The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

The offensive line looked less than spectacular in their first preseason outing against the Titans. Jon Jansen looked slow in pass protection and overmatched in run blocking. Quite simply, Jansen does not look like the "Rock" we knew in the years prior to 2004. Todd Wade looked exactly like a career RT who looked awkward playing guard and had serious problems with Albert "Turdfoot" Haynesworth. As a unit, nothing quite came together - Jason Campbell was under pressure throughout the first half and the line opened few, if any, sizeable running lanes.

So, my question is, should we be worried about the offensive line? Granted, it was just a preseason game and Chris Samuels was held out. Nevertheless, I think the line presents the biggest question mark for our offense given last night's performance.

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

There should definitely be some concern. Wade was a huge question mark already, but Jansen looks like he just hasn't been the same for a couple years now. Injuries have happened, but he just doesn't seem like he's been playing at a high level. Todd Wade followed by Jon Jansen have me very concerned.

Granted, I think that the rookie at Tackle played okay. So that's a positive

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

Too early. It's just the first game. It's a matter of taking what we saw in this game and improving in the next. I'd say if the O-line looks the same in the second and third games, then there may be some cause for concern.

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

Bugel will fix them. Have faith.

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

Well, I'm torn. As I've said in another thread, I don't think it's time to panic, but if we come out vs. the Steelers like we did yestersay, then it's time to worry. And I don't care what Gibbs and Bugel say or how they spin it.

The two hits Campbell took, were blown assignments. It seems like the line is missing rudimentary stuff at this point. I don't think it's time to panic, but it's not anything to blow off either.

We need Samuels, and I hate to be the one to say this or bring up, but you have to wonder if letting Dock go cost us in terms of progress or continuity. We can go back and forth all day about whether he was worth that fat contract, but let's hope hindsight doesn't bite us in the ass.

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

It's way to early to speculate at this point. It's week one in the damn pre-season for cryin out loud.

IMO, they will inprove each week!

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

I think this could be our flaw this year. The loss of Dock, injury to Samuels, and the addition of patchwork Wade really may hurt us.

I'm very relieved we've got a semi mobile quarterback who may be able to compensate for some of the pressure. If we don't have a running game, we don't have an offense. We need Samuels healthy... soon.

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

I think there is room for concern. Unabated hits on the quarterback are very bad to see even in the first preseason game.

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

alittle, but way too early. plus alot of people really under estimate how good Samuels is

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

Honestly I'm less worried about personnel than I am about schemes. Aside from run blocking, the pressure put on Campbell was generally looking like blown assignments.

This is what I hate about preseason. You don't know what blocking schemes were put in and how they wanted to evaluate players, so I don't know whether to be worried or not.

Cooley in blocking the whole night? And on Jansen's side? Weird.

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

It could be a concern, but I believe once we get Samuels back (hopefully healthy,) then we'll know more about whether if we should panic or not. Remember, one of those sacks on Campbell was more of the WR's fault than the offensive line.

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

[quote=12thMan;339512]Well, I'm torn. As I've said in another thread, I don't think it's time to panic, but if we come out vs. the Steelers like we did yestersay, then it's time to worry. And I don't care what Gibbs and Bugel say or how they spin it.

The two hits Campbell took, were blown assignments. It seems like the line is missing rudimentary stuff at this point. I don't think it's time to panic, but it's not anything to blow off either.

We need Samuels, and I hate to be the one to say this or bring up, but you have to wonder if letting Dock go cost us in terms of progress or continuity. We can go back and forth all day about whether he was worth that fat contract, but let's hope hindsight doesn't bite us in the ass.[/quote]

Totally agree 12th, if they look just as bad against the Steelers, we need to be worried. Samuels probably is going to be less than 100% all season also, so that has to be taken into account. I guess the Lions really spoiled me Wed night, they were very sharp at both ends of the ball. Cincy was pretty sharp also, but didn't have the depth at QB as the Lions seem to now. Dallas was very sharp as well. Was looking forward to the Philly Mon night game, but now Donovan isn't going to play we aren't going to get any feel for how they are doing.

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

Well it is only the first game of the preseason, we didn't have Chris Samuels, Thomas just came off injury, and Wade is still getting used to playing the guard position. Just like DynamiteRave said, if the line looks like this the rest of the preseason, then we definitely have some cause for concern.

