OG and OC are bigger needs than OT

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Yes, I know Jasnen is done, and yes, I know the chances of Heyer developing into a stud RT are slim to none. However, when you look back to the problems on our line this year, more often than ont, Campbell was getting pressured in the middle. OT is a need, for sure, but we can get by with Samuels on one side and Jansen/Heyer on the other for another year if we have an upgraded interior line. if we go with more 2TE sets, Cooley and Davis can always help our Tackles out by staying into block or just getting a quick block in before going out on a route. Having a solid interior line is a MUST.

Unfortunately, we need some help at all three Interior line positions. Pete Kendall was arguably our best lineman this year, but he is a free agent. Rabach is DONE. he's finished as a starter. Randy Thomas is done too, but unlike Rabach, he has a ridiculous cap figure. While cutting Rabach is fairly pain-free, Thomas is going to be on the roster for years to come... but that doesnt mean he should start.

Considering all our primary needs (OL, DL, and LB), free agency is where we should focus on fixing our defense. There arent many good, YOUNG offensive linemen available in free agency (and we should absolutely resign kendall) but our two primary OL needs can be addressed in the draft with our first two picks. Here is who i feel we should target, with the following information taken from WalterFootball.com: 2009 NFL Draft: Offensive Guard Rankings
WalterFootball.com: 2009 NFL Draft: Center Rankings

Round 1, Pick 13:

Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
Height: 6-5. Weight: 330.
Projected 40 Time: 5.28.
Projected Round (2009): Top 25 Pick.
1/8/09: Easily an AP All-America first-teamer, Duke Robinson was a monstrous force on a line that was part of one of the greatest offenses in history.

11/2/08: Still the elite guard in this class by a wide distance. He could go in the top 15 if a team is desperate enough for a guard.

.
If he falls to us, we HAVE to take him. He would be an immediate starter who could shore up our LG spot for a decade.

Round 3, Pick 77:

Eric Wood, Louisville
Height: 6-4. Weight: 306.
Projected 40 Time: 5.09.
Projected Round (2009): 3-4.
1/8/09: Eric Wood has made 49 consecutive starts. Crazy. He was voted to the All-Big East First Team.

5/26/08: You're getting a rock at center if you draft Eric Wood; he's started 37 consecutive games. He was voted to the All-Big East first team last year.

If we got these two guys, I see our line looking like this:

LT: Chris Samuels
LG: Duke Robinson
C: Wood
RG: Kendall
RT: Heyer

Our backups would be: Jansen(T), Rinehart (T/G), Thomas (G), and Geisinger (C).

At some point in 2009 and by 2010 at the latest, Rinehart should surplant Kendall at the RG position.

[GTripp0012]

I do happen to agree with you on this one. Nothing the Redskins could run last year went between the Guards because Thomas and Rabach were awful. It's a bigger immediate need than OT.

If we don't add an OT in the draft this year, I have to imagine Jansen would stay at RT. He's not horrible, but he doesn't limit your playcalling like Heyer does. Heyer's pass protection form is well beyond his years, but he's still very, very raw and possibly not ready to start in the NFL, without serious improvement in the offseason. Jansen is meh, and great OLB/DE hybrids are going to kill him for the rest of his career, but he's fine if we can't upgrade the position with, say, Jordan Gross.

Jansen was our third best offensive lineman in 2008, so I don't really understand all the hate.

[Jake2008]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

I do happen to agree with you on this one. Nothing the Redskins could run last year went between the Guards because Thomas and Rabach were awful. It's a bigger immediate need than OT.

If we don't add an OT in the draft this year, I have to imagine Jansen would stay at RT. He's not horrible, but he doesn't limit your playcalling like Heyer does. Heyer's pass protection form is well beyond his years, but he's still very, very raw and possibly not ready to start in the NFL, without serious improvement in the offseason. Jansen is meh, and great OLB/DE hybrids are going to kill him for the rest of his career, but he's fine if we can't upgrade the position with, say, Jordan Gross.

Jansen was our third best offensive lineman in 2008, so I don't really understand all the hate.

Third on one of the crappiest offensive lines in the league is nothing to get excited about. We need a RT. Jansen is done at RT. He has no lateral mobility and is easily beat by anyone with average speed. And Heyer is not ready and there is no reason to believe at this point he will be a good RT.

And having a TE stay back to help is not the answer. This just limits the offense even more.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Jake2008

Third on one of the crappiest offensive lines in the league is nothing to get excited about. We need a RT. Jansen is done at RT. He has no lateral mobility and is easily beat by anyone with average speed. And Heyer is not ready and there is no reason to believe at this point he will be a good RT.

