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Unfortunately, we need some help at all three Interior line positions. Pete Kendall was arguably our best lineman this year, but he is a free agent. Rabach is DONE. he's finished as a starter. Randy Thomas is done too, but unlike Rabach, he has a ridiculous cap figure.
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I agree 100% about Kendall playing well, Terrel Davis even mentioned him as a pro-bowl snub AND Pete says that he wants to return.
While I wouldn't quite say that Rabach is done, i think that he struggles against some of the bigger NT/DT.
I sadly agree about Randy.
I think our line could use upgrades.
I look at the line issues from this vantage point:
Imagine that the Redskins can only upgrade 1 offensive line postion which postion would you pick?
My answer is
Center.
Nothing against Rabach. But, IMO the single greatest benefit to the overall line would happen if our Center could match up 1-1 with the likes of a NT/DT like Ratliff. When/if the center can hold their own the rest of the line improves automatically.
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Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat
....when you look back to the problems on our line this year, more often than ont, Campbell was getting pressured in the middle.
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I think that Kendall will still be effective at 1 Guard spot and i gotta believe that Rinehart will be at least as good as Thomas.(especially since Fabini filled in for Randy last year, after the whole Wade fiasco) Buges and the media raved about Rhino all training camp and preseason yet the kid didn't see a snap of game time.
I think Rinehart's playing time was a victim of Buges loyalty to his veterans. Rinehart is one of our few young lineman and IMO they should've put him in when Thomas was struggling and let him play. Rinehart has 'upside' we can watch him improve instead of wishing that our vets return to form while we watching their play decline.
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Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat
I know the chances of Heyer developing into a stud RT are slim to none.
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I don't know about this, Heyer played well last year as a rookie undrafted free agent inplace of an injured Jansen. Heyer seemed to improve each week
then beat out Jansen for the RT spot during training camp.
-If Buges still thinks that Jansen can play and all signs point to Heyer being better and not mention younger then Jansen, doesn't that mean that Heyer is at least a decent OT?
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OT is a need, for sure, but we can get by with Samuels on one side and Jansen/Heyer on the other for another year if we have an upgraded interior line.. .....
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Samuels when healthy is out best lineman. But it wouldn't hurt to have a young LT waiting in the wings.
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Having a solid interior line is a MUST
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And it starts with center.
My lineup if the Redskins only make 1 upgrade:
LT Samuels LG Rinehart C-*Rookie* RG-Rinehart RT- Heyer
WalterFootball.com: 2009 NFL Draft: Center Rankings
Alex Mack, California
Height: 6-5. Weight: 316.
Projected 40 Time: 5.13.
Projected Round (2009): 1.
Max Unger, Oregon
Height: 6-5. Weight: 300.
Projected 40 Time: 5.20.
Projected Round (2009): 1-2.
Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas
Height: 6-4. Weight: 314.
Projected 40 Time: 5.21.
Projected Round (2009): 2.
NFL Draft Scout Rankings has them ranked different and has none of them going in the 1st so we could even trade down from the 13th pick take another player and still land one of these guys in the 2nd round.
NFL Draft Scout Rankings, From Prep to Pro Coverage for Pros by Pros - Powered by the Sports Xchange