well, it was obvious after 2008 that BOTH lines needed an overhaul.
the Redskins were successful in bringing in one pro bowl DL in Haynesworth and 2 future starters in Orakpo and Jarmon at DE.
not enough draft picks and cap room for a re-do on the other side of the ball.
Dockery makes the OL better. Thomas if healthy makes the OL better. Bridges as a backup at OG makes the OL better.
But there was no sigature move.
That will have to wait until 2010.
Was it just as obvious in 2008, or has it been pretty obvious for at least four to five years--the addition of Casey Rabach to replace Cory Raymer was not exactly the definitive move to fundamentally overhaul an aging line.
Nor was keeping Thomas, Samuels and Jansen as the core of the line--the selection of wide receivers (unproductive wide receivers at that in Thomas and Kelly, with a bum knee to boot) instead of additions at the OL was a bit of a head scratcher for our 2008 draft.
And sure, Thomas and Kelly may break out in 2009, but won't that depend on the success of the OL giving Campbell, a QB that's not known for making super-quick decisions, enough time to make good throws?
We aren't facing new problems here as the OL is something that has dogged us for years--
But are Samuels, Thomas, Rabach and Dockery--all guys that are over thirty or very close to it, really a long term answer?
I'm not questioning the Haynesworth/Orakpo moves per se, but the OL needs more help than Heyer and a (formerly?) obese potential bust can give, I think.
Again, hope I'm wrong on this...