Vinnick Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/ Posted at 2:47 PM ET, 07/31/2007 Chris Samuels - Half Empty or Half Full? So there's a coupla a way we can look at this injury. A starter getting hurt at a position as important as left tackle is never a good thing, but let's delve a little deeper. First of all, I heard today that, after reading the MRI and examining the knee, team doctor Ray Thall did not suggest a scope or any surgical procedure. Words is just R and R - rest and rehab. The best estimate is a month, but that's an estimate. Chris has had knee problems before, he is a 300 pound dude playing a collision sport for a living, and was just rounding into football shape when it happened ... So obviously we have to see how the knee responds to treatment. On The Bright Side At least it happened early on, in the first week of camp, so he has ample recovery time for the opener. The Skins will get a chance to truly assess their depth right away on the O Line and get more reps with the second team for young guys like Lefotu. It could have been much worse. Chris would be the first one to tell you his first thought was, "Oh (bleep)!" He could have easily blown out that MCL and been done for the season. On The Other Hand The Skins were already going to take every precaution with Jason Campbell, having him only play with the first team O Line, doing whatever possible to protect him from getting crushed in the preseason. Now, there's a good chance their best pass blocker - the guy they trust with JC's blindside - won't be taking a live snap until the first regular season game. With the preseason finale Aug. 30, I would be stunned if Samuels sees in any action in an exhibition game. So ... Samuels and Todd Wade could very well go the entire preseason without ever facing an opposing blitz. It is imperative to get these two in sync as Wade learns to play guard, adjusts his leverage and learns to get in perfect alignment with Samuels. Good luck with that now. They face a conundrum with Wade. The need to protect Campbell would point to Wade sliding to tackle in the preseason - or even maybe Jansen moving to that side until Samuels comes back - but that will throw off the line. Breeding chemistry there is of utmost import, and that has to suffer. However, in the long-term they need Wade to be a good fit at guard, so they have to figure that out. I will be watching the first team O Line like a hawk at practice today to see what their early plans are. With the Skins bringing Randy Thomas along slowly, the Skins could go into a preseason game or two with the likes of Wade, Fabini and Whitticker all starting, which is not how they drew it up. It will be interesting to see what kind of shape Chris is in when he does come back and how long he needs to regain fitness once the knee is back. He's a real gamer, so I know he'll do whatever possible to be ready Sept. 9, but will he be 100 percent? So that's what I got? What would you do? Keep Wade at tackle, swap Jansen or keep the continuity of the line paramount. Can make a case a few ways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tizzod Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 I don't think it's time to get into full-blown panic mode. It's the preseason. I understand the whole gelling concept, but there's no reason to start going to church and lighting candles just yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggo#44 Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/ I think you have to keep Wade at guard...he needs the reps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terpfan Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 This is an interesting conundrum... I do think we should get Wade reps at guard if at all possible. I would start Fabini in Samuels place (gulp!), Wade at LG, and Whitticker at RG until Thomas gets back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
China Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 I agree that Wade needs the reps at guard if that is where they intend him to play once the regular season comes. There are several other young players they can put into Samuels spot to see what they've got. Maybe they'll use some designed rollouts away from that side with JC to make sure he's got enough time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeronimobrat Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Can I take a rain check on this one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinnick Posted July 31, 2007 Author Share Posted July 31, 2007 I don't think he's saying its Panic time. I think rather its "This is a interesting and challenging situation." time. Or I hate JLC! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan T. Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 One way to counter lack of depth is to have flexibility in what positions your guys can play. Raleigh McKenzie used to be worth his weight in gold because he could slide in and play any position along the offensive line if someone went down, and the Hogs would barely miss a beat. These early nicks to Thomas and Samuels give guys like Wade, Fabini, and Whitticker the chance to develop proficiency at more than one position, so that they can be flexible in where they play should injuries happen during the regular season. That's a positive. But it does come at a cost - the first team doesn't get a chance to develop a rapport and continuity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalSkinsFan Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Yea, figuring out if Wade can play LG is paramount this preseason, imo, no matter how many preseason games the other starters miss. If after the 1st 3 preseason games that it looks like these injuries will carry over to the reg. season (god forbid), then it may be panic time. At least we will have seen if Wade can hold down the LG spot or not by then, and