Tag: wes martin

Redskins’ front finishes No. 13 in PFF’s offensive line rankings

Even without Trent Williams, the Redskins offensive line finished in the top half of the league with some make-shift pieces filling holes.

The biggest concern for the Washington Redskins heading into the 2019 season centered around the offensive line.

With a new QB set to be under center, and long-time All-Pro Trent Williams holding out from the team, the Redskins were forced to piece together a make-shift front and hope that it could hold up.

That group did a pretty solid job, considering the circumstances, and they finished in the top half of the NFL’s offensive line rankings, according to Pro Football Focus, coming in at No. 13 out of 32 teams in the league.

The Redskins’ offensive line was operating without its best player all season, as Trent Williams sat out, but the group still managed to finish among the top half of the league in our rankings, led by Brandon Scherff before his season-ending injury. Scherff was a force to be reckoned with in the run game this season. His 76.3 run-blocking grade ranked fifth among all qualifying guards.

Left tackle Donald Penn was signed right before the season, and though he was probably the weakest member of the front-five, he wasn’t a complete liability. Next to him was Ereck Flowers, who did a magnificent job of bucking the ‘bust-narrative’ that has followed him throughout his young NFL career, and he likely earned a spot with the Redskins for several years to come.

The three staples of the line, C Chase Roullier, RG Brandon Scherff, and RT Morgan Moses, were all expectedly solid, and they will remain incumbents at their position for as long as they want the spot. Of course, Scherff is entering free agency with a desire to be paid top dollar this year, so there is a possibility that Washington moves on from the Pro-Bowl guard. However, should Scherff vacate his spot, rookie RG Wes Martin played will in the veteran’s absence this past season, and would step right into the starting spot with ease.

There are few accolades being thrown around the Redskins organization after a 3-13 season, expectedly so. However, we aim to give credit where credit is due, and the offensive line deserves it this year.

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Brandon Scherff’s time as a member of the Redskins may be over

Scherff was placed on the IR on Tuesday, and with his impending free agency coming up, the Redskins may opt for a cheaper option at guard.

The Washington Redskins’ talented right guard, Brandon Scherff, was benched this last week due to an injury, and he was subsequently sent to the injured reserve on Tuesday, making it so that his outing in Week 14 against the Green Bay Packers was the last time we’d see him this season.

Now the question must be raised; will it be the last time we see Scherff in a Washington Redskins uniform?

The fifth-year lineman — who was one of four Redskins to be named to the Pro Bowl this season — is set to hit free agency this offseason as his rookie deal is on its last legs. He has expressed interest in being a Redskin for life, but the team knows that will come at a steep price, seeing as his level of play has consistently improved year-over-year since Washington drafted him in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Though Scherff has quietly risen to become one of the best guards in the NFL, a high-end price tag might deter the Redskins from keeping him on the roster, especially if they have a younger and cheaper option that they can go to. That might be exactly what they found this season with rookie guard Wes Martin.

Martin started for the injured Scherff this past week against the Philadelphia Eagles, and he performed extremely well in relief. He was part of an offensive front that didn’t allow a sack for just the second time this season, and he showed an ability to get upfield and block in space.

While Scherff is an extremely talented lineman who acts as one of the few first-round draft picks that have actually lived up to the billing in Washington, an expected contract signing north of $15 million per season can seem a bit daunting, especially when there could be a highly-serviceable No. 2 option at that spot.

Over the next two weeks, with Scherff on the IR, Martin will be placed under the spotlight as the Redskins look to make a decision that could largely affect their salary cap and on-field production for years to come. If the rookie continues to get the job done, we may have seen the last of Brandon Scherff in the Burgundy and Gold.

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Wes Martin caught the attention of Redskins with Brandon Scherff out

Wes Martin is on the rise.

Many questions hang over the future of the Washington Redskins and top guard Brandon Scherff, who now shifts to injured reserve ahead of his trip to free agency.

But in the interim, fourth-round rookie Wes Martin stepped in and caught the attention of Redskins coaches such as interim head coach Bill Callahan.

Callahan described Martin as a “real positive” according to Kyle Stackpole of the team’s official website and noted he “fared pretty well.”

This might be a sign of things to come for the Redskins if things don’t work out with Scherff. Martin was highly regarded coming out of college and the fact he’s holding up well already is a good sign.

With Scherff now on the shelf, the rookie will have an extended chance to make a case for a bigger role next year.

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