Which is exactly what you need to read the vast majority of ESPN, as they've forced Insider subscription on nearly everything worth reading. But I digress, the Redskins were good enough on their NFL Offensive Line Rankings (hat tip: Extreme Skins) so that you peons can read them sans a financial contract. I give you:
7. Washington Redskins
The Redskins have one of the best tackle combinations in the league in Jon Jansen on the right side and Chris Samuels on the left. They are big parts of a unit that was one of only three in the NFL to give up fewer than 20 sacks (19) in 2006. At the same time, they were able to gain over 4.5 yards per carry and pile up the fourth-best overall rushing total (2,216 yards) in the league. With the highly respected Joe Bugel coaching the line, the players are starting to live up to expectations. They are not the heaviest line in the league, but they are athletic and do a great job of eliminating mistakes that can cause turnovers and losses. Center Casey Rabach has become the glue that holds the unit together and is just coming into his prime in his sixth season. Guard Randy Thomas is also in his prime.
I would argue that Randy Thomas deserved a Pro Bowl berth this year. Of note, this ranking neglects to mention our Dockery situation, which remains unresolved. This tells me either a) Scouts, Inc. thinks we'll be just fine at the vacated guard position or b) the rest of the line is good enough to pick up the slack or else ease concerns. Fantastic.
The Redskins have one of the best tackle combinations in the league in Jon Jansen on the right side and Chris Samuels on the left. They are big parts of a unit that was one of only three in the NFL to give up fewer than 20 sacks (19) in 2006. At the same time, they were able to gain over 4.5 yards per carry and pile up the fourth-best overall rushing total (2,216 yards) in the league. With the highly respected Joe Bugel coaching the line, the players are starting to live up to expectations. They are not the heaviest line in the league, but they are athletic and do a great job of eliminating mistakes that can cause turnovers and losses. Center Casey Rabach has become the glue that holds the unit together and is just coming into his prime in his sixth season. Guard Randy Thomas is also in his prime.
Speaking to that impressive 2,216 total rushing yards, Gary Fitzgerald has a great piece on Ladell Betts up. Regarding Ladell's sick 2006 production:
"I'd be lying if I said, 'No, I'm not surprised,'" Betts said. "There was a little bit of surprise in the sense of how many yards I put up."
Hopefully he does more of the same plenty this coming season.
He never doubted he could do it, though.
"There was no surprise in my mind as far as my abilities," he said. "I've always been confident in my abilities and I've always prepared myself. I'm a firm believer that if you prepare yourself, you'll take advantage of your opportunities."