Redskins Reportedly Bringing OLs Elton Brown and Ray Willis in for Visit

[KI Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

Willis to me is a very attractive option, more so then a lot of people seem to be giving him credit for. Anyway heres a few things that Willis brings to the table

The Good

1. Size - Bugel has said in the past that as long as you give him players with size he'll be able to do the rest. Dockery is a testement to this as lots of people seem to forget how much Dock struggled early in his career. Then again even Samuals looked like a liability in Spurriers system. Anyway Willis definately has the size at 6'6 315 pounds.

2. Run Blocking - A must for any RT. In scouts evaluation of him, before he got to start 10 games, he was touted as a powerful run blocker that just needed to work on his footwork. Still he creates lanes and in the end thats what matters. I would say that he's probably a step below Jansen in terms of run blocking. Or at least 1st half of the season Jansen which brings me to my next point.

3. Age - At 26 Elton Brown is pretty much at his peak physically. On top of that he is more likely to maintain a high level of play throughout the season, where as a lot of our older lineman broke down last year during the strech.

4. Cost - Probably one of the main draws towards Willis. I think the estimates right now are about 3 millions a year which will probably end up being $1.5 million against the cap next year.

5. Production - The Seahawks two main runners were able to average over 4.3 YPC. Granted that Julius Jones and Maurice Morris are average at best I'd say those numbers end up working in favor of Willis.

6. Knowledge - All he'll have to learn is our run blocking schemes. Still he'll be pretty familiar with the terminology and will already have a grasp on the protection schemes Zorn wants to run.

7. Versatility - Should Rhinehart end up not being a starting quality player Willis will be more then ready to fill in at RG should Thomas go down. Ironically he might be better then Thomas at this point.

8. More Freedom Come Draft Day - Not that I'm opposed to taking a guy like Andre Smith should he fall, and given Vinny's run on pass catchers last year no one should discount the Vinny overkill factor. However the fact of the matter is we won't have to reach.

The Bad

1. Limited Experience - Granted he has 10 games of starting experience we can't say we know to much about him.

2. Pass Blocking - Definately an upgrade over Jansen but he doesn't have the feet, at least not yet, to be left alone on an island vs speed rushers so on that note he's not an option at LT should we lose Samuals (knock on wood). Some will point to the Dallas game as evidence that Willis struggles in pass protection but out of the 7 sacks Willis seemed to hold his own and was not one of the reasons the Cowboys were able to do that annoying turkey dance so often. To his credit he also allowed only 1.5 sacks last year so it's not like he's a liability. Just don't expect him to play LT short of an emergency.

That was an excellent post!

[EEich]

Hey... isn't that Elton Brown the dude from Iron Chef America on the Food Network?

[53Fan]

Why can't we see who's on-line at the top of the page anymore?

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I agree, and these guys they are bringing in are young and have some upside. Can't hate on that.

Oh there are a few who could.

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by GMScud

I'm gonna have to side with GTripp on the Rabach argument. I think the guy is on the downslide. Tripp breaks down more film than anyone not named Ron Jaworski, and has provided numerous examples (backed by stats mind you) on Rabach's shortcomings. Go back and read some of his offensive game charts from the regular season. Just because Rabach is durable doesn't mean he's one of our best lineman. He gets beat up at the point of attack all the time, especially by NTs in 3-4 defenses.

What you said about what Tripp said. Hail.

[Trample the Elderly]

Wow, I go to buy some tires and the smack hits the fan. We sign some punter from lord knows where, Arizona? What about Hunter Smith? Did someone snatch him up already? It shouldn't a surprise that there are O-line guys visiting. The FO may make mistakes (in hind-sight) but they're not blind.

There were a few people saying we should get Willis. I think that will happen, just IMO. He sounds like he has more upside than down. It's nice to see us getting younger before my eyes. Hopefully it will work out.

[T.O.Killa]

Does this mean that the Redskins think that the best player available in the draft at thirteen will be a LB?

[SOUL-SKINS]

I know Oline is our biggest need but I think Rey will be the face of our defense for years to come

[T.O.Killa]

Originally Posted by SOUL-SKINS

I know Oline is our biggest need but I think Rey will be the face of our defense for years to come

The only problem with Ray is he ran a 4.8 40yd dash. That is just to slow.

[T.O.Killa]

The other problem with rey is that he is a natural middle LB and we have that covered with Fletcher.

[SBXVII]

It doesn't matter how fast he is so long as he can take out the first and perhaps first two blockers on D to give Portis more room to run. lol.

[SBXVII]

Sorry. I thought you guys were still talking about the RT spot. lol.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by T.O.Killa

The only problem with Ray is he ran a 4.8 40yd dash. That is just to slow.

He also got hurt in the middle of that run.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by T.O.Killa

The only problem with Ray is he ran a 4.8 40yd dash. That is just to slow.

The 40 isn't a good measure IMO. Watch video of Rey M, he closes like a lightning bolt on QBs, RBs, and even TEs.

[RedskinPete]

Originally Posted by SOUL-SKINS

I know Oline is our biggest need but I think Rey will be the face of our defense for years to come

I think you could be right!!!