Could It Be?

It's not something I really want to admit because I hope it's not true, because if it is true we have a real problem this season, but is it realistic to think that our offensive line despite their individual notoriety are just lousy?
Let's face it they couldn't open a hole all of last year, the running game was very difficult for whoever ran the ball, they never knocked the defense back, I hate to say it but that may be the biggest problem of all, nothing works without a good O-line, I guess we will have a good look at it against carolina.

The only gaping hole we have is Dockery. I do wish we would've addressed that this offseason, but no I'm not too terribly worried about the o line. we weren't exactly horrible last year, the running scheme just didnt fit the personell all around. And the pass protection breakdowns were usually from a RB or TE. Look at the sacks allowed colums in the o lines stats on redskins.com. Their among the best in the league when it comes to sacks, its the h backs and te's we have to worry about, that's why buges and gibbs brought moved guys and brought in bigger FB type players who have run the ball in college.

when we have 3 amazing people one good person and dockery being average it isn't just his fault

We have good players and dockery isn't making it all fall apart. if we suck like we did in the scrimmage there is no way that dockery is only to blame.

I don't want to say system because that implies coaching but it is something that isn't right. Almost when QBs and WRs aren't used to each other. It is something i can't quite put my finger on

I talked about this earlier today. we will see tommorrw if we still suck there is no reason not to be scared to say it, we will have a long season
i am the type of person who believes it all starts at the line and tommorrow if the middle 6, ramsey and the line, don't preform we will have problems

That would be a big surprise to me.

1. If the talent isn't what everyone says, then a whole heap of talent evaluators, pro-bowl selectors, etc. have it wrong about the individual talent--I'm talking about Samuels, Jansen, and Thomas. Rabach look very good last year on a very strong line. Dockery has flashes. Is everyone just wrong about the individual skill level?

2. Chemistry. New Center. New Right Tackle. That'll take time. Last year, weak center, no right tackle, really (despite the heroics, the ageless Ray Brown is a guard). Can they get chemistry? We'll see, but man, I reall think they can. Jansen is their leader. It will come. My guess is the inside play may take longer, and that will slow the running game for a while.

3. Coaching--I guess I feel that Gibbs and Buges will get this to work.

Given those factors, I feel pretty confident that the line will work. But remember--D's often bring many more blitzers nowadays, so it's not all on the line. That has to develop as well.

It will come--I have confidence. They are good.

They are talented. very talented.
but i dont think they have the balls to play smash mouth football.
i complained all last year that samuels would lose it in the 4th quarter. he would fold every single game.


it will be interesting to see thomas and jansen team up, i think they have the attitude to play smath mouth ball.

hopefully they will set the tone for the other guys, if they do, portis should have holes len pasqurelli could run through.

hopefully they will set the tone for the other guys, if they do, portis should have holes len pasqurelli could run through.

well played my friend well played

i just think we have to "gel" as wierd as that seems

With regards to offensive lineman, who can say? Really, the Steelers had the best running game in the league last year - can you name 3 of the starting five on their line? The Colts give up the least sacks every year, besides Saturday, can you name any other starters on their line???

I'm afraid we really won't know much about our line until the season starts. The best offensive lines don't really start to shine until the heavy breathing starts. 3rd and 4th quarter is where you see the dominating lines take over. Thats when guys have slowed down just a bit and the great lines find ways to exploit that. We have the talent to do that, and I think that Jansen is the guy who will be pointing out the places to attack during those times.

i am a very optimistic person and won't go crazy until tonights game but is it possible that we just overhyped the loss of janson for so long that we ended up believing it was the missing link to our success?
I have been waiting to see janson for so long and i have treated his return as him being the savior of the team. i will continue to do so until i am proven wrong but tonight either i'll be extremly happy or sad

How bout a little perspective:

1) The scrimmage took place at the end of the first week of camp. That's not even enough time for the players to air-dry their jock straps, let alone develop cohesiveness along the line.

2) It was the BALTIMORE RAVENS. Come on, those guys are menaces on defense. Trying to pick up blitzes in the first week of practice is tough enough, but dealing with Terrell Suggs, Ray Lewis, and Ed Reed makes it especially tough.

If the Redskins played the Ravens in the regular season I would definitely not be expecting a 21-17 game. I'd be hoping for a 10-6 win.

Carolina's D is tough too. I wouldn't expect a lot vs them either. What I'm looking for is that the offensive line doesn't get physically beaten. It's one thing if you miss assignments on blitzes, because that's a mental error and can be corrected. But if you're just getting physically beaten by your man, then there's a problem.