Washington Redskins 2014 Player Profile: Shawn Lauvao, Guard

Shawn Lauvao

Guard

Arizona State

Round 3, Pick 92 (2010 NFL Draft)

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 315 lbs.

2014 Outlook

Basically all Redskins fans have been unsatisfied with the offensive line for a few years now.  Last year, it seemed that the interior of the line in particular was not getting the job done.  LG was an issue that needed addressing.  A 284 lb. Kory Lichtensteiger simply wasn't doing it and wound up either on the ground or in the QB's lap on far too many occasions.  Enter Shawn Lauvao.  That's 31 extra pounds of LG this year folks, and that's what Jay Gruden likes.  Lauvao was a major priority this past FA period and was signed early on to a pretty heft contract.  He was going to be the starter at LG since the day he signed on the dotted line.  Some people think the Redskins overpaid, but everyone agrees and expects Lauvao will be a significant improvement at LG over Kory there a year ago.  Adding Lauvao next to TW on the left side of the line should make for a great duo to run or pass behind.

It's also nice to be able to rely on an experienced NFL starter to protect RGIII.  We could have Spencer Long or Josh LeRibeus in there, but that's a lot more risky.  When it comes to RGIII, I don't want risk.  He's 26, coming into his prime, and is poised for the best year of his career.  Long and LeRib are young, inexperienced, and unproven.  I think Lauvao is FA money well spent in theory.  Of course, he'll need to prove it on the field.  We'll see.

Lauvao appears reliable.  He missed five games last year, but played and started all 16 both of the two years prior.  He's been a staple on the Browns offensive line for the past three seasons now.  He has great size and it seems Gruden loves that.  I expect a good season from Lauvao.

Roster Prediction: Making Roster

He's the starting LG.  He's going to make the team and honestly, he's the best option we have for the spot.  It took him a little while to catch on early in training camp but that's expected coming to a brand new team for the first time in your career.  He's been improving a lot of late and had a good game against the Pats.  Jay Gruden even called him the most improved Redskin since OTA's.  He's prime/perfect age at 26 and can hopefully hold down that LG spot for years to come.  He's durable and experienced having played in 53 games and started 44.  He's steady, and that's what our line needs.

Personal Information

Shawn was born and raised in Honolulu.  He played LG, LT, and RT during his time at ASU with starts at all three spots.  He's best at pass protection and our old friend Mark Bullock did a great breakdown on him over at The Washington Post.  It's also been reported recently that Shawn has been working, along with Trent Williams, with O-line guru LeCharles Bentley.  You can read all about LeCharles from Robert Mays over at Grantland.  To read more about Lauvao, TW, and Bentley, check out this piece by Keely Diven at CSNWashington.  Shawn's also well known for head-butting Brian Cushing a couple years ago.  That can be seen as a positive or a negative I suppose.