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When Cornelius Lucas began training camp on the reserve/COVID-19 list, it meant rookie offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi would be thrown into the fire immediately, going against Chase Young and Montez Sweat in practice every day.
Through the first week of practice, things went as expected. Young and Sweat had their way with the rookie from Texas.
The pads finally went on Tuesday and, according to head coach Ron Rivera, Cosmi held his own against Young and Sweat.
Ron Rivera says he’s really encouraged by Sam Cosmi holding his own today with pads on going against guys like Sweat and Young. Looked much more assertive today with more contact
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 3, 2021
This is encouraging news.
The coaches knew the only way Cosmi would be ready was to be matched up with Washington’s pass-rushers daily. He would lose more battles than he was expected to win, but the hope was he would improve each day. Now, it’s happening.
Young said last week he wanted to help Cosmi. But the best way he knew to help the rookie was to give him his best each day. Young certainly has done that, and Cosmi is better for it.
When he was at Texas, Cosmi often dominated because of his combination of size and athleticism. He was large and could move, but in watching his film, his technique could get sloppy. That didn’t scare Washington. You can teach technique. You can’t teach Cosmi’s size, athleticism and power.
Lucas is back now and will be in the mix with Cosmi to start at right tackle. If Cosmi can continue his upward trajectory for the remainder of camp — and in the preseason — he could be Washington’s starting right tackle earlier than expected.