A new line of questioning for Redskins

At 6-foot-6, he’s the tallest player at his position in the NFL.

“Pretty cool,” Erik Cook said.

Note

»Free safety Oshiomogo Atogwe did not practice for a second straight day because of a knee injury suffered in the loss to Philadelphia on Sunday. Atogwe said he hurt his knee in the first quarter but continued to play. “After watching the film I could see how it was inhibiting me,” he said. “But during the game I couldn’t really feel it. I definitely noticed it because it affected the way I was running, but you have the strength and fortitude to play through.” However, the fact that Atogwe hasn’t practiced yet this week does not bode well for Sunday, even if he says he plans on playing. Cornerback Byron Westbrook also did not practice because of a hamstring injury suffered Wednesday. Coach Mike Shanahan said of both players, “We’re afraid if we push them, we’ll set them back.” Shanahan said he won’t know how serious Atogwe’s knee injury is until he tries to practice.

– John Keim

He, perhaps, is not as tall as the task facing this line.

The Redskins’ line had started to mesh because of its continuity. But with left tackle Trent Williams replaced by Sean Locklear and left guard Kory Lichtensteiger replaced by center Will Montgomery, who in turn is replaced at center by Cook, the Redskins have potential issues.

Added to that: Tight end Chris Cooley is out, replaced by Logan Paulsen.

So in four spots, the Redskins have been weakened.

“We talked all year that continuity is so important,” Redskins line coach Chris Foerster said. “We lost continuity this week.”

Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said, “It’s a challenge anytime you have three starters go down.”

It was against Philadelphia as the running game suffered. Washington managed just 3.0 yards a carry on 14 runs. In the stretch zone, the blockers not only have to understand how to block to the side the ball is going, but they also have to know who and when to cut when the ball starts away from them. That’s how cutback lanes are created — and it’s something they struggled to get consistently last season. It’s the result of new players.

“It wasn’t due to continuity,” Foerster said of Sunday’s performance. “As a group we didn’t play well.”

Locklear has spent the bulk of his career at right tackle and wasn’t signed until August. He has worked often on the left side since arriving, which he says helps.

“I felt comfortable there,” he said. “With a full week of practice, I feel good. I got a chance [vs. Philadelphia] to get my feet wet. I’m excited about the chance to get out some.”

But Locklear and Montgomery have started at the spots they will play Sunday. Cook will be making his first start.

“He’s not going to look great right away,” Shanahan said. “When it’s all said and done, he does his job. He doesn’t get overwhelmed.”

The big challenge for Cook is staying low enough. Only two other starting centers in the NFL are taller than 6-4; 22 centers are either 6-3 or 6-4. At times Sunday, he failed to stay low and bent at the waist.

“It’s not because of the height,” Foerster said. “That doesn’t cause him to bend at the waist. He bends at the waist for the same reason other guys do; it’s not the height.”

Cook said he has heard about his height since college.

“I know I have to be low,” Cook said. “I know the linemen and nose guards I’ll be going up against have an advantage getting under me. But I’ve been doing a good job staying low and being more powerful.

“I have good hands. It’s all about my hand placement. I’m trying to stay low, but if my hands are there, I’ll be all right.”

And the height has some advantages, in addition to his being able to dunk a ball. It also means he has longer arms.

“When I get my hands fully extended, they’re trying to get my hands off,” he said. “So when I get them extended, it’s a win for me.”

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