Trent Green played quarterback in the NFL for 11 seasons. With that in mind, one might assume he would’ve been able to provide some insight into Bailey Zappe’s strong performance in the Patriots’ easy win over the Browns.
But no dice. Green didn’t tell the audience what kinds of reads Zappe was making or how the Patriots devised their game plan to ensure the rookie QB would be successful. Instead, Green just narrated the action that viewers could see for themselves.
Take Zappe’s 31-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Henry, for example. The tight end broke free from the line and waltzed into Cleveland’s end zone with nobody around him. It was a smart play call: the Patriots went heavy on 3rd-and-1 and showed a big run look. When Zappe dropped back to pass, the Browns were caught flat-footed.
Green pointed out none of that during the replay. He just mentioned that Browns safety Grant Delpit fell down.
In other words, he said what our eyes could see.
“Hunter Henry is going to be coming in motion, and it’s Delpit,” said Green. “Here’s Henry, he’s at the end of his motion. Delpit is coming over the top. Watch as Henry on the snap of the ball, cuts inside. Delpit gets lost and slips to the ground. Easy walk in for Hunter Henry.”
Emptier sentences have hardly been uttered.
In the third quarter, Zappe recognized the blitz on 3rd-and-goal, which allowed him to step up in the pocket and find Tyquan Thornton in the end zone for a nice score. Playing his second game of the season, the Baylor speedster burst off the line and found open space, reading Zappe perfectly. It was a great pitch-and-catch between two rookies.
Green’s “analysis” was anything but.
“See how [Zappe] tried going out to the flat quick? Then he goes to his next progression. Good poise in the pocket finding the open touchdown,” said Green.
A color analyst is supposed to entertain and inform. On Sunday, Green failed on both accounts.