And having a TE stay back to help is not the answer. This just limits the offense even more.

Good points. I mean, just because we could do worse than sucking it up and putting Jansen back at RT next year doesn't mean we necessarily should if a better option is staring us in the face.

Of course, watching Vinny botch the WR situation last offseason, you'd have to think that even if a better option does stare us in the face, we'd go forward with Jansen anyway.

[Jake2008]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Good points. I mean, just because we could do worse than sucking it up and putting Jansen back at RT next year doesn't mean we necessarily should if a better option is staring us in the face.

Of course, watching Vinny botch the WR situation last offseason, you'd have to think that even if a better option does stare us in the face, we'd go forward with Jansen anyway.

I have zero faith in Vinny and to be honest it wouldn't surprise me one bit if we drafted another receiver with the 13th pick.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Good points. I mean, just because we could do worse than sucking it up and putting Jansen back at RT next year doesn't mean we necessarily should if a better option is staring us in the face.

Of course, watching Vinny botch the WR situation last offseason, you'd have to think that even if a better option does stare us in the face, we'd go forward with Jansen anyway.

Everyones points here are valid - we all see different holes on our team, especially the lines, and it seems we all have different opinions on what needs to be fixed first...

More and more, i am becoming convinced that this team is several years away from being a contender. Several years away likely means Zorn may not be the head coach by the time we have the proper personnel to be a true competitor. Zorn possibly not being the head coach in 2-3 years means its important to get players that will be really good in any system.

For this reason, I think we would be very wise to invest our 1st and 3rd round picks in the best offensive linemen on the board. For the most part, a guard is a guard, a tackle is a tackle, and a center is a center. If the guy is really good, you can put him in any offensive system and they can have success. On the other hand, with players in the defensive front 7, the system you run is much more important to the players success. the types of DLs and LBs you select depend largely on whether you run a 3-4 or 4-3.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

Zorn possibly not being the head coach in 2-3 years means its important to get players that will be really good in any system.

Ah yes, the entire key to the NFL draft. I'm being serious though, the draft gets complicated for teams who try to nitpick early on and select system guys rather than fundamentally sound prospects they can build a team around.

[MTK]

I really don't like Heyer starting unless he really gets coached up well between now and next season. I'd rather stick it out one more year with JJ.

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I really don't like Heyer starting unless he really gets coached up well between now and next season. I'd rather stick it out one more year with JJ.

thanks but i dont think i can play with the NFL defensive ends but seriously i agree with you heyer hasnt shown me enough to think he can be a RT for 16 games

[T.O.Killa]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I really don't like Heyer starting unless he really gets coached up well between now and next season. I'd rather stick it out one more year with JJ.

I cant beleve that anyone wold want JJ in for another year. You have always been his biggest fan. Is he a personal friend of your, and I am not being sarcastic.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by T.O.Killa

I cant beleve that anyone wold want JJ in for another year. You have always been his biggest fan. Is he a personal friend of your, and I am not being sarcastic.

Huh?

I've readily admitted that he has lost a step. But if I had to choose between the lesser of two evils I would take Jansen. Heyer just stinks at run blocking and he still has a lot to work on in pass pro. Jansen at least has the experience and is still effective in the running game.

[T.O.Killa]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Huh?

I've readily admitted that he has lost a step. But if I had to choose between the lesser of two evils I would take Jansen. Heyer just stinks at run blocking and he still has a lot to work on in pass pro. Jansen at least has the experience and is still effective in the running game.

I was not saying that you think he is perfect, but you have always favored him. I just thought maybe you liked the guy for the inangibles that he brings. I do not like Jansen and hope that Heyer is ready to take his place.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by T.O.Killa

I was not saying that you think he is perfect, but you have always favored him. I just thought maybe you liked the guy for the inangibles that he brings. I do not like Jansen and hope that Heyer is ready to take his place.

I think we were all hoping for that this year and it didn't happen.

I'm not banking on Heyer ever becoming a quality NFL starter. He's a backup at best to me. I think we need to look elsewhere for the future at RT.

[A10sROCK]

The average age of our OL is high and getting older. We simply must start to draft new blood this season.

One or two new rookies would extend the careers of Jansen , Samuels, etc.

If we draft for the OL over the next two years we can build OL for the long-term. Regardless of who is the coach.

[SFREDSKIN]

Alex Mack C get him, whatever it takes. He's the smartest player in the draft and is a center which requires to make the calls in the line just like MLB. Portis can then pounded straight ahead instead of running to the outside.