Skins developing youth and depth along offensive line

By David Murray  |   Monday, June 12, 2006  |  Comments( 1 )

Washington Redskins
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The Washington Redskins made quite a splash in the offseason free agent market when they signed big play wide receivers Brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randle El. With stars like Santana Moss, emerging tight end Chris Cooley, running back Clinton Portis and veteran quarterback Mark Brunell already in the fold, all of the pieces for a high powered offense seemed to be in place.

But are they really? Let's take a look. The offensive line did a tremendous job in 2005 protecting the gimpy Brunell and opening big holes for the explosive Portis. But when right guard Randy Thomas went down, the Redskins season seemed to go down with him. The Skins had no choice but to turn to the venerable Ray Brown and undersized backup center Cory Raymer for help filling in, but both were also banged up and hurting, and neither was able to adequately man the void and the Skins amazing playoff run abruptly ended.

During the offseason, Brown retired and Raymer was released in a cap-saving move. But if anybody thought the Skins would rush to sign a big name free agent or make an offensive lineman a priority in the draft they were mistaken. If anybody can sift out offensive line talent it is Joe Gibbs and the legendary Boss Hog himself, Joe Bugel. And perhaps the best example of all time is Joe Jacoby, an undrafted free agent who became one of the original Hogs.

Quietly the Redskins have stockpiled a talented group of young centers and guards to take to camp including 7th round draft pick Kili Lefotu from Arizona, free agent guard Jim Jones, a two year vet from Notre Dame who came from Pittsburgh, Mike Pucillo, who started six games for the Browns last season, and Tyson Walter, who came over from the Texans.

The only backup tackles on the roster at this point are unproven Jim Molinaro, a three year vet from Notre Dame who saw action in only three games last season and undrafted rookie Jon Alston out of South Carolina. Although he has the size to play outside and has seen some action at tackle, Lefotu played primarily at right guard at Arizona. Perhaps this is an indication that should something happen to either Jon Jansen or Chris Samuels, Gibbs and Bugel might then move big left guard Derrick Dockery outside and plug in one of the new faces in his place inside. Knowing Gibbs and Bugel, they will be prepared for any eventuality.

The starting five are tough and talented, and collectively as good as any group of offensive linemen in the NFL. But over the course of the grueling 16-game season, guys get banged up, nicks add up, or worse. Depth becomes an issue, like it or not. Injuries are a part of the game. Last season the Skins came up a little short, when it counted the most, but this offseason they have added plenty of size and a healthy dose of youth to the offensive line. Things will become clearer in the upcoming minicamp, but it seems apparent that the Skins are determined to avoid getting caught shorthanded along the offensive line again this season, especially during the playoffs.

Get more insight on the Washington Redskins offensive line at Realfootball365.com
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