’s been a fan favorite because of his game but also his involvement in the community
(and it didn’t hurt that he vocally hated the Dallas Cowboys). Kicker
Graham Gano also got let go, but that didn’t prompt the fan wails that greeted the Cooley release.
Of course, Shanny’s decision might be forgiven if he’s shaping a team that shows some
fierce resolve in the regular season, starting with a trouncing of the Saints on September
9. Tonight the Redskins have their last preseason game, at FedEx Field against the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Alas, rookie quarterback
Robert Griffin III will not be playing, but the team’s other rookie QB,
Kirk Cousins, will be and, hopefully, showing some of the same pluck he did against the Colts.
It’s still to be decided whether Cousins or veteran
Rex Grossman, who had a good game last week, will be the official backup to RG3.
But back to Cooley, who has been topic A among the sports chattering class today;
the news of his departure even scored the front page of the
Washington Post. We took to Twitter to capture a selection of comments, and noticed a trend toward
nominating Cooley for practically every team in the NFL. Of course, like so many,
we hope he gets picked up soon and comes back to visit often. Future touchdowns on
Redskins turf is one way to say, “Thank you, Coach Shanahan.”
Don’t Miss Another Big Story—Get Our Weekend Newsletter
Our most popular stories of the week, sent every Saturday.
Most Popular in News & Politics
March 4 Isn’t the Only Date on the QAnon Calendar
Trump Hotel Employees Reveal What It Was Really Like Catering to the Right Wing Elite
Washington’s Most Influential People
Inside DC’s Secret Covid Morgue
Hunter Biden’s Paintings: What Do Art Experts Think?
Washingtonian Magazine
March 2021: The Influencers
View IssueSubscribe
Get Us on Social
Get Us on Social
Related
Virginia Will Allow 250 People at Outdoor Sporting Events This Winter
Chelsea Clinton and Jenna Bush Hager Are Now Co-Owners of the Washington Spirit
Sean Doolittle Managed to Be of DC and Not Just in DC
Place Your Bets: A Guide to Sports Gambling in DC and Virginia
More from News & Politics
The Vast Majority of Capitol Riot Suspects Posted About Their Alleged Crimes in Real Time
Guest List
Hunter Biden’s Paintings: What Do Art Experts Think?
🌸🌸🌸Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Is Predicted for April 2-5🌸🌸🌸
March 4 Isn’t the Only Date on the QAnon Calendar
Maryland Looks to Get Rid of Its Pro-Confederate State Song
Marijuana Sales Could Finally Become Legal in DC
A Funny Flowchart About the New Way to Network in DC