Skins sign C/G Chester from Ravens

[spudstr04]

Redskins agreed to terms on a five-year, $20 million contract with G/C Chris Chester.

As they always do, the Redskins are overpaying for mediocre talent. Chester has struggled and eventually been benched anytime the Ravens tried to give him a long-term starting role. But the 'Skins are in desperate need of warm bodies on the offensive line and Chester fits the bill. He has connections to Redskins offensive line coach Chris Foerster, who spent three years with the Ravens between 2005-07.

http://www.rotoworld.com

Don't know much about him, but hopefully he's an upgrade over Rabach. At least they are starting to spend on the OL.

[1niksder]

Redskins agreed to terms on a five-year, $20 million contract with G/C Chris Chester.

As they always do, the Redskins are overpaying for mediocre talent. Chester has struggled and eventually been benched anytime the Ravens tried to give him a long-term starting role. But the 'Skins are in desperate need of warm bodies on the offensive line and Chester fits the bill. He has connections to Redskins offensive line coach Chris Foerster, who spent three years with the Ravens between 2005-07.

http://www.rotoworld.com

Don't know much about him, but hopefully he's an upgrade over Rabach. At least they are starting to spend on the OL.

Started 13 games at RG in 2010

[PulpExposure]

As they always do, the Redskins are overpaying for mediocre talent.

Ouch, nice shot, Rotoworld...

[Countertrey]

As they always do, the Redskins are overpaying for mediocre talent.

Ouch, nice shot, Rotoworld...

I get the fun of saying it... but they never consider guaranteed vs incentives/accelerators.

[spudstr04]

Hopefully Foerster can coach him up.

[langleyparkjoe]

As they always do, the Redskins are overpaying for mediocre talent.

Ouch, nice shot, Rotoworld...

dag Pulp, everyone likes taking shots at us huh bro?

[1niksder]

Hopefully Foerster can coach him up.

Use to play for Foerster

[spudstr04]

Hopefully Foerster can coach him up.

Use to play for Foerster

He has connections to Redskins offensive line coach Chris Foerster, who spent three years with the Ravens between 2005-07.

Yes and he will play for him again now.

[andyjens89]

Another Oklahoma guy. If we keep Brown, that makes 3 Oklahoma starters on the line.

[emoses14]

Never heard of this guy. But this quick hit analysis from ESPN, doesn't jive with roto world or their sh*t box shot at us:

Chris Chester | G Complete player profile
Full Name: Christopher Sean Chester
Born: January 12, 1983
Tustin, CA
Height: 6-3
Weight: 315 lbs. Age: 28
Pos: G
Experience: 6 years
College: Oklahoma
Drafted: Year: 2006 Round: 2 Pick: 56, Ravens
Insider Analysis
Grade 73
Expert's Take Chester is a versatile player who has had been an important part of the Ravens' offense as an interior lineman. He has average height with good strength and quickness for the center or guard positions. He is an above-average athlete but is quick to recover and shows excellent lateral agility. Chester is a natural knee bender and has improved his power since entering the league. He has active hands and understands angles to maintain leverage in pass protection as well as an interior run blocker.

FYI: this is what the Grades mean (For reference rated Yanda as an 83 and Dahl a 79 and blalock (both of them Falcons) a 77):
90-100: Elite Player
Player demonstrates rare abilities and can create mismatches that have an obvious impact on the game. ... Premier NFL player who has all the skills to consistently play at a championship level. ... Rates as one of the top players at his position in the league.
80-89: Outstanding Player
Player has abilities to create mismatches versus most opponents in the NFL. ... A feature player who has an impact on the outcome of the game. ... Cannot be shut down by a single player and plays on a consistent level week in and week out.
70-79: Good Starter
Solid starter who is close to being an outstanding player. ... Has few weaknesses and usually will win his individual matchup but does not dominate in every game, especially when matched up against the top players in the league.
60-69: Average Starter
A valuable roster player but not a dominant player against the better players he faces on a weekly basis. ... Gives great effort and teams are glad to have him, but he may or may not go to the next level

[CanesSkins26]

From the Baltimore Sun...

