Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[url=http://www.redskins.com/gen/articles/Redskins_Add_Hicks_to_O_Line_107773.jsp]Redskins Add Hicks to O-Line[/url]


Redskins signed Artis Hicks from Minnesota. Sounds decent - has played on some good lines.

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[quote=tryfuhl;670615]Hey guys we haven't really signed a solid LT, maybe we're drafting one.

Just for you guys freaking out.[/quote]

Yeah, I think we're basically looking at a few people rigt now that may be able to perform a specific role. We realize there's not a lot out there, we knew that going in, so it's not like we are hard pressed to do anything at this point.

People are getting all excited and this is just early March and we wont play a game until Sept...that's six month's to get where we want to go as far as the roster is concerned. Plus we're not going to fix a 4-12 team in two days of free agency, we still have the draft next month to address a few specific needs, teams are going to make cuts and there'll be the UDFA's. We will still have options....

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

I think they may be looking to next year also. If the Owners get what they want, each team will have like 20 million less that they can spend. Believe it or not, I think the Redskins have a low payrol now. Last year, the Redskins were one of the lowest payed teams in the NFL. I saw this on the NFL network. It was in terms of actual money payed to players. Most of our money was air money that was charged against dead cap.

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

wELL I guess Pashos was only considered a back up. The Browns signed him for 10.3 million, for three years. That is alot less than we signed Hicks for. We were aparentley offerering alot less.

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[quote=T.O.Killa;670784]wELL I guess Pashos was only considered a back up. The Browns signed him for 10.3 million, for three years. That is alot less than we signed Hicks for. We were aparentley offerering alot less.[/quote]

RI reported that hicks was up to 9mil w/3 mil guaranteed I'm pretty sure. Sounds like Hicks deal has incentives, which makes sense since he's a fill in guy that can play 4 positions. But Pashos is making more than Hicks in Cleveland.

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

Off the field, you're always running into people you've seen on TV. Sometimes it's players you've watched play for other schools. Others times, it's head coaches you see on the sidelines during games or watch them talking to the media. There are guys I've thought, "Wow, wouldn't it be awesome to play for him." And now, I'm sitting in the same room next to him. My first meeting with a team, it was the Redskins. I walk in, and there's Coach (Mike) Shanahan, waiting to ask me questions. That was pretty eye-opening about where I was and what was going on.

[url=http://www.sportingnews.com/college-football/article/2010-03-07/bryan-bulagas-draft-diary-youre-always-running-people-youve-seen]Bryan Bulaga's draft diary: 'You're always running into people you've seen on TV' - Bryan Bulaga, for Sporting News - College Football - Sporting News[/url]

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[url=http://www.sportingnews.com/college-football/article/2010-03-05/ncaa-denies-beaver-qbs-appeal-for-another-year]NCAA denies Beaver QB's appeal for another year - - College Football - Sporting News[/url] Looks like the NCAA hates Beavers too .... the NCAA really sucks :) How do you hate Beaver ?????

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[quote=SmootSmack;670828]Off the field, you're always running into people you've seen on TV. Sometimes it's players you've watched play for other schools. Others times, it's head coaches you see on the sidelines during games or watch them talking to the media. There are guys I've thought, "Wow, wouldn't it be awesome to play for him." And now, I'm sitting in the same room next to him. My first meeting with a team, it was the Redskins. I walk in, and there's Coach (Mike) Shanahan, waiting to ask me questions. That was pretty eye-opening about where I was and what was going on.

[url=http://www.sportingnews.com/college-football/article/2010-03-07/bryan-bulagas-draft-diary-youre-always-running-people-youve-seen]Bryan Bulaga's draft diary: 'You're always running into people you've seen on TV' - Bryan Bulaga, for Sporting News - College Football - Sporting News[/url][/quote]

To late Smoot. I'm starting to come around on Anthony Davis. I think I'm starting to see what McShay saw in him.

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[quote=SmootSmack;670828]Off the field, you're always running into people you've seen on TV. Sometimes it's players you've watched play for other schools. Others times, it's head coaches you see on the sidelines during games or watch them talking to the media. There are guys I've thought, "Wow, wouldn't it be awesome to play for him." And now, I'm sitting in the same room next to him. My first meeting with a team, it was the Redskins. I walk in, and there's Coach (Mike) Shanahan, waiting to ask me questions. That was pretty eye-opening about where I was and what was going on.

[url=http://www.sportingnews.com/college-football/article/2010-03-07/bryan-bulagas-draft-diary-youre-always-running-people-youve-seen]Bryan Bulaga's draft diary: 'You're always running into people you've seen on TV' - Bryan Bulaga, for Sporting News - College Football - Sporting News[/url][/quote]

Pretty cool thing he shared.

