O-line issues

1. The defensive line is good. There’s no doubt the D-line should be ahead this early in camp. Mostly, their job is to get upfield and hit a gap. The line must work in tandem with one another, which is a little tougher. So we’ll give the O-line that much.

2. The Redskins did not do a good job addressing the line. Derrick Dockery was a good pickup. Much as Pete Kendall was admired, his knees prevented him from getting in space and blocking. So the Redskins eliminated some of those plays to his side. But they felt there was a hole at right tackle. So they … signed a guy who weighed 410 pounds, had not played in three years and was considered a bust his first go-round. Mike Williams is a very nice man and easy to root for. He’s a good story. But a starting tackle? That’s what they’re hoping. Would, say, Bill Belichick or Mike Tomlin make such a move? Williams will get criticized, but if he can’t play it’s not his fault. Stephon Heyer has had his moments, both good and bad. At the least he could be a backup. Can’t yet say that about the others.

3. Injuries are a concern. When a line ages, it naturally starts to break down. See last season. If Randy Thomas has issues at right guard, can Chad Rinehart — or Jeremy Bridges — fill in capably? They don’t have an experienced backup center (though Will Montgomery and Edwin Williams have looked good in practice). And heaven forbid anything should happen to Chris Samuels at left tackle. But with three linemen over 30 years old, it’s safe to say that the backups will be needed, isn’t it?

4. Samuels is not getting beaten with regularity by Brian Orakpo. Apparently that’s been stated, but I haven’t seen that. I have seen Orakpo beat him on occasion, enough to say, ‘This kid could be really good.’ Samuels is still techincally sound. Maybe he takes a step back, but he’s still a good lineman.