Skinsinparadise

Redskins rookie Cole Holcomb learned persistence from his dad, a Navy cook and vacuum salesman RICHMOND — It’s 6 a.m. at the Washington Redskins’ team hotel, and there’s rookie linebacker Cole Holcomb again, sitting in the still-empty breakfast room, iPad open, watching practice film before most of his teammates are out of bed. The team’s coach, Jay Gruden, notices him, just as Gruden has noticed Holcomb every morning sitting in the silent room, huddled over the iPad. “He wants to be great,” Gruden said later. The third day of the NFL draft is a flood of names and highlights, flickering across the screen and fading into the jingling music announcing each new pick. North Carolina’s Cole Holcomb, born and raised in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., was just another name when Washington took him in the fifth round. In many ways he was immediately forgotten — as he always has been forgotten — until he showed up and made sure his new team would know he was there. ...Everyone is noticing Holcomb now, calling plays on the defense at practice, pushing into gaps, ready to make tackles. He is the player whose name the coaches keep mentioning and the fans keep calling, the one who seems smaller than all the other linebackers, who keeps pushing, pushing, pushing in the blazing morning sun, even after the whistle blows. Then he walks off the field to call the man he phones each day, the one who taught him about the fight, the only one who knows as much as he about the single word that has come to define his football life: persistence. ...Gruden, it turns out, was watching. One day this past winter, the coach loaded up video of North Carolina’s defense with the intent of watching another player he had on a list of prospects. But it was the linebacker in the middle, the relentless one, the one constantly pounding through bigger players to make tackles, who fascinated him. ...He went to the team’s new inside linebackers coach, Rob Ryan, whose office was next to his. “You’ve got to watch this guy,” Ryan remembers Gruden saying. Gruden and Ryan had a tape made of Cole’s highlights and shared it with Washington’s scouts. When it came time for the team to pick in the fifth round, the Redskins called. Within days at Redskins training camp, Cole was calling plays on the second-team defense — a 3-4 defense, he likes to point out — telling players much older and more experienced what they should be doing. While this is normally the job of a middle linebacker, it is not normally a task handed to a fifth-round pick at his first professional camp. “We knew what we were drafting,” Ryan says. “We drafted the right guy.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/08/07/redskins-rookie-cole-holcomb-learned-persistence-his-dad-navy-cook-vacuum-salesman/

Jay Gruden's mornings at training camp have consisted of a couple of things after he wakes up: Coffee and run-ins with Cole Holcomb. According to the head coach, the linebacker has gotten into the habit of poring over film early, to the point where Gruden keeps crossing paths with the rookie and his iPad at the team hotel. It's one way the 23-year-old is already sticking out. "He's been excellent," Gruden said of Holcomb. "I think he works extremely hard mentally, which is important for a linebacker." "The alarm goes off at 6 a.m. and I go down to a little table on the same floor," Holcomb explained after a recent practice. "Every day, it's extra reps. Film tells a story. You can see gameplans. It's also reps... 'If I was in, I would be doing this.' Just keep getting mental reps so it becomes natural." That dedication has already translated to his performance. When the Redskins selected Holcomb in the fifth round of April's draft, many saw his blazing speed as something that would allow him to contribute immediately on special teams. But after a few weeks of work in Richmond, Holcomb doesn't just look like someone who'll help chase down returners. Instead, he's coming off as someone who could play key snaps on defense in his first year as well. "He has the tools to be great because he's got power, he's got speed, he's got instincts. He's got everything you need for a linebacker as far as a skill set," Gruden said. "I've been very impressed with Cole."

Yeah Holcomb ran 4.48, if I recall Brown was 4.51.

Forgot that Zach Brown went to the same college as him, this is short segment (2 minutes) about Cole's athleticism with his coach saying he'd put his athletic numbers against any LB he's ever had including Zach.