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[quote=81forHOF;670683][url=http://www.redskins.com/gen/articles/Redskins_Add_Hicks_to_O_Line_107773.jsp]Redskins Add Hicks to O-Line[/url]


Redskins signed Artis Hicks from Minnesota. Sounds decent - has played on some good lines.[/quote]

Yeah, I'm glad they did this. There's no way they don't pick a LT this year. I say at # 4. Maybe trade down and get Davis and another G?

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[quote=Dirtbag359;670903]To late Smoot. I'm starting to come around on Anthony Davis. I think I'm starting to see what McShay saw in him.[/quote]

[url=http://www.thenibble.com/reviews/main/cereals/waffle-history4.asp]Waffle Types[/url] :)

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[quote=53Fan;670976][url=http://www.thenibble.com/reviews/main/cereals/waffle-history4.asp]Waffle Types[/url] :)[/quote]

You know it's getting harder and harder to find real maple syrup. I'm starting to warm up on Davis too.

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[quote=81forHOF;670683][URL="http://www.redskins.com/gen/articles/Redskins_Add_Hicks_to_O_Line_107773.jsp"]Redskins Add Hicks to O-Line[/URL]


Redskins signed Artis Hicks from Minnesota. Sounds decent - has played on some good lines.[/quote]

Solid pickup.


Funny enough, I have him on the Skins on my Madden franchise team. :D

Anyways, I wish PFT had not been wrong AGAIN and we had gotten Pashos as well. He went to the Browns.

We're also looking at 35 YO Barry Sims...fine for depth but we need youth on the line. He, like Hicks, can also play guard and tackle, so if we sign him for depth, it's a good move for the versatility.

PLEASE DRAFT OKUNG (or Trent Williams if Okung is off the board).

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

I was reading a breakdown on Davis and Okung and it mentioned that Davis was miserable at cut blocking, but he only had attempted it a couple of times. The rest of the zone stuff he was solid on. To me that's probably just something that needs coaching, but even in the pro level some guys get it and some don't.

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

Current OL
LT:
LG: D.Dockery, W.Montgomery
C: C.Rabach, E. Williams
RG: A.Hicks, K. Lichtensteiger
RT: S.Heyer, M. Williams

Other line players on the roster seem like camp fooder to me. But if we draft a lineman and send the second round to the ravens for Giather. I would be happy with that. Especially if we trade down and recoup the 2nd or 3rd rounder.

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[quote=diehardskin2982;671127]Current OL
LT:
LG: D.Dockery, W.Montgomery
C: C.Rabach, E. Williams
RG: A.Hicks, K. Lichtensteiger
RT: S.Heyer, M. Williams

Other line players on the roster seem like camp fooder to me. But if we draft a lineman and send the second round to the ravens for Giather. I would be happy with that. Especially if we trade down and recoup the 2nd or 3rd rounder.[/quote]

From that, we need both tackles and possibly a center upgrade if possible.

But, looking somewhat better already with Hicks and knowing we will likely draft tackles high this draft.

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

I think it'd be really satisfying to go offensive tackle with the first and second picks, but if we take a franchise LT at No. 4, we're going to have a vastly improved line no matter what we do with the rest of the draft, so I'd be satisfied just drafting a LT and going BPA in the second round.

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/08/colts-dump-starting-guard-ryan-lilja/]Colts dump starting guard Ryan Lilja | ProFootballTalk.com[/url]

I dont really know too much about Ryan Lilja, but i thought he was susposed to be one of the better olinemen the Colts have? Dont the Colts also have a similar zone blocking game Shanahan uses?

Not sure if someone from the Colts would want to sign with a team like ours, but if so do you think theres any chance we go after him?

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[quote=mlmpetert;671234][url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/08/colts-dump-starting-guard-ryan-lilja/]Colts dump starting guard Ryan Lilja | ProFootballTalk.com[/url]

I dont really know too much about Ryan Lilja, but i thought he was susposed to be one of the better olinemen the Colts have? Dont the Colts also have a similar zone blocking game Shanahan uses?

Not sure if someone from the Colts would want to sign with a team like ours, but if so do you think theres any chance we go after him?[/quote]

I'm confident that if he's trash we'll not sign him.

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

Bridges is available, but I'm not sure there's a need to bring him back

Rex Hadnot is out there too

[url=http://profootballfocus.com/by_position.php?tab=by_position&season=2009&pos=G&stype=r&runpass=&teamid=-1&numsnaps=25&numgames=1]ProFootballFocus.com - By Position[/url]

rated pretty decently, both lilja and hadnot

not sure about zone blocking for hadnot, but the colts are pretty much all zone right?

