The Redskins' Future: Now AND Later - Part Four

Meat fundamentals

Redskins fans have always paid attention to offensive line play and while scoring and defensive stands may be the measure of excitement in the NFL, blocking controls the game. Curly R's series on the changing draft philosophy of the Washington Redskins continues.

Part One: Draft Picks Are Free But Not Without Cost
Part Two: The Y Axis
Part Three: Round Two
Part Four: Round Three
Part Five: Round Four
Part Six: Round Six
Part Seven: Round Seven and Wrap Up

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Round Three
Chad Rinehart, OT

The future is bright with the possibility of play now The Redskins all things considered have had a good offensive line recently. In 2006 no player in the starting five on the line missed a start until the fourteenth game, also the season Ladell Betts ran for 1154 yards and a 4.7 yards per carry average on nine starts in place of Clinton Portis' shoulder. In 2007 RT Jon Jansen was lost in the first game to a dislocated ankle and RG Randy Thomas went out with a torn tricep in game two, this set off a furious and at times desperate series of events as players were shuffled around the line to plug holes. Still and all, the line blew open 1800 yards worth of holes and whereas the averages for Clinton and Ladell were both under 4.0 (op. cit.), the Redskins managed to win the time of possession battle over the season and make the playoffs, even a subpar performance was enough to get it done.

Going into 2008, LT Chris Samuels, the bright star in the 2007 line, will be 31 with six years left on his contract*, LG Pete Kendall will be 35 with one year left on his contract, C Casey Rabach aka Casey Nutsach will be 30 with three years left on his contract, RG Randy Thomas will be 32 also with six years left on his contract and RT Jon Jansen will be 32 with four years left on his contract. That is an opening day average of 32 years old along the line.

While that is young enough to continue to compete in the NFL, it is also old enough that a team needs younger players in the pipeline and the Redskins cupboard while not bare, is thin. Undrafted tackle Stephon Heyer massively impressed in 2007, if he can continue his development he will be a starter in the NFL. Guard Jason Fabini is serviceable as a starter and guard tackle Todd Wade aka Big Head Todd aka 8 Ball is also serviceable, though strictly as a short term starting replacement.

Chad Rinehart was a tackle in college though he has been projected possibly at both tackle and guard in the NFL. I say this is a good thing. LG Pete Kendall is 35 and on a short term deal. Stephon Heyer is already president of the Future Tackles of Washington so maybe Chad can start his own club at guard.

Bottom line: the Redskins offensive line should have enough gas in the tank for one more campaign and as such there is no imperative to turn positions over right now. Throw Chad into the mix in training camp and let us see where he falls. If he starts the season on the bench or even gets little playing time in 2008 it will not be a waste if the rest of the line plays sufficiently well.


The Redskins' Future: Now AND Later continues tomorrow with part five, Round Four.


* Massive hat tip to Warpath Insiders for maintaining the Redskins player contracts page. If only this was historic, with a selectable page for every season. That sounds like a great job for a blogging intern or a senior project for a college student majoring in blogging.



Refuel Cafe & Bar sign from here.