Depth and Versatility Might Make Redskins' Defensive Line Dominant

The scene on Tuesday morning was familiar at Washington Redskins training camp. The most prized of free agent acquisitions, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, bulldozed over guard Derrick Dockery. Rookie defensive end Brian Orakpo blew past veteran left tackle Chris Samuels -- twice.

In one-on-one drills between the linemen this summer, it has been the big guys on defense who more often have gotten the better of those on offense.

Yet while much of the focus of that all-too-common result has been on whether the offensive line will be able to protect quarterback Jason Campbell this season, the possibility for success from Washington's defensive line has been mostly overlooked.

On a team that often has lacked depth in crucial positions and entered training camp with question marks in several units, offensive line included, the front four of Washington's defense is the deepest it has been in recent memory -- and the most potent.

The addition of Haynesworth and Orakpo, both of whom are expected to make major contributions this season, as well as the re-signing of Phillip Daniels and return of proven veterans such as Andre Carter and Cornelius Griffin, indicates the possibility for major production from a unit that has been criticized in recent years for its inability to get to the quarterback.

At the same time, the potential of the players entering off the bench -- including Anthony Montgomery, Lorenzo Alexander, Renaldo Wynn and Kedric Golston -- has players excited about a unit not lacking in talent, or experience.

Of the eight linemen listed on the first- and second-teams on the Redskins' depth chart, all have started at least one game, while five have started more than 70.

"We're going to be as good as we want to be," Daniels said. "We're going to be a dominating line [that] when you get on the field you make people fear you. That's how it was in Seattle when we had Cortez Kennedy, Sam Adams, Michael Sinclair -- the Fearsome Foursome. Hopefully here, when we step on the field, teams will fear us and say, 'Hey, these guys come, they bring it every time, they'll hit you and they'll run you over.' "

Washington no doubt will lean heavily on its starters this season -- expected to be Daniels, Haynesworth, Griffin and Carter. The players coming in as relief, however, could end up playing just as important a role.

Several defensive linemen emphasized the importance of having dependable backups that can enter a game when the starters are gassed, as well as cause matchup problems.

Against offensive linemen who likely won't be getting the same breaks, a rotation could amplify the impact the line has over the course of a game, players said, and the ability to sub in eight, nine or 10 different players also has an effect on game-planning for opposing teams.

"When opponents prepare, you usually just have to look at four or five main guys," Carter said. "We're basically three deep, so they have to prepare that much more. They look at film, and they just keep seeing more guys. It's like, 'Oh no!' Their whole mind frame starts racing. Because it's another guy to worry about how he moves, what he does with his hands, what he brings to the field."