Tag: Charles Leno

Washington’s offensive line receives top scores from Pro Football Focus

Four of Washington’s offensive linemen were its highest-graded players from Week 6.

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The Washington Football Team entered its Week 6 game against the Kansas City Chiefs down the entire right side of the offensive line. All-Pro right guard Brandon Scherff missed his second consecutive game with an MCL injury, while impressive rookie right tackle Sam Cosmi missed the game with an ankle injury.

How would Washington’s offensive line keep quarterback Taylor Heinicke upright in the game?

Wes Schweitzer filled in for Scherff, while Cornelius Lucas stepped in for Cosmi, and the two former starters from 2020 ended up being Washington’s two highest-graded players in Week 6, according to Pro Football Focus.

Schweitzer was stellar, having one of Washington’s best single-game performances of 2021, recording an 89.5 overall grade. He was dominant run-blocking and solid in pass protection.

Lucas was right behind, recording an 82.9 grade. He scored 85.6 in pass protection. Left tackle Charles Leno continued his strong season, registering an 82.0 in pass protection. Center Chase Roullier finished with an overall grade of 81.2

Quarterback Taylor Heinicke finished with a 67.5 grade, while wide receiver Terry McLaurin scored a disappointing 53.6.

Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen was once again Washington’s highest-graded defender.

Washington travels to Green Bay in Week 7.

Washington has one of the best offensive lines in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus

Washington once again has one of the NFL’s better offensive lines through five weeks.

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The Washington Football Team had one of the better offensive lines in the NFL in 2020. According to Pro Football Focus, by the end of the season, Washington had the No. 6 offensive line in the NFL.

Despite last season’s success, Washington coach Ron Rivera wanted to shake things up in 2021. Veteran Cornelius Lucas filled in at left tackle admirably in 2020, but he was never considered the long-term answer.

Then, Washington drafted Sam Cosmi in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft. A few weeks later, Washington signed veteran offensive tackle Charles Leno, who the Chicago Bears surprisingly released. Washington also reacquired guard Ereck Flowers from the Miami Dolphins.

Washington released longtime starter Morgan Moses and former third-round pick Geron Christian in response to those moves.

So, for Week 1, Washington’s offensive line consisted of Leno, Ereck Flowers, Chase Roullier, Brandon Scherff and Cosmi. While Cosmi struggled in the opener, he has been one of the NFL’s top run-blocking tackles through five weeks and is a significant reason why PFF has Washington’s offensive line ranked in the top 10 entering Week 6.

PFF recently ranked Washington’s offensive line No. 9 — six spots higher than a week ago:

Rookie Samuel Cosmi bounced back after a tough Week 1 performance and has continued his strong preseason play into his rookie year. Cosmi is the best-graded lineman on the team, and his 89.0 PFF run-blocking grade ranks inside the top 10 of all offensive linemen, tied with Dallas’ Tyron Smith — one of the best tackles in the game so far. All six linemen with at least 100 snaps for Washington this season have overall PFF grades between 69.9 and 77.0, providing quarterback Taylor Heinicke a pretty stable platform to work from.

Cosmi did not practice on Wednesday after leaving Sunday’s loss to the Saints with an ankle injury. Fortunately, Washington was able to plug Lucas in at right tackle.

Washington will also be without All-Pro guard Brandon Scherff for the second consecutive week on Sunday.

While Washington’s defensive line receives most of the accolades, it is the offensive line that continues to get the job done.

 

Washington offensive tackle Sam Cosmi had a strong NFL debut

Washington rookie Sam Cosmi is going to be difficult to unseat at right tackle.

When the Washington Football Team selected Texas offensive tackle Sam Cosmi in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft, many believed he would be slated to compete at left tackle with veteran Cornelius Lucas in 2021.

Things changed quickly in May when the Chicago Bears cut former Pro Bowl left tackle Charles Leno. Washington quickly signed Leno. Then shortly thereafter, the Football Team surprisingly released longtime starting right tackle Morgan Moses.

So, instead of a Lucas/Cosmi battle at left tackle in 2021, we were given a Lucas/Cosmi battle at right tackle.

