The Steelers agreed to terms with former Commanders LB Cole Holcomb

[polamalubeast]

Tom Pelissero

The #Steelers agreed to terms with former #Commanders LB Cole Holcomb earlier this week on a three-year deal pending physical, per source.

Holcomb, 26, has started 48 games for Washington. A big addition to Pittsburgh’s defense.


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[dislocatedday]

Holcomb is a good player, and based off the games I saw him play with Washington I think he is an upgrade to Robert Spillane.

[Dwinsgames]

Holcomb is a good player, and based off the games I saw him play with Washington I think he is an upgrade to Robert Spillane.

he is an upgrade ..also has some speed he is a 4.5 -40 guy .. turned in 140+ tackles a few years back too ... he may be the guy we expected Bush to be

[Dwinsgames]

https://i0.wp.com/ras.football/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/cole-holcomb-ras-18540.png?resize=806%2C522&ssl=1

[EzraTank]

20-0!

[lipps83]

20-0!

20-0 is a bit far fetched.

I think 19-1 or 18-2 is a bit more realistic.

[pczach]

he is an upgrade ..also has some speed he is a 4.5 -40 guy .. turned in 140+ tackles a few years back too ... he may be the guy we expected Bush to be



He's definitely more athletic than Spillane. He is an upgrade. The only concern is coming off of season-ending injury. I'm sure he has to pass a physical to show that he is fit. If he is physically intact, this is a sneaky good signing. Very good quickness and speed, but also a very physical player. He should be a good fit if healthy.

[Shoes]

He's definitely more athletic than Spillane. He is an upgrade. The only concern is coming off of season-ending injury. I'm sure he has to pass a physical to show that he is fit. If he is physically intact, this is a sneaky good signing. Very good quickness and speed, but also a very physical player. He should be a good fit if healthy.


That's what Ladarius Green said on the way to the bank. :chuckle:

All kidding aside I hope he is and stays healthy.

[pczach]

That's what Ladarius Green said on the way to the bank. :chuckle:

All kidding aside I hope he is and stays healthy.




Let's not go there! :chuckle:

[oneforthetoe]

Anybody know if he ever played outside? Just seems he would have the physical skills to do that in a pinch. If he is healthy, and anywhere back to his 2021 form, I'm guessing he will start ahead Buddy. Then Buddy will compete with a drafted player (this year or next) to replace Myles in 2024.

[tube517]

Anybody know if he ever played outside? Just seems he would have the physical skills to do that in a pinch. If he is healthy, and anywhere back to his 2021 form, I'm guessing he will start ahead Buddy. Then Buddy will compete with a drafted player (this year or next) to replace Myles in 2024.

Buddy?

[dislocatedday]

Buddy?

I am guessing he meant Mark Robinson........but had him confused with Buddy Johnson, who was also a LB drafted a couple years ago and is no longer with the team.

[tube517]

I am guessing he meant Mark Robinson........but had him confused with Buddy Johnson, who was also a LB drafted a couple years ago and is no longer with the team.

Yep. He was cut last year and was on the Texans' practice squad and they cut him too.

[86WARD]

This is maybe a step up from Spillane?

[DuckHodges]

good signing if healthy

[Mojouw]

This is maybe a step up from Spillane?

Seems that way. Holcomb has very similar measurables to Bush. So maybe we can finally see what Spillane’s brain in Bush’s body does at LB.

[86WARD]

Seems that way. Holcomb has very similar measurables to Bush. So maybe we can finally see what Spillane’s brain in Bush’s body does at LB.

That might make a good football player…not holding my breath though…

[Mojouw]

That might make a good football player…not holding my breath though…

Agreed. It’s a band aid at best. But at least they tried something.

[pczach]

Agreed. It’s a band aid at best. But at least they tried something.




Hopefully Trenton Simpson or Jack Campbell is available in the second round and they snag one of them. I would love to see some new athletic talent start patrolling the center of this defense.

[oneforthetoe]

I am guessing he meant Mark Robinson........but had him confused with Buddy Johnson, who was also a LB drafted a couple years ago and is no longer with the team.

Yes I did. TY. My ability to remember things I know I know ain't as good as it once was, but hopefully, it's as good once as it ever was (just not in this case for sure).

[Born2Steel]

What do we have currently at ILB? Myles Jack, Marcus Robinson, and the new guy Cole Holcomb. A couple names we have seen but still don't know who they are. Yes, a draft pick and/or another FA signing are still in play.