PROS: Although Chester is often considered a backup, he has started at least 11 games the past three seasons. In 2008, he started 11 games at right guard after Marshal Yanda sustained a season-ending knee injury. In 2009, Chester started the first nine games while Yanda recovered and started four more games at tight end. Last season, he was pressed into the starting role at right guard after Jared Gaither was lost for the season. With Matt Birk entering his contract year, Chester might be ready to move into the center spot.

CONS: Chester is athletic and has quick feet but he struggles against explosive linemen. It is believed that the team still envisions Chester in more of a backup role because he isn't strong enough at the point of attack. He was drafted to be a center, but the Ravens signed Matt Birk in 2009 instead of giving the job to Chester. So, it's tough to measure the team's confidence in him.

OUTLOOK: Chester's status is up in the air. The Ravens should contact Chester in the first three days of free agency, but they likely will allow him to test the market. The team probably won't offer him more than a backup role (especially if Yanda moves back to guard). Chester might find a better opportunity elsewhere. If he doesn't, he could be lured back.

[SkinsJock]

Hopefully Foerster can coach him up.

Use to play for Foerster

I think he's got a chance at making the offensive line better

I wonder why this addition, that could possibly help here, is seen as a bad move?



Everyone else is way over-paying players right now but we're the ones singled out -

[1niksder]

Hopefully Foerster can coach him up.

Use to play for Foerster

I think he's got a chance at making the offensive line better

I wonder why this addition, that could possibly help here, is seen as a bad move?



Everyone else is way over-paying players right now but we're the ones singled out -

It's because he signed with the Redskins is my guess.

He's considered a backup yet started 14 games last year, 13 in 2009 and 11 in 2008. How many backups can you name that started 38 out of 48 games over 3 years? His contract averages $4M a year.

[CanesSkins26]

Hopefully Foerster can coach him up.

Use to play for Foerster

I think he's got a chance at making the offensive line better

I wonder why this addition, that could possibly help here, is seen as a bad move?



Everyone else is way over-paying players right now but we're the ones singled out -

It's because he signed with the Redskins is my guess.

He's considered a backup yet started 14 games last year, 13 in 2009 and 11 in 2008. How many backups can you name that started 38 out of 48 games over 3 years? His contract averages $4M a year.

Read my link above. He started in each of those three seasons because of injuries to starters. The Ravens weren't interested in bringing him back except as a backup player.

[1niksder]

Hopefully Foerster can coach him up.

Use to play for Foerster

I think he's got a chance at making the offensive line better

I wonder why this addition, that could possibly help here, is seen as a bad move?



Everyone else is way over-paying players right now but we're the ones singled out -

It's because he signed with the Redskins is my guess.

He's considered a backup yet started 14 games last year, 13 in 2009 and 11 in 2008. How many backups can you name that started 38 out of 48 games over 3 years? His contract averages $4M a year.

Read my link above. He started in each of those three seasons because of injuries to starters. The Ravens weren't interested in bringing him back except as a backup player.

If you miss 38 of 48 games you aren't a starter you're a player that should be on IR

So over the course of three years they couldn't go out and find a starting quality lineman? After starting 11 games in 2008, the Baltimore FO couldn't find a better player to bring in knowing Yanda wasn't going to be ready for the 2009 season? If it was the Redskins old regime I could see that ,but we're talking about the Ravens (one of the best in the NFL). In fact the number of games that he started each year increased every year. If you start all but 10 games over a 3 year period you are not a back up. He wasn't the starter the first 5 games of the 08-09 season but STARTED every game after that until the end of November of the 09-10 season, he didn't start two game and then returned to his STARTING role with six games remaining and STARTED the remainder of the season, he went into the 2010 season as the STARTER. In 2010 he STARTED all but two game. Backups might start one or two games a year, but not 38 out 0f 48. The link can say whatever. If he's out there with the STARTING unit 90% of the time he's a STARTER

[frankcal20]

Baltimore averaged 114 yds per game in '10, 137 in '09 and 148 per game in '08. Please lord can we average something anywhere close to those numbers.

