Where Do We Need Help on The Offensive Line?

[SmootSmack]

So I think we all agree that we need to bolster our offensive line, primarily the depth on the line.

But where exactly do we need help? Better said, if we had to choose what's our priority? Is it at the Center position? Guard? Tackle?

I'm inclined to think Guard (Scheuning or the dude from USC in the 3rd round?). But interested to get everyone else's take.

[cpayne5]

I'm inclined to say guard as well. Pete Kendall is a good player, but at his age, he's a band-aid. It sounds like Lorenzo Alexander is going to focus on offense from now on, and people think he can be a dominant pulling guard, but I don't want to wager it all on him. If the Skins could pick up a decent guard in the middle rounds, I'd be happy. If there's a stud guard sitting there at 21, I say go for it.

In order of preference, I'd say G->C->T right now.

[sportscurmudgeon]

Frankly, I think the OL needs help and/or depth at every position except TE.

No one who tried to fill in for Jansen last year covered himself in glory; some of them were embarrassments.

Randy Thomas has been injured a lot in the past couple fo years so depth at guard is really important. As a side issue, just how much gas is left in Kendall's tank? He's good for 2008 - absent an injuiry - but for how long after that?

At center the Redskins are average/ordinary. Rabach doesn't embarrass himself out there, but he's hardly the rock you build a line around either. I wouldn't make center the highest priority, but to ignore an upgrade there would be a long-term mistake.

[Dirtbag59]

Our LT sucks. Thank God we got the unstoppable duo of Kendall and Fabini at G.

Anyway we could use some depth at Guard and Tackle but I think the O-Line will be near the top of the league with the return of Thomas and Jansen. Plus I'm confident that Buges could turn a gallon of milk into a respectable starter. Hopefully he stays around for a few more years.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

So I think we all agree that we need to bolster our offensive line, primarily the depth on the line.

But where exactly do we need help? Better said, if we had to choose what's our priority? Is it at the Center position? Guard? Tackle?

I'm inclined to think Guard (Scheuning or the dude from USC in the 3rd round?). But interested to get everyone else's take.

guard would be the place to start, but as JLC's recent article on the offseason suggested, a guard/center would be ideal as Pucillo has had back problems & might not make the team. If Rabach goes down Kendall is the only other guy that can play center to my knowledge.

IF Heyer & Alexander (that article also mentions him playing O full time) can improve this offseason, that's a good start on building some depth. Pretty sweet considering both were undrafted. Still, Kendall is way old & Thomas is gettin there. i wouldn't mind seeing Kendall get beat out for his starting spot this year.

[FRPLG]

I'd say a good guard is needed as well as a stud tackle in next year's draft.

We can get by with Samuels/Jansen/Heyer/Vet for a year but I'd like to upgrade at guard immediately if possible. Actually I guess I'd take which we can get a better value on.

[Paintrain]

we need depth at G/C.. Assuming Jansen returns and possibly Wade as a backup, Heyer is solid so we are good at tackle.. I'm 50-50 on Lo-Ax being a quality fill in for an extended period of time at one of the interior spots, I'd like to see a young prospect drafted to develop.

[MTK]

Of course depth would be nice at all spots. Hopefully we can just get some of these guys to stay healthy for the majority of the year. Last year was just ridiculous with injuries up front.

[Soup's Uncle]

Chris Samuels = solid but getting old
Pete Kendall = solid but old, arthritic knees
Casey rabach = average
Randy Thomas = costantly injured, and getting old
Jon Jansen = costantly injured, and getting old

I'd say we need to start bringing in some young talent that could eventually replace some of these guys. Maybe a vet free agent that you can plug in to some spots.

Heyer still doesn't strike me as being the best O Lineman in the world. Alexander is a bit intriguing.

Todd Wade is garbage.

[BDBohnzie]

It would be nice to see a complete season with Samuels (31) / Kendall (35) / Rabach (31) / Thomas (32) / Jansen (32) in the lineup...

And while Kendall is older, he's still quality, and could be great depth if the Skins can find someone to replace him.

With Alexander and Heyer for depth, the Skins could be worse off. I'd say Guard / Center / Tackle in that order as far as trying to obtain quality depth.

[redsk1]

Originally Posted by Soup's Uncle

Chris Samuels = solid but getting old
Pete Kendall = solid but old, arthritic knees
Casey rabach = average
Randy Thomas = costantly injured, and getting old
Jon Jansen = costantly injured, and getting old

I'd say we need to start bringing in some young talent that could eventually replace some of these guys. Maybe a vet free agent that you can plug in to some spots.

Heyer still doesn't strike me as being the best O Lineman in the world. Alexander is a bit intriguing.

Todd Wade is garbage.

Samuels is not old and a lot more than solid
Rabach is above average/good

Thomas/Jansen have been injured lately but let's give JJ the benefit of the doubt b/c of his 2 fluke injuries.


I think we do need to get younger but at who's expense. I think we can have a top oline as long as everyone is healthy.

The one area of improvement may be Pete Kendall. Some competition at that spot might be a good thing.

Todd Wade/Fabini....let's draft some competition for these guys or hope they don't get in the game

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Guard is the most pressing position. Kendall would be better for us in a back-up role at G/C. Mark Wahle being released by the Panthers would be a good fix for the next 2-3 years at LG. Thomas is Pro Bowl caliber when healthy, but he's in his 30s and coming of a major injury. The Steelers have a big, young Guard who is a restricted FA, Chris Kemoeatu, who could add depth and push for a starting spot. Depending on the tender offer the Steelers make we would only have to give up a 6th round pick to get him. This will all depend on what the Steelers do with Faneca. If Faneca is re-signed Kemoeatu would probably get a lower tender offer. If not the Steelers won't let him get away.

I don't think there are any solid FA Centers. We need to draft a Center with our 3rd or 5th pick IMO.

Tackle is also an issue with Jansen's injury and age of both him & Samuels. Heyer will be solid, but Shelton from Miami would be a good signing to give Heyer more time to develop and provide injury insurance. He may beat out Jansen and start.

I don't think the "sky is falling" with the OL, but the high cap $$s and injury issues to Thomas & Jansen are killing us. I'm more confident Thomas can be productive for most of the remaining life of his contract, but I'm not confident in Jansen returning to a high level of productivity. If we have another injury at a key OT spot we are in HUGE trouble if we don't address the OL.

[skinsfan69]

I think Kendall needs to be replaced. It was a bad idea going into last season thinking Wade was the solution at LG. Bad bad idea. Hopefully we can get another year out of Kendall. So perhaps we can draft a guard in the early rounds. Both times in 05 and 07 when we made the playoffs, lack of depth at O-line was a major reason we lost. It can't be ignored another year.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

So I think we all agree that we need to bolster our offensive line, primarily the depth on the line.

But where exactly do we need help? Better said, if we had to choose what's our priority? Is it at the Center position? Guard? Tackle?

I'm inclined to think Guard (Scheuning or the dude from USC in the 3rd round?). But interested to get everyone else's take.

Is Fanaca out of the question? Big upgrade over Kendall but he's going to want big $.

[MTK]

We've got enough money as it is tied up amongst the OL starters. I really don't see where we would have much wiggle room to bring in another high priced starter only to move someone like Kendall to the bench. The best bet is to continue grooming guys like Heyer and Alexander and add some cheap veteran depth where we can.