The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?

[12thMan]

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.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

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.

[MTK]

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.

[GridIron26]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

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.

I envision a case like Smoot.. Dockery comin back to us cuz he misses his momma..

[TheMalcolmConnection]

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.

[freddyg12]

I agree w/Crazy Horse, if Cooley or any other TE has to block it's gonna be a long year.

I'll also agree w/those that say it's a little premature to write off Wade as a LG. I just wanted to see a new face at LG & keep Wade as a backup tackle, cause that's a very valuable position. We've already seen what happens when one of our tackles goes down, we've got a rook at LT. I know Heyer might not start if this were reg. season, but look at how shallow we are on the bench. I'm concerned, but it's too early to panic.

I bet the front office will be watching the waiver wire closely.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

I personally think it is too early to tell how good/bad the offensive line will be. Obviously, we've had just one preseason game. Moreover, Chris Samuels (perhaps our best O-lineman) will return and Todd Wade will (knock on wood) get better as he gets acclimated. If I had to guess right now, I would say that, at the very least, our O-line will be above-average and, at best, among the top lines in the league.

That all being said, I was really surprised by how bad the offensive line looked in the first half. I was shocked by just how bad Jansen looked and Todd Wade didn't exactly blow me over. If things don't improve over the next two games, then I'll re-evaluate my confidence in Buges and the personnel.

[RobH4413]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

I personally think it is too early to tell how good/bad the offensive line will be. Obviously, we've had just one preseason game. Moreover, Chris Samuels (perhaps our best O-lineman) will return and Todd Wade will (knock on wood) get better as he gets acclimated. If I had to guess right now, I would say that, at the very least, our O-line will be above-average and, at best, among the top lines in the league.

That all being said, I was really surprised by how bad the offensive line looked in the first half. I was shocked by just how bad Jansen looked and Todd Wade didn't exactly blow me over. If things don't improve over the next two games, then I'll re-evaluate my confidence in Buges and the personnel.

I didn't get a chance to see the pre-season game... I was driving home from North Carolina. From what I'm hearing we mostly blew assignments as opposed to getting physically dominated. Would you say that's a fair assessment?

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by RobH4413

I didn't get a chance to see the pre-season game... I was driving home from North Carolina. From what I'm hearing we mostly blew assignments as opposed to getting physically dominated. Would you say that's a fair assessment?

Yes and no. The two sacks appeared to be the result of miscommunications. Run-blocking was pretty bad, and that appeared to be a function of poor play as opposed to miscommunication. Jansen was getting pushed off of the line and Wade (when I actually saw him) appeared to be getting stood up or wasn't bending his knees as much as Buges has probably taught him. Who knows though, I didn't get a chance to see Wade or Jansen on most plays.

[GTripp0012]

Well, based on a blog article I wrote back in June, I can't say I'd be shocked if they OL did completely implode this year. There's not a lot of things going for this line, and a lot of age working against it. There's no way that Wade coming in for Dockery can be an upgrade, and even the most optimistic of fans are just hoping that he can be not be a throbbing weak link on the left side of that line.

With all the above said, one preseason performance isn't going to kill us, although its a tad disturbing that neither Brunell nor Campbell could put anything together whatsoever.

[CHIEF CHUCKING MY SPEAR]

yes we should be worried we will have a hugh problem if wade doesnt work out. Samuels should be back by mia game.

[JWsleep]

This seems reasonable, despite my previous worried post. From the Wash TImes blog:

Don't panic [David Elfin]

This being Redskins-crazed Washington -- I can't believe fans pay to fly to Nashville, stay in a hotel and watch a preseason game -- it's no surprise that much is being made of last Saturday night's preseason opener against the Titans.


Let me say this as clearly and succinctly as I can: It's too early to make any judgments people!


Yes, the offensive line looked shaky, but it was the first time that Todd Wade had played guard against an opponent in his NFL career and the first time against an NFL opponent for rookie left tackle Stephon Heyer. Chris Samuels, a four-time Pro Bowl pick, will be back no later than the regular season opener. And if Wade continues to falter, Mike Pucillo, Ross Tucker and Taylor Whitley are competent options.


Yes, the defense played well, good news for Redskins fans after last year's disaster. However, the Titans were without their ace quarterback (Vince Young, who was benched for apparently breaking curfew) and their top receiver (David Givens, who's hurt) and they lost their No. 1 back (Travis Henry) to Denver as a free agent. Pittsburgh, this week's opponent, will be a more formidable challenge with Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward and Willie Parker, all Super Bowl starters in 2005, at those spots.


But it's still preseason. Relax. No judgments until at least after the third preseason game on Aug. 25, OK?


The Washington Times, America's Newspaper

[MTK]

Originally Posted by JWsleep

This seems reasonable, despite my previous worried post. From the Wash TImes blog:

Don't panic [David Elfin]

This being Redskins-crazed Washington -- I can't believe fans pay to fly to Nashville, stay in a hotel and watch a preseason game -- it's no surprise that much is being made of last Saturday night's preseason opener against the Titans.


Let me say this as clearly and succinctly as I can: It's too early to make any judgments people!


Yes, the offensive line looked shaky, but it was the first time that Todd Wade had played guard against an opponent in his NFL career and the first time against an NFL opponent for rookie left tackle Stephon Heyer. Chris Samuels, a four-time Pro Bowl pick, will be back no later than the regular season opener. And if Wade continues to falter, Mike Pucillo, Ross Tucker and Taylor Whitley are competent options.


Yes, the defense played well, good news for Redskins fans after last year's disaster. However, the Titans were without their ace quarterback (Vince Young, who was benched for apparently breaking curfew) and their top receiver (David Givens, who's hurt) and they lost their No. 1 back (Travis Henry) to Denver as a free agent. Pittsburgh, this week's opponent, will be a more formidable challenge with Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward and Willie Parker, all Super Bowl starters in 2005, at those spots.


But it's still preseason. Relax. No judgments until at least after the third preseason game on Aug. 25, OK?


The Washington Times, America's Newspaper

Don't panic??

That's what we do best!

[lifetimeskin]

Ok...last season I got taken to task for stating that there seemed to be a real problem with our defense early on. In a not so nice way, I was told that once Springs got back that he would be the answer, that his precense would allow for GW to do so much more. I think as we saw, we had many more problems in our D. I truly belive that the moves the FO made, were spot on. IMHO, we will be top 10 on defense. Fletcher himself is a beast.

However to stay on the subject, I am not worried about our O Line. When Portis/Betts get back there, it will slow down those blitzes just that extra step. Having said that, I do believe that we will give up more sacks (hence more turnovers) IF we continue down this "vertical" passing game. The flip side is many more TD's as well and many more rushing yards for the backs.

What does worry me, is that aside from Santana, I see no other WR getting open on a regular basis. I know it is early, but this is something I noticed from the first PSG.

my 2 cents

[70Chip]

It's Bugel's job to worry about it.