B&G Rookie Spotlight

S MONTAE NICHOLSON The Michigan State product was drafted without much fan fare in 2017 NFL Draft. Redskins scouts kept insisting Nicholson’s height, weight, speed attributes were too good to pass up in the 4th round. In fact, it’s rare to find 6’2 strong safety’s running in the 4.5. The thought was he would be a good developmental pick, in which they could perhaps stash on the Practive Squad.

The downfall of Nicholson’s aggression is that he’s having a tough time staying off the trainers table. Montae actually missed training camp nursing a surgically repaired shoulder, from a previous college injur. The same shoulder seems to get continually aggravated after he delivers big hits, which has become his trademark. In a few situations Nicholson has had to leave the field after one of his signature head rocking hits, but usually returns. No other time was more disturbing than the collision with former Redskins receiver Pierre Garçon vs San Francisco. On that particular play, Garçon caught the ball and lowered his head into a would be tackler in Nicholson(pic below). The play didn’t end well. Nicholson was seen out cold on the field, after getting his helmet knocked off during the collision. The most disturbing part of the collision, was the fact that Nicholson’s legs were still running/with arm in the air, as he laid on the ground with Skins Trainers. Some how the rookie managed to avoid the concussion protocol, which I find very strange after watching his odd behavior. He’s only listed with a shoulder strain on numerous team reports, but wasn’t on the latest injury report at all. I love Nicolson’s hustle and heart. His interception vs the Raiders(pictured above) was something usually reserved for a savvy veteran.