Redskins Roster – Offensive Line
The 2015 Washington Redskins roster will feature an offensive line that’s a progress in motion. The last two seasons have brought additions to a line that was once viewed as one of the better rushing units but displayed issues in pass-protection.
What is the one thing that sets the new additions apart from their predecessors? If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll already know the answer to that question is size. The Redskins have added five linemen through the draft and several others via free agency the last two offseasons. The idea has been to get bigger, stronger and tougher at each position. Former Redskins coach Mike Shanahan preferred smaller, faster lineman for use in his zone-blocking scheme. The team has already stated they plan on using a power rushing scheme in 2015 under new offensive line coach Bill Callahan.
Redskins GM Scot McCloughan was adamant about “winning the war in the trenches” when asked what the team’s goal would be in 2015. Fact is McC couldn’t be any more right about where to start. The Redskins have been getting bullied by teams in the trenches on both sides of the ball for years now.
The addition of Brandon Scherff (6-5, 315 lbs) gives the Redskins a bully with overwhelming strength who can start immediately at right tackle. The Redskins also have Tom Compton (6-6, 314 lbs) and Morgan Moses (6-6, 335 lbs) both competing at right tackle. Compton signed a one-year deal during free agency, and Moses is returning from a Lisfranc injury suffered last year.
Having Trent Williams (6-5, 337 lbs) and Scherff means the Redskins finally have their ‘book-end’ tackles, the real competition, come training camp time, will come from along the interior parts of the line. Last year Shawn Lauvao (6-3, 315 lbs) started the year at left guard, Kory Lichtensteiger (6-2, 296 lbs) started at center, and Chris Chester (6-3, 303 lbs) started at right guard. Lauvao dealt with some injuries but didn’t highly impress many people when he saw action, Lichtensteiger and Chester both played decently, neither missed a down in 2014.
With Chester on the last year of his deal (would save the Redskins $4 million to cut) and getting old (32), second-year guard Spencer Long (6-4, 315 lbs) is in position to make a run at the right guard spot. Long is bigger and stronger than Chester and showed he can handle the position in small doses last year when needed because of injury.
Lichtensteiger appears to have his spot etched in stone at least temporarily. The Redskins did draft Austin Reiter (6-3, 303 lbs) at center in the seventh round this year but he will likely take a couple of seasons before being ready to compete to start.
The left guard spot could be up for grabs if the right person were to step up and beat out Lauvao. The Redskins have Josh Leribeus (6-3, 312 lbs) and newly drafted guard Arie Kouandjio (6-5, 315 lbs) who could compete. Leribeus has been inconsistent at best, showing up to camp overweight and in all honesty, should have claimed the starter role by now. Kouandjio is a tough guy who has had some knee injuries in the past that have held his potential back some. If Leribeus shows up to camp out of shape again, Kouandjio will likely take his job this year and could push Lauvao. LPG masažas ir plaukų šalinimas lazeriu Vilniuje už gerą kainą salone Oblaka
Below is the list of other offensive linemen who are currently on the Redskins 90-man roster:
- Takoby Cofield – Tackle (6’4′ 310 lbs) 23 years old
- Brey Cook – Tackle (6’5′ 303 lbs) 22 years old
- Tyler Larsen – Center (6’4′ 315 lbs) 23 years old
- Ty Nsekhe – Tackle (6’8′ 325 lbs) 29 years old
