While I’m sure what I wrote had nothing to do with it, last week I blogged that I couldn’t believe that the Redskins hadn’t brought in an offensive lineman or two; at least give them a look, and see if they could try and improve the team’s anemic line play.
Today the Redskins signed Levi Jones, one of the two players that I asterisked last week. Jones actually had looks from the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers, and both passed, so Redskin fans’ initial reaction might be to think that this move is useless – but don’t be so sure. Stephon Heyer has struggled mightily, and Jones may indeed be capable of improving upon Heyer’s often dismal performance.
Jones was the 10th overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft, by the Cincinnatti Bengals. He started 89 of 94 games for the Bengals, from 2002 to 2008, including 10 games in 2008, before suffering a knee injury. He was released in May, and despite not being picked up by the Lions or Packers (as mentioned earlier), he may still have some football left in him at only 30 years old.
Regardless, the Redskins need tackle depth in case anything else happens; what if Samuels is done? Bring in every player that I listed last week if you have to, and see if you can find SOMEONE that will improve things a little. It won’t take much to improve upon what we’ve seen; what do they have to lose?
Sure an offensive line requires a degree of familiarity, and cohesion comes with time, but we’re already fielding a unit that only has 2 guys starting where they started at the beginning of the season – there isn’t a lot of cohesion being shown anyway.
While the move is just another small band-aid on a hemmorhaging franchise, you can’t just completely give up the season. Hopefully Jones can earn a roster spot and hang on, because Washington could use a little good fortune given the current state of the o-line.
The Jones signing was just one of a bunch of roster moves by the Skins today… they also signed running back Quinton Gaither. He had nine carries for 61 yards, and caught six passes for 43 yards, for the Tennessee Titans last year. Washington also re-signed Renaldo Wynn… again.
To make room on the roster, the Redskins released punter Glenn Pakulak, and running backs Marcus Mason and Anthony Alridge. Why release both RBs? I don’t know. It’s not like either one of them was given any type of opportunity to contribute. Having five running backs on the active roster was equally ridiculous, but why not grab another offensive lineman as well?
It’s going to take a lot more than one… and it’s going to take longer than this season.
I came to the conclusion today that I may never see a winning Redskin team again as Dan synder is younger than myself. That said, he will outlive me and the poor decisions he makes in managing, as well as he reluctance to get rid of Vinny, a joke among GM’s will continue to add to my disappointment. Sigh…
Boss,
There’s something weird about the franchise’s reluctance to sign multiple offensive linemen.
Pete Kendall should be asked to suit up because he knows Zorn’s cadence & is good enough to fill in on occasions for the starters.
Heyer is regressing. He just doesn’t pass block worth a darn.
But not going to make him a scapegoat for Snyder/Cerrato/Zorn committee’s failure to address the aging, injury prone front four.
Accountability should be the safe word for this team for the rest of the season.
Forget about the first six weeks & turn off your TV sets.
Stop worrying about your blogs & worry about your crappy performances.
From the executive side on down many miracles must happen to keep fans showing up to FEDEX to support what is clearly a lost group of men.
I won’t hold my breath. 4-12 and another unsettling offseason is ahead.
Can it be 1985 and Riggins is running the 70 chip through a hole the size of a grapefruit please?
I didn’t think so. 🙁