Many factors influence the respective passer rating when targeting a receiver, starting with the obvious: The routes they're asked to run. While DeSean Jackson ran a lot of deep routes, which are lower percentage, he also ran his share of comebacks and screens, which are much higher percentage. A tight end should have a higher passer rating on throws to them considering they typically run shorter routes.
Anyway, I thought it would be interesting to see what each Washington Redskins quarterback's passer rating was when throwing to five particular targets, focusing on just tight ends and receivers (numbers courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information). One receiver jumped out in a negative way.
DeSean Jackson
Robert Griffin III: 27-40, 496 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT for a 116.3 passer rating.
Kirk Cousins: 17-34, 447 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs for a 100.7 passer rating.
Colt McCoy: 12-15, 226 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs for a 141.0 rating.
Note: All three did well with Jackson and each averaged at least 12.4 yards per attempt (Griffin). McCoy topped the three by averaging 13.15 yards per attempt to Jackson in their three games together. Griffin had the most first downs with Jackson at 17. Again, a lot of comebacks and screens for Jackson.
Griffin: 27-35, 282 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs for a 76.1 rating.
Cousins: 21-36, 237 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs and a 73.5 rating.
McCoy: 20-30, 233 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs for a 101.1 rating.
Note: Cousins completed 14 throws for first downs to Garcon. But when you look at the ratings for Griffin and Cousins and you see the combined four interceptions on throws to him, you can probably understand some of his frustration -- if you couldn't already. Also, in the past two years combined Griffin has thrown three touchdowns and eight interceptions when Garcon is the target.
Griffin: 18-24, 133 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs for an 87.7 rating.
Cousins: 10-13, 121 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs and a 105.0 rating.
McCoy: 22-28, 211 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT for an 83.2 rating.
Note: The worst part for Reed is he never caught a touchdown pass. In 2013, Griffin posted a 111.5 rating with three touchdowns on throws to Reed.
Griffin: 10-21, 170 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs for a 35.9 rating.
Cousins: 20-37, 205 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs for a 54.4 rating.
McCoy: 6-13, 78 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT for a 33.5 rating.
Note: Roberts did not provide an impact and these numbers are a bit eye-opening. At least for Cousins, he completed 16 passes for first downs to Roberts. Still, for a guy the quarterbacks said last summer they felt they could trust, these are bad numbers. He also did not get a lot of the easy completions, such as bubble screens, etc. Still, this needs improvement. In 2013, Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer's passer rating on throws to Roberts was 72.9, his lowest among all Cardinal targets.
Griffin: 14-18, 187 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT for an 86.1 rating.
Cousins: 19-27, 271 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT for a 99.5 rating.
McCoy: 6-6, 49 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs for a 100.7 rating.
Note: McCoy played three games with Paul. He was not a focal point of defenses and he continued to improve as a pass-catcher from this position. Add it up and he posted decent numbers. Cousins completed 12 passes for first downs to Paul.