[CanesSkins26]

Hopefully Foerster can coach him up.

Use to play for Foerster

I think he's got a chance at making the offensive line better

I wonder why this addition, that could possibly help here, is seen as a bad move?



Everyone else is way over-paying players right now but we're the ones singled out -

It's because he signed with the Redskins is my guess.

He's considered a backup yet started 14 games last year, 13 in 2009 and 11 in 2008. How many backups can you name that started 38 out of 48 games over 3 years? His contract averages $4M a year.

Read my link above. He started in each of those three seasons because of injuries to starters. The Ravens weren't interested in bringing him back except as a backup player.

So over the course of three years they couldn't go out and find a starting quality lineman? After starting 11 games in 2008, the Baltimore FO couldn't find a better player to bring in knowing Yanda wasn't going to be ready for the 2009 season? If it was the Redskins old regime I could see that ,but we're talking about the Ravens (one of the best in the NFL). In fact the number of games that he started each year increased every year. If you start all but 10 games over a 3 year period you are not a back up. He wasn't the starter the first 5 games of the 08-09 season but STARTED every game after that until the end of November of the 09-10 season, he didn't start two game and then returned to his STARTING role with six games remaining and STARTED the remainder of the season, he went into the 2010 season as the STARTER. In 2010 he STARTED all but two game. Backups might start one or two games a year, but not 38 out 0f 48. The link can say whatever. If he's out there with the STARTING unit 90% of the time he's a STARTER

From 2008-2010 Stephon Heyer started 28 out 38 games (a higher percentage than Chester. Do you consider him to be a starting caliber player? The fact that the Ravens were willing to let him walk without making an effort to keep him tells me all I need to know about him.

So over the course of three years they couldn't go out and find a starting quality lineman?

They had starting caliber linemen, but they got hurt. That's why Chester played.

After starting 11 games in 2008, the Baltimore FO couldn't find a better player to bring in knowing Yanda wasn't going to be ready for the 2009 season?

Yanda was expected to be ready in September of 2009. He had surgery in January and his recovery time was expected to be 6-8 months. From Yanda:

"“I’m on schedule, which is about six to eight months from January, which is when I had my surgery,” Yanda said Thursday. “Hopefully, I can get on the early part of that, which would be around September. Right now, everything feels good. Most likely, I’ll miss all of training camp.”"

He wasn't the starter the first 5 games of the 08-09 season but STARTED every game after that until the end of November of the 09-10 season, he didn't start two game and then returned to his STARTING role with six games remaining and STARTED the remainder of the season, he went into the 2010 season as the STARTER. In 2010 he STARTED all but two game.

His starts on the oline did not go up each year. In 2009 he only started 9 games at guard. When Yanda came back in 2009 he was moved to tight end and started 4 games there.

[fleetus]

I don't think Chester was much loved in Baltimore. In fact, I've read it was his poor run blocking that people were most upset about. They had numerous injuries over the past few years, Gaither, Cousins, Yanda and others. So Chester stayed on the field a lot, but always because someone else was injured.

[1niksder]

From 2008-2010 Stephon Heyer started 28 out 38 games (a higher percentage than Chester. Do you consider him to be a starting caliber player? The fact that the Ravens were willing to let him walk without making an effort to keep him tells me all I need to know about him.

Like I said that's what I would expect from the old regime, Heyer started for one season. Zorn started him 16 games in 2009, which accounts for more than half of the 28 starts. Other than 2009 he sat more than he played. Chester started more games than he sat every year over the 3 years.

