Time to Build an Offensive Line

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

Yeah not sure about that one either. A guy that would be more suited towards starting soon would be better, even if it's at RT. I hear he's more of a LT but not quite ready to start.

In that case we would probably be going for the tackle overkill scenario (not that it's a bad thing). Capers would actually be a very good fit at RT in a ZBS considering he played a blindside RT at WVU, thats a rare type of RT. However if you find a way to get Okung and Charles Brown then you have the best tackle pair since Jansen/Samuels in their prime.

The scenario though that I keep on hearing these days is Okung/Jhavid Best (RB Cal). Which sounds logical. Personally I don't know what I want at this point. People around here have provided compelling arguments for keeping JC around past 2010 and personally it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. I mean he seems at this point to be just as good as Matt Schuab when he came to the Texans but sometimes I wonder if I'm just overreaching.

Part of me would love to see Campbell succeed while the other voice in my head tells me that JC will only take us so far. Some other popular scenarios seem to be as follows.

1. Bradford or Clausen/ Best Available Tackle, hopefully Brown
2. Okung/ Brandon Spikes
3. Okung/ Jhavid Best
4. Okung/Brown or best available tackle
5. Okung/ Maurkice Pouncey (C/G Florida)
6. Okung/ Colt McCoy

There are a lot of options out there. Hopefully in the end we come away with two players that will help our franchise out for a long time.

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

If Williams and Rinehart are "2 bright spots" on the Skins' OL, how come they were not in games very often? And when they were in games, how come the Skins didn't dominate people?

Williams was a rookie thats still developing and for all intents and purposes it was said that he was one of the more promising guys we had based on his performance in practice. One or two of our current lineman from last year are probably going to step up and play better then last year thanks to the new system.

The Falcons had that with their entire line when Mularky came in though I wouldn't bank on such a promising turnaround for our own line. And personally I don't know about Rineharts ability to function in a ZBS but we'll either find out in camp or hopefully find a way to bring in Chris Kuper. It's very likely though that Ben Hamilton will be here on the start of free agency.

I'd also like to encourage people not to sleep on Rabach. Rabach was pretty good earlier in his career in power blocking schemes and now he's about to be part of an offense tailored to his strengths.

Comment: Rabach has been a mainstay in the middle of the Redskins' offensive line since coming over from Baltimore in 2005. He has excellent quickness and balance. He gains leverage early in the play and utilizes active hands, technique and effort to defeat larger defenders. He is an intelligent player who makes all the line calls and understands angles as well as reacting quickly to changing fronts and pressure packages. He is effective on combination blocks to scoop up to the second level. He is solid in space to lock on and wall off moving targets. He can slide and recover in the box when pass protecting but lacks great size and power verse larger bull rushers. Rabach is a tough, hardnosed football player who has been one of the most consistent performers for the Redskins' offensive line.

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I think Rodger Saffold from Indiana might be a good 4th-5th round choice

I think we would be very lucky to have him fall that far. It feels like to be that he could easily be one of those guys that slips into the second round but last no later then the early third. So far he's been impressive this offseason with a strong performance at the East-West All Star Game.

[Dirtbag59]

Actually forget what I said about Rinehart. I mean lets remember this guy did play LT in college so he has some agility. And from what I've hear he wasn't really to bad when he played last year. His scouting report from his rookie year also suggest he could be successful in a ZBS. Rinehart could easily become our next Dockery. A third round pick that we thought to be a lost cause that turns around to be one of our better players.

Has above-average initial quickness for a guard and can get into position when technique is sound. Plays with a mean streak, delivers a violent punch and can jar defenders at the point of contact. Works from the snap until the whistle and can sustain blocks once locked on. Has adequate lower body strength and flashes the ability to drive defenders. Takes sound angles to downfield blocks and can get into position at the second level. (this is important in a ZBS) Keeps head up and generally does a good job of sliding off combo blocks to pick up linebackers (You want to pick up linebackers if you want to break off big runs). Shows good awareness in pass protection and can adjust to line stunts and blitzes. Though bends at the waist rather than the knees, has good size and can hold ground against bull rushers. Lined up at tackle in college and is somewhat versatile. While missed three games after undergoing an appendectomy in 2004 started the last 39 games of his collegiate career and is durable.

Right now I see the line shaping up next year as something like this.

LT - Rookie/Free Agent
LG - Dockery - Ben Hamilton
C - Rabach - Edwin Williams
RG - Rinehart - Kory L. (Chris Kuper or Maurice Pouncey would automatically become the starter if acquired)
RT - Rookie or Free Agent/Levi Jones

At this point though theres just to many variables and scenarios to make an accurate prediction. For the most part though I like the way our interior line is shaping up, even without a guy like Pouncey or Kuper. It's the two tackle spots that need a lot of work. One things for sure though. We won't have guys like Big Mike or Will Robinson starting for us.

By the way when do we get Armstrong back?

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

The scenario though that I keep on hearing these days is Okung/Jhavid Best (RB Cal).

Where have you heard that? Best would be an awesome pick. Though I could see the Skins taking a chance of Coker in the 4th-5th round.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Where have you heard that? Best would be an awesome pick. Though I could see the Skins taking a chance of Coker in the 4th-5th round.

Crap I thought I replied to this. In fact now that I think about it, this was the last thread I remember reading before the meltdown.

Anyway to sum up I've seen both WalterDraft and Mel Kiper refer to Best as a possible 2nd round pick for the Redskins. On top of that I've seen what feels like numerous people suggesting the Okung/Best scenario a few times on RI and ES.

So it's by no means official, even by mock draft standards, but it sounds plausible, at least to me, and apparently a few others.