After the Redskins rookie minicamp two weeks ago we knew that Josh LeRibeus was going to be called on to play center. What we learned today was that he will learn to be a jack of all trades in the middle of the offensive line.
The third-round draft pick out of SMU has been busy and he is going to continue to be. At today’s OTA at Redskins Park he lined up at right guard, left guard, and center.
It is not unusual for a player to learn all three interior line positions. It is unusual for a player to be asked to learn all three of those positions before he has signed his first professional contract.
According to LeRibeus, knowing center is the key to learning the guard spots. “I like the fact that they have me at center because I’m sitting there and I know all the calls now,” he said. “So just from that point of view when you play guard it makes the transition easier.”
Learning the three positions at the same time isn’t the only adjustment that LeRibeus is making. The Mustangs ran a man blocking scheme so he is learning the Redskins way, which is zone blocking. He said that the difference is “huge, especially when it comes to pass blocking.”
As with many NFL teams, the SMU linemen had assignments. “You call you guy [to block], that’s your guy,” he said.
“The slide blocking [used by the Redskins] is something we never used.”
LeRibeus seems to be figuring it out. He got a lot of reps during 11 on 11 drills and seems to be making the most of his opportunities.
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