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Monday, May 4, 2009

Redskins to sign O lineman and other Mini Camp thoughts

The Skins are close to signing Jeremy Bridges. Bridges is a 6-year NFL veteran who has played for the Panthers the last three years and started 28-of-41 games at guard in that span. He is listed at 6-4 and 326 pounds.

This would a positive move. I don't know the guy but we could certainly use some depth on the O line and it's good to get some veteran help and guys with experience.

Other news is that mini camp apparently went well and the rookies did well especially Orakpo who was used on the line but seems like he was used more at LB. Devin Thomas has apparently improved but tweaked his hammie so had to sit for parts of the camp. D.J. Hackett, who the Skins tried to sign last year, is in camp this year and knows Zorn's offense from his days in Seattle and apparently had some good catches. Also, Kelley Washington also from the Panthers played pretty well. Zorn said that we aren't as pressed to sign a WR given that we have several to choose from.

All in all, I like the signings and what I hear from camp. If one of these WRs can step up and be a significant contributor, it will make JC's job much easier and take some coverage and load off of Moss. Also, hopefully the line will stabilize to give JC some time.

4 comments:

Rob said...

I am surprised by how unsettled the Redskins' O-line is right now. Other than Dockery and perhaps Rabach (although he has had some trouble), the other three spots are highly suspect.

Samuels is old and battered - you'd like to think he can make it through the year but it seems unlikely.

This signing cannot hurt. There will be some cuts in the summer, but the lack of stability on the O-line at this point is not a good sign.

j, k, and s's d said...

It's not that bad. Samuels is still better than most at his position. He was a Pro Bowler the season before last and played at a high level last year until his injury and I expect him back healthy and able to contribute. Dockery is good and coming back to guys he is familiar with. He is an upgrade to Kendall. Rabach is fine as well and apparently a very smart center so I'm good with him. Thomas is okay when healthy and then we have the combo of Heyer and Jansen. One of these guys will win out. Apparently Heyer is the better pass blocker but Jansen is the better run blocker. Heyer is in his third year and apparently has made strides in his strength and run blocking abilities and wants to be the starter so maybe he will step up.

Additionally, we have Chad Rinehart, our third round pick from last year so hopefully he steps up. There is talk of bringing Kendall back but in a back up role. He wants to be a starter so we'll see if anyone is willing to let that happen. I like that they brought in Bridges as it gives them depth with a veteran with experience. They got that former first round pick Mike Williams. Not sure what he can do. I know they are just trying to get him in shape but Dockery vouched for the guy so hopefully he could provide some depth. Also they have brought in several undrafted free agents so the situation is not nearly as dire as you want to make it out to be.

Rob said...

It's bad. But, it may be OK. There was a good piece in the Post this weekend about the troubles on the line. I don't think it is time to panic, but it is also not a good situation.

j, k, and s's d said...

I don't think we are anywhere close to being in a situation of panic. Now if these guys all suck and get injured and it just all falls apart, it will then be time to panic but we can wait to see how it goes.