So over the course of three years they couldn't go out and find a starting quality lineman?

They had starting caliber linemen, but they got hurt. That's why Chester played.

If they didn't think he was starting caliber they would have went out and found someone to replace him, just like MS did in 2010 to replace Heyer

After starting 11 games in 2008, the Baltimore FO couldn't find a better player to bring in knowing Yanda wasn't going to be ready for the 2009 season?

Yanda was expected to be ready in September of 2009. He had surgery in January and his recovery time was expected to be 6-8 months. From Yanda:

"“I’m on schedule, which is about six to eight months from January, which is when I had my surgery,” Yanda said Thursday. “Hopefully, I can get on the early part of that, which would be around September. Right now, everything feels good. Most likely, I’ll miss all of training camp.”"

Again they could have went out and signed someone if the felt Chester couldn't get the job done... they didn't because Chester was there starter.

He wasn't the starter the first 5 games of the 08-09 season but STARTED every game after that until the end of November of the 09-10 season, he didn't start two game and then returned to his STARTING role with six games remaining and STARTED the remainder of the season, he went into the 2010 season as the STARTER. In 2010 he STARTED all but two game.

His starts on the oline did not go up each year. In 2009 he only started 9 games at guard. When Yanda came back in 2009 he was moved to tight end and started 4 games there.

He started at tight end for 4 games because they wanted him on the field although Yanda was ready to play. Or are you going to tell me all their starting caliber TE were hurt too.

[The Hogster]

If he's good enough to start 11 games for the Ravens. He's good enough to start 16 for us. This ain't 1987.

[CanesSkins26]

June 12, 2011
Chester on Ravens' backup plan

If the Ravens bring back offensive lineman Chris Chester, he'll primarily be a backup center.

Chester, set to enter his sixth year in the league, started at right guard for the Ravens last season, but he had a poor year -- the worst of any of the starters.

Chester bulked up during the offseason a year ago, but still struggled at the point of attack with bigger defensive tackles, and repeatedly got beat in pass protection.

Chester is expected to become an unrestricted free agent, and once that happens, the Ravens want him back as the No. 2 center to Matt Birk. Chester has quick feet and should be able to make the blocks into the second level. As a center, he'll get a lot of double-team help.

The Ravens want him as insurance to Birk, who will be entering his 14th season. Birk struggled physically at times last season with an assortment of injuries.

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2011/06/chester_on_backup_plan.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sports_football_ravens+%28Ravens+Insider%29

[SkinsJock]

It's real easy for me

this guy improves our offensive line - end of story


anyone that thinks we should be so bad that we can draft Luck has ZERO credibility in saying who can play and who should not play

[fleetus]

Despite Chester performing below expectations in Baltimore, here is why I think the Redskins signed him (and why he may work out)

1. Chester is fast. He ran the fastest time of any OL in the scouting combine (2006). We all know that Shanahan/Foerster O-lines utilize athletic and fast O-linemen
2. Foerster has coached Chester before in Baltimore (as mentioned earlier in this thread)
3. Chester is slightly better suited to Center. He played TE at Oklahoma and switched to Center. The Ravens used him more at guard, due to injuries. They hoped he would eventually succeed Matt Birk at Center, but after 14 years Birk hasn't slowed down much. So when the critics say he didn't run block well, it was mostly at guard.

If Foerster can help him improve his strength and he can get a chance to start at Center, he might be a pleasant surprise.

http://ind.scout.com/2/509896.html

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ ... zadeh.html

[frankcal20]

Keep in mind that there's not a lot of talent out there. I'm sure they weighed keeping Rabach or bringing someone new in. I like the move.

[1niksder]

It's real easy for me

this guy improves our offensive line - end of story


anyone that thinks we should be so bad that we can draft Luck has ZERO credibility in saying who can play and who should not play

CS26 will never lose he's credibility with me. We may not agree all the time, but he puts a lot of thought in what he post and is a true fan.