Matt LaCosse’s first step forward was followed by a laugh.
Injury-free through the first day of New York Giants training camp on July 29, the former Naperville North star took stock of how far he’s come.
“Hey, one day further than last year — that’s progress,” LaCosse texted family and friends.
“It’s good to be able to laugh at yourself,” LaCosse said. “I take my job seriously, but I can laugh at myself.”
Especially now.
Signed last year by the Giants as an undrafted free agent tight end out of Illinois, LaCosse showed impressive potential.
Then he hurt his hamstring the first week of camp.
The Giants waived him with an injury settlement, and LaCosse was picked up by the New York Jets, who cut him before the season.
Out of the league before he really entered it, LaCosse got a second opportunity in November when the Giants signed him to their practice squad.
LaCosse worked his way onto the active roster by Week 16, then played 22 snaps over the last two games, catching three passes.
“Getting a callback from an organization like the Giants, it gave a 23-year-old kid a big-time confidence boost,” LaCosse said. “That experience makes you feel calm under pressure.”
LaCosse is taking his second chance and running with it.
Adding 10 pounds of muscle since last season, he’s impressed with his run blocking. He consistently made plays in spring practices, and got a good chunk of first-team snaps during June organized team activities.
In the early days of camp, LaCosse said he is getting about 50 percent of his reps with the first team.
Healthy physically, he’s also in a different place mentally after a year in the NFL.
“It’s night and day,” LaCosse said. “Last year was a whirlwind. The guys are big and fast and strong and you wonder if you belong. I’m having fun now.”
As a senior quarterback at Naperville North, LaCosse was the 2010 Naperville Sun Player of the Year, leading the Huskies to the Class 8A quarterfinals.
LaCosse isn’t the only Huskie from that team on an NFL roster. Tight end James O’Shaughnessy is in his second year with the Kansas City Chiefs. Both returned to North in February for a jersey ceremony honoring graduates who played in the pros,, and LaCosse was in town in July for his sister’s wedding. His girlfriend recently took a job in New York to join him.
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“Friends and family mean the most to me,” LaCosse said. “It’s always good to be back in Naperville.”
LaCosse, now 6-foot-5 and 261 pounds, thinks of himself as a “big guy who can run.” His knowledge of the game helps.
Veteran tight end Daniel Fells, who had his career cut short last year because of a MRSA infection, took LaCosse under his wing in their short time together and shared an understanding of the playbook.
“In the NFL, everybody is big, fast and strong,” LaCosse said. “It comes down to knowing the playbook and performing under pressure.”
LaCosse hopes to become the latest unheralded Giants tight end to emerge as a playmaker. Larry Donnell had a breakout season in 2014, and Will Tye emerged last year.
Those two, along with sixth-round pick Jerell Adams, provide fierce competition for a roster spot.
LaCosse, as much as anybody, knows to take things one day at a time.
“I’m just trying to pick up where I left off in the spring and not miss any steps,” LaCosse said. “Last year was tough with the injuries. Now I’m trying to show that I can be a factor on an NFL team.”
Joshua Welge is a freelance writer for the Naperville Sun.