Hicks hopes to start at guard for Redskins
The ability to play four positions boosted his value. The problem is he couldn’t settle in at one. That’s what Artis Hicks is hoping to do in Washington.
However, he has carved out a career by being flexible. And if he needs to play multiple spots here, then that’s what he’ll do.
The Redskins signed Hicks to a three-year, $9 million deal Saturday night. He’ll compete for the starting job at right guard (along with Mike Williams).
“They do say ‘jack of all trades, master of none,'” he said. “And the amount of reps you get in one spot helps you get in a groove, and you get comfortable and you start to grow. But whatever my role might be now, whether it’s the fifth or sixth guy, I’ve been in both situations and done well in both situations. I can handle either one.
“I feel comfortable in all four spots. We’ll see what happens.”
Thus far, he is the Redskins’ only signing in free agency, which began Friday. The Redskins will host linebacker Larry Foote and running back Willie Parker on Monday. Foote also is scheduled to meet with Arizona on Wednesday. Right tackle Tony Pashos visited Friday and Saturday but signed with Cleveland on Sunday.
Hicks, 31, started 13 games the past three seasons with Minnesota (and 14 with the Vikings in 2006). He spent four years with the Eagles, starting 27 games in his last two seasons in Philadelphia. He has played games at every position but center and has 58 career starts.
Hicks has played in zone-blocking systems in both Minnesota and Philadelphia. The Redskins will use that scheme under coach Mike Shanahan. One thing that had to be attractive about Hicks: He’s considered to have good feet.
It helps, too, that he’s familiar with the wording of the play calls from playing in similar systems.
“That played a part in my decision,” he said. “I didn’t want to start from ground zero again. I wanted to take off on things quick and fit in.”
At 6-foot-4, 335 pounds, one knock is that he’ll sometimes play too upright. But he’s also considered a good guy in the locker room, one who understands the game.
“To be a good line, it’s a matter of having chemistry,” he said. “The two lines I’ve been part of, that’s what we’ve had. We all hung out together. We understood each other. We were all real tight, and you have to have that. The Redskins have had the talent, but if you don’t have the chemistry, sometimes talent won’t matter. You have to play as one up front.”
