Would that it wee so that the Redskins had "some of the best OL in the league". Sadly, that just doesn't hold up to rational analysis.
They were statistically at least a top 7 line in the league last year.
Is Rabach one of the top ten starting centers in the NFL? I doubt it. He may be in the top ten in the NFC, but even that is debatable. There are 32 starting centers; he's below 15 on the list.
Top 10? Easy. Gibbs praises the guy every chance he gets, and looking at their production the last two years, I am buying what he is selling.
Randy Thomas is a solid offensive guard. Is he one of the outstanding guards in the league? No. In fact, he's not one of the top three offensive guards in the NFC East. He's better than average and a fine player, but "one of the best" he is not.
Before Thomas' leg was broken, he was considered the best lineman on the team (that is according to Troy Aikman). I guess you have both of Philly's ahead of him because Dallas' line is comical and the Giants just blew their's up. I completely disagree.
Chris Samuels is one of the top ten left tackles in the NFL. He isn't nearly as good as all of his Pro-Bowl appearances might lead you to believe he is. He's not THE dominant left tackle in the NFC. But he's very good.
We will agree to disagree. I will go with the 4 pro bowls voted on by his peers.
Jon Jansen used to be the best OL on the Skins but injuries - and maybe Father Time - have reduced his effectivness for the past two years. If it was "injuries" that did him in, we should see a huge improvement from that side of the OL next year; it it was Father Time, things will only get worse. I don't know which one it was and no one will really know until the actual season - not the exhibition season - begins.
Jansen has never been better than Samuels. He isn't as good as he used to be but you cannot deny the production of the unit overall.
Bottom Line: The Skins OL is OK; there are more than a few that are worse and there are more than a few that are better. And blind faith in Joe Bugeol to "work his magic" is just that; blind faith. He's been here for 3 seasons and the OL is only marginally better now than it was in his first season.
