Rich Tandler's Real Redskins

Redskins a top-tier O-line?

If you asked Redskins fans how their team’s offensive line performed in 2011, most would say somewhere between “mediocre” and “a danger to the well being of anyone who tried to work behind it”. The unit was not considered to be a strength of the team going in and due to injuries and a suspension they were a patched together unit by the end of the year.

However, the folks at Football Outsiders disagree with the popular wisdom at least when it comes to run blocking. They have the Redskins 2011 line ranked 10^th in the NFL.

Go to the page on FO’s site for a full breakdown of how they calculate it but it’s based on yardage gained (or lost) by the running back that are the responsibility of the line. For example, if a running back breaks off a 60-yard run, the line only gets “credit” for the first 10 yards. Other factors including strength of opponents go into the calculation for Adjusted Line Yards.

The Redskins’ ALY per rushing attempt was 4.21. For comparison, the Saints had the best performance here with an average of 4.95 while the Titans were 32^nd at 3.39. The Packers were 16^th, right in the middle of the pack at 4.06.

The Redskins’ pass blocking performance wasn’t as good but it wasn’t awful either. They ranked 15 with an adjusted sack rate of 6.4 percent. Again, check the article for details but the bottom line is that while the line won’t make anyone forget the ’91 Hogs, Robert Griffin III isn’t going to go running for his life every other time he drops back, either.

 

Agent: Lichtensteiger will be 'ready to go' for the start of camp

By Tarik El-Bashir
CSNwashington.com 

The Redskins will have their starting left guard ready to go from the start of training camp.

Kory Lichtensteiger will be 100-percent recovered and ready to participate fully in drills when practice starts on July 26, his agent said Friday.

Lichtensteiger missed last season’s final 11 games after tearing the ACL and MCL in his right knee against the Eagles in October. At the time, the 27-year-old was enjoying his best season as a professional. 

Like many other Redskins recovering from injuries, Lichtensteiger was held out of 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills during minicamp last month at Redskins Park. Coach Mike Shanahan said the decision was made for precautionary reasons.

“He’s ready to go,” agent Rick Smith said by telephone. “That’s what we’re expecting.”

The return of Lichtensteiger means that the Redskins are likely to start the same five players along the offensive line as they did in the first five weeks of 2011. The Redskins were 3-1 and had given up just seven sacks before Lichtensteiger went out in the first quarter of the fifth game of the season against Philadelphia.

The interior offensive line never was quite right after Lichtensteiger went out. At first they moved starting center Will Montgomery over to left guard and inserted Erik Cook at center. That group gave up an embarrassing total of 10 sacks against the Bills in Week 8. 

The 53: OL starters look set, battles for reserve spots

The Redskins will report to training camp on July 25. Over the following five weeks they will undergo the process of cutting their 90-man roster down to 53. Which players will get those coveted spots and which will join the ranks of the unemployed? Over the next couple of weeks we’ll go through position by position and try to predict what decisions Mike Shanahan and company will make. 

So far we’ve covered the running backs, tight ends, quarterbacks, and wide receivers (see below for breakdowns). Today, it’s the offensive line

There are 16 offensive linemen on the roster, the Redskins will keep nine.

In: Trent Williams, Kory Lichtensteiger, Will Montgomery, Chris Chester, Jammal Brown, Willie Smith, Tyler Polumbus, Josh LeRibeus, Tom Compton
Out: Erik Cook, Grant Garner, Adam Gettis, Maurice Hurt, Nevin McCaskill, James Lee, Nick Martinez

Changes from 2011: OT Sean Locklear left as free agent (signed with NY Giants); Lee signed as a free agent, LeRibeus, Compton, Gettis selected in draft.

Breakdown

There are many out in Redskins Nation who are undoubtedly disappointed that it appears that the same five players who started the season opener on the offensive line last year will do the same this year. It appears that the only thing that will prevent that from happening is a setback in the recovery of Kory Lichtensteiger’s injured knee.

But the Redskins were 3-1 with that unit before things fell apart. And after the 10-sack Week 8 debacle in Toronto against the Bills things gelled for the reserves. The Redskins gave up an average of just two sacks a game in the last nine games of the season.

The pressure is on Williams to become a star. At the other tackle, the pressure is on Brown to stay healthy and stay on the field. If he can’t Smith or maybe even Compton could take his job as the year goes on. Lichtensteiger, Montgomery, and Chester aren’t threats to make the Pro Bowl but as long as they can plug up the middle on pass plays and get out to the next level on the stretch play they will be more than adequate.