Although, the two times Campbell got sacked and fumbled the Titans were blitzing and it was not just down-lineman. It looked just like blown assignments where a wide receiver or tight end missed a chip and didn't stop the blitzing corner or linebacker from getting to the qb. This is something that will be viewed in the film-room and worked on. It'll have to improve if we want to look better against the Steelers next weekend.

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

And I remember correctly, there were NO RBs in blocking for him.

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

I'm a little worried, but I hope once Samuels gets back in there things will get better. The rook played decent at left tackle, but Todd Wade clearly still needs to adjust to being a guard, and idk wtf was wrong with Jansen but he better fix it soon.

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

[quote=mooby;339530]I'm a little worried, but I hope once Samuels gets back in there things will get better. The rook played decent at left tackle, but Todd Wade clearly still needs to adjust to being a guard, and idk wtf was wrong with Jansen but he better fix it soon.[/quote]

JJ flat out had a BAD game! Get it out now. No worries, all will work out its very early. When CS gets back, the #1 & #2 RB's get healthy and Wade adjusts to his new spot we will be fine.

I look for improvements this week against Pitt.

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

I guess I feel some sympathy with what Thomas Boswell said in the Post after the game--last year, preseason really did show us exactly what the problems would be. So if we're having O-line troubles now, we should be a bit concerned.

But obviously without Samuels, and with Wade's adjustment, we should expect some rough spots. My main worry is over Samuels health, more than anything. If he gets back healthy, things will be fine, IMO.


[url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/12/AR2007081200012.html]washingtonpost.com[/url]

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

I was worried throughout the game. The starters & the backups both got beat a lot.

I never really liked putting Wade at guard, I think he'll eventually be needed at tackle. I'd hoped that we could get somebody else to step in, like Whitticker, but now that's not an option. Fabini looks like he's way past his prime & Jansen is no spring chicken. I would bet that Wade could beat out Jansen for the starting spot if they weren't putting him at LG.

It's just one preseason game, but it's a big deal when your franchise qb gets nailed a couple times. I agree that we'll need to see how they respond next week before we panic. If they don't make a big improvement I'd be concerned.

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

too early, no samuels, 1st year rookie making his 1st start against 1st teamers too.

jansen screwed up more than wade though, which is a bit irksome...

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

Yes there should be SOME concern...but its too early to tell. It was the first time this line ever worked together in a live game, they had a rookie in as a tackle, Wade is getting used to his position, I'm not shaking yet....

The one thing that does worry me a bit is Jansen...I dont think he's been the same since the Achillies injury to be completley honest. I love the guy, but I do get worried when he has to go one on one with pro bowl caliber defensive ends.

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

Jansen is plays hard, and he's one of the team leaders, so Gibbs will stick by him to the end, no doubt. Let's hope that he picks it up--he was spotty last year some, as I recall it.

Who's out there at guard FA (for the vet min, of course ;) )?

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

We recently ([URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2756542"]In February[/URL]) signed Jon Jansen to a 5 year, 23 million extension.

You think the Front Office would know that he has some good years left in him (i Hope)

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

I thought the first team OL looked rusty if anything. One of the sacks/fumbles was a CB blitz that no one picked up and the other was a deep drop that I think JC over dropped on because both tackles played their guys to the same depth and magically there was JC. Also it seemed the passing game just looked cranky. We didn't see a whole lot of JC dropping back planting and throwing. He was always dropping back and the progessing. I don't think he threw to his number 1 very often. Alwyas a check down. When the passing games clicks a little more the pass protection will look a lot better. It wasn't so bad as too destroy the passing game. Heyer made the coaches look smart though. He looked like an NFL tackle alright.

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On the line, I'm not worried about the left side... yet. Samuels will be the LT, and obviously he can come right back and play very well. I think Wade will have time to get used to his new position. The thing that sucks is Wade and Samuels won't have much chance to get used to one another, so that could be an issue early in the season.

I thought Randy Thomas and Casey Rabach were fine. I'm worried about Jansen though. It's unusual for him to get torched like that. Hopefully it was just one down game, but I've got my eye on that spot, for sure.

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

It's a combo of too early to tell, and Samuels being out.

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It was the first game of the stinkin preseason for crying out loud! Of course I'm not worried about the line. If they look like that come week one of the regular season, then we can worry. Folks, just enjoy the fact that football is back!

