Greg Cosell: Kyle Trask Is Good At Timing Throws
August 17th, 2022
Second-year QB Kyle Trask.
This surprised Joe.
One of the best football X’s and O’s gurus going is Greg Cosell of NFL Films. And he offered a breakdown on Bucs quarterback Kyle Trask’s play against Miami on Saturday.
Joe always thought Trask’s bread and butter is his ability to throw deep. Cosell is not a fan at all of Trask’s deep ball. Cosell doesn’t think Trask has the necessary velocity to be successful in a downfield offense like the Bucs have.
However, Cosell really likes Trask’s timing throws and he said this was on display against the Dolphins. Cosell’s notes come from FantasyPoints.com.
* Trask limited arm strength lacking the velocity to drive the ball, In addition his deep balls showed a tendency at times to lose energy on the back end
* Trask is a timing and rhythm pocket QB with above average arm strength but nothing more who needs a clean pocket to be successful, He does not possess second reaction movement ability
* Trask well-thrown slot fade on Sterns 19 yard TD: Proper trajectory and touch and precise ball placement; That was Trask’s kind of throw: Defined read, decisive with timing and rhythm based on the route
* Geiger 26 yards late in the 3rd quarter was Trask at his best: Route concept (flood) versus coverage (man) defined the read and throw allowing Trask to deliver with timing as soon as he hit back foot on his drop
* Trask will have issues working out of contested pockets late in the down, He cannot sit on his back foot and make tough intermediate throws
If what Cosell types is true — and Joe respects the hell out of Cosell, who was schooled in the art of film study by no less a football authority than Bill Walsh — then the Bucs would need to craft an offense around Trask for him to succeed.
It totally frosts Joe when players are expected to shine when the offense (or defense) they are in does not highlight their talents. As Bill Belicheat is known for saying, “Don’t tell me what a guy can’t do; tell me what he can do.”
If Trask doesn’t have the arm to throw deep passes, don’t ask him to throw deep passes. Duh. Build a timing offense around him so his chances to succeed increase.
So if Trask is the Bucs’ quarterback of the future, don’t ask him to be successful at something he struggles with. That would be downright irresponsible. If Trask’s a timing guy, then that’s the type of offense you focus on with Trask behind center.
August 17th, 2022 at 9:08 am
I agree completely……Trask can likely succeed in the right offense……
August 17th, 2022 at 9:11 am
mixed feelings on this one. ive been in trasks corner but i dont know about a lack deep or intermediate throwing skill
August 17th, 2022 at 9:19 am
It’s a really cool breakdown by Cosell! Thanks for sharing this Joe, definitely wouldn’t have caught this otherwise.
What constitutes a deep ball in this case? If we’re talking the 50 yard bomb that Trask threw to Scotty then I completely agree. Scotty had that DB by at least a yard and had to slow down for the ball. But if we’re talking 20-30 yards, which by the way I would argue is a good majority of the Arian’s/Leftwich deep throws, those looked damn good from Trask!
His throw to Stern’s was an absolute dime. Same with the fade route throws that were 20+ yards.
Last thing, Cosell’s bullets read like Trask is a finished product. For a dude in his first preseason game I agree with all the bullets. But I think we all expect him to get better. Things like back foot throw and second reaction ability seems like it’s a skill that can be developed.
August 17th, 2022 at 9:23 am
There is no way the Bucs will be all in on Trask next year. They will hopefully be coming off another successful year with TB at the helm. If TB retires there is no way that the Ownership or the fans will be comfortable with an unproven QB with a talent laden team that can compete for the SB. They will go out and get a Veteran that will be licking his chops at the talent on this team and see if he can take his new team to the Promise Land. imo
August 17th, 2022 at 9:26 am
Trask doesn’t have a near-elite arm, but I thought he had good touch and placement on his downfield passes. He’s working within his owm limitations which is what every NFL QB should do. Contrast that with a “in his prome” Cam Newton, who had a bazooka. Cam had a great arm, but downfield throws, but he had no touch and had a flat trajectory.