It appears that two of the backup spots are set with Smith and Polumbus. Smith made the team as an undrafted rookie last year and started the last three games of the season at left tackle after Williams was suspended. He was far from dominant but he did show some promise. Polumbus started games at both left guard and right tackle last year and he is a valuable backup.

It seems like LeRibeus, the second player the Redskins drafted after RG3, quickly became a favorite of the coaches by diving in and learning both center and guard. Mike Shanahan has stressed versatility with his linemen and LeRibeus should earn a spot if he can master all three interior line spots, or at least become competent enough to fill in.

Compton is in on a hunch and by default as much as anything else. Hurt has been moved back to tackle after starting eight games at guard last year and he will need to show substantial improvement to get a roster spot. The same goes for Cook, who started two games at center. While it would be a mistake to completely write off either one of them, the Redskins may just want to start fresh and work with Compton.

If Compton demonstrates reasonable competence and potential it is hard to see him not staying over the 27-year-old James Lee, although the veteran does bring some experience as a starter with him. Compton would really have to fall on his face for the Redskins to keep Lee over him.

And it wouldn’t be a total shock for Gettis to make it over any of those four. He also is learning both guard and center and they could figure that they are set with Polumbus and Smith as the backup tackles and choose to develop him.

If Cook and Hurt do not make it, neither is eligible for the practice squad. Compton and Gettis are eligible along with McCaskill, Martinez, and Garner. The practice squad is probably the most that the latter three can hope for.

Projections to date (click for details and breakdown):

Running backs

In: Roy Helu Jr., Tim Hightower, Evan Royster, Darrell Young
Out: Tristan Davis, Alfred Morris, Antwon Bailey, Lennon Creer

Tight ends

In: Fred Davis, Niles Paul, Chris Cooley
Out: Logan Paulsen, Richard Quinn, Beau Reliford

Wide receivers

In: Anthony Armstrong, Pierre Garçon, Leonard Hankerson, Josh Morgan, Santana Moss, Aldrick Robinson
Out: Brandon Banks, Terrence Austin, Darius Hanks, Brian Hernandez, Lance Lewis, Samuel Kirkland

Quarterbacks

In: Robert Griffin III, Rex Grossman, Kirk Cousins
Out: Jonathan Crompton

 

Is yoga enough to cure Brown's hip problems?

Rich Campbell’s article on Jammal Brown last week contained an interesting revelation. His chronic hip problems have been caused in part by the way his feet point when he walks. Brown’s toes point outward and this creates some strain on his hips when he moves.

Earlier in his career, the condition did not bother him as he made two Pro Bowls with the Saints. But it appears to have caught up with him now and it has made it difficult for him to get healthy.

He has been trying to regain flexibility in his hips this offseason with a two-pronged approach. The team’s right tackle is taking yoga classes and he is trying to walk with his feet pointing straight ahead. 

There seems to be some promise in the yoga. However, it has been a challenge for Brown to try to change to change the way he walks.

“It feels real awkward,” Brown said. “I just catch myself during the day at the house. Any time I try to walk, I try to line my toes up.”

My friend @BurgundyBlog brought up a good point: “We're supposed to believe he's rejuvenated, but he's re-learning how to walk? I expect zero improvement out of him.”

A harsh assessment there but it’s hard to argue. Brown, 31, might be able to catch himself walking with his feet misaligned while strolling through his kitchen. But remembering to keep the toes pointed straight is much harder to do out on the practice field, much less when executing a play in front of a hostile crowd in the Superdome. 

The best hope seems to be that changing the way he walks is not critical to Brown being able to make it through the year in reasonably good health. Perhaps the yoga, which he is not doing as the team does OTA’s but plans to resume when the offseason program ends later this month, will be enough.

The Redskins hope that it is as the depth chart behind him is shaky. Willie Smith did an admirable job filling in for Brown and Trent Williams at various times last year but he may not be ready to be a full-time starter. Tyler Polumbus is better suited to a reserve/utility role and James Lee doesn’t seem to be starter material. Rookie Tom Compton probably needs a year or two of seasoning before being considered for meaningful action.

This will be a position to watch the rest off the offseason, through training camp, and into the season.

 

LeRibeus already learning three positions

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. 

 

In-depth chart: Offensive line

The Redskins’ 90-man offseason roster is set, at least for the time being. It’s time to take a look at who they have, who will start, and who will be around when the Sept. 9 opener in New Orleans rolls around.

We started the series earlier this week with a look at the offensive backs, today it’s the offensive lin. 

