Offensive line Better or worse than 2010 » The starting lineup was a little better — when healthy — but the depth was not. Sean Locklear was not better than Stephon Heyer. It was hard to be a Heyer fan, but Locklear was much worse; he couldn’t move anyone. Willie Smith remains a developmental type player; he showed flashes of good and bad like a guy who should have been on the practice squad as a rookie. Maurice Hurt improved and is probably the only legitimate backup from this group for 2012. Eric Cook did not progress and was benched.
Overview » Trent Williams’ last three games before his suspension were his most consistent, and if he plays that way the Redskins will be pleased. Left guard Kory Lichtensteiger was better, but he played in only five games. Mike Shanahan considers him the Redskins’ best run blocker; he understands angles and moves well. He also understands well what he can and can’t do. Center Will Montgomery was OK; his shotgun snaps need to be faster, but his recognition of defenses was strong. Right guard Chris Chester was inconsistent; he’s mobile but not strong. Right tackle Jammal Brown was injured and inconsistent.
Amount of need » High. But you can’t tear down the line every year, and that’s probably not necessary. The linemen might not have great talent, but cohesion and scheme can help compensate. A makeshift group enabled two rookie backs to surpass 100 yards in five of the last six games. The scheme helped tremendously, as did the backs. But there were holes, and it’s not as if the line was great in those games. When Shanahan was first hired, a general manager said that he did not place much emphasis on the line. Why? Because of what the scheme requires the linemen to do and how it helps them. Where they get hurt is the inability to drive defenders off the ball inside the red zone when the stretch zones aren’t working.
Offseason chore » The Redskins need to find a right tackle and develop depth. Brown hasn’t proved he can stay healthy and did not provide stellar play when he was OK. They need to do a better job creating cutback lanes and a right tackle with more mobility than Brown would be welcomed. They could also find a center, but it doesn’t seem like they view this as a priority. They also have some flexibility. If they want to replace Montgomery, they could always slide Lichtensteiger to center — but only if they think Hurt can start. Hurt needs to get in better shape, and if he does he can help in the future. Smith is still raw. He didn’t look like a guy ready to challenge for a starting job in 2012.
Key free agents » Montgomery is unrestricted. He won’t be expensive. Lichtensteiger is restricted, but coming off an injury he expects to be tendered a one-year deal and return.
– John Keim
