It was among the top storylines heading into the 2010 season.
With Chris Samuels retired, the Redskins opted to start talented rookie Trent Williams at the all-important left tackle position.
How fast could Williams adjust to the speed of the NFL game?
Week after week, Williams matched up against elite pass rushers, from Dallas's DeMarcus Ware to New York's Osi Umenyiora. Throw in Houston's Mario Williams, Indianapolis's Dwight Freeney, Philadelphia's Trent Cole and Minnesota's Jared Allen, for good measure.
In last Sunday's season finale against the Giants, Williams appeared to struggle against Umenyiora in the Redskins' season finale, a 17-14 loss to the Giants.
Umenyiora, an 8-year veteran, posted two sacks and two forced fumbles in the game.
Afterwards, Williams said his goal in his first full Redskins offseason is to develop more consistency as a blocker, both in the run game and in pass protection.
"This is the NFL," he said. "You could think a guy is out of a play and then all of a sudden he's making a play. It's just another growing pain I have to get used to. I just have to finish guys off and be more consistent."
Said offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan: "The thing I think Trent has learned is you have to play every down in the NFL. You can dominate a guy and you could ease up one play and ease up two plays, and he gets two sacks – and it might be a sack and a fumble. The key for Trent is being consistent."
Through what has been a challenging rookie season, Williams believes he has shown signs of improvement.
"I feel more comfortable and a bit more relaxed out there," he said. "I know what to expect. I'm just working to get better every game."
In 2011, coaches want to see Williams go to the next level in terms of his preparation.
Early last season, Williams appeared to struggle with stunts. Later on, he was able to recognize defensive fronts better as he studied film.
Then it was simply a matter of winning the one-on-one matchups.
"I saw a guy with a tremendous amount of ability, but he's a rookie," head coach Mike Shanahan said. "He has to learn how to be a pro. When you go against these defensive ends or outside linebackers that we see in the NFL, you have to know them inside and out. What type of moves does he have? You've got to know him better than he knows himself.
"You have to study film. You have to do all of the little things that give you a little edge. The great thing about Trent is that he is a worker. There's a big upside. I think he'll do the things next season to give him the best chance to be, hopefully, a Pro Bowl player."
