Talk » The Texans quarterback said he tries to get back

Hogs Haven Asks Roll ‘Bama Roll About The Redskins New OG/C" />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHogs Haven homepageHorizontal - WhiteHogs Havena Washington Redskins communityFollow Hogs Haven online:Follow Hogs Haven on TwitterFollow Hogs Haven on FacebookLog in or sign upLog InSign UpSite searchSearchSearchHogs Haven main menuFanpostsFanshotsSectionsRedskinsMastheadOddsShopCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 321 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Looks Like Someone Has A Sixpack Of The MondaysDaily SlopRedskins RecapsEDTValuable Information Provided ByBrent C. TaylorGabe Ward: The Redskins have invested significant draft capital and other resources into solidifying the defense Dwayne Haskins Jersey White , particularly with Crimson Tide players (if you’ve lost count: Jonathan Allen, DaRon Payne, Landon Collins, Ryan Anderson, Shuan Dion Hamilton, Reuben Foster). Now it is the offense that is in desperate need of a rebuild. The Redskins lost their QB, Alex Smith, to a horrific injury last year, but beyond that, the offensive line was decimated with injury last year as well. When healthy, the Redskins are in great shape regarding the offensive line as they have 4 bona fide starters; the one area that has been a weak link has been left guard. The Redskins run a power scheme, which means they need linemen who have enough strength and power to create holes for the running game, but who also have enough athleticism to pull out on running plays that go outside. Can you give us a general sense of the type of blocks and scheme Pierschbacher worked in at Alabama?Brent Taylor: Trust me, we definitely haven’t lost count of the Tide players in Washington. You’ve already become affectionately known as the Crimsonskins around these parts. As for the scheme fit, Alabama has used plenty of both power and zone, depending on the situation. However, the base offense and significant portion of Alabama’s game plan has revolved around a zone blocking scheme-- which requires flexibility in small spaces to turn defenders around and create cutback lanes. Though he’s technically sound, Ross is neither fast around the edge nor all that strong in straight up power blocks. He’s adequate at both, but not particularly adept. Gabe Ward: The Redskins signed Ereck Flowers to be the presumed starter at left guard this year but with Flowers’ limited success in the NFL so far, and the Redskins investing a 4th round pick (Wes Martin, Indiana, LG) and 5th round pick in Pierschbacher, I think its fair to say that the young guys will have an opportunity to beat out the veteran. What case would you make to convince others that Pierschbacher could actually win the LG job?Brent Taylor: Consistency. While many positions (wide receiver/pass rusher) depend on players being able to make awesome plays and incredible feats to be a difference maker, the offensive line is a little different. Pancake blocks, while fun to watch, are only marginally more effective than just getting in the way of a defender. But a wide receiver slipping on a route will have much less impact on derailing a play than if an offensive lineman screws up a block. And that’s where Ross excels. He may not make the splashy blocks, and may struggle to really move things forward on a 4th and 1, but it’s a rare thing that he really messes up a block. He gets the job done. All the time. That’s something you don’t often see in young linemen.Gabe Ward: The Redskins have a few Pro Bowlers and tone setters on the OL.I’m specifically speaking about Trent Williams (LT) and Brandon Scherff (RG), who play physically and take other players’ souls when they have the opportunity. Its important to have that toughness and attitude when facing the defensive fronts of the NFC East. Does Pierschbacher have that dog in him? Brent Taylor: That is one thing I’m not sure of. Ross has never really stood out as being a particularly nasty or aggressive blocker. Obviously, I don’t know him personally, so attitude can be kind of tough for me to really comment on, but it’s not a trait that’s really showed up on the field, in my opinion. Gabe Ward: Forgive me, but I’m going to say that Alabama offensive linemen have not had nearly the amount of success as their counterparts on defensive side of the ball. Considering ‘Bama OL go against some of the top DL and LB talent year after year, what do you think is missing once they get to the NFL? Do you think it’s really a strength that Pierschbacher practiced against several 1st round DLs in his career?Brent Taylor: Honestly, I think that Alabama’s biggest issue with putting linemen in the pros is that we tend to take our best linemen, no matter their style Wes Martin Jersey , and put them at tackle. That’s meant that we’ve wound up with with a lot of natural guards playing tackle at a college level and then struggling to make the transition to the pros-- and consequently the Tide’s guards are generally just not as talented as the tackles. Meanwhile, the centers are generally