Post Email: The Weak Side

[MTK]

Randy Thomas was the sole offensive linemen who received kudos last season when Washington's pass-protection unit was a mistake-prone sieve. While Chris Samuels and Jon Jansen were criticized for false starts, Thomas was praised by former Coach Steve Spurrier for his consistency and reliability. But this season Thomas has been part of a right side that has been the weak link of Washington's offensive line. The Redskins have had issues in pass protection -- something coaches will work on during the bye week before the team faces the Green Bay Packers on Halloween.

"You play the game to win," said Thomas, echoing the mantra from his former Coach Herman Edwards with the New York Jets. "And, believe me, people you play are trying to win also. They are going to do some schemes or some rushes or different things that you probably haven't seen. They are going to come through sometimes."

But the problems on the right side of the line don't necessarily mean that Thomas is struggling. Thomas, who has been run-blocking better than pass-blocking -- hasn't had a consistent partner either on his left side or right.

The Redskins have replaced center Lennie Friedman with Cory Raymer. And since Jansen went down with a season-ending injury during training camp, the Redskins haven't had a permanent replacement. Kenyatta Jones started the season opener before being replaced by the 41-year-old Ray Brown in Week 2, a 21-14 loss to the New York Giants. Mainly because of an injury, Brown lost his starting job to Jones last week against the Baltimore Ravens in 17-10 loss. But when Jones's ankle injury flared up, Brown was back in the lineup for last week's 13-10 victory over the Chicago Bears. The running game had its best performance of the year with Clinton Portis churning out 171 of Washington's 218 yards.

The right side hasn't been able to get fully in sync, Thomas, said because of the constant shuffle. But Thomas is reluctant to use that as an excuse for the inconsistency of the right side.

"If I continue to do my job, I don't think [the shuffling] is an issue," Thomas said. "It's for health reason that guys are in and out. You can't do anything about that. It would be nice to solidify who is going to be there for a while and get a rhythm with that person. But people get hurt in this league."

-- Nunyo Demasio