Tackles

Starters: Trent Williams (left), Jammal Brown (right)
Reserves: Willie Smith, Tyler Polumbus
Fighting for a job: James Lee, Tom Compton, Nick Martinez

Williams and Brown could be as strong as any starting tackle tandem in the division or they could be missing in action. Brown has had hip problems bothering him for both of his season with the Redskins. Mike Shanahan has said that he appears to be in great shape now but that could change in October or November. Williams needs to steer clear of a positive drug test to avoid a one-year suspension. Even if he does, he’s missed five starts in the past two years due to injuries so he will need a reliable fill in.

Smith was pretty good filling in for Williams when he was suspended last year but he is not the franchise left tackle the team will need in the long term. He could be Brown’s eventual replacement on the right side.

Polumbus is a utility reserve, he could play any line position but center in a pinch. His presence could allow them to keep the veteran Lee or the rookie draft pick Compton on the roster as he could “count” as both a guard and a tackle.

Guards

Starters: Kory Lichtensteiger (left), Chris Chester (right)
Reserves: Maurice Hurt, Josh LeRibeus
Fighting for a job: Adam Gettis, Nevin McCaskill

Lichtensteiger might not participate in OTA’s but a nine-month recovery period from his torn ACL and MCL should have him ready in time for the start of training camp. That will give Hurt and/or LeRibeus a chance to get some work in with the first unit.

Chester started to play better as the year went on as he adjusted to the zone scheme and he is a keeper, at least for the next couple of years. 

Hurt didn’t embarrass himself when he was plunged into the starting role in Week 9. It was an admirable performance by a player who went from rookie practice squad tackle to starting guard in a three-week span but that doesn’t mean that it was up to snuff. He’ll have to improve if he wants to stay around in the long term.

LeRibeus could end up being the backup center if the Redskins decide that the 6-6 Erik Cook is too tall to get the proper leverage to play in the middle. Gettis could make the 53-man roster or he could end on on the practice squad depending how fast LeRibeus can learn two NFL positions.

Center

Starter: Will Montgomery
Reserve: Open
Fighting for a job: Erik Cook, Grant Garner

Montgomery did not miss a snap last year, although he did play almost three games at left guard after Lichtensteiger went out. That was how long it took to see the Cook was struggling at center. Cook would have to show some vast improvement during training camp if they are going to give him another show as a backup.

Garner is a pretty good undrafted free agent pickup and he has a chance to stick on the practice squad, especially if LeRibeus and Gettis both make the 53-man roster.

Days until: OTA’s start 3; Minicamp 25; Preseason opener 83; Redskins @ Saints 114

Rich Tandler blogs about the Redskins at www.RealRedskins.com. You can reach him by email at RTandlerCSN@comcast.net and follow him on Twitter @Rich_Tandler. 

 

Hurt faces tough competition to make Redskins roster

Maurice Hurt was supposed to spend the 2011 season on the practice squad, honing his ability and learning the NFL game so that he could challenge for a backup tackle spot in 2012. If he couldn't make it, another year on the practice squad may have been in the cards for the 2011 seventh-round draft pick.

As they said in the old insurance commercials, life comes at you fast. After some injuries along the line, Hurt went from being a practice squad tackle to a starting left guard in a three-week period. 

For a seventh-round draft pick who made such a fast transition, Hurt didn’t play badly. But not completely embarrassing yourself is not a very high bar. 

It would seem that the coaching staff was not completely enamored with his performance. They drafted one player at his old position, sixth-round tackle Tom Compton. And they took two players at his new position, drafting guards Josh LeRibeus in the third round and Adam Gettis in the fifth.

Further putting a squeeze on Hurt is the fact that LeRibeus played center during the team’s recent rookie minicamp and Gettis could be flexible along the interior line as well. 

Mike Shanahan likes players who can play in multiple positions. “Anybody that comes in, if you dress seven guys or eight guys, that whoever that six is you’ve got to play center and guard and you have to play it well,” he said of LeRibeus lining up at center. “So that is a big plus.”

The flip side of that is that being able to play only one position would be a big minus. The Redskins have Hurt listed as a guard on their roster. Can he master the tackle position and still be able to contribute at guard?

He could be on the practice squad as he was on the 45-man roster for eight games, the maximum number of games a player can be active and maintain eligibility for the PS. But that would be quite a step down.

Hurt will be up against a numbers game. He’ll be competing against the three draft picks, free agent signee James Lee, and holdovers Erik Cook, Tyler Polumbus, and Willie Smith for four or five spots. The more Hurt can do, the better his chances sticking will be.

