Time to Build an Offensive Line

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Against 2009 Heyer, he's a run blocking downgrade and a pass blocking upgrade, which I'd call a slight net gain.

But against 2010 Heyer, there's no easy answer. He's probably a downgrade, especially as a full-time option, but I can't say for sure, because if Heyer has maxed out his ability to block opposing pass rushers at the age of 26, then his run blocking (best on the team, based on the current roster) probably isn't dominant enough to justify a roster spot much longer.

At the point which Levi Jones can no longer handle left tackle, which might have been two years ago, he no longer has value as an NFL player.

Originally Posted by 30gut

Some other factors to remember/consider are that Heyer was hurt for most of the year and he's entering his athletic prime at 27 and could actually be improving.
Its not a big stretch to think that Heyer 2010 will be the best Heyer thus far.

Originally Posted by 30gut

Some other factors to remember/consider are that Heyer was hurt for most of the year and he's entering his athletic prime at 27 and could actually be improving.
Its not a big stretch to think that Heyer 2010 will be the best Heyer thus far.

Originally Posted by 12thMan

I think when comparing Levi Jones and Stephon Heyer, you have to take into consideration that Levi joined us late October of last year and it took time to acclimate to the system. That and he really wasn't in football shape. This time around, with a full training camp under his belt and a little more resolve mind you, I think we're going to see a better all around tackle. That's my hope at least.

In an all around head-to-head, you have to account for that and I'd still give the edge to Levi Jones, by the way.

Originally Posted by 30gut

Some other factors to remember/consider are that Heyer was hurt for most of the year and he's entering his athletic prime at 27 and could actually be improving.
Its not a big stretch to think that Heyer 2010 will be the best Heyer thus far.

Originally Posted by T.O.Killa

I will say it again, we had the best LT in football for 10 years. Where did it get us. Both LT's for the superbowl champs can be got for a second round tender and nobody on this board thinks Bushrod(Saints LT) or Johnson(Colts LT) are worth it. Apparently, its the QB that really matters.

Originally Posted by diehardskin2982

I think at this point the redskins are looking to trade down. After seeing their approach to free agency they will need the additional picks to fill holes on the roster.

Originally Posted by 30gut

Some other factors to remember/consider are that Heyer was hurt for most of the year and he's entering his athletic prime at 27 and could actually be improving.
Its not a big stretch to think that Heyer 2010 will be the best Heyer thus far.

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

Well I'd sure hope he doesn't regress. Definitely hoping that he shows strong promise.

Originally Posted by 30gut

I think a lot of people forget that Heyer played most of the season with a knee injury and often couldn't practice during the week.

Also, Heyer played 924 snaps gave up 8 sacks and 11 QB hits
Jones played 527 snaps gave up 6 sacks and 14 QB hits

Its hard to claim that Jones was better when his performance doesn't indicate this especially when you consider that Heyer was playing hurt most of the season.

Ailing Heyer hanging 'tough' for Redskins - Washington Times

In his first full season as a starting tackle for the Washington Redskins, Stephon Heyer has struggled to open holes in the run game and in pass protection.

But there's no disputing the former Maryland standout's toughness. Heyer has been playing with an ailing left knee for two months, and he crumpled to the field with an injured right knee during the third quarter Sunday night against Dallas.

"I don't know how he got up," offensive line coach Joe Bugel said. "I had [backup Will Robinson] ready to go, and he said, 'No. I'm playing.' "

Heyer didn't miss a snap even though the going-nowhere Redskins were trailing the Cowboys 17-0.

"Stephon's a tough kid," said left guard Derrick Dockery, who knows something about that attribute after starting 108 consecutive games. "He's playing pretty much injured the whole year. Even with the tough year we're having, I never wonder if he's going to play. I know Stephon. He's going to be out there. I'm real proud of him."

So is quarterback Jason Campbell, who was shaken up on the same play that Heyer injured his right patellar tendon against Dallas.

"Sometimes [Stephon] misses practice all week so he's able to play," Campbell said. "I commend him for his effort. He understands there's not a lot of depth. If he can't play, it puts us in a lot of trouble."

When it appeared Heyer might not be able to play two weeks ago, the Redskins were planning to start the untested Robinson against Justin Tuck, the New York Giants' standout pass-rusher. But Heyer sucked it up and started as usual.

"Each year, Stephon has gotten tougher and tougher," Bugel said. "He understands there's a lot of pain in the National Football League. You never wake up and feel good during the season."

Heyer, whose 18 consecutive starts rank sixth on the Redskins, has lined up next to four right guards and will make it five Sunday at San Diego if Paul Fanaika or Will Montgomery replaces the injured Mike Williams. Heyer also started three games at left tackle in place of the injured Chris Samuels.

"It's football, there's no guarantee that you're going to stay healthy," Heyer said. "You just gotta keep going. No one really cares if you're hurt. You just gotta keep playing even when there's nothing to play for except personal pride. Finishing, that's what I'm about."

The offense hasn't finished well the past two games, scoring just 12 points since Bruce Allen was named general manager Dec. 17. So Heyer, whose contract is expiring, knows Sunday could be his final game with Washington.

"It's an interview process," he said. "Every game is important. You gotta show that you can play."

Heyer blew out his left knee during two-a-days before what should have been his senior year at Maryland. He returned the next year and surprisingly made the Redskins in 2007. He missed time with a sprained shoulder last season - losing his job to right tackle predecessor Jon Jansen in the process - and hurt the knee again late in training camp this summer when Samuels rolled him up from behind. Heyer missed a couple of practices but was in the lineup for the opener. And he has been there every week.

Ever a realist, Heyer knows he hasn't had a stellar first full campaign.

"I think it's about average play," he said. "I've had my games here and there where I've played pretty well and had my games where I didn't play so well."

Bugel said Heyer has improved as he came to accept "hard coaching." Dockery has liked what he has seen from the 6-foot-6, 330-pound Georgian.

"Stephon has a lot of heart, and he has played pretty well on that knee," Dockery said. "He has the size. He has all the tools to be a really good tackle if he puts it all together."