2015 Week 9 Offensive Line Starters

[SFREDSKIN]

I think Spencer Long fits with what McC is trying to build on the OL, he also has a streak of Nastiness and ornery.

Spencer Long Draft Profile – NFL.com

[JoeRedskin]

I have no idea what the line will eventually look like. Wayyyy too many variables.

What I hope it looks like is:
LT - T. Williams
LG - Kouanjdio
C - Lichtensteiger
RG - Long
RT - Scherff
Swing Tackle/First man up: Moses

If this is the starting set by the end of the year, and they are starters by merit not injury, we just went a long way to reestablishing trench dominance in a two year span. IF that group can be starters, and we extend TW so he is with us to the end of his career, we will become serious playoff contenders b/c that group can be here for a loonnggg time (relatively speaking).

Backups: Luavo (He's an average starter at best; on the other hand, he is quality relief); LeRib (as back-up Center/relief Guard); Compton (back-up swing T, mostly depth, lots of inactives).
Gone: Chester, Polumbus.

More than any other position grouping, OL is dependent on and improves with familiarity. Look at the historically great lines, they generally came together quickly, in a year or three (which is why Dallas' O-Line is particularly scary - damn them!). In 1981, the Skins drafted Mark May and Russ Grimm (two guards in the 1st and 3rd rounds respectively) and found Joe Jacoby as a UFDA (in the era of the 12 round draft). Jeff Bostic had joined the Skins in '80. Those four guys were the basis of the Hogs throughout the Skins' Super Bowl era. While it is probably too much to ask for lightning to strike twice, how sweet would it be if my top six were here as a group for the next 5-6 years and we could then plug in replacements as needed (like the Hogs did with Reggie McKenzie, Jim Lachey, Ray Brown, Ed "bubblebutt" Simmons).

Dare to dream. Dare ... to ... Dream.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by DYoungJelly

What have you seen, heard, or read about Long that makes you think he will be a bust?

I haven't seen any articles talking about how he is a lock to start; but I haven't seen anything negative since his draft evaluations.

Nothing recent. I'm drawing off three things:

1) Lauvao and Chester started all last season, who both were not very good, and Long never sniffed a starting spot. Foerster said at the time that he wasn't going to just throw the rookies in there, they're making too many mistakes in practice to be trusted in games.

2) Long was overdrafted. Most draft analysts (admittedly, for what they're worth) had him graded as a 5th round prospect.

3) That was a Bruce Allen draft operation, so I immediately question anybody drafted by the team at the time, fair or unfair. Maybe Long is one of the rare exceptions, but over the last five years we've found jack squat in the lower rounds. If it were McLoughan putting his stamp of approval on it, I'd feel much different. Reputation matters.

[SFREDSKIN]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

2) Long was overdrafted. Most draft analysts (admittedly, for what they're worth) had him graded as a 5th round prospect.

Overview

Native Nebraskan. Walked on and redshirted in 2009. Did not see action in '10. Stepped into the lineup in '11, starting all 13 games at right guard. Played through a torn right meniscus in '12, starting all 14 games at RG. In '13, started the first six games at RG before tearing his right MCL against Purdue and undergoing season-ending surgery and did not work out at the NFL Scouting Combine because of it (medical exclusion). Elected not to lift at the combine because of an appendectomy. Team captain.
Analysis
Strengths
Very solidly built with a good frame. Good leg drive -- can create a push in the run game and position-sustain. Solid in pass protection -- good anchor, shadow and mirror. Good base and balance -- controls and steers defenders. Flashes some nastiness. Intense, competitive battler. Smart and instinctive. Lunchpail worker will do a lot of extras and is very ambitious and driven to succeed. Excellent weight-room strength -- can squat a small house. Good versatility -- has played inside and outside. Very tough and played much of final two seasons through knee injuries. Possessed the biggest hands of any offensive lineman at the combine.
Weaknesses
Average athlete. Is tight-ankled and heavy-legged -- lumbers to the second level. Struggled with the quickness of Minnesota's Ra'shede Hageman (though he was noticeably playing through a knee injury that required surgery and forced him to miss the rest of the season after leaving the Minnesota game). Labors to cut off the inside rush. Struggles to adjust and pick off linebackers and is not efficient pulling and trapping.
Draft Projection
Rounds 3-4
Bottom Line
Big, tough, physical, ornery blocker with starter-quality positional traits and intangible qualities. Is best in a phone booth, where he excels as a run and pass blocker, and is smart and savvy enough to contribute outside in emergency situations.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by SFREDSKIN

