Roster Battles: Offensive Tackle

by Parks Smith on Aug 4, 2011 8:59 AM EDT

With training camp going on for nearly a week now, we are getting a clearer view of some position battles. The trenches on the offensive side of the ball should be ripe with competition. We know our starting combo in Trent Williams and Jammal Brown, but who will make the team after that?

Trent Williams (10): Silverback is set to improve on a decent rookie campaign. Hopefully he can follow Chris Samuels' trajectory in his second year.

Jammal Brown (10): There was a lot of speculation on who would fill the right tackle spot for the Skins and in the end they decided to keep with the Oklahoma theme and re-sign Jammal Brown.

Artis Hicks (5): Hicks is more well suited for guard, but he can also play tackle. That bit of versatility, along with his veteran presence, may earn him a roster spot with the Skins.

Selvish Capers (5): Like Hicks, Capers can also play guard and tackle. He has been lining up a lot at guard in training camp and is directly competing with Hicks. It'll be interesting to see if youth wins out.

Xavier Fulton (4): Fulton is my wild card to make the team, he was a 5th round pick by the Buccaneers a couple of years ago and was a monster at Illinois. Since his time with the Bucs he has bounced around with stops in Indianapolis, San Francisco, and Washington. I think he may find a way to finally click and make the 53 man roster.

Willie Smith (3): Willie Smith is another wild card that can earn a spot on the team with a good preseason. The former ECU pirate is very raw, but has great athleticism and the skills to one day be a starter.

Clint OIdenburg (3): Oldenburg kicked around the roster last year and a lot of us forget about him. I don't expect him to make the roster this year.

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Comments

i like that im hearing Capers name more and more

by jkitts84 on Aug 4, 2011 9:04 AM EDT reply actions

Capers to me is a Winston Justice type

Great athletic ability, but just needs some time to develop.

I got Tiger Blood running through my veins!

by Tiller56 on Aug 4, 2011 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions

It always seems like its bad news, though.

They talk about how he’s getting beat, or that they have to move him to guard because he isn’t making a dent at tackle. Doesn’t that concern you at all?

by mbedner on Aug 4, 2011 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Maybe the staff feels G

is where he has the best chance of seeing PT

I got Tiger Blood running through my veins!

by Tiller56 on Aug 4, 2011 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't know. I just hope he is effective.

I was excited when we drafted him because 1) it was supposed to be a steal as he was projected to be a high as a 3rd round talent, and 2) everyone was saying in 2-3 years he could be our bookend RT. Now that looks like it would never be possible just because he doesn’t have the skill to play RT. I’m concerned if he doesn’t have the skill to play LG…

by mbedner on Aug 4, 2011 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions

I think the move is a positive one for him

At OT, he would have to beat out the like of TW and JB, which isn’t happening. At G, all he could have to do is beat out Licht. Now thats a great opportunity for him. I really like the idea of him paring with TW on the left side. That gives us two very athletic linemen.

I got Tiger Blood running through my veins!

by Tiller56 on Aug 4, 2011 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm certainly looking forward to the preseason so we can see how this all sorts out.

We’ll see if S. Capers can play LG and let the chips fall as they may.

by mbedner on Aug 4, 2011 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

I look at things this way

The staff obviously felt like they have some backups at OT to be able to move Capers, and not re-sign Heyer(who can play both OT’s).

I got Tiger Blood running through my veins!

by Tiller56 on Aug 4, 2011 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions

That is a solid way of looking at it.

Strong work, Tiller. I like where you minds is going with that.

by mbedner on Aug 4, 2011 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

This will be a fun preseason to watch

Lots of young players I’m eager to see perform. Now if Direct TV will only stop blacking out the games on ComCast

I got Tiger Blood running through my veins!

by Tiller56 on Aug 4, 2011 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions

No doubt

I couldn’t be happier to hear that Capers is finally getting some looks on the A-team. Glad I don’t have CrumCast…

by willster on Aug 4, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Sorry didn't mean ConCast as a provider

I meant CSNEast channel on direct TV. They have Redskins coverage, yet black out the preseason games.

