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'Student' steps up for his big test

Bucs offensive lineman Cosey Coleman applies his knowledge from a year on the sideline to prime time.

[Times photo: Ken Helle] Bucs guard Cosey Coleman, right, runs through a blocking drill with tackle Pete Pierson at practice on Monday. Teammates speak with confidence about Coleman.

By ROGER MILLS

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 7, 2001

TAMPA -- He turned pro as a junior after toiling for three years in the Southeastern Conference. An offensive lineman with tremendous potential, he so impressed the Bucs that they took him with their first draft selection. If you're thinking Kenyatta Walker, think again.

Think Cosey Coleman, a 6-foot-4, 322-pounder from the University of Tennessee whom the Bucs expect to start this season at right guard. Think about a 22-year-old who spent last season watching from the sideline, learning from a group of veteran offensive linemen.

"What's good about Cosey's situation is that he didn't have to come in immediately and play and learn the ins and outs while playing," offensive line coach Chris Foerster said. "He had an opportunity to sit back and take in the NFL and see what it takes to be a pro and to take the game seriously every day, every snap."

Don't be confused, Coleman did play last season. He appeared in eight games, subbing for perennial Pro Bowl player Randall McDaniel at left guard and Frank Middleton at right guard. But the playing time came in sporadic doses and usually at the tail end of blowouts.

Unlike his starring days as a Volunteer, Coleman became familiar with the bench. "It was kind of tough for me," said Coleman, who was the Bucs' second-round pick last year after the team traded its two first-round picks for receiver Keyshawn Johnson. "I was under the impression I was going to come in and really get a chance to contribute early. And when it didn't work out like that, it was kind of tough at first.

"It was something new for me, sitting on the bench and watching everything going on around me. As the year progressed, and I kind of realized what the situation was, I kind of took it in stride and tried to get as much out of it as possible, as far as learning and seeing what the other guys were doing right and wrong."

Hyped as one of the premier offensive linemen coming out of college, Coleman was a dominant run-blocker but needed to develop his pass blocking, Foerster said. He needed to understand the rigors of the pro game.

Coleman could have played more last season, but with McDaniel and Middleton healthy, the time was spent learning. "I couldn't really pinpoint one thing, but the biggest thing I learned was that the few times I did go in and experience those live bullets, was that it was real out there," Coleman said. "No matter how much practice I got, the only way I would get ready for the game was to be in the game.

"When I get out there, there are going to be some things I'm going to be rusty on, all the practice in the world is not going to prepare for that. Watching those guys I learned to pick up some of the slight differences between college and pros, like the way you have to use your hands and use your feet."

Praised by offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen at the end of the first week of camp, Coleman said he now knows what it takes to be an everyday player.

"I think I will have a bigger impact this year than I would have if they had just thrown me in the mix last year," he said.

Fortunately for Coleman, he gained support as well as experience. McDaniel, left tackle Pete Pierson, center Jeff Christy and right tackle Jerry Wunsch have endorsed Coleman's place in the starting lineup.

"(When) you're in there, you're the starter," McDaniel said. "We're right there with you, no matter what happens. You're going to get beat sometimes. Everybody's going to get beat sometimes.

"I've got all the confidence in the world he's going to do great things. He's doing that so far."

Coleman said the support has worked wonders for his psyche.

"The biggest things with those guys is that it makes me feel good to have them believing in me," he said. "Those guys lined up next to a bunch of different guys in the NFL. A lot of games, a lot of snaps and to have those guys next to me, believing in me, it boosts my confidence."

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