…Chad Rinehart and Will Montgomery split the first-team duty at right guard today. Coach Jim Zorn said he might make the decision as to who will start on Thursday.
“Chad has to really show he will step up,” Zorn said. “But Will has to show the same thing.”
It makes sense for them to start Rinehart, who was their third-round pick in 2008. At some point they must see what they have in him. They also praised him during the summer for his improved play, but coaches do that with most players. Rinehart’s lack of athleticism and inexperience has to concern the Redskins.
At least Montgomery has started in the NFL six times, including once at right guard in 2006.
“It’s the experience that he has,” Zorn said of Montgomery. “He did a tremendous job with zero reps with the starting group and he maintained his composure and was making some big blocks.”
…OK, here’s how Anthony Alridge has improved his hands: by flipping a tennis ball in the air. Seriously. Alridge had fumbling issues this summer, which is the biggest reason he was cut. He has the speed Washington wants, but fumbled often in practices and in the games.
“I got my tennis ball and I throw the ball up in the air and keep my eyes on the ball,” Alridge said. “Just stay focused. Fumbling is a lack of concentration and I’m concentrating now.”
Rock Cartwright said he was told that Alridge would be active for Sunday’s game at Detroit and that Marcus Mason would not.
“We expect to use his speed,” Zorn said.
…Zorn on the booing fans: “Everybody was saying, did you hear the fans boo? I said, ‘I’m booing, too.’ I want to score the six points and kick the extra point. There’s a lot of stuff out there. I haven’t read anything and I’ve tried to answer everybody’s questions.”
…Zorn said on the fourth and 1 play from the 2 vs. St. Louis that an offensive lineman switched the blocking at the line (not C Casey Rabach, who had made the proper call). It led to some confusion with the line, with some linemen double teaming and others fanning out, which forced the play to be strung out. The other problem, however, is that the Rams had a safety wide on that side and he pushed tight end Fred Davis back a yard. And left guard Derrick Dockery was knocked two yards back as well. The play had no chance.
Zorn did say he had hoped Portis could cut the corner, but the miscommunication as well as poor execution led to a failed play.
