Offensive line shakeup

Derrick Dockery is in danger of losing his starting job to Kory Lichtensteiger.

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The offensive line's poor play has been a growing concern internally for some time, according to team sources who have watched as the first-team group has struggled during practice. With three new starters, the line already was in a state of flux to start the preseason. And that was before left guard Derrick Dockery was in danger of losing his starting job to Kory Lichtensteiger, who was out of football last season after being waived by the Minnesota Vikings in late September.

The coaching staff believes Dockery is a bad fit for Shanahan's zone blocking scheme, according to multiple people familiar with the situation. Right tackle Jammal Brown has not yet regained his Pro Bowl form after sitting out the entire 2009 season because of injuries, gifted rookie left tackle Trent Williams could miss Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams because of knee and toe injuries, right guard Artis Hicks probably would be more effective in a backup/swing role and cerebral center Casey Rabach struggles against the league's big nose guards.

This is surprising, because Dock is a solid lineman, but I guess the offensive scheme can make or break any player. Someone really needs to step up and take Rabach's job.

Well thanks Mr. Redskins Insider, that whole second paragraph is depressing. Maybe we should just throw every down.

some of it's true, some of it sounds like somebody hitting the panic button. Takes time for everybody to gel in this new offense. As long as they make an honest commitment to it (Specifically, running the ball) things should be fine.

i agree with the Rabach part. Ratliff ran thru him like he was a stop sign. Good thing Portis was there for pass protection lol.

Artis Hicks looks much worse than I thought he would. Jammal Brown has been disappointing IMO as well. I think its a little early for the panic button because as they play together longer its more likely to get better than worse because it seems to be a ton of timing involved in the scheme. Sellers whiffing on lead blocks or getting locked up and thrown doesnt help the run blocking game.

This is nothing new. The writing has been on the wall since, perhaps before, training camp with D.Docks. One of the talk shows here reported a while ago that even the previous staff felt that Dockery didn't have a good year. So it's obvious the way Shanny has been rotating he's feeling his way forward with the starting five and Docker isn't a part of the team's long term plans.

Hopefully it get's settled pretty soon, but I wouldn't expect to see this rotating stuff for much longer.

My biggest concern is the health of Trent Williams and who is going to substitute for him if he can't go. Do you move Jamaal Brown over to LT and put Heyer at RT? Do you place Heyer at LT and get your QB killed?

My biggest concern is the health of Trent Williams and who is going to substitute for him if he can't go. Do you move Jamaal Brown over to LT and put Heyer at RT? Do you place Heyer at LT and get your QB killed?

I think Heyer playing the LT will be fine for this week against the Rams. Don't change everyone else becuase you may have lost Williams for 1 week. I'm hoping Williams plays anyway, but if he doesn't I think Heyer is fine against the Rams. The Eagles???? not so much. If Williams has to be hurt for one week, this is the best week for it to happen.

Old news.

Derrick Dockery is in danger of losing his starting job to Kory Lichtensteiger.



This is surprising, because Dock is a solid lineman, but I guess the offensive scheme can make or break any player. Someone really needs to step up and take Rabach's job.

I do not agree with you. Dockery is an average to slightly below average lineman. Saying he is solid is generous description. He is very limited due to his very slow foot speed/work and seems to make mental mistakes like jumping offside on a regular basis.

Shanahan's lines in Denver were always on the smaller side, but they could move well sideline to sideline. Taking that into account it's no big surprise that Dock is fighting for his job.