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Redskins LB Cole Holcomb shows promise in first training camp

By Russell Shavatt

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 30: A Washington Redskins helmet sits on the grass before the start of the Redskins and Baltimore Ravens preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 30: A Washington Redskins helmet sits on the grass before the start of the Redskins and Baltimore Ravens preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Washington Redskins LB Cole Holcomb has shown considerable promise in his first training camp, and on Thursday, Jay Gruden used the word “great” when discussing the rookie inside linebacker.

In his daily pre-practice media session at training camp in Richmond, Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden was asked about the performance of rookie inside linebacker Cole Holcomb, and how he has adapted to the NFL level thus far.  If Gruden’s answer is any indication of what lies ahead for the first-year player, then the team should have no regrets in the decision to release veteran linebacker Mason Foster before the start of training camp.

Per ESPN’s John Keim, Jay Gruden had nothing but positive things to say about the former University of North Carolina product.  The coach said that Holcomb has been “excellent,” and that he “wants to be great and has the tools to be great.”  Gruden specifically referred to Holcomb’s power, speed, and instincts in describing what his best traits are.  The biggest items that Cole Holcomb will need to focus on throughout camp and the preseason are: his communication skills at the linebacker position, and the ability to adjust to opposing offenses regarding the variety of looks they might use in game against the defense.

It is well-noted that the Redskins are thin at inside linebacker with the loss of veteran Mason Foster.  Going into the draft, per NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, Holcomb was seen by experts as a potential backup linebacker, and key special teams contributor.  Now that he is in his first training camp as an NFL player, Holcomb has shined as noted by multiple team insiders.  He was especially productive in college, and has faced his share of adversity in making it to this point in his football career after entering college as a walk-on player.  His speed and agility should particularly show well on passing downs, as the Redskins defense struggled at times against opposing teams’ tight ends and running backs on screen plays.

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Holcomb should see significant playing team throughout the preseason, and potentially into the regular season.  With the first game of the preseason against the Cleveland Browns only a week away, Cole Holcomb will have his chance to show the team’s front office they were not wrong in taking him in the fifth round of the 2019 draft at pick No. 173.  If he can replicate his strong performance to date, the former walk-on at North Carolina will be just fine heading into the regular season as a contributing member of the team at inside-linebacker.

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