The reviews for Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell continue to pour in. Last week, Greg Cosell of NFL Films, one of the most respected analysts in the NFL, recently weighed in on Howell’s preseason tape and came away impressed.
He looked very comfortable with what he was seeing, he was quick to eliminate and isolate within the structure of the play design,” Cosell said in an appearance on the “Ross Tucker Football Podcast.”
“I loved his technique. You know, there are a couple of plays where his read was to the left, and then he came back to the right and threw the ball. And I loved the way he got his body turned, and he stepped to the throw. And, you know, to me, that stuff’s really, really important. I thought there was a rhythm to his drop, his set and delivery. It all looked fluid and comfortable.”
Cosell wasn’t done praising Howell’s film.
“He showed some subtle pocket movement traits to find a more quiet space to deliver the football. He made late in the down pocket throws. I think in the NFL, to me, that is absolutely critical because what I mean by late in the down, Ross, is, you know, you get to three seconds, let’s say, in the pocket, and that’s a lot of time in the pocket as you well know. Because, you know, three-step is 1.5, ball should be out. Five step is 2.1; three step is 2.6. That’s when the ball should be out.”
“He looked very comfortable with what he was seeing…I LOVED his technique…”
NFL Films legend @GregCosell was excited about Commanders QB Sam Howell after watching his preseason film: pic.twitter.com/ns3QoS8fFo
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) August 26, 2023
This was high-level analysis from Cosell, known as one of the best at analyzing the tape, particularly on quarterbacks.
One of the throws Cosell was referring to was the tight-window throw to Cole Turner on third-and-long vs. Baltimore. There was also this completion on fourth-and-3 against Cleveland in the preseason opener.
The Commanders open the 2023 NFL season in less than two weeks when the Arizona Cardinals come to town. It will be Howell’s second career start.