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[quote=tryfuhl;671245]Bridges is available, but I'm not sure there's a need to bring him back

Rex Hadnot is out there too

[url=http://profootballfocus.com/by_position.php?tab=by_position&season=2009&pos=G&stype=r&runpass=&teamid=-1&numsnaps=25&numgames=1]ProFootballFocus.com - By Position[/url]

rated pretty decently, both lilja and hadnot

not sure about zone blocking for hadnot, but the colts are pretty much all zone right?[/quote]

I think Rex Hadnot signed with the Browns. I just read this about the zone blocking they talk about the Colts block and the Broncos (in 2008) blocking as the same.

[url=http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2008/8/4/586288/zone-blocking-versus-man-b]Zone Blocking Versus Man Blocking & What it Means for the Arizona Cardinals - Revenge Of The Birds[/url]

Lilja could be interesting. I checked a Colts forum and they seem pretty pissed about cutting Lilja.

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

I wonder if Polian seriously believes his o-line failed Peyton Manning when Manning apparently came out clean as a whistle AND they ran for over 100 yds. Maybe he can go to the competition committee again and call for a ban of the 5-yd zone CBs can jam the WRs.

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

What about Gandy from Arizona.

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[quote=mlmpetert;671255]I think Rex Hadnot signed with the Browns. I just read this about the zone blocking they talk about the Colts block and the Broncos (in 2008) blocking as the same.

[url=http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2008/8/4/586288/zone-blocking-versus-man-b]Zone Blocking Versus Man Blocking & What it Means for the Arizona Cardinals - Revenge Of The Birds[/url]

Lilja could be interesting. I checked a Colts forum and they seem pretty pissed about cutting Lilja.[/quote]
he signed with the browns 2 years ago.. he had a visit to Denver I think recently

checked out some more stuff.. more of a power blocker

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[quote=tryfuhl;671288]he signed with the browns 2 years ago.. he had a visit to Denver I think recently

checked out some more stuff.. more of a power blocker[/quote]
I am thinking that they may have considered him to small. He is 6-2 290.

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

Ok Lilja is the best FA lineman available right now in.

He would make our line instantly better. He would easily win the starting job.

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[quote=artmonkforhallofamein07;671314]Ok Lilja is the best FA lineman available right now in fa.

He would make our line instantly better. He would easily win the starting job.[/quote]

Not if Big Mike eats him first!!!

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

He is only 28 and a starter for the AFC champs. I honestly don't know why the colts let him go. He is good and needs to be in Ashburn right now.

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

Somebody get Allen his number! :)

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[quote=artmonkforhallofamein07;671317]He is only 28 and a starter for the AFC champs. I honestly don't know why the colts let him go. He is good and needs to be in Ashburn right now.[/quote]


Do you think that Bruce and Shanny's Ouija board is named Vinny?

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

^^lol^^

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

The funny thing is the Colts [B]resigned[/B] Lilja in 2008 to a 5 year 20 mil. contract. They must have liked him at the time.

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[quote=T.O.Killa;671292]I am thinking that they may have considered him to small. He is 6-2 290.[/quote]

320 I think, reported to be a bit sluggish

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[quote=53Fan;671332]The funny thing is the Colts [B]resigned[/B] Lilja in 2008 to a 5 year 20 mil. contract. They must have liked him at the time.[/quote]

before he got hurt yeah

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[QUOTE][URL="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/07/AR2010030702916.html"]washingtonpost.com[/URL]

[B]Redskins focus on offensive line help[/B]
[I]By Rick Maese and Jason Reid
Washington Post Staff Writers
Monday, March 8, 2010
[/I]

With the ink now dry on their first contract of the free agency season with a player who spent last season on another team's roster, the Redskins will host a series of meetings this week to address the myriad roster needs remaining.

The team has at least two visits scheduled Monday with free agents who could bolster the ranks on both sides of the ball. Veteran running back Willie Parker is expected to meet with team officials, as is his former Pittsburgh teammate, linebacker Larry Foote.

[B]Washington has been relatively quiet since free agency began Friday. The Redskins have hosted at least four offensive linemen but have only signed Artis Hicks. The versatile Hicks, who agreed to a three-year deal Saturday evening, could challenge for the team's starting right guard slot.[/B]

Hicks entered the league as a left tackle. He only reluctantly learned to play left guard, then right guard and right tackle in an attempt to improve and extend his career. And after eight seasons in the NFL, Hicks believes he made a wise move.

"You can't win in this league if you don't have a good offensive line, and not only a good offensive line, you've got to have a good offensive line that has good depth," Hicks said. "You have to have guys who can step in and play a lot of different positions and the line won't miss a beat.

"And I think that was one of the things that attracted them [the Redskins] to me, is that I can play four out of the five spots. They know that I can step in and keep things rolling right ahead, as well as be a starter in this league. My versatility . . . that's one of the things that's helped me play in this league for eight years now."

The offensive line is apparently a focal point for General Manager Bruce Allen and Coach Mike Shanahan. But left tackle Chad Clifton shunned the Redskins' offer and instead re-signed with Green Bay, and right tackle Tony Pashos left Washington Saturday night and a day later signed with Cleveland, reportedly a three-year contract for $10.3 million.

