Post Email: The Weak Side

Randy Thomas was the sole offensive linemen who received kudos last season when Washington's pass-protection unit was a mistake-prone sieve. While Chris Samuels and Jon Jansen were criticized for false starts, Thomas was praised by former Coach Steve Spurrier for his consistency and reliability. But this season Thomas has been part of a right side that has been the weak link of Washington's offensive line. The Redskins have had issues in pass protection -- something coaches will work on during the bye week before the team faces the Green Bay Packers (javascript:OpenWin('http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=66c609143a8ad6642630e3f42d06db15&lat=1098375822&hm___action=http%253a%252f%252fletters%252ewashing tonpost%252ecom%252fW9RH047E8F0740875E17F3F7619D60 ');) on Halloween.

"You play the game to win," said Thomas, echoing the mantra from his former Coach Herman Edwards with the New York Jets (javascript:OpenWin('http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=29fa48fc8539d7ba05c64e96028e0254&lat=1098375822&hm___action=http%253a%252f%252fletters%252ewashing tonpost%252ecom%252fW9RH047E8F7770875E17F3F7619D60 ');). "And, believe me, people you play are trying to win also. They are going to do some schemes or some rushes or different things that you probably haven't seen. They are going to come through sometimes."

But the problems on the right side of the line don't necessarily mean that Thomas is struggling. Thomas, who has been run-blocking better than pass-blocking -- hasn't had a consistent partner either on his left side or right.

The Redskins have replaced center Lennie Friedman with Cory Raymer. And since Jansen went down with a season-ending injury during training camp, the Redskins haven't had a permanent replacement. Kenyatta Jones started the season opener before being replaced by the 41-year-old Ray Brown in Week 2, a 21-14 loss to the New York Giants (javascript:OpenWin('http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=a3b8111e5dd1b3304fc269c4487481a8&lat=1098375822&hm___action=http%253a%252f%252fletters%252ewashing tonpost%252ecom%252fW9RH047E8F8760875E17F3F7619D60 ');). Mainly because of an injury, Brown lost his starting job to Jones last week against the Baltimore Ravens (javascript:OpenWin('http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=ecd6bcf3a1dcd14d91f688a2cfedee12&lat=1098375822&hm___action=http%253a%252f%252fletters%252ewashing tonpost%252ecom%252fW9RH047E8F3710875E17F3F7619D60 ');) in 17-10 loss. But when Jones's ankle injury flared up, Brown was back in the lineup for last week's 13-10 victory over the Chicago Bears (javascript:OpenWin('http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=af0bfde35ba8f3ef01d88235f7e4ba12&lat=1098375822&hm___action=http%253a%252f%252fletters%252ewashing tonpost%252ecom%252fW9RH047E8F4700875E17F3F7619D60 ');). The running game had its best performance of the year with Clinton Portis churning out 171 of Washington's 218 yards (javascript:OpenWin('http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=48be43c6976b3aa29ff76fe4baf0f945&lat=1098375822&hm___action=http%253a%252f%252fletters%252ewashing tonpost%252ecom%252fW9RH047E8F1730875E17F3F7619D60 ');).

The right side hasn't been able to get fully in sync, Thomas, said because of the constant shuffle. But Thomas is reluctant to use that as an excuse for the inconsistency of the right side.

"If I continue to do my job, I don't think [the shuffling] is an issue," Thomas said. "It's for health reason that guys are in and out. You can't do anything about that. It would be nice to solidify who is going to be there for a while and get a rhythm with that person. But people get hurt in this league."

-- Nunyo Demasio

Did anyone notice Mark Wilson playing any RT against the Bears? I thought the plan was to start working him in to the mix.

I heard that to matty, i think there trying to bring him along slowely. I kind of think this was a stupid arcticle though. I think Thomas has played great that year. The problem has been right tackle and center on our line. I don't know how you can question thomas for that. He can only play his position. We'll eventually get Jansen back on the right side. But i def. think drafting a center early in the draft next year is a must.

Considering all the injuries we've had, I don't know that we've had a strong side thus far. But I do notice that the short yardage plays all seem to be headed behind Thomas, not that we've had much success in short yardage. Still the line play while not on the level that I expect from a Joe Bugle coached bunch is improved over last year.

Did anyone notice Mark Wilson playing any RT against the Bears? I thought the plan was to start working him in to the mix.

According to the Gamebook at NFL.com Molinaro played some but Wilson didn't.

Molinaro plays special teams I think though

i didn't see either one in there, i DID see him on STs, so i think that was all he was doing...