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For Redskins' Offense, Trouble Down the Line
From left, center Casey Rabach, guard Pete Kendall and tackle Chris Samuels at work against the Lions. The Redskins' running game has been slowed by injuries on the offensive line.
(By John Mcdonnell -- The Washington Post)
VIDEO | Harvey on Cardinals-Redskins
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Pucillo filled in well for Rabach at Lambeau Field, coaches said, and worked with the first unit in practice in Rabach's absence. Guard Rick DeMulling, signed Sept. 20, is up to speed on the offense, Bugel said, enabling Fabini, who has started the last three games at right guard, to move back to his natural tackle position if needed. Moreover, defensive lineman Lorenzo Alexander is on standby duty at guard.
On Tuesday, the Redskins signed offensive linemen Calvin Armstrong and Sampson, who played for Kansas City under Saunders, to the practice squad.
"Sampson looked very good" in practice, Bugel said. "He came out of that Kansas City system, so the [offensive terminology] is real easy for him. Rick DeMulling is doing a heck of a job for us, so we've got some guys.
"And I told 'em, 'Nobody feels sorry for us.' Everybody's laughing in the NFL. You think the Cardinals are saying, 'Oh, gosh, that's terrible they're all hurt.' They're licking their chops. They can't wait to get here."
All the shuffling on the line has made Saunders's job more difficult.
Thomas, a team leader who plays with a mean streak, excels on pulling plays. Without Thomas, the Redskins are unable to do some of the things they did at the start of the season "because of his athletic skills," Saunders said. "We've made a number of changes based on the people that we have available.
"We've just gone in a different direction in some areas. And now we have some new guys that might be involved, so we have to make adjustments to take advantage of their skills and their experience."
The changes have not produced the results Gibbs would prefer.
The Redskins rushed for a season-high 191 yards in the opener against Miami. Since then, however, Washington is averaging only 3.4 yards per carry. The coaching staff's goal is a 4.8-yard average, Saunders said, and the NFL average is 4.1.
Washington is 21st in the league, with an average of 3.7 yards per rush. In the second half against the Packers, the Redskins had 33 yards on 12 carries, and quarterback Jason Campbell was sacked three times amid constant pressure.
"It's hurt us," Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels said of the line's lack of continuity. "You've got to know your guys that you're working with. Definitely, with new faces in there, here and there, it's going to be tough to run the ball."
Since Thomas was injured in the first half of a 20-12 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 17, the coaching staff seems to be more comfortable running to the left side, calling the majority of plays to start behind Samuels and left guard Pete Kendall, who sat out practice Wednesday to rest his knees and is listed as probable.