Trask’s biggest obstacles are his processing time and pocket presence, which includes footwork and sensing pressure.
August 17th, 2022 at 9:32 am
This is what makes ELITE ALL TIME GREAT wideouts so special. They make the QBs they play with look so much better.
So, if KT lacks deep ball touch, get him an ELITE ALL TIME GREAT deep ball WR.
Surround him with Elite Short game options with you RBs and TEs.
Oh and make sure you have a solid OL.
Last thing you want at QB is a guy who has the talent to do it all but lacks the ability to play within his limits.
The Bucs are Trask for the foreseeable future post Brady.
August 17th, 2022 at 9:39 am
Trask is a Big Guy, w/o a Big Arm.
That said, I thought he looked pretty good when he played.
To be honest, I was a bit surprised he looked that good.
August 17th, 2022 at 9:53 am
Prediction:
After the next 2 preseason games, Cosell will be adding a few more “pros” to the
Kyle Trask resume.
August 17th, 2022 at 9:53 am
Teams are generally awful at giving young QBs the tools needed to succeed. I was never a Winston fan but I did feel the team could have helped his cause with veteran linemen and a stud RB. Anyone with eyes could see Winston was going to struggle if asked to drop back 30+ times a game…..he’s just not that guy.
Trask showed some potential but we’ll see. All these guys have weaknesses, Brady is the perfect example. You get pressure to him early and he’s beatable. Same with Rodgers which we saw first hand with our defense.
August 17th, 2022 at 9:59 am
Bobby M.
Brady literally took the same team JW had to the Superbowl in a year he never got to practice with them.
The team was built for Winston, and he pooed all over it and us. I love the guy still, but he didn’t fail because of the team around him. Give me a break.
Trask will have the same opportunity. AND it’s likely that he won’t have the talent JW had because the CAP is going to cost us a ton of talent.
August 17th, 2022 at 10:01 am
Cosell’s analysis is excellent, BUT … this is preseason. Lots of guys look good in preseason, but end up yipping on the front porch while the big dogs run by.
Still, after Joe’s seemingly overall negative day-by-day comments about Trask for the past several weeks, I was expecting him to implode under pressure. And a couple of times he did just that, but overall he had a pretty good game I thought. Showed some good patience on quite a few plays IMO, but hey, he was working primarily with 3rd & 4th stringers.
Long road ahead, but I could see him getting a crack at the starting gig in 2023. We’ll be losing a number of quality players next year, so that’s the perfect opportunity to fashion an offense that matches his skills.
August 17th, 2022 at 10:06 am
Trask seems like a poor man’s Matt Ryan
August 17th, 2022 at 10:13 am
Cosell’s write up is pretty darn accurate with what I saw Trask do as a Gator. If you blinded out the name of the QB and asked people to react about the subject’s future in the NFL most would respond with “towel boy,” “water boy,” and maybe “reserve clipboard holder.”
The deep ball to Scotty was classic, the pass just petered out at the end and was underthrown, allowing the defender to catch up to Scotty and break up the pass. The other thing Costello didn’t mention, you can time Trask’s release with a sundial.
Let the man play the whole game against the Titans and see if he can cough up 14 points for the opposition in two consecutive series again.
August 17th, 2022 at 10:14 am
Costello? LOL. Cosell!
August 17th, 2022 at 10:18 am
Finally, Joe found a negative analysis of Trask to feed the haters. LMAO.
August 17th, 2022 at 10:21 am
If what former basketball player Greg Cosell says is true, then all the reports from Joe and others about Trask throwing “rifles” and “deep balls” in practice are lies. Guess which one is a lie?
August 17th, 2022 at 10:25 am
So if he is lacking in deep ball strength, but can make the short and intermediate timing throws, that sounds to me like a West Coast type offense, no?
And as far as calling plays to your players strengths, that’s just good coaching. I hate those coaches that try to make everybody fit “their system”. That’s lazy IMO. Just like the quote, “Don’t tell me what they can’t do, tell me what they can do.
