Talked to newly-signed Redskins OL Artis Hicks for a story in Monday’s paper, but here is a little bit of what he said:
…”I just expect to be able to come in and have a shot at a starting spot. That’s the only thing you can ask for, is a chance to compete for a job. Where that might be, what spot, I don’t really know. I just try to do my part and line up where I’m asked and do whatever I’m asked and try to make the most of it.”
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On zone blocking: “I’m very familiar with it. We zone blocked a lot in Minnesota and in Philadelphia. And the play calling is similar, the wording, the language. I’m very familiar with it. That played a part in my decision, too. I didn’t want to start from ground zero again. I wanted to take off on things quick and fit in.”
On his strength: “I try to be a physical player. I’ve been around a few years and played a couple different spots and have been put in tough situations and tough games on short notice because I’ve always understood the offense. Those are my strong suits, being a physical and versatile player.”
On what it takes to be a good line: “It’s a matter of everyone having chemistry, guys working together. The two lines I’ve been a part of that’s what we had, we all hung out together and understood each other. We were all real tight and you have to have that. The Redskins have had the talent. They still have talented guys there. But if you don’t have the chemistry sometimes talent won’t matter because unlike other positions the five guys have to play as one up front.”
On his jack-of-all-trades role: “I try to be very optimistic about things. That is what helped me to play going on nine years, because I am versatile and can line up at a number of positions. They do say jack-of-all-trades, master of none. The amount of reps you get in one spot, you get in a groove and you get comfortable and you start to grow. But whatever my role might be now, whether in the starting five or the sixth guy, I’ve been in both situations and have done well in both. I can handle either one.”