Lucas worked with the first team at right tackle in OTAs and the minicamp. When training camp began, Lucas went on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and Cosmi was suddenly the first-team right tackle.

The early stages of training camp were rough for Cosmi, going against Chase Young and Montez Sweat. However, he continued to improve each day and earned praise from head coach Ron Rivera last week.

In his NFL debut against New England on Thursday night, Cosmi played the first half at right tackle and held up well. Rivera was impressed afterward, commenting on Cosmi’s performance on Friday.

Pro Football Focus was certainly impressed with Cosmi’s performance.

That’s not a bad debut. Cosmi has shown this summer; he gets better the more he plays. At this point, it’s difficult to imagine Lucas overtaking the rookie at right tackle.

But Cosmi doesn’t want anything given to him. He wants to earn the starting position.

“I want to be able to perform and perform at a high level,” Cosmi said. “Being able to have the opportunity is huge, and I know that’s not given; that’s earned. So, I’m going to try to earn that position.”

If Cosmi’s NFL debut was any indication, Washington has its answer at right tackle.

 

Bleacher Report says Charles Leno could be a disappointment in 2021

Washington signed veteran offensive tackle Charles Leno last month because it felt like he was a solid upgrade for 2021. Bleacher Report isn’t so sure.

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The Washington Football Team made several big moves this offseason. One area of focus was the offensive line.

The Football Team improved the skill positions in the early part of free agency by signing quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and wide receivers Curtis Samuel and Adam Humphries.

However, just before the 2021 NFL draft, Washington acquired veteran guard Ereck Flowers. Flowers started at left guard in 2019 for Washington before signing with the Miami Dolphins. He will compete with Wes Schweitzer to start at left guard in 2021.

In the draft, Washington chose Texas offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi in the second round. Not long after the draft, the WFT struck again, signing recently released former Pro Bowl offensive tackle, Charles Leno.

So, with all of those moves, Washington surprisingly released longtime starter Morgan Moses and former third-round pick, Geron Christian.

In minicamp, last year’s starter at left tackle, Cornelius Lucas, was with the first team at right tackle while Leno was the first-team left tackle. Cosmi ran with the second team at right tackle.

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report doesn’t necessarily believe Leno will be an upgrade for Washington over Lucas in 2021:

This offseason, the Washington Football Team signed left tackle Charles Leno Jr. to a one-year, $4 million deal. While Washington doesn’t appear to view Leno as a long-term replacement for Trent Williams—who was traded in 2020—it is high on the former Bears starter.

“They’re both very good players, they were good players for us and they’ll continue to be good players in the league,” coach Ron Rivera said of Leno and rookie Samuel Cosmi, per Ryan Homler of NBC Sports Washington.

Good may be the absolute best the Football Team can hope for from Leno. While he was a Pro Bowler back in 2018, he was below-average in 2020. According to Pro Football Focus, Leno was responsible for six penalties and five sacks surrendered.

Offensive-line play will be critical for Washington this season, as it will rely on 38-year-old journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback. Relying on Leno to protect Fitzpatrick’s blind side could end in disappointment.

Washington will absolutely be thrilled if “good” is what it gets from Leno in 2021. Offensive line coach John Matsko is one of the best in the NFL, and head coach Ron Rivera certainly believes he will help Leno recapture his previous form from 2018 when he was selected to the Pro Bowl.

 

 

Which returning Washington starter is on the hot seat for 2021?

The Washington Football Team was busy this offseason, adding potential starters at wide receiver, offensive tackle, linebacker and safety. 

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The Washington Football Team was busy this offseason, adding potential starters at wide receiver, offensive tackle, linebacker and safety.

So, which returning starters are on the hot seat entering 2021?

Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report recently took a look at one player on every NFL team who could be on the hot seat in 2021. For Washington, his choice was offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas.

Here is Sobleski’s assessment of Lucas:

The Washington Football Team overhauled its offensive tackles this offseason.

Left tackle was a significant need area, though Cornelius Lucas settled the position some over the second half of the season. Lucas started the final nine games of the 2020 campaign (including the team’s playoff contest). But Washington signed free agent Charles Leno Jr. to take over blind-side duties.

