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Redskins Lay a Lot On the Line
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Zorn, who maintained all the existing terminology for the linemen to ease their transition to his system, wants to protect young starting quarterback Jason Campbell from physical abuse, and that requires keeping the first-string offensive line on the field for preseason games.
Yet Zorn also must limit exposing the linemen to unnecessary injury risk, needing to develop a rotation in which at least four regulars are together.
"That's exactly what's going to happen," Zorn said, "and Pete Kendall is probably the first guy out to save his knees."
Samuels has played the least so far, running alone with the training staff to improve his conditioning during team drills. Bugel said Samuels's weight peaked at 335 this offseason, but he is quickly shedding pounds. Thomas is working back into form after having his knee scoped this offseason and his biceps repaired last season.
Jansen is far along in his recovery -- "He's a fast healer," Bugel said -- and is trying to stay healthy after being dogged by injuries in 2004, 2006 and 2007. Jansen had never missed a game prior to rupturing his Achilles' tendon in the first preseason game in 2004. "I'm really happy with how I'm moving," Jansen said. "I feel great."
Zorn said he expects Jansen and Thomas to start every regular season game "and play the whole game. If we have to give them a rest we will, but they have worked out so hard this offseason, and I haven't seen a glitch. I haven't seen any gimping around or complaining."
Wade, 31, is healthy after struggling through an injury-plagued 2007, while Heyer, 24, showed he can contribute after being a huge surprise last year. His body is much more defined now after an offseason spent working out with Thomas -- "He thinks he's Tarzan now," Bugel said -- and Fabini, 33, is a slow starter but became a vital stopgap lineman during the playoff push last season.
Bugel's ability to juggle personnel and coax strong play from reserves saved last season, and he aims to do the same with Rinehart in 2008. Bugel welcomed the rookie to the league yesterday by immediately lining him up against Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Taylor.
"You give these kids a lot of repetition in the preseason to see if they can pass the test," Bugel said. "You've got to gain trust. The players have to gain trust on them, and you have to gain trust on them."
