Thanks, as always, for the questions.
John: As for the Redskins running game if you had to quantify it how much do you think the woes are driven by poor blocking as opposed to poor running back play? And which lineman do you think is the weakest in getting the needed push to get the running game going?
Mike Kaplan
Mike: For the first question, it’s a combination. If Clinton Portis had been healthy, you would have seen a better running game. So some of it is on the backs; they’re just not capable of playing at a high level and they haven’t mastered the art of pressing the hole and cutting with explosiveness. But there’s no doubt that too often a lineman is getting shoved back to disrupt a lane, or others aren’t getting to linebackers in time to create cutbacks. In every game there are a couple runs where if the backside linemen gets his guy, a big lane is available. As for the weakest link? Hard to say; they need more strength in the interior and more mobility at right tackle. That about covers four spots.
JK
John: Since you said that you don’t think that Jammal Brown will ever move well again, presumably due to injury, could he have a future at guard where there is less of a premium on movement than at tackle? Also, who do you think the Redskins would target via free agency this off-season to bolster the line for 2011? Thanks again, John.
Trevor Walters
Trevor: Thanks for the question. I don’t see Jammal playing left guard. Guards require a different sort of mobility than tackle and in protection tackles have it harder in this area. But the guards in this offense must be able to move well laterally when reaching for blocks in the stretch zone. They also must get out on screens and occasionally pull. Also, he’s 6-foot-6 and doesn’t bend well at the knees anymore. My guess is he would struggle to stay low, a necessity at guard. As for who they’ll target, impossible to know until the CBA is settled. It impacts who qualifies for free agency.
JK
John: I’ve read that this should be one of the better free agent classes in recent memory this off-season and, while I don’t wan to flush the rest of the season away, the team did that in Sunday anyway. That said, who do you see us pursuing this off-season? Will there be a premium placed on FA as opposed to the draft as we’ve seen in years past? Thanks.
Trevor Walters
Kentucky
Trevor: A two-parter! Thanks for keeping me employed! There’s so much uncertainty with free agency because of the CBA and potential lockout that it’s hard to know what will happen. Some have wondered if they’d keep free agency this year for only players entering their sixth year (reverting to the four-year rule in 2012), but the union would not go for this. The draft should be stocked with outside linebackers in the first round. But I could see them going after one in free agency as well as offensive linemen; guards in particular. But it’s a little early to say who they would pursue.
JK
John: There is a lot of hand wringing about next year’s line already and with plenty of justification. Call it an amateur theory but tell me what is wrong with this hypothetical line (it would call for your opinion on the ability of certain players to play at all next year or adapt to a new position). Williams a LT—the only lock. Convert Jamal Brown to LG (he previously played LT and we seemed to be having success with a similar conversion at RG). Center still Rabach—assuming he plays better between two stronger tackles (or Montgomery or Cook). RG – “the beast” Mike Williams (asking for whatever you know about his prognosis here); RT – either Capers (Can he strengthen and improve enough in one season) or free agent.
Sean Cook
Sean: Um, one word: Yikes! Kidding aside, I like your thinking outside the box, but … Talked about Brown in an above answer, but as a quick repeat: he struggles to bend his knees so I’d fear he’d get low enough to play well at guard; and his mobility isn’t that great at any spot. Mike Williams at guard? Would not want to commit to a guy who has played a couple games in five years. You’re asking for disaster (I do not have an update on his status, by the way). I was anxious to see him at guard this summer, but now? I’d want another option. Capers at RT? Based on what we saw this summer, I can’t imagine he’s ready for a starting job. He is athletic, so he’d have the mobility the Redskins want and I am curious about him. Erik Cook looked like he had a long way to go this summer; he did get better, but still. The line needs to be turned over and I’m not confident that a lot of answers exist on this roster. They can’t change out four starters, but they will need to make changes. I’m looking free agency for a starter or two and the draft to continue building.
JK
Hi John: If the Redskins had significant injuries to a position (offensive line) is there any way to promote someone from the practice squad during a live game? What rules on a deadline that you have to promote practice squad players to active roster or starting line-up during a game?
Thanks
Chris Messick
Chris: No, practice squad players have to be promoted by Saturday afternoon. If something crazy happens during a game, teams just have to cross their fingers. That’s what the Redskins were doing with their O-line two weeks ago when rookie tight end Logan Paulsen nearly had to play guard or tackle.
JK
To submit questions for Redskins Mailbag, click here.
