The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

Willis the first free agent to visit Redskins

Seattle offensive tackle Ray Willis became the first free agent to visit Redskin Park when he came to Ashburn on Wednesday.

Willis, 26, could supplant veteran Jon Jansen as the right side starter, something Stephon Heyer failed to do in his second season last year.

After hardly playing his first three years for the Seahawks, when Redskins coach Jim Zorn was coaching Seattle's quarterbacks, the 6-foot-6, 315-pound Willis started 10 games last year. An NFL personnel executive termed Willis, who played at Florida State, "A tough kid with extremely long arms."

You can see based on the free agency moves at OT that the skins
feel they can get a better value with pick#13 by taking a linebacker. I have to admit that there are some rookie starters that could help out right away for us.

djlash wrote:You can see based on the free agency moves at OT that the skins
feel they can get a better value with pick#13 by taking a linebacker. I have to admit that there are some rookie starters that could help out right away for us.

Let's take him at OT and draft ..... CUSHING...
I got a man crush on Cushing.........!!!

Free agent offensive lineman Ray Willis, who played four seasons with Seattle, visited Redskins Park yesterday.

Also:

Four-year veteran Elton Brown, a guard-tackle with Arizona, is scheduled to visit Redskins Park today, a league source said.

The Redskins hope to replace longtime right tackle Jon Jansen, considered the offensive line's weakest link last season, and Brown, who was born in Hampton, Va., and played at Virginia, could be a cost-effective option

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/2009/03/elton_brown_set_to_visit_redsk.html


I like Ray Willis, Elton Brown doesn't have a lot of starting experience, but could be a serviceable back-up. He's from VA, so that could make it easier on him to choose the Skins.

tribeofjudah wrote:

djlash wrote:You can see based on the free agency moves at OT that the skins
feel they can get a better value with pick#13 by taking a linebacker. I have to admit that there are some rookie starters that could help out right away for us.

Let's take him at OT and draft ..... CUSHING...
I got a man crush on Cushing.........!!!

I really like Cushing too. He should be there at #13.

I like Willis and actually really hope they sign him. He certainly has the size, he's young and Zorn and Mitchell know him well, as they were with the Hawks when Willis was drafted. He's also is familiar with the WCO blocking schemes.

I think Zorn is really showing he was worth the hire....
He is putting his STAMP on this team.......

Either one should be an upgrade at RT. If we are able to sign a RT in Free Agency we have a few options as I see it.

Take Orakpo at 13 if he is available ( I dont think he will be) and address OLB later in the draft

If Orakpo is not available draft a OLB like Cushing, Rey or someone else to come compete for a starting job.

Pray Sanchez falls and someone wants to trade up to get him.

Here is my DREAM SCENARIO!!!!!!!!!!!.............
-Lions take a NON QB with the 1st pick
-Sanchez falls down the boards
-Lions trade up to get Sanchez at 13 by trading there 20th pick and there 2nd rounder.
-Redskins draft Clay Matthews (OLB) with the 20th pick and Alex Mack with the 33rd pick.

You are a Dreamer... but that's free....

I love to see the Skins looking at young guys who could bring depth.

There are some tackles that could really help us in the draft, and signing Willis or anyone else doesn't mean we won't draft a lineman in the first round.

Elton Brown and/or Ray Willis would be fantastic for depth. I personally hope we can sign both. Brown is a promising guard (which might mean goodbye for Pete Kendall) and Willis is a good tackle prospect.

Thank God we are shopping for O-Linemen. The pieces are starting to fall into place.

There are some tackles that could really help us in the draft, and signing Willis or anyone else doesn't mean we won't draft a lineman in the first round.


I doubt we would take another lineman at 13. The value proposition isn't there. Heyer was injured and up until that point he was doing a decent job. I just don't see the Skins drafting an OT at 13 . Doesn't fit with history. That being said maybe they go use this draft to go younger on the line. But if I'm not mistaken our 3 starting LB's at this time are:

HB Blades
Fletcher
Macintosh

and both Blades and Macintosh play special teams as well. Blades is more of a middle linebacker to replace Fletcher at some point.

djlash wrote:There are some tackles that could really help us in the draft, and signing Willis or anyone else doesn't mean we won't draft a lineman in the first round.