He wasn't invited to the combine but some of the draft geek types who I respect like Brugler liked him a lot. Great athlete. When Zach Brown was signed as a FA, many (me included) touted his speed for the position. Holcomb is even faster than him. I've noticed in recent weeks all the mentions that he was Jay's guy that he pounded the table for. And Jay is really good at times at nailing some of the late rounder types including Ionnaidis and Quinn. Granted Quinn hasn't really played yet. More than anything, I love reading about him being a workaholic, last to leave, etc. I wonder if Holcomb ultimately overtakes SDH. Keim likes to say they like but don't love SDH and that's partly why they chased Mosley, etc. Supposedly SDH from what I've read in camp is better going downhill to stop the run as opposed to pass coverage. Holcomb according to those watching him can cover well. So wonder if they mix the two? Speaking of Bostic I just listened to an interview of his on 106.7 -- he's incredibly articulate and sounds smart explaining defenses. Purely on that front, he reminds me of London Fletcher. The reason why I typically hesitate about this defense being great-elite and am sticking to very good for now is my worry about their MLBs. And I've been saying since last season for them to be elite -- IMO they need a stud MLB or two. The Cowboys defense to me is better than ours because of their 2 stud MLBs. If Holcomb ends up being a stud then I think the defense can be special. To me the MLB position is the big wild card. https://redskinswire.usatoday.com/2019/06/20/jay-gruden-biggest-advocate-drafting-cole-holcomb/ It turns out Jay Gruden is the one who initially saw something in Holcomb. Eric Shaffer, senior vice president of football operations, revealed the bit of background info, per Redskins.com: “Jay Gruden does the work, he watches the tape. He’ll have strong opinions [on the players]. He was very instrumental in the Redskins drafting [Matt] Ioannidis and had some really strong opinions on guys this year. I think Cole Holcomb out of North Carolina was one of those guys that Jay really stood up for.” Holcomb, a fifth-round rookie, impressed in workouts ahead of training camp. Call it a good sign, as he might be asked to play a bigger role than originally expected in the wake of the Reuben Foster injury. Gruden has been adamant since the draft that it is all about coverage ability for linebackers. Holcomb can certainly do that, so it isn’t too surprising to learn he was one of the guys in the draft room pounding the table for him.

Just listened to a Rob Ryan interview and he was asked which player is going to surprise people -- he said Holcomb and then raved about him.

Maybe the least hyped rookie predraft but he's getting his share of buzz. Supposedly this was Jay's guy in the draft and who he pushed for. 2 of the previous "Jay guys" that he pushed for in the draft were Quinn and Ioannidis. So I trust Jay's eye. https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/redskins/training-camp-notes-donald-penn-getting-better-each-day-redskins Cole Holcomb has shown to be adept at reading run plays, and on Monday, he made a play in the pass game, too. Holcomb followed Matt Flanagan — who, to be fair, is not exactly a flier at tight end — deep down the center of the field and at the last second, jumped backward to deflect the incoming pass. For a linebacker, it was an impressive effort, as he turned his head while running at 100 percent and located the ball in time to knock it away. He looks like he can help Greg Manusky's defense this season.

Reading Hoffman's tweets Doctson at Z? Richardson at X. Battling McLaurin at that spot. There is something that adds up that way which is Jay mentioning Sims at Z and putting him after Doctson on the depth chart. Richardson did play some X last year. Played some Z, too. Ditto Doctson. The clip below has Richardson at X. But to me that makes more sense, I like McLaurin at X. Ultimately, I think Sims could start at Z.

If the backups are lined up to position then: Doctson versus Sims at X. Richardson versus McLaurin versus Harmon at Z. Quinn basically versus no one at slot. I'd presume both Harmon and McLaurin then would back up Quinn in the slot.

Ok thanks, missed that comment. The 5 practices I watched Terry seemed to be almost exclusively playing on the left side -- X and Z. And I did see Harmon move inside. That's what made me think that Harmon might back up at slot and Terry would play X or Z. But good to know he's ready to play slot, too. He comes off like a smart dude and clearly is having a good camp.

Ok, makes sense. I did though see the dude below play some slot along with the playing the outside. Everything I saw at camp and what I've seen on twitter has given me the impression that Harmon is sneakily having a good camp. The beat guys for the most part aren't making this point about Harmon but I was almost as impressed with what I saw from Harmon as I was McLaurin.

OK I don't recall seeing him play slot when I was watching in camp. But you never know.

I think Harmon backs up slot and maybe X. I think Doctson makes the team but I am gathering its becoming chic with some in the media to say that he doesn't. Standig didn't have him making the roster. Hoffman thinks he will make it but wouldn't be shocked if he doesn't. Robert Davis is apparently a dark horse for the 6th spot if they carry 6 WRs. I agree with this. they seem to have more young possibilities than the past. I've been a fan of Harmon and McLaurin even before they were drafted here. My gut though is neither is a true #1 but I think they can be #2 types which would be an improvement over what we got. Sims looked great from what I saw. I think they got to finish upgrading receiver in the next draft which is teeming with potential #1 types. Yeah I think you can get out of his contract then. I liked the signing at the time. But live and learn about signing oft injured played. I thought he looked good in the spurts that he played but got doubts he can stay healthy.

Just listened to Hoffman. He thinks McLaurin will play Z and might have already usurped Richardson for that spot. He thinks Harmon makes the team. He thinks Doctson likely makes it but he's not ruling out that he doesn't.

