Redskins’ O-line is walking wounded

By Joe Versage  |   Tuesday, October 16, 2007  |  Comments( 1 )

Washington Redskins
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Remember back in the preseason when Washington's Jason Campbell took a shot on the left knee from Pittsburgh defensive end Brett Keisel? For about 48 hours, the 2007 season hung in the balance for the Redskins, who cringed over the possibility of losing their young quarterback.

The injury, of course, was just a bruise and Campbell has returned to lead the 'Skins to a respectable 3-2 start since. But the underlying cause for the preseason scare was made clear. Two reserve linemen were responsible for protecting Campbell's blind side and both failed to do so.

A lack of quality depth was apparent then and continues to be a concern now for Washington. The Redskins were fortunate to get Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels back after he sustained a sprained knee in training camp. But since his return, the injury bug has spread and the rest of the line has been shuffled like a deck of cards.

It all started with season-ending injuries to right tackle Jon Jansen (fractured ankle) and right guard Randy Thomas (torn triceps). After Sunday's 17-14 loss in Green Bay, Washington's line was bordering on critical. Three more injuries occurred against the Packers, and the Redskins' weakness became a glaring one.

At Lambeau Field, Washington's coaching staff had no choice but to put fate back in the hands of Mike Pucillo and undrafted free-agent rookie Stephon Heyer. Both were responsible for Campbell's close call in the exhibition season and only one was left standing in Green Bay.

During the contest, Pucillo replaced starting center Casey Rabach, who sustained a groin injury. Meanwhile, Heyer substituted for right tackle Todd Wade, who also suffered a groin pull. Unfortunately for Wade, he had to suck it up and return to the game when Heyer pulled his hamstring. According to the coaching staff, there was nobody left on the active roster to play at that point, which explains why Wade was forced to play hurt.

The scenario has left the 'Skins scurrying for help, just days before Sunday's home contest with Arizona. On Monday, the staff discussed various options, which included signing linemen off the street.

"We need to take a look at everything there and try to make the best decision," head coach Joe Gibbs said. "I'm hoping that several of them will be able to bounce back and play."

If not, Washington will revert to its limited list of alternatives. One option is to replace Wade with starting guard Jason Fabini, whose natural position is tackle. Gibbs could then replace Fabini with seven-year veteran Rick DeMulling, who was signed last month.

Choosing a volunteer to man the offensive line is also possible. One player being considered is defensive tackle Lorenzo Alexander, who was a member of Washington's practice squad last year. At 6-foot-1, 300 pounds, he has the size, strength and instincts to hold his own. But Alexander has never played on the offensive side of the ball.

The Redskins are not the only team playing Russian roulette along the offensive line. Just down the road from the nation's capital, Baltimore is in dire straits, with three rookies in its starting lineup. Like most teams with injuries, the Ravens have turned to players whom they have nurtured from the draft. Unfortunately, Washington does not have that luxury.

Over the past few offseasons, the Redskins have done little to address their depth on the offensive line. In the seven drafts since owner Daniel Snyder bought the team, in fact, Washington has selected just seven linemen, and Samuels is the only one that remains.

Meanwhile, Snyder has let go of a number of talented lineman to address other needs. This past offseason, he didn't match Buffalo's seven-year, $49 million offer to unrestricted free agent Derrick Dockery, and instead concentrated on upgrading a defense that ranked 31st a year ago. While veteran additions such as London Fletcher-Baker have paid dividends, Dockery has been missed. Instead of creating holes for Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts, he is now clearing a path to the end zone for Bills rookie running back Marshawn Lynch.

The NFL's trade deadline came and went on Tuesday without a whimper from Washington. Instead the Redskins will rely on a patch-work group of men, many of whom will play out of position, if they play at all.

"That's what you get paid for -- to be versatile and step in where needed," Pucillo told reporters on Monday. "A lot of the guys have been together for a while. We've all been around the league for a while, so I think we'll be fine."

They will have to be for the Redskins to remain above .500. With the bye week behind them, there's no rest for Washington's weary, and the schedule gets tougher over the next few weeks. After Sunday's contest at FedEx Field, the team plays four of its next five games on the road, including an Oct. 28 tilt at New England and a Nov. 18 showdown in Dallas.

Snyder may have an up-and-coming quarterback in Campbell. But by season's end, he could be battered and bruised, if he's upright at all.


'Skins Notes:

Washington did make a couple of transactions Tuesday, but they involved practice squad players. The team signed free-agent offensive tackles Kevin Sampson and Calvin Armstrong. The 6-4, 312-pound Sampson went to Syracuse and was drafted in the seventh round by Kansas City in 2004. Plagued by injuries throughout his career, he has played in 16 games, with seven starts. Armstrong (6-7, 320) played his college ball at Washington State and was drafted by Philadelphia two years ago. He tried out for the Redskins this past offseason but was one of the team's finals cuts on Sept. 1. To make room for its new players, Washington released fullback Brian Bell and 2006 seventh-round draft pick Kili Lefotu, who played guard at the University of Arizona and was selected with the 230th overall choice.
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About Joe Versage

As a native of upstate New York and a life-long fan of the Buffalo Bills, I have witnessed some of the greatest highs and greatest lows an NFL team can endure. But despite a gut-wrenching 4 consecutive Super Bowl defeats, I never lost faith in the Bills and was fortunate to cover them for 3 years ...
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