Line Prepares to Feel a Rush

In addition to their effective blitz packages, the Philadelphia Eagles also have outstanding edge rushers in defensive ends Trent Cole, Juqua Parker and Darren Howard. The productive trio has eight sacks combined, and Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson uses a rotation to help Cole, Parker and Howard remain in top form.

Redskins tackles Chris Samuels and Jon Jansen will receive help from running backs and tight ends in pass protection, but "foremost it comes down to winning your individual battle," center Casey Rabach said. "There are always ways we can help, but those guys are tough. That's why [tackles] make the big bucks."

Fullback Mike Sellers figures to be involved in helping against the Eagles' talented edge rushers. "They're not extremely big, but they're sound in what they do and they're real shifty," Sellers said. "I'm pretty sure that there'll be some help somewhere with them, depending on how much trouble is being caused on the edges, but we're pretty confident in how we feel about our protections."

After struggling to protect quarterback Jason Campbell in the preseason, Washington's offensive line has fared much better since the season started. Campbell was sacked twice in the first quarter of last week's 26-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys, but not again for the remainder of the game.

Through Washington's first four games, Campbell has been sacked seven times. The Eagles lead the NFL with 17 sacks, and Parker tops the team with 3 1/2 .

"Anytime you've got a pass rush like that, our tackles make sure they do an outstanding job of picking up those guys and learning their different techniques," Campbell said. "As a quarterback, you've got to understand where that main rush comes from before you set up in the pocket and deliver the ball.

"There's a lot of aspects that go into it when you're studying film of good defensive ends like that that can rush the passer. It's not just the offensive line, but it's the quarterback, too."

Jansen, demoted to the second team before the season opener against the New York Giants, started against Dallas and performed well, Redskins coaches said. Concerned about Jansen's pass protection, Coach Jim Zorn elevated Stephon Heyer (likely out with a shoulder injury), but another strong performance could help Jansen reclaim the spot he held his first nine seasons with the team.

Facing Philadelphia's ends could prove to be an even bigger challenge than what the Redskins encountered last week against standout Cowboys end DeMarcus Ware. "There's a lot of teams in the NFL that have great rotations like the Eagles," Rabach said. "It seems like each and every week, our tackles are put up against some of the premier pass rushers in this league."

The Eagles' trio definitely is among the league's best at putting pressure on quarterbacks, Redskins players said.

"They give you a lot of that change-of-direction, which is a little bit harder to control," Sellers said. "But we've got some great guys on our line that can handle that. We'll be fine."