[Dwinsgames]

This is maybe a step up from Spillane?

2 steps up ... this is the guy we thought Bush was gonna be ... same basic size , speed the difference is this guy has produced at a high level

[pczach]

2 steps up ... this is the guy we thought Bush was gonna be ... same basic size , speed the difference is this guy has produced at a high level





Yep. He plays with much more physicality and aggression. He has that fire. Watch him take on blocks trying to blow up plays rather than avoiding contact and running around blocks like Bush does.

If he's healthy, I think fans are going to really like him. Here are highlight videos welcoming him to Pittsburgh.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvn2Ei6P0JU




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRqfY3OT2do



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83RdSbcPKI4

[86WARD]

2 steps up ... this is the guy we thought Bush was gonna be ... same basic size , speed the difference is this guy has produced at a high level

But coverage isn’t good (on either of these guys they’ve signed)?

[Dwinsgames]

But coverage isn’t good (on either of these guys they’ve signed)?

Bush gave up a 75% completion percentage a year ago .... hard to not improve with nearly anyone

[86WARD]

Yep. He plays with much more physicality and aggression. He has that fire. Watch him take on blocks trying to blow up plays rather than avoiding contact and running around blocks like Bush does.

If he's healthy, I think fans are going to really like him. Here are highlight videos welcoming him to Pittsburgh.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvn2Ei6P0JU




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRqfY3OT2do



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83RdSbcPKI4

I’d rather see the low lights. That’s what will really tell the story. You can put together a highlight real for Robert Spillane or Devin Bush if you really wanted to…

[Born2Steel]

He wears a MULL-HAWK!!!!

[Mojouw]

Honestly, at 3 years/$18 million it really doesn't matter.

Holcomb comes in as a signal caller, a captain, and a guy with both athletic testing and NFL production. If it works out...then you have a cheap solid NFL starter for the rest of his prime. If he is Jon Bostic 2.0 (or are we on 4.0 now?), I suspect you can get out of the deal after a year with little dead cap $$$.

I am a fan of the move because I did not like any of the players they had last year except Robinson because he's fun to root for. Holcomb is a cheaper Jack. He got let go in Washington for a reason. He has the same narrow path to really being a steal that Jack had.

[Born2Steel]

Myles Jack played 1 season here. He had 3 passes defensed but 104 Tackles in 15 games. I think the only reason he was cut was due to money and as a business move. I don't think it had anything to do with on-field stuff. If nobody picks him up I would not be shocked to see him back at Steelers TC. On a better team friendly deal obviously. He's only 27.

[polamalubeast]

Last year the group of ILB had zero forced fumbles and interception....It need to be much better next year.For the coverage here what one who cover the commanders have said about him for his coverage



Mark Bullock
@MarkBullockNFL
Replying to
@CamGnesdaPGH
and
@Alex_Kozora
His coverage isn’t bad at all, just depends on what you ask him to do. If it’s just basic spot-dropping zone stuff, he’ll be fine. Did a nice job with some match coverages Washington uses and carried receivers/TEs up the seam well.

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[pczach]

I’d rather see the low lights. That’s what will really tell the story. You can put together a highlight real for Robert Spillane or Devin Bush if you really wanted to…





I've watched him play a bit. This encapsulates who he is as a player. He is far more physical and aggressive than Bush ever was. This is a guy that many Commanders fans believe was on the verge of making Pro Bowls. Did you see him blowing up Zeke Elliot to get to the quarterback? He's one of the best pass blocking backs in the NFL.

Showing him making some plays in highlights isn't everything, but I just wanted people to see what type of player he is. I don't know how anybody is going to know anything about other teams if they don't actually watch football games other than the Steelers games. I tend to see a decent amount of football. He pops of the screen with his play.

Find a way to watch more of him and tell me what you think.

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Honestly, at 3 years/$18 million it really doesn't matter.

Holcomb comes in as a signal caller, a captain, and a guy with both athletic testing and NFL production. If it works out...then you have a cheap solid NFL starter for the rest of his prime. If he is Jon Bostic 2.0 (or are we on 4.0 now?), I suspect you can get out of the deal after a year with little dead cap $$$.

I am a fan of the move because I did not like any of the players they had last year except Robinson because he's fun to root for. Holcomb is a cheaper Jack. He got let go in Washington for a reason. He has the same narrow path to really being a steal that Jack had.