The Redskins are expected to continue searching for other possibilities for a line that was embattled and oft-injured a season ago. The team, though, has mostly avoided the big fish available in this year's free agency market. In fact, Parker and Foote would likely qualify as the biggest names to visit the team in these opening days of free agency.

Parker, 29, is a two-time Pro Bowler who has topped 1,000 rushing yards three times in his career, though not since 2007. He lost his starting job last season to Rashard Mendenhall.

Foote, meanwhile, could be a big part of the Redskins' anticipated transition to a defense that relies heavily on a 3-4 alignment.

Though he played last year in Detroit in the Lions' 4-3 defense, Foote played his first seven seasons in Pittsburgh's 3-4. With the Steelers, Foote played under Redskins linebackers coach Lou Spanos, a longtime Pittsburgh assistant.

If Foote gets out of Washington without a contract, he's expected to visit the Arizona Cardinals, who tried to sign Foote a year ago and need to find a replacement for Karlos Dansby, who signed Saturday with the Miami Dolphins.

Another challenge of switching to the 3-4 is finding the perfect nose tackle. The Redskins have scheduled a Tuesday visit with tackle Maake Kemoeatu, who was released last week by Carolina.

The 6-foot-5, 345-pound Kemoeatu had been a big force in the middle for the Panthers, but he missed all of last season after tearing his Achilles' tendon in training camp. His recovery hasn't gone smoothly -- the initial surgery went well but he later needed a second procedure -- and nearly eight months after the tear, Kemoeatu's not expected to be in football shape until training camp.

The Redskins are moving slowly as they build the roster, but the team is hoping Hicks was an important first step.
[B]
The Redskins need a left tackle and more depth at right tackle, and while Hicks, 31, could find time at each position, his best shot at playing time could be right guard. The team parted ways with veteran Randy Thomas last week, which created a vacancy there. Mike Williams, whom the team re-signed last week, is expected to provide the main competition for Hicks.[/B]

"If I get a chance to compete for that, I'll do my best to try to hold that spot," Hicks said. "But whatever my role is, man, I'll definitely accept it with open arms and try to make the most out of it, whatever it might be.

"You get a chance to come in and compete for a spot on a team that has a rich football tradition like the Redskins, that's always exciting. They've got a great coaching staff that they've just put together, so the pieces are starting to fall into place now." [/QUOTE]Hicks could be our starting RG and I think he'll do well there, so we need to go after two tackles in the draft...high picks.

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

Just saw Rick Maese tweet that the Redskins have offered Levi Jones a 1-year deal. Does anyone know anything about this? I wonder if he'd play RT? Any thoughts on this as a possible line:

LT: Okung
LG: Dock
C: Rabach
RG: Hicks
RT: Jones

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

I interpret this of the Redskins wanting to head into the draft with a starting five, thus not being forced to use any of their picks on the OL.

Obviously, it would be understood that an OL of: Levi Jones, Dockery, Rabach, Hicks, Mike Williams is pretty much the worst intentioned line in the history of the NFL. But right now, that's a line without a LT, which explains the one year contract to Levi Jones, who is the very definition of a stopgap.

I'll say this: a one year contract from this front office is not worth much in terms of job security.

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[quote=GTripp0012;671856]I interpret this of the Redskins wanting to head into the draft with a starting five, thus not being forced to use any of their picks on the OL.

Obviously, it would be understood that an OL of: Levi Jones, Dockery, Rabach, Hicks, Mike Williams is pretty much the worst intentioned line in the history of the NFL. But right now, that's a line without a LT, which explains the one year contract to Levi Jones, who is the very definition of a stopgap.

I'll say this: a one year contract from this front office is not worth much in terms of job security.[/quote]

hmmm, I don't know.. does that mean we'd go line heavy next year?

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[quote=tryfuhl;671861]hmmm, I don't know.. does that mean we'd go line heavy next year?[/quote]Well, not if the line ends up being "fixed" this year.

If we don't go line heavy this year, it's hard to see us ever going with more than a pick or two on the line in a single draft. We're in dire straights (straits?) now. We won't be in quite as bad a position at this time next year.

It's my conclusion that if we went line heavy in this draft, we could win a whole bunch of games and make the postseason. But even if we miss the postseason in 2010, I think our line will be improved. I think Heyer will get better, I think Rabach will be a little less confused, and if nothing else, we won't be as injury riddled this year as we have been in the past. That should help.

Re: Time to Build an Offensive Line
 

[quote=tryfuhl;671861]hmmm, I don't know.. does that mean we'd go line heavy next year?[/quote]

Also, not committing long term to a free agent LT could mean that we are planning on drafting a player like Okung. But, that could be my wishful thinking.