If I recall (I could be misremembering) it was Cooley who said that Harmon plays the way the team wishes Doctson played like. Harmon comes off feistier when it comes to securing 50-50 balls, might be better against press coverage and he arguably has better hands. I was a fan of them taking Doctson at the time. But his low key style and poor catch percentage rate has made me sour on him some. I don't think he's a bust. And I can see his career maybe awakening at some point but for now I am more jazzed about other receivers on this roster. Right now, Docton strikes me as a decent #3 type receiver. I don't think he's played like a #1 or even #2. Hopefully this is the year he emerges but I wouldn't hate it if they gave the X receiver spot to someone else. I was in particular blown away by what I saw from Sims in camp.

I've heard Jay or one of the coaches mention early on that Sims is playing Z. If i recall that's where he played last preseason. Sims to me in camp at least looked like a potential star. Granted camp doesn't always translate to a season. Jay mentioned using Harmon both outside and inside. I saw that in camp. McLaurin I gather can play Z or X. Weird thing is Doug mentioned in the off season you wouldn't put a small dude like Richardson at the Z spot because they require their Z to block a lot. Yet, Richardson played the Z spot plenty. Richardson looked 100% in camp. He looked fast. I ironically liked both McLaurin and Harmon before the draft. I was pushing for both. They weren't the only receivers I liked but they were high among the next tier of receivers that I dug. I don't think either are #1 type receivers but both can IMO become solid #2 types. Right now, we arguably don't have a traditional #1 or #2 type receiver. One of these two guys might fix this -- maybe both? I am always a bit wary to push receivers too hard considering the bust rate is so high and they typically don't play hot right out of the gate. As much as I liked McLaurin and still do, I think Harmon is being slept on some. He was the dude who stayed after practice -- working with Norman, Cromartie, Haskins at different times. He was catching everything at least when i was watching. I get the skepticism about a 6th rounder. But many saw him as a 2nd rounder before the draft. Maybe more than any player, I was practically screaming at the TV on the third day to take Harmon. Kyle Smith in an interview said Harmon was in conversation on draft day more than any other player and they considered him in the 4th round and thought he'd be gone once they didn't take him. Then ditto in the 5th. He said they didn't take him then because they liked the depth better at WR in that draft versus their other positions of need. Harmon has really good hands, can block, catch contested balls, can separate (even though he doesn't have top end speed). And apparently he has a strong work ethic. I am not going to swear by any receiver because of the high bust rates at that position. But i really doubt the dude will last on the practice squad, I think someone would pluck him right away. harmon6.mp4 harmon3.mp4 harmon4 (1).mp4 harmon6.mp4

Personally from watching camp (granted 5 practices is a small sample) and in Harmon and McLaurin's cases watching multiple college games of theirs before we drafted them -- i am jazzed about those 2 and Sims. It's not that i think they will go gang busters in their debut seasons -- its tough for rookie WRs to play great out of the gate. But I think all three have a chance to be a bonafide #2 type receiver eventually even if its not right away this season. Next year, is looking like the perfect draft to find a #1 type WR.

Maybe we should trade for this guy? I got my doubts about it but if it is really true then talk about the power of Brady... http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001037736/article/nfl-training-camp-winnerslosers-seven-rookies-creating-a-buzz Maurice Harris, wide receiver, New England Patriots: File the following under sentences I never expected to write: Maurice Harris has been talked up as the best receiver in New England's camp by nearly every Patriots beat writer, with Greg Bedard of Boston Sports Journal saying it's by a "good margin." That doesn't bode well for the strength of the group as a whole, but it's not too early to expect Harris, the undrafted former Redskins receiver, to have a role on Sundays in the autumn.

At camp today, I thought McLaurin and Sims stood out. in the walk throughs I noticed Richardson, Doctson, McLaurin and Quinn played with the 1’s. Sims and Harmon were with the 2’s.

One of the beat guys, if I recall it was Hoffman said recently that Ike Hilliard, the receiving coach loves Robert Davis. He said some of that is about them being personally very close. Davis is a freak physically. Got no idea though how he's going to be coming off that injury. I am big on McLaurin and Harmon. I am watching camp for a few days starting Friday. I am really curious to see where Harmon lines up, whether he plays big slot or X or both. I've heard one of the coaches mention in an interview that Sims will play Z. Someone else if I recall said McLaurin also plays Z. If so they got a logjam at Z. A couple of reporters thought McLaurin was the best player in minicamp. Some liked Sims. Some liked Quinn. So that's all a good sign. As much as I like McLaurin and Harmon and have explained why in detail before and after the draft, I still think its asking a lot for them to excel right away. Aside from QB its arguably the toughest position to hit the ground running in year 1. Also aside from QB its arguably the toughest position to get right as for drafting. A lot of wildcards at the position. IMO of all positions that might be the one with the most potential variance -- it could be really good, could be so so, could stink. I lean personally on the optimistic side at this spot.

They didn't elaborate on the radio on it aside from saying it happened 2 weeks ago. With hamstrings you got to let them heal but if you do it properly -- you end up fine so hopefully thats the case here.