With training camp set to begin later this month, Redskins.com previews the current state of the Redskins' roster, continuing today with the team's outside linebackers.
The Washington Redskins will venture down to the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center later this month with six offensive tackles who want to deliver a balanced offensive attack.
The unit is led by Trent Williams and Morgan Moses. Ty Nsekhe and Takoby Cofield return and the team added Al Bond and Kevin Bowen in the offseason.
ROSTER SUBTRACTION(S):- Tom Compton (Free Agent, signed with Atlanta)
KEY ADDITION(S):
- Kevin Bowen (Undrafted Free Agent, East Central (Okla.))
- Al Bond (Free Agent)
CURRENT STATE OF THE UNIT:
Before the Redskins head to Richmond for training camp, check out who all is on the roster position-by-position. Today, it is the offensive tackles.
There is not much drama at the offensive tackle position entering training camp.
Left tackle Trent Williams has consistently been one of the best players in the league since he was drafted in 2010, having just been listed at No. 45 in the 2016 NFL Top 100 list, which is based on the votes of current players.
Offensive line coach Bill Callahan can't speak highly enough of Williams, who was elected captain each year from 2012-2015.
"I consider him the best," Callahan said. "I've been very fortunate to be around a lot of All-Pro tackles and this guy's off the charts athletically. I mean, I tell him that all the time. And what he can do with his talent level whether it's on the perimeter, at the point of attack, downfield on screens, it's scary, it really is."
Holding down the opposite side of the line is Morgan Moses, who overcame an injury-plagued rookie campaign to develop into a reliable presence at right tackle. Moses quickly meshed with right guard Brandon Scherff as the two worked on the intricacies of playing side-by-side.
"We were in pretty much the same situation, so we were able to learn together," Moses said. "Now, being out here and having a season under our belt of starting and being able to play together again is good. We're growing together every year and every day we're out here working on techniques."
Ty Nsekhe filled in well as a backup swing tackle last season, starting two of the 13 games he appeared in. His most memorable matchup last season was in Week 17, when he dominated Cowboys Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Hardy.
Nsekhe is ready to fill the same role this year.
"I just do what I'm asked to do." Nsekhe said. "I'm willing to play wherever they need me at. I'm just blessed to be in the position that I'm in and I'm striving to get better every day."
Takoby Cofield spent 2015 on the Redskins practice squad, while Al Bond and Kevin Bown were signed in the offseason. Bowen is adapting to the pros after playing at East Central (Okla.), a Division II school that set offensive records with Bowen starting at left tackle.
WHAT TO WATCH:
The starting spots are locked down by Williams and Moses. Nsekhe's experience should give him the advantage as the rest of the squad competes for second-string and places on the practice squad.
As a unit, the tackles will look to improve in the run game and seek to offer a balanced offense led by quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Callahan understands that the process of getting better isn't always exciting.
"They get tired of me harping on it and it gets a little monotonous," he said, "but that's the nature of the game and the nature of line doing the same things over and over again until you become great at it."
REDSKINS IN RICHMOND:
--7/5: Quarterbacks
--7/6: Nose Tackles
--7/7: Running Backs
--7/8: Defensive Ends
--7/12: Inside Linebackers
--7/13: Tight Ends
--7/14: Outside Linebackers
