Redskins' offensive line will have a new look with three new starters

In recent years, there's been no shortage of critics when it comes to the Redskins' offensive line, the much-maligned group that has at times turned pass protection into a wide open, five-lane highway. No one from inside the locker room has been more outspoken than running back Clinton Portis, so perhaps he should deliver the early assessment of the team's re-worked line.

"I actually think they look good," Portis said earlier this week.

It's an early evaluation, but certainly a promising one, considering the unit's recent struggles. A year ago, the team's running game ranked No. 27 in the league, and the pass protection wasn't much better: Only three teams allowed more sacks.

But three starters were replaced this offseason, and though coaches and players alike say plenty more work is left to be done, they all report signs of progress

"I know that it's kind of been a question over the years," said quarterback Donovan McNabb, "but I'm seeing a team that's really working hard and giving us an opportunity to get the ball out of our hands and get it downfield."

The starting group featured three new faces throughout offseason workouts and when players reported to training camp last week, two linemen found themselves in new positions. As the Redskins enter Week 2 of training camp, the linemen are still getting comfortable with each other, a process that has included working out after practice, staying at the facility into the evening and hanging out together away from Redskins Park. The team finished installing its offense Friday, and with more repetition, the line will aim for marked improvement in the next couple of weeks.

"It's all in and I really love it. I think it's going to be great," said center Casey Rabach. "Right now it's just about building chemistry and just getting it ingrained so that when you come to the line of scrimmage, you're not thinking, 'I've got to do this, I've got to step that way, I have to do that.' You want it to where it just becomes second nature."

As training camps begin, the defensive line is usually a step quicker than their offensive counterparts, and the early days of this year's camp have often reflected that. The offense has focused on installing new plays, while the defense has been able to work on repetition.

"I think the defense is a little bit ahead, but we installed our offense so fast," tight end Chris Cooley said this week.

Offensive line coach Chris Foerster sees no reason to worry right now. No coach on the staff was awarded more offseason gifts by the team's personnel department than Foerster. The Redskins spent their first-round draft pick on left tackle Trent Williams. They traded for Jammal Brown, a two-time Pro Bowler, to play right tackle, and picked up free agent Artis Hicks, who will try to fill the hole at right tackle. Because Brown wasn't signed until after the team's offseason workouts concluded, though, the first-team unit didn't line up together until last week.

"Obviously you wish you could have your group together for the whole offseason," Foerster said. "I know everybody does. But a lot of times that doesn't happen."

There are certainly still question marks. Left guard Derrick Dockery and center Casey Rabach both started all 16 games during the line's injury-riddled 2009 season, and coaches feel comfortable with their roles this season. But the team's three new additions combined to tally just three starts last season - all by Hicks, who was with Minnesota. Williams was still in college - playing the only season of his career as a left tackle - and Brown was on injured reserve, recovering from a sports hernia and hip injury that ended his season before it started.