August 17th, 2022 at 10:26 am
The true telling on Trask will be that if and when Brady retires, will all of the Bucs’ free agents bail…
August 17th, 2022 at 10:26 am
It is the preseason, Trask’s first game throws in almost a year, and Trask’s first game throws after have everything he has always done to throw a ball adjusted.
It is arm that throws the long ball, it is getting you body into it, and Trask’s body is not what it used to be. It is bulkier, and less prone to be flexible. He’ll get there in another game or two.
He is not really a plink and plunk guy, A lot of his throws go 30-35 yards, if there is a play. That is beyond a Mariotta type game.
I do think Trask looked miles ahead of what DeShaun showed.
August 17th, 2022 at 10:28 am
Kind of a head scratcher why they drafted him… they didn’t want to give him reps, he doesn’t do well what the offense is built around, etc.
August 17th, 2022 at 10:29 am
“Codey McElroy on Kyle Trask’s Arm: He Has A Cannon”
Oops. Sorry, Joe. Sorry, Goathumper.
August 17th, 2022 at 10:29 am
I was expecting some damning with faint praise, but actually it was a pretty cogent review from a very well respected NFL expert. Arrow seems to be pointing up after reading for days on end about how poorly he was doing in practice. It’s always said you practice how you play but I’ll take a good performance in a game situation over practice if given a choice. Hopefully he continues to improve.
August 17th, 2022 at 10:34 am
Greg g… that was kind of a concern for me, too. I would have felt more comfortable in Trask’s arm strength and future if that ball to Scotty would have been long, or of course, on target. I think the guy has probably above average accuracy, given a good pocket. But on those deep routes… my concern remains. Would love to see him hit a few long bombs, and maybe then I’ll feel better about it.
August 17th, 2022 at 10:37 am
Sounds like he’s a poor mans Kirk Cousins
August 17th, 2022 at 10:37 am
Quite a change from Jamies, who could throw the ball on those long bombs with little problem, regarding his arm strength. Of course, we never knew if the ball would be into the hands of some opposing defensive back.
August 17th, 2022 at 10:41 am
Its easy to see Kyle Trask lack of arm strength…..unless you blinded by your UF fandom
August 17th, 2022 at 10:42 am
Cosell is the guy who said he would take all time great Zach Mettenberger over Winston. JW has serious issues but Mettenberger has been out of football quite a while. I don’t think he even played. So take Cosell’s “analysis” with some pepto bismol.
August 17th, 2022 at 10:46 am
We need a quarterback like Jameis Winston, who had a gun and threw 33 TDs and 30 INTs in his last season with us. Oh … wait …
August 17th, 2022 at 10:50 am
“Jack Burton Mercer Says:
Cosell is the guy who said he would take all time great Zach Mettenberger over Winston. Mettenberger has been out of football quite a while. I don’t think he even played.”
He played in all of 14 NFL games and threw 12TDs to 14 INTs. Yep, let’s pay attention to Cosell!
August 17th, 2022 at 10:54 am
Joe searched high and low to find something negative on Trask smh 😂😂😂 comical
August 17th, 2022 at 10:55 am
Is it possible that Miller is just a bad route runner. I mean even the deep balls require the WR to set it up and not just full out sprint to the goal line.
See Mike Evens for example.
Go back and look at the deep shots from Brady to Miller. The ball is always slightly underthrown, and Miller has to adjust back to the ball.
With this being the first shot from Trask to Miller. I think it is safe to say that they both need to adjust to one another and get the timing down.
August 17th, 2022 at 10:57 am
ButtBoy should just change her name to Traskslurper.
August 17th, 2022 at 11:08 am
It’s a concerning review. I would like Kyle Trask to be successful, and think he can be, in the right offense. But I ALWAYS want the BUCS to have a QB that is capable of throwing the deep ball. I just personally always want to have a team where that is a part of the attack.
August 17th, 2022 at 11:10 am
BucBoy, I sincerely hope you are right, or that it is something that can improve with Kyle…
… but there are few in the industry whose evaluations I respect MORE than Greg Cosell.
