Redskins Offensive Line: 2012 Unsung Heroes

Let me ask a question that may let some of you see it from a different perspective- who is the player that is most important to the redskins right now and will be for the duration of his career? So why would you not put the greatest priority in protecting him? Forget secondary and defense, if there's no RGIII then there's no hope. And many fans are content to let someone in front of him just do a decent enough job to protect him. And just think about RGIII - do you really want him just getting by with decent protection with guys like Pierre-Paul trying to hurt him? I like polumbus, but if there's a chance to upgrade- that would be my first priority - because protecting RGIII should be the biggest priority.

I understand what you're saying. This is why I don't understand Mike Shanahan's logic of drafting offensive linemen like Compton in the 6th round and "given them time to develop" when he should have drafted a T in the earlier rounds who could play right away. Compton played in the ALL VALLEY Missouri Football Conference for goodness sakes!!! Unless you truly follow college football, you've never heard of that conference. Compton is not a player who will start probably for the next 2 or three years even if he's still on the team by then.

Let me ask a question that may let some of you see it from a different perspective- who is the player that is most important to the redskins right now and will be for the duration of his career? So why would you not put the greatest priority in protecting him? Forget secondary and defense, if there's no RGIII then there's no hope. And many fans are content to let someone in front of him just do a decent enough job to protect him. And just think about RGIII - do you really want him just getting by with decent protection with guys like Pierre-Paul trying to hurt him? I like polumbus, but if there's a chance to upgrade- that would be my first priority - because protecting RGIII should be the biggest priority.

There are 10 guys on the field with RGIII who are there to "protect" him, whether it's a lineman blocking, or a receiver getting open quickly, or a running back picking up a blitz. We shouldn't lose sight of making the entire team better just for RT

I understand what you're saying. This is why I don't understand Mike Shanahan's logic of drafting offensive linemen like Compton in the 6th round and "given them time to develop" when he should have drafted a T in the earlier rounds who could play right away. Compton played in the ALL VALLEY Missouri Football Conference for goodness sakes!!! Unless you truly follow college football, you've never heard of that conference. Compton is not a player who will start probably for the next 2 or three years even if he's still on the team by then.

That post made zero sense

That post made zero sense

Smoot, how so?

Let me ask a question that may let some of you see it from a different perspective- who is the player that is most important to the redskins right now and will be for the duration of his career? So why would you not put the greatest priority in protecting him? Forget secondary and defense, if there's no RGIII then there's no hope. And many fans are content to let someone in front of him just do a decent enough job to protect him. And just think about RGIII - do you really want him just getting by with decent protection with guys like Pierre-Paul trying to hurt him? I like polumbus, but if there's a chance to upgrade- that would be my first priority - because protecting RGIII should be the biggest priority.

Protecting RGIII has value, obviously. HOWEVER, the team needs defensive talent in many places. RGIII, by his style and nature, will take hits. Every quarterback takes hits, some take more than him some take less. The FO has to make every effort to put a winning team together, not a vessel for the Great RGIII (no sarcasm meant). Griffin has dealt with injuries in his past, and has overcome them. I have no doubt that if the worst were to happen, he would work his butt off to come back again.

No one is saying ignore the line, but short of a top32 draft pick you probably aren't getting a day one starter, so let's let our draft picks and players compete, develop and transition in (or if they can't, get more bodies in) to keep trying to find the right players for the future)

Smoot, how so?

First, you're assuming that a T drafted higher from a bigger school would be kicking ass right now...like say Bobby Massie

Second, your whole thing about "unless you truly follow college football" What is that? I mean you do realize the scouts' jobs are to "truly follow college football" and find the players from schools no one thinks about. Players like...Alfred Morris for example

Protecting RGIII has value, obviously. HOWEVER, the team needs defensive talent in many places. RGIII, by his style and nature, will take hits. Every quarterback takes hits, some take more than him some take less. The FO has to make every effort to put a winning team together, not a vessel for the Great RGIII (no sarcasm meant). Griffin has dealt with injuries in his past, and has overcome them. I have no doubt that if the worst were to happen, he would work his butt off to come back again.

No one is saying ignore the line, but short of a top32 draft pick you probably aren't getting a day one starter, so let's let our draft picks and players compete, develop and transition in (or if they can't, get more bodies in) to keep trying to find the right players for the future)

And next year the Rams will be using our #32 pick.

Part of the role of an offensive tackle is to basically be the bodyguard for the qb. Are you content to have a decent bodyguard for your franchise player as long as he's healthy or do you want the best available bodyguard to protect him?

I guess I just don't think like most of you. I guess we'll see if Mike Shanahan agrees with me in his choices in free agency and in the draft this offseason.

Make no mistake, part of the reason that Polumbus appears to be doing a decent job in pass protection is that RGIII makes him look better.

Make no mistake, part of the reason that Polumbus appears to be doing a decent job in pass protection is that RGIII makes him look better.

Man, I could swear that in the pre-season there were people saying that Griffin was going to make the line better than it looked with Beck and Grossman. And I swear I remember some people saying that that argument was crazy talk. (not saying it was you warrior). Seems like having a QB with a quick release, decisive in his throws, and aware of the rush, might just help the line. That is some amazing stuff.