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

The Redskins' offensive line comes into focus this week. R.J. of Clifton, Va., likes my column, "even though some of my fellow Redskins fans spit after they speak your name." While they're loading up for the next spit, they're asking me how much improvement the O-line will show now that Joe Bugel is back to coach it. In a less hysterical vein, Tom of Lafayette, La., would like me to analyze the changes in the Skins' offensive and defensive lines.

Changes in the O-line? What changes? Maybe I'm missing something, but it seems that it's been an area that's hardly been touched. The Skins gave up 43 sacks last year, way too many, but I blame the Spurrier scheme for a lot of that. From left to right the line consisted of Chris Samuels, Derrick Dockery, Lennie Friedman, Randy Thomas and Jon Jansen. It would be a pretty good unit if Samuels somehow would regain his old form, but he's been on a two-year slide. Some say injuries are the cause, some point to a love of shaggy-dog stories ... no, just kidding ... some point to a general wearing down. Whatever it is, Bugel's No. 1 task will be to restore this guy to the level at which he once played. Dockery is a great big drive blocker. Seemed kind of sluggish at times. Friedman is a journeyman tough guy. Thomas is close to all-pro level, and Jansen is a sturdy fellow who knows what he's doing.

Joe Gibbs won't let his quarterbacks get sacked 43 times, even if he has to max protect with a wall of tight ends. He has brought in a whole army of blocking TEs. Oh yes, R.J. informs me that the O-line is now nicknamed the Dirtbags. Not very original, and certainly open for ridicule if things go south ... like the Paper Bags, or even worse, the, uh ... better not take it any further.

D-line? Well, I don't know. There's been a complete shake-up. Where are the sacks going to come from? LaVar Arrington lining up on a wing in the nickel, and then what? Two of last year's top three sackers are gone, and the Skins only managed 27 for the year, third from worst in the NFC. The big name import is Cornelius Griffin, a tackle, whose 15 starts for the Giants produced one sack last year.

TheKey wrote:Jake he is right, both your lines are not that stellar. Remove the burgendy and gold glasses and try again.

hailskins666 wrote:74, i think coaching will make a difference on the d-line, but i'm still a bit nervous about it. we definantly can't afford another big injury this year like what happened to noble last year. we'd be bringing in another bunch of misfits to take the place of the fallen lineman.

The offensive line will do fine because a lot of the problem last year was related to schemes and technique, both coaching problems. However, I do not believe it was due to "five trying to block eight". Even Spurrier's coaching staff eventually adjusted to that.