(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
If the Washington Redskins want to improve upon a mediocre 8-8 2008 campaign, they'll need to start up front with the offensive line.
Strong play in the trenches was rarely witnessed last year as the Redskins' collection of blockers proved to be too old and injury prone.
The line gave up 38 sacks, which tied for the fourth most in the NFL last season. That number must be reduced if the 'Skins want to sniff the playoffs.
As far as run blocking is concerned, the chemistry of the offensive line really makes the going easier for Clinton Portis, but the running game regressed as the 2008 season wore on partly due to breakdowns in the blocking scheme.
The new addition to the starting offensive line is left guard Derrick Dockery. Dockery was originally a Redskin, but left for Buffalo as a free agent several years ago. He now returns after two disappointing year with the Bills.
Dockery brings a massive presence to the left side and is a great pulling guard. He fits the Redskins system well and is definitely an upgrade over Pete Kendall. The main question will be whether or not he can rebound from his performance in Buffalo.
He has played here before with many of the same guys on the line so expect him to came back strong.
Next to Dockery is Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels. Samuels is a consistent pass blocker who needs little help against most pass rushers. However, he sometimes suffers from mental lapses and does struggle when lining up against premier pass rushers.
Samuels is probably the Redskins' steadiest player on the o-line and should love seeing Dockery next to him again. Together they form a strong left side that will be the core of the unit.
Casey Rabach will anchor the line at center as he has for the past four seasons. Rabach is a smart player who has only missed one game during his tenure as a Redskin. However, in certain games, he was shaky when it came to providing a a solid push in the run game.
The Redskins struggled to win the trench battles along the interior line last year and Rabach was one of the players at fault. He lacked the leverage to keep big defensive tackles out of the backfield and it hurt the ground game badly at times.
This offseason, coaches have commented that Rabach looks very impressive and really he brings a lot to the table already. He can read defenses with best of them and is usually a solid blocker. It's just those few times a game where he is badly beaten that downgrades his overall performance.
Lining up at right guard is Randy Thomas, who was acquired from the Jets in 2003. He has arguably been the best blocker on the team when healthy, but he has suffered two major injuries since 2005 and is 33 years old.
Thomas is aging and that will be a concern, but he did start all 16 games last season and is now two years removed from the torn triceps he suffered in the 2007 campaign. If Thomas can play at 100 percent, expect the Redskins to have a strong ground game between the tackles.
Thomas is a force as a pulling guard, and when he is at full go the running game benefits. Portis loves to run behind Thomas and with Dockery in the mix, the 'Skins have a better interior line to employ a power running game on either side of the ball.
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