can adjust accordingly. All indications right now are that all starters should be good to go by the opener, too soon to hit the panic button. Of course, Buges is as good a line coach as they come, so I'm sure he knows what's best for the unit as a whole. :2cents: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nace14 Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 what's half "empy"? vinnick, why did you edit the blog? it was JLC's mistake not yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregpeck99 Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Fabini, Wade and Whitattacker will do just fine ... too much is made of this chemistry stuff ... its preseason stupid ... vanilla all around. I think this is all positive ... it will give the scrubs some playing time all to the good ultimately. I don't like JLC's writing style ... his negativity is too much to take ... like he is passive aggressive or something ... He obviously does not enjoy his assignment ... I can't wait for him to leave Dodge. Bring back Shirley Povich! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinnick Posted July 31, 2007 Author Share Posted July 31, 2007 Fabini, Wade and Whitattacker will do just fine ... too much is made of this chemistry stuff ... its preseason stupid ... vanilla all around. I think this is all positive ... it will give the scrubs some playing time all to the good ultimately. I don't like JLC's writing style ... his negativity is too much to take ... like he is passive aggressive or something ... He obviously does not enjoy his assignment ... I can't wait for him to leave Dodge. Bring back Shirley Povich! Jeff George! Where have you been hiding? I knew you'd come back some day. yeah, chemistry is overrated. overrated like 3 Patriot Superbowl rings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nace14 Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 i hear tyler ecker can't catch worth a lick, let's just move him to tackle now and put him on a steady diet of weight gainer for the next 3 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightbird Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Keep Wade where he is and bring up the depth chart behind samuels for the time being. No need to panic and start shuffling guys around wholesale in the preseason. And when preseason games begin, on pass plays with Jason as qb, keep a TE in next to the LT on every damn play if you have to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB44 Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 One thing is for certain, the battle for backup Oline has heated up. We definitely need depth on the Oline, and this is Opportunity knocking. I hope Lefotu, Whitaker, Fabini are up to the challenge. It think it makes for an exciting Preseason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dictator Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 It sucks that Samules went down, but in the end, I think this will be a plus for the team as a whole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Im not in panic mode just yet. However, i wish we would have bolstered our O-line depth a little this offseason. Do we still have Pucillo? ( s/p?) He was with us last season and should be familier with Buges coaching. Anyone worth a look still available? I believe we have a little room under the cap for an insurance policy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terpfan Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Im not in panic mode just yet. However, i wish we would have bolstered our O-line depth a little this offseason. Do we still have Pucillo? ( s/p?) He was with us last season and should be familier with Buges coaching. Anyone worth a look still available? I believe we have a little room under the cap for an insurance policy. Pucillo is the backup at center, and probably in the mix at guard too, although he seems to be behind Whitticker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking Deadman Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Better now, than during the regular season is the way I look at it. Get well soon Chris!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiplohmillers#1 Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Samuels will be fine. He's got plenty of time between now and week one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkforhall Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 The "on the other hand" is always a lot longer of a paragraph then the little "bright side" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsfan67 Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Can't find where I read it or exactly what his name was ,some of you Terp fans should know the young tackle that was an UFDA that played for ya'll. Anyways thats who they had there today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRAB Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Fabini, Wade and Whitattacker will do just fine ... too much is made of this chemistry stuff ... its preseason stupid ... vanilla all around. I think this is all positive ... it will give the scrubs some playing time all to the good ultimately. I don't like JLC's writing style ... his negativity is too much to take ... like he is passive aggressive or something ... He obviously does not enjoy his assignment ... I can't wait for him to leave Dodge. Bring back Shirley Povich! Riiigghhht. Chemistry is over rated. Who needs it. You think Samuels missing the entirety of training camp is all positive, huh? Considering nobody on the left side of the OL that ended last season will even be playing in training camp this year... I'd think that might at least be only partially positive. :doh: And vanilla... I had hoped not to hear that from the "glass is all full" guys this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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