Bruce Allen on Brown:
Redskins Acquire Brown In Trade With Saints
“We are pleased to add another proven NFL competitor to our team,” Redskins executive vice president/general manager Bruce Allen said in a press release.
The move comes as a mild surprise.
The Redskins completed off-season work last Thursday and the starting five of rookie Trent Williams, Derrick Dockery, Casey Rabach, Mike Williams and Artis Hicks were praised for the work ethic and togetherness.
Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Thursday that he felt he had a "good group," but he did acknowledge concerns with depth.
Brown, a five-year veteran, is a starting-caliber left tackle--he earned Pro Bowl honors at the position in 2006 and 2008. He has also played right tackle in his career.
The trade certainly gives the Redskins some flexibility on the offensive line.
For example, Brown’s experience at left tackle could allow Shanahan to shift Trent Williams to right tackle--the position he played three years at Oklahoma--and move Hicks inside to right guard. Or Williams could stay at left tackle and Brown could be inserted at right tackle.