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Rabach a stabilizer in 'chaotic' situation

The list of players who have rotated into and out of the offensive line around Washington Redskins center Casey Rabach has continued to grow longer this season -- a constantly updating reminder of the lack of consistency for a unit that has struggled mightily over the past two seasons.

Randy Thomas, Chad Rinehart, Mike Williams and Will Montgomery have lined up at right guard just this season, one example of the volatility along a line that has been hit by injuries in the past few seasons and has lacked depth when starters have gone down.

Amid the changes around him, Rabach has remained the one constant on the Redskins' line, starting 70 of the last 71 games and helping hold together the patchwork unit. For the seventh-year veteran, it's a responsibility that has become a part of the job description in Washington.

"At times [it is] chaotic," Rabach said. "But I think it was hardest the first time it happened back in, I think '07 was the first year we had that big shuffle. Now it seems kind of par for the course around here, actually. I mean the next man steps up, and let's go."

A third-round selection out of Wisconsin in 2001, Rabach spent the first four years of his career with the Baltimore Ravens before joining Washington as a free agent in 2005.

And while several Redskins starters have been hit with injuries, the bug has for the most part avoided Rabach. ("Miller Lite, lots of Miller Lite," he joked, when asked what he might be doing to avoid the problems.)

Since joining the Redskins he has missed just one game -- a strained groin kept him out against the Arizona Cardinals in October 2007 -- and his hard-nosed style of play has made him a favorite of offensive line coach Joe Bugel's.

This season the Redskins' offensive line has again become a major issue, however, with injuries to Thomas and Chris Samuels -- who was placed on the season-ending injured-reserve list Saturday -- forcing several inexperienced players into the lineup, and Rabach said he has taken on more responsibility during the week.

But with key responsibilities in calling protections during games, Rabach said there is only so much he can do to minimize the damage.

"I probably do a little more during the week as far as vocalization and answering a lot of questions and stuff like that, and going over thoroughly blitzes and stuff like that -- what I'm expecting and what I'm seeing and what they should be seeing, too," he said. "But on game day I have a job to do, I can't be leaning one way or the other. If I secure and I'm free I can, dealer's choice in that circumstance, but on game day I've got a job to do and they've got a job to do so I can't really be helping too much."

With all the commotion on the field, Rabach said he has little time to pay attention to the one possible distraction off it: With the Redskins facing an offseason with needs at tackle and guard, Rabach is in the final year of his contract and is playing for a new deal.

"For me it's easy to block out because I get to play football," he said. "Everything will take of itself in the end. I just love playing football and that's what I get to do, so I can just concentrate on that and I know if I do well, good things will happen and we'll work those out at the end of the year."

Redskins go back to work

Bye week is officially over as the team returns to Redskins Park for a practice Monday. The Redskins play the Falcons on Sunday in Atlanta.

-- Paul Tenorio