August 17th, 2022 at 11:29 am
I do not think he will ever start for the Bucs unless the Bucs are in a total rebuild.
August 17th, 2022 at 11:38 am
I did notice that on one deep throw to Scotty, the ball was a bit underthrown. Miller had to pull up a bit rather than being able to run under it and take it to the house.
August 17th, 2022 at 11:54 am
Arm strength can be overrated. There is straight line power that allows some QBs to hit receivers on a plane like the Brady touchdown to Evans in the fourth quarter of last year’s playoff game. He can blow the ball right past a DBs ear but he can also drop it into a basket like the 2020 NFC Championship game throw to Scoots. Doug Williams, and I watched him play a lot at the Big Sombrero, was said to have the strongest arm in football when he came out of college. He threw so hard receivers got injured trying to catch his rockets. Unfortunately he had no touch at all. Receivers couldn’t time his ball and often failed to get to balls even though they were wide open. The best QBs can float the ball between a linebacker and a safety or drill it past a CB right into the hands of a sprinting wideout. I’d rather have a guy with touch like Trask then the Bucs version of Doug Williams. Plus Trask would never think he was to good to tuck the ball and run if needed. Williams had a whole different attitude about that. (See fourth quarter of 1979 NFC championship game)
August 17th, 2022 at 11:56 am
I’m not comparing the 2 BUT in several interviews Joe Montana admitted that he lacked arm strength… That he made his success off of timing plays and that they often practice on half a field because of it…
August 17th, 2022 at 12:07 pm
@Tye That’s why I was mentioning the West Coast offense. Montana and Young made it work very well. Slip in some hurry up, who knows.
Of course that was in the 80’s and 90’s, todays defenses probably would shut that offense down.
August 17th, 2022 at 12:13 pm
I’m not sure if I’m missing something, it’s a good analysis but nothing new.
Trask is a pocket passer. Offense does not need to change for him, that is what the O already is.
The things that need to improve are him getting faster through his reads and feeling pressure to maneuver in the pocket.
I like him but I don’t think you can get better at having a presence and a feel in the pocket.
Knowing the offense and getting rid of the ball and going through reads faster can all be improved
August 17th, 2022 at 12:18 pm
A lot of good points today. Playing to Trask’s strengths (same for every player/piece of the puzzle) of course makes sense. Also a very small sample size on Trask as others mentioned and he did look pretty good against Miami (minus the t.o.s).
Bill Walsh is indeed a football genius, but if I remember correctly, he was consulted while still around the 49ers on a certain QB out of Michigan and didn’t see enough in him to recommend the Niners draft him, so even the best can be wrong when evaluating.
I think Trask is a work in progress who needs reps. I hope the Bucs suit him up for games so he can go in for mop up duty in a blowout, but I still see the Bucs making Gabbert the #2 if Brady gets dinged up mid game and needs to miss a little time/plays.
Who gets the start if (God forbid) Brady can’t go for some.reason? I think it will be Gabbert on a very short leash. I’m sure I’m wrong on all of these points tho. Lol. That’s why I DON’T make the big bucks. Haha
August 17th, 2022 at 12:29 pm
After reading the posts on here I see why this franchise never developed a quarterback. Trask played good and yet yall still refuse to give him credit for how he played. So it really doesn’t matter how well he plays the only thing yall do is nick pick his stats and his performance. A lot of yall called me a Jamies fan or a saints fan and my favorite is when yall said I like Jamies because he’s a black quarterback lol 😆 😂. Now I’m standing behind Trask the same way and all I hear is the same thing yall said about Jamies. I’m starting to believe this is a Patriot website more than a bucs website. I wish the bucs just let this young man go so he can get better coaching and have a fan base that will get behind him and root for the guy . Because this is the only thing this fan base and website is good for is criticize every young quarterback this franchise drafted. Yall suck as a fan base and website.
August 17th, 2022 at 12:37 pm
Trask is making steady progress . Two more exhibition games will be providing more in game experience.
