The Washington Redskins didn’t waste much time starting to do what many fans want to see most for 2010 – a re-built offensive line. With Chris Samuels’ future in jeopardy, and Randy Thomas seemingly now beat up beyond recognition, it’s conceivable that the Redskins could need as many as five offensive linemen for starters and depth, before the start of the 2010 season. New head coach Mike Shanahan didn’t take long to start addressing it, with today’s signing of Kory Lichtensteiger.
Lichtensteiger was drafted by Shanahan and the Broncos in the fourth round of the 2008 draft. The 6-foot-3, 295-pound product of Bowling Green State was cut by the Broncos this year, and then by the Vikings, but both teams had considerably better offensive lines than the Redskins did in 2009. Let’s face it, there were arguably 31 teams that had better offensive lines than Washington did this year.
On the surface, Lichtensteiger isn’t a significant signing because there’s certainly no guarantees that he’ll even crack the 53-man roster; but it does show that Shanahan is addressing the Redskins’ biggest need early. Lichtensteiger can play both guard and center, knows Shanahan’s system, and is familiar with zone blocking schemes – something that may be important to the 2010 Redskins.
He was active for all 16 games during his rookie season.