Countdown to 53: Offensive LIne
As the Redskins continue to get younger and deeper through the draft, getting down to a 53 man regular season roster is going to get tougher and tougher. Over the next week, we will take a look at who will be at the Superdome for the opener, who is on the bubble, the practice squad or just out of luck.
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Did the Redskins do enough in the off season to improve the offensive line? The team ignored the position in free agency and will rely on Trent Williams to stay clean and others to avoid injury. The gamble with Jammal Brown is already creating problems and the jury is out on just how much that Kory Lichtensteiger will be able to contribute this season.
Center
Starter: Will Montgomery 6'3" 304-
Backup: Erik Cook 6'6" 308-
The Redskins are fairly set with Montgomery in the middle. Could Grant Garner end up the backup instead of Erik Cook? Chris Chester, Kory Lichtensteiger and Josh LeRibeus are all capable of playing here.
Guard
Starter: Kory Lichtensteiger 6'2" 284-
Starter: Chris Chester 6'3" 309-
Backup: Maurice Hurt 6'3" 329-
Backup: Josh LeRibeus 6'3" 315-
Will Lichtensteiger be healthy enough to play? Will he stay healthy enough? Rookie Adam Gettis may end up at guard if Lichtensteiger isn't healthy enough for the long run. We could also see Maurice Hurt working at tackle instead of Jordan Black with Gettis on the active roster. If Chester isn't healthy, this position will become problematic.
Tackle
Starter: Trent Williams 6'5" 328-
Starter: Tyler Polumbus 6'8" 305-
Backup: Willie Smith 6'6" 310-
Backup: Jordan Black 6'5" 305-
Reserve: Jammal Brown 6'6" 317-
The Redskins gambled on Jammal Brown being healthy and lost. Brown may have played his last game in burgundy and gold, leaving right tackle in the hands of backup Tyler Polumbus. Veteran Jordan Black was brought on board to add experience, with last year's surprise Wiillie Smith also providing depth. If Trent Williams has a relapse, the offensive line will be in serious trouble.
Practice Squad:
Adam Gettis 6'2" 292-
Tom Compton 6'5" 308-
Grant Garner 6'3" 302-
The Redskins brought in some bodies late in the draft as well as undrafted free agency Grant Garner. Adam Gettis and Tom Compton will end up on the 53 man roster at some point, if not for the opener. After failing to bring in young talent for years, the team is beginning to address the problem. but needs to spend many more resources here in the future.
Down the Road? This position will need to be addressed in both the draft and free agency in 2013. The team won't be able to address it in the first round until 2015, but need to look at offensive tackles in the second round in '13 and '14. A center for the future also needs to be brought onboard.
Running Totals
Cutting Down to 53: R. Griffin III, K. Cousins, R. Grossman, R. Helu Jr., T. Hightower, E. Royster, D. Young, P. Garcon, J. Morgan, L. Hankerson, S. Moss, D. Briscoe, A. Robinson, F. Davis, L. Paulsen, N. Paul, W. Montgomery, E. Cook, K. Lichtensteiger, C. Chester, M. Hurt, J. LeRibeus, T. Williams, T. Polumbus, W. Smith, J. Black (26)
Practice Squad: A. Morris, A. Gettis, T. Compton, G. Garner (4)
Reserve: D. Hanks, J. Brown (2)