I doubt we would take another lineman at 13. The value proposition isn't there. Heyer was injured and up until that point he was doing a decent job. I just don't see the Skins drafting an OT at 13 . Doesn't fit with history. That being said maybe they go use this draft to go younger on the line. But if I'm not mistaken our 3 starting LB's at this time are:

HB Blades
Fletcher
Macintosh

and both Blades and Macintosh play special teams as well. Blades is more of a middle linebacker to replace Fletcher at some point.

You could use your same argument regarding the LB's. Blades seem to fill in admirably for Washington last year. Easily did his job as well or better than Heyer did his. Also, it was years ago, but Snyder drafted Samuels in the first round and Jansen in the 2nd. Oher may be the best player for the Redskins when #13 rolls around. Orakpo likely gone. Andre Smith likely gone. Cushing is likely the other obvious choice for the Skins but not sure if he will improve the team more than Oher. (I pray they aren't duped into drafting Maybin, who is a big project)

anythuing is better than jansen at this point

sweet an ot for the team i hope it happens.

djlash wrote:You can see based on the free agency moves at OT that the skins
feel they can get a better value with pick#13 by taking a linebacker. I have to admit that there are some rookie starters that could help out right away for us.

Do you guys think that's possible with Blache? That a rookie could come in and be starting at LB immediately?

Just curious what you though. It always seemed like it took rookies forever to get on the field with Williams.

I don't think you all realize how good Michael Oher is. He still hasn't completely bulked up like he has the ability to in the weight room, he has every bit of natural talent, and the guy is quite simply an absolute mauler. He would immediately from day one step in at RG or RT and be a top run blocker at the spot and, IMO, he could in in a few years move over to LT when Samuels is gone and be a franchise guy at that spot. Our defense is pretty good right now and an average LB is less noticeable than an average O-Lineman, where one weak spot(Think Ray Brown, bless his old heart in 2004 and 2005)can absolutely kill you.

Plus, the guy is actually flying under the radar... In a normal draft, he'd be a top 5 type guy, but Andre Smith is overshadowing him as is an overrated guy in Jason Young. Michael Oher along with Derrick Dockery would combine to take an overaged O-Line and turn it back into a quality unit.

landry started right away

Taylor took a few games because Williams was trying to humble him

the LB's that will be at 13 (Cushing, Mathews, etc.) all seem like they have their head on straight. So, if they can fill the responsibility, and are the better player over blades (wich they all will be more phsycially gifted than blades) then they will play....given that we do sign the RT and go LB at 13.

Smithian wrote:I don't think you all realize how good Michael Oher is. He still hasn't completely bulked up like he has the ability to in the weight room, he has every bit of natural talent, and the guy is quite simply an absolute mauler. He would immediately from day one step in at RG or RT and be a top run blocker at the spot and, IMO, he could in in a few years move over to LT when Samuels is gone and be a franchise guy at that spot. Our defense is pretty good right now and an average LB is less noticeable than an average O-Lineman, where one weak spot(Think Ray Brown, bless his old heart in 2004 and 2005)can absolutely kill you.

Plus, the guy is actually flying under the radar... In a normal draft, he'd be a top 5 type guy, but Andre Smith is overshadowing him as is an overrated guy in Jason Young. Michael Oher along with Derrick Dockery would combine to take an overaged O-Line and turn it back into a quality unit.

Agreed... read The Blind Side

Smithian wrote:I don't think you all realize how good Michael Oher is. He still hasn't completely bulked up like he has the ability to in the weight room, he has every bit of natural talent, and the guy is quite simply an absolute mauler. He would immediately from day one step in at RG or RT and be a top run blocker at the spot and, IMO, he could in in a few years move over to LT when Samuels is gone and be a franchise guy at that spot. Our defense is pretty good right now and an average LB is less noticeable than an average O-Lineman, where one weak spot(Think Ray Brown, bless his old heart in 2004 and 2005)can absolutely kill you.