 

Rookie preview: Josh Leribeus

Josh LeRibeus

Guard

SMU
Picked by Redskins in 3^rd round (71 overall)
6-3, 312

The need: The Redskins found themselves scrambling last October after left guard Kory Lichtensteiger went out for the year with a torn ACL and MCL in the fifth game of the season. First they tried Erik Cook at center and moved Will Montgomery over to guard. When that didn’t work, rookie tackle Maurice Hurt was inserted into Lichtensteiger’s spot. That was better but far from ideal. By drafting LeRibeus and Adam Gettis, the Redskins hope to have serviceable depth in the short term and perhaps a starter in the long term.

The fit: LeRibeus is not as athletic as the prototypical Shanahan offensive lineman. He generally looks for linemen who run the 40 in the 5.0-second range. LeRibeus ran it in 5.37 at the combine. Still, he has both a good motor and a nasty streak and he generally finds a way to get his man blocked. He also practiced as the backup center at SMU and Shanahan has said that position flexibility will help players make the team. 

The depth chart: Lichtensteiger will be back, but probably not until training camp. That will leave an opening for someone, perhaps LeRibeus, to get extra work at left guard during OTA’s. Montgomery appears to be set at center and Chris Chester did not miss a snap at right guard last year. LeRibeus will compete with Hurt, Gettis, and Cook for reserve spots in the interior of the line.

LeRibeus’ upside: It would be surprising if LeRibeus is not starting at either guard or center within a couple of years. He is not going to be on anyone’s Pro Bowl ballot but he could be a solid long-term starter.

Shanahan on LeRibeus: “Here’s a guy that has pretty good size, does have quickness, plays the center or guard position, has the ability to play both, [and is] extremely bright. We’re very happy to get him.”

LeRibeus on LeRibeus: (on blocking scheme at SMU and how he likes the zone) “Man, it was more of a man-blocking scheme. More of a two-point [stance], two-point all the time actually.” (zone) “Oh, I love it. We did a lot of it in the Shrine game. Definitely feels more at home . . . The three-point stance is just exploding off of the ball. [It’s] definitely something I feel more comfortable with.”

Previously:

•  G Adam Gettis
•  T Tom Compton
• S Jordan Bernstine

 

Williams in program but is not changing his ways

Redskins tackle Trent Williams raised some eyebrows yesterday when he said that he did not intend to make any changes to his lifestyle in the wake of last year’s four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

When asked about changing his ways, Williams said that he did not plan to do so.

“We’re dealing with the program,” he said. “They take certain amount of measures to make sure it doesn’t occur again. But not really.”

Given another chance to say he was going to alter his lifestyle to help ensure that the “measures” will be effective, he simply replied, “Nah.”

Williams’ responses have left some feeling less than confident that he will be able to avoid testing positive again. Such a result would lead to a one-year suspension for the Redskins’ starting left tackle.

On the one hand, it would be nice if Williams stayed home and watched TV and played video games every night. But it just isn’t realistic to expect any 23-year-old man to do that, especially one who happens to be a millionaire. Since he is going to go out at night all the team can do is hope that the program works and that Williams is able to make good decisions.

Williams’ future, and, to an extent, that of the franchise, rests on his ability to do so.

 

Rookie preview: Tom Compton

Tom Compton

 

Tackle
South Dakota
6-9, 310

The need: Starting tackle Jammal Brown has been dealing with an injured hip ever since he came to the Redskins in 2010. Mike Shanahan has said that he seems to be better this year but that remains to be seen. In any case, an eventual replacement is needed for the 31-year-old Brown. Willie Smith did a nice job filling in for both Brown and Trent Williams last year and it is possible that he and Compton will compete for Browns job next year or, at the latest, in 2014. 

The fit: Compton is smart, quick and athletic, just the way you draw up a zone blocking O-lineman on the board. At 310 lb., he is not going to overpower anyone but he uses his quickness and intelligence to make blocks in the second level. 

The depth chart: Trent Williams is the starter at left tackle and, as noted above, Brown is the starter on the right side. Smith filled in for both last year and Tyler Polumbus also played some games there. Polumbus is a utility lineman so Compton might have to bump Smith if he is going to remain on the 53-man roster.

Compton’s upside: It seems doubtful that Compton could start this year except in the event of a rash in injuries. But, as noted above, he could get himself in position to compete with Smith for Browns job either next year or the year after. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Compton spend all or part of 2012 on the practice squad. 

Shanahan on Compton: [He’s] got great speed, quickness, what we look for in our tackle. [He] did a great job in all his agility drills as well as his 40-yard dash. We think he gives us some flexibility to play both sides.

Compton on Compton: (on playing either side of the line) I am comfortable on either side. It’s one of those things that it doesn’t really matter to me. I was hoping that it would add some value to me because I am pretty versatile throughout the line.”

Previously:

• G Adam Gettis