Redskins Offensive Line: 2012 Unsung Heroes

A bit of a stretch.

RT is the only spot in need of an upgrade.

Given how they've performed and with some young guys waiting in the wings, I'd rather focus on upgrading the secondary.

uhhh, no its not. For the past two games, during the newscast theyve shown stats of RGIII hurried/hits/knockdown/sacked on pass attempts. In both games, there were only 1 or 2 dropbacks where one of those did not occurr. the vast majority where in the Hits and Knockdown columns. RG3 takes a beating, and the worst hits are when he's in the pocket, not when he runs. Griffin is TOUGH, but we need to protect him long-term.

No one is saying not to focus on the secondary. Generally, teams can upgrade more than one position group in an offseason. Unless theres some new rule i'm not aware of that says teams have to pick one group and spend on their draft picks and make all their free agency acquisitions at one position.

As ive already said, in my perspective, the only position groups that actually require upgrading on our team in the offseason are the secondary and o-line. The secondary is - by far- the most glaring need, and one where we probably need 3 new starters, but i dont see why we couldnt add 3 new starting DBs and a new RT in the offseason.

I'd hope a 2nd round lineman could beat out some of those late round scrubs. Teams get better through competition. By your logic, we shouldnt bother drafting/signing free agent players at any positions, since we already have young depth on the roster.

Not at all the point I was making

I dont know why everyone is opposed to using FA and the draft to improve our o-line. Lets look at some of our other position groups -

We are STOCKED with talent at the rest of the offensive positions. We are SET with our starters and backups at QB, WR, RB, and TE (assuming we resign davis). obviously, shanahan will draft a RB in the late rounds, but we are more or less set with the rest of those positions.

Looking at our defense, our LB corps is excellent and our DL is pretty darn good too.

Other than secondary and OL, i dont see any major, glaring, weaknesses on our team. Obviously our secondary has to be our #1 concern, but we dont have a third startable tackle on our team. If Williams or Polumbus went down, we'd be screwed. Polumbus has played well better than i could have hoped for this year, but ideally, he's your backup swing tackle.

Agreed. Draft and FA emphasis has to be on secondary and RT.

I think the importance of RT is considerably overrated. I also think there aren't many great RTs out there. And finally I think it would be stupid to draft/sign an RT just for the hell of it in lieu of a better player at another position

I dont know why everyone is opposed to using FA and the draft to improve our o-line. Lets look at some of our other position groups - ...

Other than secondary and OL, i dont see any major, glaring, weaknesses on our team. Obviously our secondary has to be our #1 concern, but we dont have a third startable tackle on our team. If Williams or Polumbus went down, we'd be screwed. Polumbus has played well better than i could have hoped for this year, but ideally, he's your backup swing tackle.

From what I am reading, I don't think anyone is opposed to drafting additional developmental talent or looking for upgrades along the OL. In fact, I think all are in agreement that RT is in need of upgrade.

At the same time, those asserting that the line is horrible or inadequate as currently constructed are simply wrong. We have a high performing offense and due in the main to RGIII but also, certainly in part, to the improvement and consistency of the line. Further, and as others have noted, we have spent draft picks on developing depth - are they ready to start this year? nope. Do they have the talent to do so next year? Maybe. I would suggest, with our current needs in the secondary, and our draft pick position, we will not be drafting "Starter" quality guys next year anyway.

I would agree that, if reasonable upgrades are out there or well thought of developmental players present themselves in the draft, by all means take them. At the same time, the priority, as you seem to agree, must be the defensive secondary. Once that has been addressed, additional depth and talent along the O-line is probably the priority.

BUT - our line is not horrible as currently constituted. Let's see how it holds up Monday night.

Call the offensive line heroes, call them mediocre, I don't give a shit. All I'm saying is we're strong in offensive production. We're terrible in defensive production. So laud the offensive line, or don't for all I care, just as long as every sane person realizes that the defense is in much bigger need of attention than the offensive line.

The only question that matters is "how are we going to get better?"

I think the importance of RT is considerably overrated. I also think there aren't many great RTs out there. And finally I think it would be stupid to draft/sign an RT just for the hell of it in lieu of a better player at another position

As an example of the importance of RT in relation to other positions, even being out for 8 weeks (is that right?), Garcon has contributed 2 touchdowns. Both TD's were, essentially, pure individual effort. I just don't see any RT (yes, even Winston) having the impact that a healthy Garcon makes.

Similarly, DB's operate on much more individual effort and the inadequacies of a below average safety or corner are much more easily exposed than those of an inadequate O-lineman. Neither is good, but given my druthers, I would rather improve the below average DB at the risk of retaining a below average RT.

If we had a line of Polumbus's, yup that would be a serious concern. We have, however, a possible pro-bowl LT, a center rated second in the league at his position and a pair of at least average guards to go along with Mr. Polumbus.

Let me ask you this - do you think playoff contenders Chicago, GBay, Dallas, Pittsburg wishes it had Kory L, Monty or Chester on their line RIGHT NOW? You bet your ass they do.

Call the offensive line heroes, call them mediocre, I don't give a shit. All I'm saying is we're strong in offensive production. We're terrible in defensive production. So laud the offensive line, or don't for all I care, just as long as every sane person realizes that the defense is in much bigger need of attention than the offensive line.
The only question that matters is "how are we going to get better?"

Oh, I think the sane one's realize this.

Not sure about Goat though ...

I think the importance of RT is considerably overrated. I also think there aren't many great RTs out there. And finally I think it would be stupid to draft/sign an RT just for the hell of it in lieu of a better player at another position

That wasnt the point i was making at all. I never suggested signing a RT just for the hell of it. Still, it is our teams biggest need behind the secondary. It would be difficult to come up with an argument where one of the other offensive starters or front 7 defenders was more ill-suited for a starting role than polumbus on this team.

Again, im not knocking polumbus... he's done exceptionally well for a backup player playing in a starting role, but we need a stronger player at that position - not at the expense of any position on the secondary though.

Call the offensive line heroes, call them mediocre, I don't give a shit. All I'm saying is we're strong in offensive production. We're terrible in defensive production. So laud the offensive line, or don't for all I care, just as long as every sane person realizes that the defense is in much bigger need of attention than the offensive line.
The only question that matters is "how are we going to get better?"

I dont think anyone has argued otherwise.