Redskins Still Need Another Offensive Lineman

[bulldog]

even with the addition of Stai as a starter the Redskins need another lineman if only for depth.

assume that Tucker wins the other guard spot and Jones is left to fill in at tackle behind Samuels and Jansen.

we are down to depending on David Loverne and Kipp Vickers as the backups?

remember Jones hasn't shown he is a capable guard right now so the idea of him sliding over in an emergency isn't that comforting.

Vickers main asset is his supposed versatility in playing 4 line spots, the only problem is that he is a step up from dreadful at tackle and is only a slight improvement over himself at guard :mad:

The Ravens started him last year out of desperation and he was gone before the you could shout the news in Baltimore once the March signing period came around.

Loverne has not really played much in the NFL. He may be in his third year but how many games has he started? In terms of making an on-field contribution he isn't that far ahead of the rookies.

So, I am guessing that the Redskins still need to acquire a capable backup guard, one that can step in if needed in case Tucker, a starter under my scenario becomes overwhelmed or if either starting guard gets hurt.

Since a draft choice was traded for Stai, I don't expect another deal involving a pick.

But I thin the Skins should be and WILL BE watching that cut down list to see if we can bring in someone with a good amount of experience as a free agent.

Perhaps the Stai trade was a prelude to the Raiders releasing Ackerman?

He seems to be the odd man out in Oakland and to me represents a clear upgrade over Loverne and Vickers

[NavyDave]

Part of this happens to be the late decision to quit on his team by Brandt a Wolverine(?) smashmout lineman that should have gave us depth at guard and center which still p1sses me off.

[Blondie]

This is true, without a doubt.

We need help on the line.

Blondie

[Art]

Couple of points Bulldog.

In two games, just a handful of plays against the Niners and a half against the Panthers, Jones showed he could play guard physically. He was whipping people physically. He did show he's not mentally there as they had to tie Moore to him in tandem to assure he had his assignments down more thoroughly.

But, right now our line is like this:

Samuels

Jansen

Moore

Stai

Jones

Vickers

Tucker

Loverne

Albright.

I don't think we're keeping more than these nine based on previous stuff I saw from Helton. Three tackles, two centers and three guards on the roster appears to be what he's thinking. If we add another player, that would leave us with 10 spots devoted to lineman. I'd like that for certain.

The point though is, if you just keep these nine (eight actual players) then you lose Paige and Coleman who may be guys you could enjoy having around. Practice squad for both perhaps? If you keep one more and sign another player, you have the same thing in losing the younger guys to the PS or IR or simply cutting them.

Tucker can play at least three line spots and he probably is the backup center too. I think he'll get Wilbert Brown cut. We've been talking about four QBs and 6 WRs but we haven't really discussed lineman. I'd like to keep 10 plus Albright, but, does that seem very Spurrier like?

My guess here is that someone in the group above fails to make the roster. Loverne or Vickers with Loverne more likely since Vickers has tackle ability and could fill in in a pinch.

[bulldog]

Coleman seems to have an upside in the NFL as a LT candidate and as such won't last long on our practice squad.

I am imagining that any addition will mean that Vickers is history, although the team could decide to stand pat and depend upon Jones to round into shape both figuratively and literally.

I was high on Jones when he was acquired, so I am not going to be a hypocrite, but I have been less than enthusiastic about watching him play. He definitely looked out of shape out at LT. He is at least 20-25 pounds heavier than he was in that Super Bowl game in January and that annoys me when the guy was all but given a starting spot and as a 7 year veteran in a transition year on the line should have shown a little more leadership by example.

[Art]

Bulldog,

I don't personally care if he looks out of shape at left tackle if he's not allowing pressure there. He didn't, so, I'm happy. I don't care if he looks chubby at left guard if he's collapsing his side and knocking people over. Against Carolina he did, so I'm happy.

Make no mistake, I liked Jones when we got him. I like him now though I'm frustrated as hell he can't pick up the mental part of guard faster than he's shown. Even against Carolina where his physical nature was clearly positive, he needed to be hand held by Moore the entire half to make sure he didn't blow an assignment and he is very slow to respond when he's got no one to block and he needs to come off to his secondary assignment.

This will kill us. His physical ability won't. He did a great job against the Steelers limiting pressure. The sack he gave up was given up after four seconds in the pocket. While it's possible he could be released or traded, like Westbrook for the Cowboys, if he doesn't show the ability to mentally and physically hold down a starting spot, I think he has shown physically he can. Now it's just getting the reps to do the rest.

Also, I don't know that he looks all that out of shape to me. He gained weight, sure, to play guard all year. Carrying that around at tackle will lead to several sacks I think, but, it's a tradeoff for him. He wanted the bulk and we probably wanted to see what he could carry.

[RTerps2002]

You can't have stars at every position

[OrangeSkin]

We are solid enough on the O-line right now, and we'll be OK if we go to battle with this crew. But acquiring another guard, even if it's not completely neccessary, would go a long way to helping our chances this year.

If the right guy at the right price comes along, go for it. If not, don't do something stupid.

[GURU]

I think the Skins will keep their eye out for guards after final cutdowns, but I don't think it's a desparate need. I actually think the Skins will keep Coleman before they keep Loverne, whom I haven't heard much of anything about. But it is possible that someone becomes available who is an upgrade from Vickers. And if Jones doesn't start, he's the first guy off the bench at every position but center.

The makeup of the Skins line isn't really unusual. You want to have guys with some experience who can slide in in case of injury, like Jones and Vickers, who can fill in at multiple spots. But you want to have some young guys who are talented but need some experience, like Tucker and Coleman. I simply prefer that to having all marginal backups just because they are experienced.