I got Tiger Blood running through my veins!

by Tiller56 on Aug 4, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

haha, ConCast, meant ComCast

I got Tiger Blood running through my veins!

by Tiller56 on Aug 4, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

That gives us two very athletic linemen.

with tackle size and high potential

by jkitts84 on Aug 4, 2011 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Selvish Capers (5): Like Hicks, Capers can also play guard and tackle. He has been lining up a lot at guard in training camp and is directly competing with Hicks. It’ll be interesting to see if youth wins out

I think Capers is at LG, and thus would be directly be competing with Licht. I think RG has been Hicks so far, but just because Chester has been unable to practice until today. Today should give us a better idea of how the line will look.

I got Tiger Blood running through my veins!

by Tiller56 on Aug 4, 2011 9:24 AM EDT reply actions

Both back up roster spots, has nothing to do with which side of the ball.

Neither are competing for a starting role at this point.

Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions

by Parks Smith on Aug 4, 2011 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

I think every interior spot

is should be up for grabs.

I got Tiger Blood running through my veins!

by Tiller56 on Aug 4, 2011 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions

agreed

by alwaysremember21 on Aug 4, 2011 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions

unknown Journeyman tackle

A chance if a solid swing tackle is cut the Redskins will go in that direction, really depends on how #5 and below perform

by dr WNC on Aug 4, 2011 9:26 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

It will be a shame if Willie Smith is stashed on the PS, and is signed out from under us by another team

I think the kid has a lot of potential, and could develop in 1-2 years.

I got Tiger Blood running through my veins!

by Tiller56 on Aug 4, 2011 9:28 AM EDT reply actions

This Willie Smith guy is certainly intriguing to me.

I hope he makes the 53, just so we can see if he has anything.

by mbedner on Aug 4, 2011 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Me too

He was my top OT prospect as an UDFA, and I’m really gald we got him. He has a good shot at sticking on the roster if he has any talent. He would just have to beat out Fulton and CO for a spot.

I got Tiger Blood running through my veins!

by Tiller56 on Aug 4, 2011 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn't mind if a young guy

pushed Hicks off of the roster.

by CarverM on Aug 4, 2011 9:31 AM EDT reply actions

agreed.

Hicks needs to go. He is wildly ineffective and not worth keeping around. Let a young guy push him out of his roster spot.

by mbedner on Aug 4, 2011 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Mo Hurt? Possibility?

I got Tiger Blood running through my veins!

by Tiller56 on Aug 4, 2011 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Hurt is a OG, and this post is about OT

That’s why he wasn’t mentioned.

A Redskin Potato

by Mr PotatoHead on Aug 4, 2011 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Hicks is a G too(although he can back up at T)

I mentioned Hurt in response to Carver’s comment about someone pushing Hicks off the roster.

I wouldn’t mind if a young guy pushed Hicks off of the roster.

I got Tiger Blood running through my veins!

by Tiller56 on Aug 4, 2011 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Sorry, Misunderstood the context

I too would like to see Hicks be expendable. He was less than impressive last year (to put it kindly), and the reports from training camp about him have been terrible.

I’m hoping that Capers and Oldenburg can prove to be reliable options at T, and Cook and Hurt at G. I suspect that Smith will end up on the PS, as I belive he is just too raw at this point.

A Redskin Potato

by Mr PotatoHead on Aug 4, 2011 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions

No prob man

I’m on the Smith and Fulton train at OT, and the Capers, Hurt tain at G. I’d like to see cook at C.

As for Smith being raw, I agree, but I also feel he has lots of tools to work with. My feeling is that if he ends up on the PS, he’ll be snapped up rather quickly.

I got Tiger Blood running through my veins!

by Tiller56 on Aug 4, 2011 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Capers, Cook and Hurt... would be ideal.

They are young (future)… and were picked by Shanahan for a reason.

In those late rounds… they take into consideration future contributors, rather than immediate impact.

by 1x1an on Aug 4, 2011 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

"Ideal" what?

