Should the Skins' FO pick up the phone...

[SOUL-SKINS]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

I think our OT situation is looking a lot worse than it was at this time last year. I think it has the potential to be a worse situation. But the one thing we have going for us is that we're at least prepared to deal with the worst possible outcome. We have a lot of bodies, and likely won't get married to a single solution should the first choice fail to satisfy.

But I'm thinking this might get worse before it gets better (which it should).

How does it look worse? We have the same guys as last year(one year older but still) with a slue of new guys. I agree that maybe only one out of the bunch may work out but i really don't see us being worse off. If anything else were in the same exact position as last year. All we need is one of these new guys to step up and we will be better off then last year already.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by SOUL-SKINS

How does it look worse? We have the same guys as last year(one year older but still) with a slue of new guys. I agree that maybe only one out of the bunch may work out but i really don't see us being worse off. If anything else were in the same exact position as last year. All we need is one of these new guys to step up and we will be better off then last year already.

Last year we had two competitors who could both handle the position, conditional on different things (for Jansen, health, and for Heyer, development). This year we have about 4 competitors with various reasons to play them, but Heyer is the only guy I'd classify as starting caliber, and that, still is contingent on further development. So, if Heyer wins the position, beating out the competition, I'd view that as a positive. If Bridges or Williams wins it, I think that would be more of a negative, settling for a player who is worse than we thought we had last year.

The fact that Jansen isn't really in the discussion means there is no incumbant, no level of play to improve on from last year. So if four games into a season, the performance from two or more guys is giant gaping hole caliber...well, then it's back to the drawing board. In October.

So that's how it's a worse situation than last year. Obviously the extra bodies represent a concerted effort to improve an area of need, which worked well with WR last year.

[sportscurmudgeon]

To those who have repeatedly suggested that I link to an article by Mike Lombardi, I did not do that because I had no idea that Mike Lombardi had suggested virtually the same idea that I had somewhere else on the Internet. Obviously from the postings here, he did that. Perhaps that might mean that great minds run in similar channels and the Skins need to look into this idea. Or it could mean that two individuals who do not know each other or read what each other have to say are both waaay off base. You make the call.


To GTripp, I think you understand why I believe the Skins need to find out the cost of obtaining an OL - - preferable an OT - - from a team that seems to have a surplus now before that team has a training camp injury to deal with. That is why I started this thread. At best, I see the Skins' OL this year being the same as last year which is not all that good. If things go south on the team due to injuries or the ravages of Father Time, it could get really ugly. Remember the game last season when the Skins had to put a rookie in as a swinging gate at LT when Samuels was injured? Ouch!! I don't know if the Skins can afford Levi Jones but he too would be a significant upgrade considering what is on the roster at the moment.


To dirtbag 359, if the only thing you are concerned about is the back-up center position, you have a far more optimistic view about the guys on the roster than I do. Dockery is the only "upgrade" in terms of age and injury history along the entire line. Thomas might be back to full strength and full capability this year, but that is hardly an odds-on bet. I fear that we will be lamenting OL play before Thanksgiving this year...

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

To those who have repeatedly suggested that I link to an article by Mike Lombardi, I did not do that because I had no idea that Mike Lombardi had suggested virtually the same idea that I had somewhere else on the Internet. Obviously from the postings here, he did that. Perhaps that might mean that great minds run in similar channels and the Skins need to look into this idea. Or it could mean that two individuals who do not know each other or read what each other have to say are both waaay off base. You make the call.

If thats the case then yeah you dont need a link. I thought you got the idea from the article. He posted his article on May 15th and you made the thread two days later. Thats really crazy you two had the same idea in that close of a time frame. Thats either really cool or really scary depending on how you view Michael Lombardi.

[GMScud]

I think, on paper, the O-line is looking better this year. Samuels is generally very durable, and I think he has a couple of high level seasons left. Dockery is an upgrade over Kendall in age and talent. Rabach.... sigh... I wish I knew why the Redskins think he's so good. Maybe Edwin Williams will make us all proud and beat him out. Doubtful. Randy Thomas will if nothing else be healthier than last season. He won't be playing each down with the thought of possible paralysis in back of his mind. And RT can't get any worse than last year. Jansen IMO has no shot at winning that job. He's going to be a backup guard/center. Let Heyer and Bridges compete. Either one will be better than Jansen. Maybe we get lucky and Mike Williams decides to play like a 1st round talent.

Regardless, we're much better depth-wise along the line (supposedly Rinehart and Clark are much improved), LG is improved, and we're entering the year healthy. I'm not thrilled with our line, but I don't see any reason to ship players or picks to Jax.