Samuels will be placed on IR during bye week
ASHBURN – Before the season, Vinny Cerrato considered the Redskins a playoff team. And a team that had good offensive line depth.
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Thus far, most would say the Redskins executive vice president was wrong on both counts.
In his first news conference since hiring offensive consultant turned play-caller Sherman Lewis on Oct. 6, Cerrato was asked — twice — if he gave coach Jim Zorn a roster that could make the playoffs.
He twice answered succinctly, “Yes.”
Cerrato also said he’s not worrying about his job security.
“I feel like my job is on the line all the time,” Cerrato said. “My job is to get us going and fill these holes when guys get hurt.”
As for the depth, which is now being tested, Cerrato said that before the season they were satisfied with the backups. However, none of the backups even appeared in a game in 2008.
They also haven’t drafted an offensive lineman above the third round since taking left tackle Chris Samuels in 2000. The highest they’ve taken a lineman since that time is the third round (Derrick Dockery in 2003 and Chad Rinehart in 2008).
Now that Samuels (he’ll be placed on injured reserve this week) and right guard Randy Thomas (already on IR) are done for the season, the lack of depth is evident. Washington (2-5) allowed six sacks in its 27-17 loss to Philadelphia on Monday. The running game has been mediocre as well.
One rival general manager recently criticized the Redskins for building their roster “outside-in” meaning the last area they focused on was the line.
“We’ve got to address and get some depth,” running back Clinton Portis said. “We went into the season and we did not address that issue and it came back to haunt us.”
Linebacker London Fletcher agreed.
“Obviously depth in some areas was an issue before the season,” Fletcher said. “It’s come up on us to where we’re now faced with the reality … our expectations have changed … . You have to be able to protect the quarterback. It was only six sacks [Monday] but it seemed like double-figure sacks. Watching the game you feel bad for [quarterback Jason Campbell], how many hits he was taking.”
Both Cerrato and Redskins coach Jim Zorn said the Redskins tried to address the line in the offseason. But the only significant addition was Dockery, who had been cut in Buffalo. They passed on drafting one, opting for end/linebacker Brian Orakpo, who has played well and also filled a need, instead.
“There was nobody at 13 worthy of it,” Cerrato said. “When you lose some quality people, there is a dropoff. We have to do better. … I guess where we’re standing right now, to have more depth would be great.”
Cerrato also said he thought Lewis provided a “spark” as a playcaller.
“He did a good job with the amount of time he had,” Cerrato said.
As for Campbell’s play, Cerrato said, “We’re 2-5; we’ve got to get better in a lot of areas. With Jason, he has got to be consistent.”
