[CRedskinsRule]

Excellent, well thought out thread.

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

There have been recent concerns about our offensive line given the recent cuts and of course what happened at the end of last season. I wanted to start a discussion about the offensive line, its depth, and to take a closer look our 2nd string offensive line (which I knew little about). Also I wanted to ask some general questions for discussion regarding this topic.

Our 2nd string line according to the depth chart in Redskins.com (I know it is probably not the final depth chart, but I had to start somewhere). I also threw some "pros" about these guys (since we can all come up with cons).


(LT) D'Anthony Batiste 6'4"/314lbs/age 27/3rd yr. Started 4 games at guard; has had stints with Dallas and Carolina.

(LG) Edwin Williams 6'3"/315lbs/age 22/Rookie. 3-yr starter at UMD/1st team All-ACC in 2008; can play guard and center.

(C) Will Montgomery 6'3"/305lbs/age 23/3rd yr. Has played 13 games, 6 as starter (as a rookie played 6 games, started 4 games with Panthers).

(RG) Chad Rinehart 6'5"/310lbs/age 24/2nd yr. Got a lot of reps during training camp in R. Thomas' absence, and has played with 1st-team o-line this preseason.

(RT) Mike Williams 6'6"/337lbs/age 29/5 yrs. Praised by coaching staff in his run blocking.

It's good that they are all over 300lbs, and all under 30. I think MWilliams is really the only boom/bust scenario, and with the efforts he has made not only with his weight and body, but with his technique and training, it's worth taking the shot with him. Batiste still worries me, I didn't see a lot on the field, but as you point out, the coaches see so much more and work with the guys so hopefully their call is correct.

The best case scenario is of course that none of these guys see the field as starters. If one were to start, who would you pick? Do you think that one of these guys playing with the starters would be a big drop off in production?

For the guard spot, Rhinehart is obviously qualified. He played a lot of first team snaps while Thomas was out, and seemed to hold up well.

Center is solid I believe with Montgomery

Tackles - fountain of youth would be nice for Samuels. I don't think any one of these guys steps in and steps up, so both running and passing will decline. But not many teams have a probowl left tackle backing up a probowl left tackle, so you do what you can to minimize wear and tear. If we have a safe lead going into 4th quarters, I would pull him out every chance I could.
as for RT, I think Williams will have to fill in (maybe Batiste on obvious passing downs).

A lot of people are criticizing the team for not having enough depth in the 2nd team. I am curious to know what people would respond to the following questions:

- Buges (of course) has an opinion on the decision of who stays with the team and makes the roster in regards to the o-line. With that in mind, is his decision to keep these guys as the 2nd team should be a cause of concern on his ability to judge talent?

I like Buges, but if the backups can't hold their own again this year, I think he has to take the lion share of blame. He has been outspoken in his praise of all the line, especially Rabach. And I think he knows he needs a backup LT, but hasn't made his case well enough to get the right player(LJ) in here.

- Would the team cut a guy like Bridges, if Buges would have wanted to keep him? If not, what would you say at the possibility that Buges picked these guys over Bridges?

If a position coach wants one player over another, and money isn't a deciding factor - I don't imagine it would be in Bridges case- then he ought to get who he wants. I think this is the line and backups Buges wanted, he will be responsible for the unit's cohesive play this year. I am not saying individual players are not held accountable obviously once on the field each player has to stand on his own merit BUT Buges put these lines together and he has been in the league long enough to know where his responsibility starts and ends

- Realisticly, what type of player would add better depth to this group?

the only type of player would be a left guard of proven caliber- not too worried about injury history, as the goal would be to get up to 3 good games from the player so as to give Samuels a true healing opportunity. I think Samuels was rushed back several times last year in the hopes he was good to go. When/if he gets hurt, it would be nice for the line to function well enough that he can heal "fully"

- Do you think that having a guy like Michael Oher instead of Batiste or Williams (and having the rest of the back ups the same) would solve any depth concerns?

Oher would have stepped in at RT, this would have let Heyer focus on backing up Samuels. I would have been content.

- This entire 2nd string line is under 30 years old...is this a good thing because they are infusing youth or a bad thing because they lack experience.

Great thing. Our line should have an excellent opportunity to grow and create a cohesive unit. This is a very big positive to me.

Again excellent thread, well thought out points and great questions.
Thanks Ruhskins.