Plus, the guy is actually flying under the radar... In a normal draft, he'd be a top 5 type guy, but Andre Smith is overshadowing him as is an overrated guy in Jason Young. Michael Oher along with Derrick Dockery would combine to take an overaged O-Line and turn it back into a quality unit.

I tend to agree with you, but if Willis has emerged as a usable starter, it might be smart to sign him. There will be good DE/OLB options at 13. We have to fill at least two of the holes with good players, and Willis might be a better option than the DE/OLB options in Free Agency.

Smithian wrote:He [Oher] would immediately from day one step in at RG or RT and be a top run blocker at the spot

Umm... run blocking is his worst discipline...

A better pass blocker than power-run blocker, as he does not consistently get great push off the edge. ... Needs more consistency in using his punch, which can be devastating against rush ends. ... Can be beaten in pass protection by quicker hands. ... Loses balance when lunging in pass protection. ... A bit tentative in the open field. ... Gets a bit lazy moving his feet when the play is run away from him and could stand to gain more stamina. ... Does not always adjust to outside blitzes, but handles inside pressure just fine. ... Has a very quiet, passive demeanor that some many characterize as lacking passion.

He also has the shortest arms in the tackle class this year. He's worth a shot in the 2nd half of the 1st round, and if we moved there, I'd take a shot on him, but not at #13.

Willis has extremely long arms and has experience. He also knows the WCO blocking schemes.

SkinsFreak wrote:

Smithian wrote:He [Oher] would immediately from day one step in at RG or RT and be a top run blocker at the spot

Umm... run blocking is his worst discipline...

A better pass blocker than power-run blocker, as he does not consistently get great push off the edge. ... Needs more consistency in using his punch, which can be devastating against rush ends. ... Can be beaten in pass protection by quicker hands. ... Loses balance when lunging in pass protection. ... A bit tentative in the open field. ... Gets a bit lazy moving his feet when the play is run away from him and could stand to gain more stamina. ... Does not always adjust to outside blitzes, but handles inside pressure just fine. ... Has a very quiet, passive demeanor that some many characterize as lacking passion.

He also has the shortest arms in the tackle class this year. He's worth a shot in the 2nd half of the 1st round, and if we moved there, I'd take a shot on him, but not at #13.

Willis has extremely long arms and has experience. He also knows the WCO blocking schemes.

Scouts, Inc. lists Oher as an elite run blocker. Although they do cite inconsistency like your source does. He's certainly built to run block in his legs, and I like what i've seen from him in games. Buges could probably make him more consistent. Willis might be an up and comer though, and we have a lot of holes to fill. He could be worth a signing.

brad7686 wrote:He could be worth a signing.

You mean drafting? Maybe if we trade back, but not at #13, and that's been the consensus from the analysts for a while. Here's the source I used. But I also watched him at the combine and you could see the inconsistency. Also, short arms are not a desired characteristic to have for a tackle in the NFL. Again, if we trade back, I'd take him in a heartbeat, so don't get me wrong. But he's a reach at #13.

NJ-SKINS-FAN wrote:anythuing is better than jansen at this point

Except Heyer! That is why the big fellow didn't get his job back when healthy.

SkinsFreak wrote:

brad7686 wrote:He could be worth a signing.

You mean drafting? Maybe if we trade back, but not at #13, and that's been the consensus from the analysts for a while. Here's the source I used. But I also watched him at the combine and you could see the inconsistency. Also, short arms are not a desired characteristic to have for a tackle in the NFL. Again, if we trade back, I'd take him in a heartbeat, so don't get me wrong. But he's a reach at #13.

I was talkin bout Willis. no pun intended. Well maybe it was. Oher doesn't have "short" arms, maybe they are slightly shorter than the other first rounders. He is very strong and extends them well. He's actually moved up to 17ish overall on most analysts rankings now after he moved well at the combine. So 13 won't be a stretch.