Will keep learning around Brady for another year and should be ready to be a back up next year .
August 17th, 2022 at 12:39 pm
A bit harsh, Oneilbuc. I DEFINITELY want Kyle Trask to succeed. I was just agreeing that IF those notes on his limited arm strength turn out to be the case, than it is a concern. My hope is that he is a great success here and a BUCS QB for a long time.
By the way, I was also a HUGE Jameis fan for most of his time here. In that final year, the turnovers just got to be a bit much for me, but still remained a fan of the guy.
August 17th, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Trask needs a perfect pocket. Too bad we didn’t take Davis Mills.
I vote for Jimmy G.
August 17th, 2022 at 12:51 pm
If Trask can’t operate on the current offense, Jimmy G certainly can’t either
August 17th, 2022 at 1:05 pm
Oneilbuc Says:
“After reading the posts on here I see why this franchise never developed a quarterback.”
Blah, blah, blah…. “Yall suck as a fan base and website.”
As if US fans have anything to do with developing a QB…
Whine much Oneil?
August 17th, 2022 at 1:06 pm
@Onieluc A lot of yall called me a Jamies fan or a saints fan and my favorite is when yall said I like Jamies because he’s a black quarterback lol 😆 😂. Now I’m standing behind Trask the same way and all I hear is the same thing yall said about Jamies.
So people are saying you only like Trask because he’s black?
August 17th, 2022 at 2:05 pm
“lambeau Says: Too bad we didn’t take Davis Mills.”
16 TD / 10 INT David Mills?
August 17th, 2022 at 2:08 pm
“Codey McElroy TE on Kyle Trask’s Arm: He Has A Cannon”
It’s on video. Google it. LOL.
August 17th, 2022 at 2:14 pm
Very much appreciate Cody McElroy’s thoughts, it just does not quite carry the same weight as Greg Cosell.
But again…….. DEFINITELY hope that he is right.
August 17th, 2022 at 3:12 pm
Is that the same Greg Cosell who said Josh Rosen was the best quarterback in the 2018 draft? What a great analyst!
August 17th, 2022 at 3:23 pm
@ TAMPA BAY DEMON
Bucs tight end Cody McElroy actually caught Kyle Trask’s passes. Greg Cosell once played basketball. You’re right, their opinions don’t carry equal weight. :p
August 17th, 2022 at 3:45 pm
BucBoy
I like how much value your putting into what one of Kyle Trask TEAMMATES has to say about him. OF COURSE he’s going to give rave reviews because…..he’s his TEAMMATE. What’s he gonna trash the guy?
August 17th, 2022 at 4:00 pm
Jameis had “velocity” and “arm strength “. So did Vinny.
I’ll take accurate, intermediate throws on time in the right place.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:20 pm
If the bucs can’t develop Trask what makes you think that can draft a quarterback in develop him 🤔?? History has proven that the bucs can’t develop a quarterback. Why not stay with Trask he’s showing you that he can be a good quarterback and help a team win . He’s played good in 2 games last year against the Texans and this year against the dolphins he does not have to play this year. Why draft a quarterback in the first round and put all that pressure on him having him to believe it’s all on him. With Trask you can have a balance offense and play good defense and win a superbowl.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:36 pm
Poor velocity was a knock on him coming out of college, so while that doesn’t surprise me, I was hoping it’s something he would have improved on by now.
Sounds like Cossel think he’s better suited for a West coast style dink and dunk offense.
August 17th, 2022 at 5:49 pm
BucBoy,,, Bill Belichick also once played basketball. 🏀
Cmon man, you know better than that. It has nothing to do with analysis, scouting or even coaching for thar matter.
That being said… AGAIN… I like Kyle, and would love to see him succeed here. He played a strong game vs MIA.