Over on the right side, Washington released Morgan Moses for salary-cap purposes. Moses started every game since 2015. The move saved the organization nearly $8 million toward this year’s cap number.

Lucas bumps over to the right side where he has plenty of experience. He’s now the first-team right tackle, per the Washington Post‘s Sam Fortier.

The veteran may not hold the position for long, though. Washington drafted Samuel Cosmi in the second round. The rookie appears earmarked to start at some point this year to complete the unit.

Some on the outside completely dismiss how well Lucas played in 2020. He was signed to a modest deal to be Washington’s swing tackle and took over around the midway point of the season after Geron Christian’s injury.

He completely outplayed Christian and stabilized the position during Washington’s run to the playoffs.

Now, was he perfect? No. Does he warrant consideration to start in 2021? Absolutely.

But, he will have to earn the position. Charles Leno, who was signed last month after he was surprisingly released by the Bears, will start at left tackle. In the recent minicamp, Lucas was with the first unit at right tackle. Rookie Samuel Cosmi ran with the second team.

The coaching staff is high on Cosmi’s potential. But, like Lucas, he will not be given the position. Their battle at right tackle in training camp will be one to watch this summer.

Washington releases veteran offensive tackle Morgan Moses

The Washington Football Team released longtime starting offensive tackle Morgan Moses on Thursday, just days after he was granted permission

The Washington Football Team released longtime starting right tackle Morgan Moses on Thursday, just days after he was granted permission to seek a trade. 

Moses, a third-round pick out of Virginia in the 2014 NFL draft, started at right tackle in all but one game for Washington since the season-opener in 2015. In the one game Moses didn’t start at right tackle; he was playing left tackle in 2020 in place of the injured Cornelius Lucas.

Moses had two years left on a five-year, $38.5 million extension he signed with the WFT in April 2017.

Moses should have a solid market in free agency. He is coming off one of his best seasons as a pro in 2020.

Washington’s release of Moses has more to do with money and the other new additions on the offensive line. The WFT signed Charles Leno in free agency to play left tackle, while WFT’s second-round pick, Samuel Cosmi, is expected to replace Moses on the right side in 2021.

Lucas returns as Washington’s swing tackle.

Washington also released offensive tackle Geron Christian on Thursday. Christian, a third-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft, has yet to establish himself at the NFL level.

Second-year pro Saahdiq Charles can play offensive tackle, but Washington projects him at guard. His versatility gives offensive line coach John Matsko more options.

What does signing LT Charles Leno mean for Samuel Cosmi in Washington?

With the Washington Football Team signing free agent tackle Charles Leno, what could that mean for former Longhorn Samuel Cosmi?

The Washington Football Team recently drafted former Texas Longhorns offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi with the 51st overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. The original idea was that he would fill the left tackle spot left behind by longtime Washington player Trent Williams.

However, it looks like head coach Ron Rivera and the staff at Washington have complicated things a bit, as least in Cosmi’s case. It was announced on Wednesday that Washington signed free agent offensive tackle Charles Leno.

Leno is only 29 years old and is a former pro bowl tackle that stared 93 consecutive regular season games with the Chicago Bears before being released. He has the experience and reliability to start right away at left tackle, ahead of rookie Cosmi.

On top of that, Morgan Moses occupies the right tackle spot and has done so since 2014 as one of the game’s best right tackles. Could Cosmi potentially take the time to develop as a rookie?

Washington center Chase Roullier and right guard Brandon Scherff are also both among the league’s best and won’t get benched.

The only spot in question would be left guard. The Football Team recently swapped seventh-round picks to re-acquire Ereck Flowers who seemingly found a second life going from tackle to guard. However, for the price they got him, that hardly solidifies a starting spot.

Could Cosmi potentially move inside to compete for the guard spot? 

Cosmi is a fantastic run and zone blocker, which wouldn’t make it difficult to transition. Considering his issues versus more athletic, speedy edge rushers on the outside, it would make sense for him to go up against defensive tackles instead.

While Washington fans are going to love how deep and talented their offensive line will look in 2021, Cosmi will either be the odd man out or one of the biggest guards in the game.

