The Washington Redskins were once synonymous with stellar offensive line play. The “Hogs” ― as they were known around D.C. and even the country to a lesser extent ― were a unit that would maul opposing defensive front sevens and lead the way for bruising back, John Riggins, in the 1980’s. During Washington’s Super Bowl season of 1991, the Hogs were reinvented as Joe Jacoby and Russ Grimm gave way to Jim Lachey and Mark Schlereth. The offensive line only gave up nine sacks that year.
This past year, the Redskins offensive line gave up the second-most sacks in the NFL with 58. Quarterbacks Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy were running for their collective lives as the line allowed the third-most quarterback hits from center with 113. Only Jacksonville (118) and Tampa (124) allowed more. It’s no coincidence that those two teams were in the bottom three in the league ― along with the Redskins ― in sacks allowed.
This offseason the team overhauled the offensive line when it acquired former Dallas Cowboys offensive line coach Bill Callahan who was the mastermind behind the Cowboys offensive line renaissance over the past few seasons.
As the newly minted O-line guru, Callahan has been asked to work the same magic with the Burgundy and Gold and shape a moribund unit into a cohesive, physical group.
The team used it’s 2015 NFL Draft first-round pick on Iowa offensive tackle Brandon Scherff and all indications are that they have a keeper. Scherff will struggle at times being asked to play right tackle ― as would most rookies ― but his ceiling is very high. His work ethic and tenacity will never be questioned… he wants to be a key cog in the offensive line wheel.
The Redskins Pro Bowl left tackle, Trent Williams, played valiantly last year, working through multiple injuries during a stretch even after the season was out of reach. He could have packed it in with the pains which with he was dealing but he played through and blossomed into a team leader. His Pro Bowl experience will be an asset to Scherff as well as the other young offensive lineman Callahan is bringing along.
Veteran Kory Lichtensteiger moved last year from his familiar spot at guard to center and the transition was, by all indications, a success. Another year in the same spot should only be better for him as well as better for this year’s named starting QB, Griffin.
Shawn Lauvao appears to be the incumbent at left guard having started 15 games last year. One of the big question marks entering training camp will be: who claims the right guard position now that veteran Chris Chester has been released?
Will it be Spencer Long who had limited playing time last year as a rookie but seems to have positioned himself to be the opening-game starter unless he plays poorly in preseason? Long is a powerful run blocker but will need to develop as a pass blocker.
The team drafted several offensive lineman who could, at some point this year, press for playing time if the starting unit does not produce early.
A few names to keep an eye out for along the offensive line are Morgan Moses, rookie Arie Kouandjio (Alabama – drafted this year) and Austin Reiter (South Florida – also a rookie).
Moses, who was drafted last year in the fourth round out of Virginia, possesses great size at 6’6″, 318 lbs. He filled in with mixed results for Williams last year at left tackle when the Pro Bowler went down with a knee injury. However, in order for Moses to crack into the lineup, he will have to supplant Scherff at right tackle or move to guard. If anything, he should get better under the tutelage of Callahan and could be a valuable back up at worst.
Kouandjio and Reiter both posses good size. This should be no surprise to Redskins Nation since this was a familiar theme during this past 2015 draft, orchestrated by new General Manager (and big fan of players with size and strength) Scot McCloughan.
With Callahan leading the way and the young players offering valuable contributions, the offensive line should be a much better unit this season… as well they should be so that they can protect the team’s biggest investment: Robert Griffin III.
The offensive success for the Redskins this season will be dictated by what happens up front. It doesn’t matter how many toys you have at the skill positions if the quarterback has no time to get the football to those players.
Note: For questions regarding the Redskins now and during training camp, send tweets to me at @LakeLewis