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I felt Campbell may have held the ball a little too long. Anybody count the seconds he held it?

And I'm somewhat worried about both the rook and JJ. We'll see how it goes.

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Well we seem to forget one thing, perhaps losing Derrick Dockery is big hit to O-line than we thought it wld.. I know he is just guard but obviously working tog really creates good chemistry which makes each other to feel completely comfortable because they wld know each other's weakness and help each other.. Maybe that is the case??

I can't really say anything cuz I never played as o-line in my whole life.. Only close I got is being running back..

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

jansen is a warrior, but he hasnt been the same since the HOF game in 2004. That the reason he should have moved to guard and kept wade at right tackel. Hopefully wade will work out but at 6'8 that a hugh guard> Heyer played fine for his first game.

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

Not sure what some of you guys saw in Heyer... I wasn't overly impressed. Yeah for an undrafted rookie I guess he did alright, but I think we definitely missed #60 big time out there last night.

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;339589]Not sure what some of you guys saw in Heyer... I wasn't overly impressed. Yeah for an undrafted rookie I guess he did alright, but I think we definitely missed #60 big time out there last night.[/QUOTE]

Heyer is no Samuels, you got that right. But what Heyer did show is that we have a rookie that, with some more work, looks like he could turn in to a good back up left tackle and hopefully a starting left tackle for us down the road. Even though it is pre-season, you got to look at the good stuff from Heyer. He didn't get called for holding, he didn't jump off-sides, and he didn't get man handled. So if he could build off of that than I think we will have a good backup left guard. But like you said he is no #60....

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

[quote=Redskins8588;339601]Heyer is no Samuels, you got that right. But what Heyer did show is that we have a rookie that, with some more work, looks like he could turn in to a good back up left tackle and hopefully a starting left tackle for us down the road. Even though it is pre-season, you got to look at the good stuff from Heyer. He didn't get called for holding, he didn't jump off-sides, and he didn't get man handled. So if he could build off of that than I think we will have a good backup left guard. But like you said he is no #60....[/quote]

Ok, I see what you're saying about Heyer.

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

Yeah I am not saying Heyer will be a great tackle but he is at least going to be a guy who can play in the league. A good backup and a an average starter probably. I'll take that from a UDFA.

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

Yeah he does look promising and a nice find by the coaches.

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Does anyone foresee a late preseason panic at Redskins Park a la the TJ Duckett trade?

Unlike that scenario, where we didn't really need another RB, we really need an o lineman.

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I think we might be hanging our hat a little too much on the possibilty of Wade becoming a really good guard. The jury's still out on him, but something tells me this guy is just a natural at tackle.

Maybe he'll never be the guard we envisioned.

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

Probably. If there's anything the Skins DON'T let us do, that's relax.

Sure, other teams will have consistent preseason games from their favorite teams, but the Skins will have nothing but ups and down. I totally foresee the Skins destroying the Steelers and we'll all talk Super Bowl, then the next week we'll have a let-down.

Something tells me we won't see the real Skins until Miami.

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

I don't think we've solved the problem Doc's loss has created. Wade should be a back-up tackle. There's really no reason to think he's going to be an exceptional player at any position, but much less as a guard. We need an exceptional line, not an average one (we've got to run the ball as well as we did last year). Also, Jansen is probably done as an exceptional player.

We also need a WR. sorry to say, unless Lloyd really steps up. ARE doesn't look good enough or tall enough to me and I'm not a believer in Espy.

If I'm wrong about Jansen, Wade, ARE, Lloyd, and there are no major injuries I think the offense will be OK. If I'm not wrong, we're in for another year of worrying about putting points on the board.

One thing I'm certain about. If Cooley has an off year statistically because we need him to block rather than catches passes, we're going to be painful to watch. That will be a sign that the whole scheme isn't working.

Re: The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?
 

It's still a bit premature to write off Wade. Most people seem to already have him dead and buried.

In related news I heard Dockery was less than impressive in his Bills debut.

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I only saw him get pushed back once. Most other times I saw him doing his job. My main reason I'm not super worried is because since we weren't in the planning of the game, we don't know what kind of blocking schemes they wanted installed.

Like Cooley blocking? Do you think they did that strategically? I wouldn't think so.