It wasn’t a pretty scene for the Washington Football Team on October 11th as Alex Smith was pummeled by Aaron Donald and the rest of the Los Angeles Rams pass rush after Kyle Allen went down with a shoulder injury. Smith was sacked six times in the game, including Donald leaping onto his back for one. Throughout the game, Donald dominated second-year guard Wes Martin. However, with the return of Brandon Scherff and the additions of Cornelius Lucas and Wes Schweitzer, the Washington offensive line has played exceptionally well in their three-game winning streak.
In his last five games (four starts), Smith has been sacked just 12 times, with a few due to holding the ball too long. For the most part, Smith has had a clean pocket to move to his second or third read. More impressively, the offensive line has been superb in the run game and on screen passes, showing off their mobility and physicality. Standout rookie running back Antonio Gibson has rushed for 5.0 yards per carry in his last four games (not including this past Monday’s) and has taken advantage of holes created by the line with his development at the running back position. While the line may be one piece away from being a top ten group, Washington’s line has been a crucial piece to their recent success.
The Washington Football Team’s Offensive Line is Becoming a Strength
The Revamped Left Side of the Washington Offensive Line
Heading into the season, the left side was the biggest question mark on the offensive line. The former third-round pick Geron Christian was the starting left tackle for Washington and Wes Martin was in at left guard. Christian started just two games prior to 2020, struggling for the most part, and Wes Martin filled in well for the injured Brandon Scherff in 2019.
However, Martin struggled throughout the season and was benched for Wes Schweitzer after Brandon Scherff returned. While Christian held his own at left tackle, he missed the Week 7 game against the Dallas Cowboys with a knee injury. Cornelius Lucas came in at left tackle and did not allow a sack in his first two games. He became the full-time starter at left tackle.
Wes Schweitzer has been superb in the run game, playing with physicality in space. Although he hasn’t been perfect in pass protection, he has held his own to allow Alex Smith to step up into the pocket.
Not the biggest gain here, but watch Schweitzer at left guard doing work! 💪 pic.twitter.com/7oAB7GE9j0
— Mark Tyler(Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) November 24, 2020
Wes Schweitzer doing WORK! This guy played a heck of a football game pic.twitter.com/nIK8kD1XQL
— Mark Tyler(Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) November 24, 2020
Lucas is one of the tallest players in the league, standing at 6’8 and weighing 327 pounds. However, he has been able to handle the bend of speed rushers off the edge and show off his athleticism, like on the screen below.
.@WashingtonNFL #CorneliusLucas hustling 50 yards down field on this “Hitch Screen”. Don’t see that often! #WFT #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/rurhHwMKeG
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) December 8, 2020
Chase Roullier, Brandon Scherff Prove Their Excellence in Contract Years
Drafted in the sixth round in the 2017 draft, Chase Roullier has been one of the most underrated centers in the league through his Washington tenure and is inline for a payday this offseason. Just like Schweitzer, Roullier has been excellent in space at the next level. In pass protection, Roullier had allowed just 2.5 sacks in his career heading into this season.
I think Chase Roullier could help most Washington Football Team fans change their tire and they wouldn't know it was him. But he's turned into a serviceable center. He's the former 6th-Round pick has become a guy you can plan on keeping around. pic.twitter.com/SZFF6e1KGG
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) December 1, 2020
Despite missing time with an MCL injury this season, Brandon Scherff is playing at a Pro Bowl level, both in pass protection and in the run game. Antonio Gibson has had success in the inside zone scheme largely due to the efforts by Scherff and Roullier in the middle. Washington is 4-2 since he returned from injury in week six and Gibson has run for 5.2 yards per carry in those games.
Both Roullier and Scherff will not be cheap this offseason, but Kyle Smith and Ron Rivera must make them a priority, allowing them to patch holes in other areas, while potentially placing a rookie quarterback in a helpful position.
A Rejuvenated Morgan Moses is Playing His Best Football
Despite having a rough stretch over the last two seasons, Morgan Moses has been an “iron man” for the Washington Football Team, constantly battling nagging injuries and starting 92 consecutive games. This season, Moses is playing like a top-ten right tackle again. He was ranked as the 23rd best tackle by PFF as of week ten. A key stat for Moses has been his number of holding penalties. After committing ten holding penalties in the last two seasons, Moses has just one this season. With Washington dealing with injuries, Moses also played a position that he hasn’t started at since his days at Virginia. When Lucas went down with an ankle injury, Moses filled in admirably at left tackle, leading some to believe that he could be the left tackle of the future.
Following Trent Williams’ departure, Moses has been the leader of the offensive line in a season where he almost retired due to adversity off the field.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
