Redskins Admit The Line Needs Straightening Out

Assistant coach Joe Bugel, left, and head coach Joe Gibbs know they still have their work cut out for them with the offensive line allowing 35 sacks in 15 games, only three fewer than last season. (Toni L. Sandys -- The Washington Post)

All the Washington Redskins needed was one first down, just a few more yards on the ground on either of two drives in the final six minutes, and they could have run out the clock Sunday afternoon in Dallas, defeated their arch rivals and celebrated the biggest win of the season. But with the game in the balance, the offensive line could not open a hole for running back Ladell Betts.

The sequence summed up the season for the embattled unit, which came into training camp fixated on improving after an abysmal 2003 season and ended up advancing only marginally. It never overcame the loss of right tackle Jon Jansen in preseason, and has lagged in run blocking and pass protecting.

Any thoughts that Coach Joe Gibbs and assistant head coach Joe Bugel would quickly resurrect the aura of "The Hogs" -- when Washington's collection of unheralded linemen was molded into the NFL's dominant group -- proved naïve, and there is a strong possibility that the line could have a different look in 2005. If the offensive line is to become the foundation of this offense -- as Gibbs's lines of the past were -- much work must be done.

"I think we've at least made a passing grade," said 42-year old tackle Ray Brown. "But just passing doesn't mean success because of the inconsistencies we've had. We're just not getting it done at crucial times. I would probably say we failed in that regard. When it was all on the line -- this is the most important play of the game -- we didn't get it done. Not answering the bell is what will stand out for me."

The Redskins (5-10) have been unable to gain crucial yardage inside the 10, when the offensive line must outmuscle the defense, and false starts and holding penalties have hurt the team almost weekly. When the unit most needs to thrust forward to sustain a drive or score a decisive touchdown on the ground, it falters (Washington's five rushing touchdowns are last in the NFL). It also has allowed 35 sacks -- only 13 teams have yielded more. That is just three shy of the pace of last season (38 sacks through 15 games; 43 for the season).

"We're in the thirties in sacks right now, and we want to be in the low teens," Bugel said. "We want to eliminate sacks, that's the number one thing. And we're going to have to have a very, very prosperous offseason, getting stronger up front, hitting the weight program, doing a lot of drills. Now they know all about us and we know all about them, so when that sun comes back out in April and May, we'll be back on the grass."

Sunday's game -- which Washington lost, 13-10 -- was the latest setback. Starting tailback Clinton Portis was injured, and Betts ran twice with the team clinging to a four-point lead with 5 minutes 26 seconds to play. Dallas linemen Greg Ellis and La'Roi Glover were allowed to burst through and pressure quarterback Patrick Ramsey, leading to an incompletion on third down; the drive took only 90 seconds off the clock. The Redskins got the ball back with 1:46 left; Betts carried twice for three- and one-yard gains and was dropped for a one-yard loss; Dallas used all three of its timeouts, only 13 seconds came off the clock and the Cowboys scored a touchdown on their final possession.

"We had them beat," Brown said, "but we've got to get a first down there whatever it takes. The down guys have got to take care of their guys and we have to get the running back in a situation where he can pick his hole, and we didn't get that done. We missed a grand opportunity to win that game, and it's been a season of missed opportunities."

The Redskins have had 28 running plays this season from inside the 10, and have scored just four touchdowns. Thirteen of those runs have been for negative yardage or no gain, and only five have generated three yards or more. They have a net gain of just 18 yards from those 28 carries. When it is time to make a statement about the toughness of the offensive line -- the kind of play Bugel demands -- far too often the defense has stormed into the backfield.

"Sometimes you have to go through some growing pains," Bugel said. "But we'll get it rectified."

Pass protection has been an acute problem at times as well. Washington allowed 43 sacks last season in Steve Spurrier's weak protection schemes, and Ramsey was knocked out for the season with injuries in the 11th game. The line has kept both Ramsey and former starter Mark Brunell healthy this season -- eliminating the kind of massive hits quarterbacks suffered routinely in 2003 -- but the number of sacks is still troublesome. Good defensive coverage and Ramsey's tendency to hold the ball too long are factors, but the line has been overpowered too often.

"I just heard that stat [comparing the sack totals of 2003 and 2004] this morning," Ramsey said, "and it does surprise me. But I think at the same time we could all do a better job, and there were breakdowns we had and those sacks could be avoided. But physically I certainly feel much better than I did last year [after taking fewer crushing blows]."

It is highly unlikely the same five linemen will be in place next season.

Left tackle Chris Samuels, selected third overall in 2000, has played all season with a right ankle injury suffered in the preseason, and will undergo surgery shortly after the season. Although he has one year remaining on his contract and said his agent is negotiating a long-term deal with the Redskins, agreeing to terms could prove difficult and Samuels's massive 2005 salary cap hit of more than $9 million makes some NFL executives wonder if he could be released. Jansen has recovered from his Achilles' surgery and will regain his spot at right tackle, where Brown has played. Brown has yet to decide if he will retire and could return in a reserve or coaching capacity.

The Redskins alternated between centers Cory Raymer and Lennie Friedman early in the season, with Raymer winning out. It would not be surprising if the team pursued larger and more athletic alternatives at that position, while Randy Thomas is entrenched at right guard and second-year left guard Derrick Dockery has all the physical tools to be a force but is still learning his trade. Washington drafted two linemen in April with hopes that Bugel could work some of his magic. Although Mark Wilson and Jim Molinaro have rarely played, they could factor into personnel decisions for 2005.

"I think we're getting on the right track," Samuels said, "but we're still not really doing what everyone expected. It's just our first year with these coaches, and we've got to get better."