Cook may help at C/G, and a lot of people on HH like Capers, but he apparently is not doing well at all. Ever since he came, the knock has been that he is not strong enough. He says he’s been working on it, but the coaches don’t seem to want to let him play. I’ve heard different things on Hurt.

by Donnio1234 on Aug 4, 2011 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions

It would be "ideal" if they finally made the team!

Conversely, it would be a disappointment if we drafted them… and they didn’t make the team.

by 1x1an on Aug 4, 2011 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Willie Smith is making a name for himself and the reason they're trying Capers at OG.

@Callahan_9 on the twitter machine.

by Diesel44 on Aug 4, 2011 9:33 AM EDT reply actions

coaches must see something...

or else why give up a chance to sign Ryan Harris for veteran minimum (and letting Eagles steal him out from under us).

I am not against letting the young guys serve as backups, but they better be ready to go in, given the possibilities of injuries for OL.

by jgibbsfan1 on Aug 4, 2011 9:38 AM EDT reply actions

Keim's reports haven't been kind to Selvish Capers, at Guard or Tackle

"By far the worst performers on the (Redskins) are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins

by smutsboy1 on Aug 4, 2011 9:38 AM EDT reply actions

I have a feeling he may be cut...

by mbedner on Aug 4, 2011 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't think any of the reports at G have been overly positive

JJ is making them all look bad haha

I got Tiger Blood running through my veins!

by Tiller56 on Aug 4, 2011 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Wait until former Ravens backup Chester comes.

Championship.

by mbedner on Aug 4, 2011 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions

He's another interesting one. I know they said he's slated to be our RG

but I wonder if he gets a look at C too. Damn, I wish we would bring in Nick Cole for a look. He offers a lot, and was a starter for the Eagles last year at a couple different spots. He’d be a nice C at 6’ 0" and 330+ lbs. Gottta love that low center of gravity.

I got Tiger Blood running through my veins!

by Tiller56 on Aug 4, 2011 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions

I think Monty will be just fine at center.

"That's what she said!"

by iH8dallas on Aug 4, 2011 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Here, fixed that for you

I ~~think~~ pray Monty will be just fine at center.

I got Tiger Blood running through my veins!

by Tiller56 on Aug 4, 2011 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions

haha +1

Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions

by Parks Smith on Aug 4, 2011 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Cole - yes

What is Bruce waiting for?

by Donnio1234 on Aug 4, 2011 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think so, we have to be objective with Capers regardless of past evaluations/thoughts

We’ll find out next Friday what Capers is capable of.

Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions

by Parks Smith on Aug 4, 2011 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Caper is more myth than man at this point on HH

He might just need another year on PS before he is ready to contribute. That wouldn’t be surprising considering his draft spot and the fact he hasn’t actually accomplished anything yet. He seems to be a poster child for players whose development was hurt by the lockout. I’m rooting for him but I certainly wouldn’t count on him to even make the team much less contribute this year. I think we need a backup T bad.

by BayAreaBullet on Aug 4, 2011 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Completely agree, a lot of guys continue to bang the drum despite seeing him for over a year.

Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions

by Parks Smith on Aug 4, 2011 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Thankfully we have Hicks

who can back up both G and T if needed. I know he’s not high quality, but he better than Heyer was IMO.

I got Tiger Blood running through my veins!

by Tiller56 on Aug 4, 2011 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions

i think we will invest picks in interior OL next year

hopefully we pick up a top 5 guard and top 5 center in rounds 2-4

by alwaysremember21 on Aug 4, 2011 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I agree

QB, OL, LB, CB, OL, OL

I got Tiger Blood running through my veins!

by Tiller56 on Aug 5, 2011 7:51 AM EDT up reply actions

looks good to me

by MagicHat on Aug 5, 2011 8:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Did anyone else see this?

The Heyer era is (mercifully) over. He has been signed by the Raiders—continuing a long tradition of collecting players who were no longer wanted in D.C.

In all seriousness though, for as maligned as Heyer was around these parts, he outperformed expectations after entering the league as a UDFA. Which isn’t to say that he was good, but is more an indictment of our OL drafting history, especially under VC when we relied on players like him to contribute and, (gulp) start.

by CarverM on Aug 4, 2011 12:24 PM EDT reply actions