Washington signs former Pro Bowl offensive tackle Charles Leno

The Washington Football Team continued to add depth to the offensive line on Wednesday, signing former Pro Bowl offensive tackle Charles

The Washington Football Team continued to add depth to the offensive line on Wednesday, signing former Pro Bowl offensive tackle Charles Leno to a one-year contract.

Leno, who was released by the Chicago Bears last week, visited Washington on Monday. The deal is worth up to $5 million, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.

Washington selected Texas offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft, giving it plenty of options heading into the 2021 season.

Last season’s starter, Cornelius Lucas, who expressed his displeasure with a Rapoport tweet saying the team had a “big hole” on the left side of the offensive line, is also back in 2021. Former third-round pick, Geron Christian, who began 2020 as the starter at left tackle is also on the roster.

Last year’s fourth-round pick, Saahdiq Charles, is also on Washington’s roster. It’s expected that Charles will play guard.

Veteran Morgan Moses is entrenched as Washington’s started at right tackle.

After Leno’s signing, it is expected he will compete with Lucas and Cosmi for the starting job at left tackle. Christian may be firmly on the roster bubble.

Cornelius Lucas had the perfect response to Ian Rapoport about Washington’s OL

The Washington Football Team selected Texas offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft with designs on him

The Washington Football Team selected Texas offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft with designs on him being the left tackle of the future.

Almost one week after the draft, former Pro Bowl offensive tackle Charles Leno was set to visit Washington.

Last year’s left tackle, Cornelius Lucas, wasn’t too happy with Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network after his tweet reminding everyone of Leno’s Monday visit.

Rapoport tweeted the following:

Reminder: The Washington Football Team visits with former #Bears OT and FA Charles Leno today, a potential way to fill a big hole on the left side of the line. WFT drafted Samuel Cosmi in the second round, but Leno signing would allow him to sit and learn.

Leno had a strong reply for Rapoport.

Washington fans on Twitter had very different reactions. First, you had some who felt Lucas was out of line as he was just an average starter in 2020. Then, you had the others who felt Lucas was disrespected, and he was right in his response to Rapoport.

I agree with Lucas. Washington did not have a “big hole” on the left side, as Rapoport suggested. Yes, Washington needed to add a young left tackle in the draft or a sturdy veteran to compete with Lucas in 2021, but suggesting Lucas was terrible last season is flat-out wrong.

While Pro Football Focus is not the ultimate guide in offensive line play, the site did grade Lucas with an 83.1 in pass protection and 78.2 overall. Lucas didn’t overwhelm anyone, but he certainly proved he could be more than just a swing tackle.

Regardless of whether Washington signs Leno or not, Lucas absolutely deserves the opportunity to compete for the starting position this summer in training camp.

And kudos to Lucas for standing up for himself.

Former Pro Bowl offensive tackle Charles Leno to visit Washington

The Washington Football Team may not be finished adding talent to their offensive line. According to Mike Garofolo of the NFL Network

The Washington Football Team may not be finished adding talent to their offensive line. According to Mike Garofolo of the NFL Network, veteran offensive tackle Charles Leno will visit Washington on Monday.

Leno was released by the Chicago Bears earlier this week after seven seasons with the team. Chicago traded up in the 2021 NFL draft to select Oklahoma State offensive tackle Teven Jenkins, making Leno expendable. The move saved Chicago almost $9 million against the salary cap in 2021.

A former seventh-round pick out of Boise State in 2014, Leno made the Pro Bowl in 2018 and has started 93 consecutive games for the Bears.

Washington has made two significant additions to its offensive line over the last week. Just before the draft, Washington acquired veteran guard Ereck Flowers in a trade with the Miami Dolphins.

Then, on day two of the NFL draft, the Football Team selected Texas offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi in the second round.

If Leno signs with Washington, it would presumably be to start at left tackle, allowing Cosmi to begin his career as a swing tackle. Last season’s starter, Cornelius Lucas, would return to his reserve role. Geron Christian, a third-round pick in 2018, would firmly be on the roster bubble.

Washington also has Saahdiq Charles on the roster. A fourth-round pick out of LSU in 2020, Charles was a college offensive tackle, but Washington’s coaching staff likes his potential at guard.

Bringing Leno in for a visit shows how serious Washington is about continuing to improve its offensive line.