My biggest concern for Donovan McNabb when he got traded to the Washington Redskins was that he’d be running for his life and perhaps no better off than he was in those last two Dallas games. And it was a valid concern for Redskins fans who, at the time, had a lousy o-line.
But since they acquired McNabb they’ve taken some steps to address the front five. Is it perfect? Far from it, but they have invested in a pair of shiny new offensive tackles and that has to help McNabb sleep just a little better at night.
They used the No. 4-overall selection in this year’s draft to grab Trent Williams from Oklahoma. Who knows what you are getting with a rookie (especially a lineman who hasn’t put pads on yet), but right now the Redskins like what they see.
“He looks like what we thought we were getting. I’ve been impressed with his mentality,” said offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. “He’s been working hard. It doesn’t seem too big for him. If he continues, I think he’ll be what we expected him to be.”
Williams thinks he’s adjusting well to the NFL level.
“Nah, I’ve acclimated, for me it’s like second nature now,” Williams said. “I give a lot of credit to the coaches because they simplify it a lot so it’s not much thinking to do. We go over so much and I just know my assignment and go out there and try to perfect it as much as possible.”
And on Saturday, the Redskins decided that they needed more help on the o-line (and still need more) when they traded for disgruntled New Orleans Saints tackle Jammal Brown. Brown is a former Pro Bowler who is an upgrade at right tackle. That’s right….right tackle. The ‘Skins are leaving Williams to protect Donovan’s blind side. This tells me that Brown is past his prime.
And his detractors will tell you that gladly. They’ll tell you that he is coming off of a missed season with hip and sports hernia injuries. They’ll point out the all the penalties he commits. They’ll tell you how unhappy he was in New Orleans and that he has a bad attitude.
I don’t know that I disagree with any of that. But, that doesn’t really matter. The bottom line is that he’ll cost the Redskins at most a third-rounder (depending on how Donovan plays it could be a fourth) and he’s an immediate upgrade for them. This means that Stephen Heyer doesn’t have to see the field anymore. That alone is music to Redskins’ fans’ ears.
Also remember that the ‘Skins added former Eagle Artis Hicks, who now looks like he’s out of a starting job. But that’s fine, he’s depth. While this line won’t soon remind anyone of the 2007 New York Giants, they have improved for sure. So Eagles fans better hope they get some of those front-seven draft picks to pan out.