Overview

Native Nebraskan. Walked on and redshirted in 2009. Did not see action in '10. Stepped into the lineup in '11, starting all 13 games at right guard. Played through a torn right meniscus in '12, starting all 14 games at RG. In '13, started the first six games at RG before tearing his right MCL against Purdue and undergoing season-ending surgery and did not work out at the NFL Scouting Combine because of it (medical exclusion). Elected not to lift at the combine because of an appendectomy. Team captain.
Analysis
Strengths
Very solidly built with a good frame. Good leg drive -- can create a push in the run game and position-sustain. Solid in pass protection -- good anchor, shadow and mirror. Good base and balance -- controls and steers defenders. Flashes some nastiness. Intense, competitive battler. Smart and instinctive. Lunchpail worker will do a lot of extras and is very ambitious and driven to succeed. Excellent weight-room strength -- can squat a small house. Good versatility -- has played inside and outside. Very tough and played much of final two seasons through knee injuries. Possessed the biggest hands of any offensive lineman at the combine.
Weaknesses
Average athlete. Is tight-ankled and heavy-legged -- lumbers to the second level. Struggled with the quickness of Minnesota's Ra'shede Hageman (though he was noticeably playing through a knee injury that required surgery and forced him to miss the rest of the season after leaving the Minnesota game). Labors to cut off the inside rush. Struggles to adjust and pick off linebackers and is not efficient pulling and trapping.
Draft Projection
Rounds 3-4
Bottom Line
Big, tough, physical, ornery blocker with starter-quality positional traits and intangible qualities. Is best in a phone booth, where he excels as a run and pass blocker, and is smart and savvy enough to contribute outside in emergency situations.

Yeah CBS was the highest. Kiper McShay and Mayock all had him lower.

[Schneed10]

Still, no doubt that Long is more suited to a power scheme. That could be the reason he couldn't crack the starting lineup in last year's zone heavy format.

Like I said, it's all about who can adapt to Callahan.

[SFREDSKIN]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Yeah CBS was the highest. Kiper McShay and Mayock all had him lower.

That was nfl.com

[Redskin Warrior]

I would love to see

T. Williams. Scherff. Kory L Moses/Long/ Kouandjio La'el Collins

[Redskin Warrior]

If cleared of all charges

[Bangee7]

Originally Posted by KI Skins Fan

Jacoby never played G. He moved to RT when we traded for LT Jim Lachey.

Jacoby did play Guard...1992...I saw him do it!

Joe Jacoby NFL Football Statistics | Pro-Football-Reference.com

[KI Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by Bangee7

Jacoby did play Guard...1992...I saw him do it!

Joe Jacoby NFL Football Statistics | Pro-Football-Reference.com

OK, then. I didn't remember that.

[DYoungJelly]

Two separate reports indicate folks within the organization think Moses might transition to guard and are going to try him out there.

Washington Redskins offensive line: Where will Morgan Moses play? - Washington Redskins Blog - ESPN

Mailbag: Why Redskins picked Brandon Scherff instead of Leonard Williams, and more draft reaction - The Washington Post

I really can't get over the possibility that a 6'6" 330lb guy might not be "physical enough" to play on the inside (per Jones).

I don't think we would have drafted a guy like that this year.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by SFREDSKIN

I think Spencer Long fits with what McC is trying to build on the OL, he also has a streak of Nastiness and ornery.

Spencer Long Draft Profile – NFL.com

Long couldn't beat out Chester which tells me he isn't very good. I assume guard is his natural position cause when Polumbus was benched he still wasn't put in. He's obviously a big strong guy and all but that doesn't make him a good NFL player. Hopefully he shows up this year.

[30gut]

Trent-Lauvao-Kory-Moses-Schreff

[SFREDSKIN]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Long couldn't beat out Chester which tells me he isn't very good. I assume guard is his natural position cause when Polumbus was benched he still wasn't put in. He's obviously a big strong guy and all but that doesn't make him a good NFL player. Hopefully he shows up this year.

Being a rookie coming back from a knee injury on your 1st NFL season doesn't bode well on him. Let's judge him after this year.