I don't know if it's because of his injury or they have another young guy they like. They have a really good defense, and he has played very well on that defense. They already lost a DL in FA. Maybe they don't have the cash to hold onto these guys.

- - - Updated - - -


Myles Jack played 1 season here. He had 3 passes defensed but 104 Tackles in 15 games. I think the only reason he was cut was due to money and as a business move. I don't think it had anything to do with on-field stuff. If nobody picks him up I would not be shocked to see him back at Steelers TC. On a better team friendly deal obviously. He's only 27.



Holcomb is a tackling machine. Holcomb had 142 tackles with 2 INT in 2021. He was on pace to have like 170 tackles until his injury that ended his 2022 season.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HolcCo00.htm

[86WARD]

I've watched him play a bit. This encapsulates who he is as a player. He is far more physical and aggressive than Bush ever was. This is a guy that many Commanders fans believe was on the verge of making Pro Bowls. Did you see him blowing up Zeke Elliot to get to the quarterback? He's one of the best pass blocking backs in the NFL.

Showing him making some plays in highlights isn't everything, but I just wanted people to see what type of player he is. I don't know how anybody is going to know anything about other teams if they don't actually watch football games other than the Steelers games. I tend to see a decent amount of football. He pops of the screen with his play.

Find a way to watch more of him and tell me what you think.


Definitely a better tackler, down hill player and harder hitter than Bush and Spillane were. I’m just questioning the coverage and what his weak spots are.

[dislocatedday]

My brother in-law is a lifelong Washington Redskins/Commanders fan and he has raved about Cole Holcomb the last two years, and is not happy that the Commanders lost him. In fact, I was the one who broke the news to him that the Steelers signed him.

I've watched several Commanders games over the last two seasons and Holcomb does pop out often enough in the games. He does the "dirty work" that Bush avoided, is smart, and does not miss tackles.

[pczach]

Definitely a better tackler, down hill player and harder hitter than Bush and Spillane were. I’m just questioning the coverage and what his weak spots are.




Coverage is not his strength. He is more of a guy that can do some things in zone, but sometimes can't lock down in man. He comes up to make hits and keeps completed passes to minimal gains with his aggression and great tackling skills. He is strong in all other departments. What will be interesting is how the Steelers use him and at which ILB spot they play him at. He was a captain last year, so you know this guy is a leader and a player.

He has missed some time with injuries. I believe that is why the Commanders let him go. He has had some injuries and missed games. That is why the Steelers got him for the price they did. If he continues to get injured often and miss games, at least they took a shot at a guy with a lot of traits on the right side of the ledger. If he stays healthy, I think they just got a steal.

[NCSteeler]

Agreed. It’s a band aid at best. But at least they tried something.I bet people had similar reviews of us signing Potsy. I can only hope it goes half as good. [emoji16]

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

[86WARD]

Coverage is not his strength. He is more of a guy that can do some things in zone, but sometimes can't lock down in man. He comes up to make hits and keeps completed passes to minimal gains with his aggression and great tackling skills. He is strong in all other departments. What will be interesting is how the Steelers use him and at which ILB spot they play him at. He was a captain last year, so you know this guy is a leader and a player.

He has missed some time with injuries. I believe that is why the Commanders let him go. He has had some injuries and missed games. That is why the Steelers got him for the price they did. If he continues to get injured often and miss games, at least they took a shot at a guy with a lot of traits on the right side of the ledger. If he stays healthy, I think they just got a steal.

Oh he definitely looks like a much better player. I just question his coverage skills and it will be interesting to see how they use him. When they sign any new player, the highlight clips are great and all but you could really put together a 2-3 minute video about Devin ambush or Spillane and make them look just as good. I’m interested in what they can’t do or where they can improve or weren’t being used correctly in hopes that it improves or was misused…

[DesertSteel]

Bush signed with Seattle. One man's trash...

[86WARD]

Bush signed with Seattle. One man's trash...

https://media0.giphy.com/media/l2SpRNbTawgpLXxmM/giphy.gif

[Dwinsgames]

Bush signed with Seattle. One man's trash...

1 year prove it deal ... he wont prove it

[Shoes]

Claypool and Bush gone! Like a refreshing shower in early spring!

[Born2Steel]

Bush signed with Seattle. One man's trash...

Maybe he will shine under Pete Carroll. He certainly was not happy with us and it showed. Everyone moving on.