August 17th, 2022 at 6:14 pm
First Trask has more than enough to throw deep balls. Second I take an accurate qb within 20 to 30 yards passes than cannon arm with inadequate deep ball accuracy throwing interceptions. Also how many qb’s in NFL are capable of playing with collapsed pocket. This so called expert, is expecting a combo qb with a mixed skills of half Tom Brady/half Russell Wilson. Too much expectation from a really red shirt rookie qb. Joe how long did it take you to find this article on Trask after having a good game against Dolphins ?
August 17th, 2022 at 6:32 pm
Leave it to ButtGirl to repeatedly bring up video of a scrub the Bucs cut, who was a reserve blocking tight end at best, talking about a quarterback. Yep, nothing like a mediocre special tea er to give expert analysis on a QB. If that comment came from Mike Evans, then it might be worth a little.
And OSqueelyuk, all you do is whine about the posters here, and about how the Bucs can’t develop a quarterback, every post. And then bring up stuff that doesn’t belong in the comments. You should haul your hind end to New Orleans, your love interest plays there now.
August 17th, 2022 at 6:37 pm
So now Joe finding sources to talk negatively about the kid?? Jesus! Joe didn’t “find a source.” This is a renowned national film guy talking to an outlet. –Joe Give this kid a break!! Anything we get will be an upgrade of Jameis Winston of course there will not be another Tom. Give this kid a chance it is pre season SMH
August 17th, 2022 at 8:16 pm
One thing to consider is if trasks arm has reached its full potential. Do we believe his arm is at max strength now or are we assuming. I’d guess he gets stronger with how big his build is. Pretty young guy still.
August 17th, 2022 at 8:42 pm
Can you people even read. The direct quote was he has above average arm strength!
August 17th, 2022 at 10:31 pm
An objective assessment and the Trask Cult finds outrage. What Cosell said is what anyone watching a Gator game in 2019 saw. His deep balls do Peter out. He can time the mid range throws well, as he stares down his primary, takes longer than average to go through his reads and has a slow release. Maybe some of it cab be coached up. We’ll see. Maybe he can improve his deep ball, we’ll see. What’s clear is he’s not ready for prime time. He’s no Justin Herbert. But maybe in 4 or 5 years he can emulate Brad Johnson – although Brad was wicked smart so there’s that difference.
August 18th, 2022 at 4:42 am
I think trask looked pretty good considering he hasn’t had a lot of opportunities under the lights. I really find it surprising how many buc fans are quick to dismiss him as if the bucs can be picky with QBs now lol. Before Brady you had a first overall pick that threw 30 ints. Let the guy prove himself and stop doubting him because you developed some bias opinion and your pride won’t let you be wrong.
August 18th, 2022 at 4:45 am
I think trask looked pretty good considering he hasn’t had a lot of opportunities under the lights. I really find it surprising how many buc fans are quick to dismiss him as if the bucs can be picky with QBs now lol. Before Brady you had a first overall pick that threw 30 ints. Let the guy prove himself and stop doubting him because you developed some bias opinion and your pride won’t let you be wrong.
August 18th, 2022 at 7:08 am
Gooffarmer. I know once Brady leaves you will be out here as well. So you’re opinion really doesn’t matter about the team. What I do is bring up facts tell me a quarterback the bucs drafted and develop I’ll wait ?? We finally have a guy that they can develop and it looks like they have a chance of developing a guy for the first time in the history of the franchise and yet and still yall nick picking Trask. He plays good and you criticize him like Joe does by nick picking his game. Or you hear Ira Kaufman constantly pushing a narrative against Trask by saying he’s Mike Glennon . This is why this franchise and fan base suck because some of yall won’t just get behind any quarterback the bucs drafted or less the media loves them. Brady is out of here next year and this is why I can’t wait until he leaves because I can’t stand you Patriots/ Brady fans .
August 18th, 2022 at 3:53 pm
Well said OneilBuc!!!
August 19th, 2022 at 12:49 am
I’ve never seen Trask (albeit with limited observation) put any sort of velocity on a pass. He’s a dink and dunk guy. If building an offense around that works, then so be it, but he’ll not be the type of QB who can hurl it downfield for long gains. It’ll have to be done with short to intermediate passes and hope for YAC.