senior players and more dependable, with the starting center often being just the longest tenured lineman on the team. However, I do think that practicing against top players along the defensive line over the years should have really helped him, not hindered him. When it comes to competitive practice, there is, of course, a sweet spot. Competing against others too much weaker than you can lead to bad habits and reliance on techniques that don’t work at a higher level. But playing against people way out of your league leads to confidence issues and means no chance to practice any different techniques. Since Pierschbacher started for 4 years and never got booted out, I’d say that confidence can’t have been a problem. All in all, practicing against guys like Jonathan Allen, DaRon Payne, and Quinnen Williams has to be considered a positive for him.Gabe Ward: Do you have any insights as to how Piersbacher’s experience in his career might give him the upper hand in the NFL? He has played on the biggest stage several times in his college career; do you think that helps his ability to be able to come in and hit the ground running?Brent Taylor: Absolutely. He’s versatile, tough, and refined. If he has to start from day 1 due to injuries, you don’t have to worry about him screwing up half his assignments and getting jumpy. The dude has started in four straight national championship games, 8 playoff games, and 3 SEC championship matches — plus two trips to Baton Rouge (the craziest fan base in America) and two trips to Auburn (a cursed home venue that is basically like a Final Destination movie on the football field every time Alabama plays there). He’s done so for four years under the scrutiny of the Alabama fan base-- which is about as unforgiving of mistakes as any you’ll find. So don’t expect a pro game to daunt him. Gabe Ward: The Redskins value versatility along the offensive line, especially in light of all the injuries these past couple of years. While the Redskins do have a fine starter at center in Chase Roullier, what do you think is Pierschbacher’s best position, center or guard? Brent Taylor: Ross was a fine center last year, and I don’t remember any issues with snaps or identifying blocks. I don’t think you can go wrong with him there. However, 3 years of starting guard experience is tough to ignore, and I think he’s more natural there. He’s great at identifying stunts and helping tackles chip guys on the outside, and I think it’s a waste to have him slugging it out with a nose tackle every play when he can probably be more effective at guard. Gabe Ward: Could you give us a few words to describe the player we are getting in Ross Pierschbacher? Brent Taylor: Consistent and reliable.<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="i4fnlV">I want to thank Brent again for his time spent answering my questions about Pierschbacher. I mentioned to him in my initial email, ‘another Redskins draft, another Alabama player,’ to signal what a core part the players from that program have become to the team. At this rate, with Brent previously working with me on articles about Da’Ron Payne and Shaun Dion Hamilton, we may have to put him on retainer. As a formatting note, I would have liked to have included Brent in the main byline as I have done in years past, but the new editor restricts permissions to do that. This is, at minimum, a 50/50 endeavor, with the bulk of the thinking and writing coming from the people gracious enough to answer me, and I want to make sure they get their credit. I’ll likely be including this note for the rest of the series. LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Jay Gruden occasionally has to remind people his team is in 6-3 and in first place."That's a heck of deal after nine games," the Washington Redskins‘ coach said. "But I'm also excited with the fact that we have not played our best yet Womens Bryce Love Jersey , and I think the best is yet to come."It wasn't been a flawless ride, but when the roller-coaster Redskins host the rolling Houston Texans on Sunday, it'll be a showdown between two surprising division leaders. Washington has gotten into first place in the NFC East alternating strong and weak performances, and Houston has won six in a row to also reach 6-3 and sit atop the AFC South. Led by veterans Alex Smith and Adrian Peterson, the Redskins come into the matchup motivated by a lack of respect. Second-year quarterback Deshaun Watson and the Texans are full of confidence after digging out of an 0-3 hole."Winning helps," Houston coach Bill O'Brien said. "Everybody has confidence in their ability to go out there and play well, but I also think our team understands that this is a very humbling league. This is a league, it's a short walk. It's a short walk from where you are right now to where you were when you were 0-3."It's a very short walk for the Redskins from their best to their worst. A three-game October winning streak and last week's victory at Tampa Bay didn't show their best.So there's reason why, despite leading the division by two games, Washington isn't getting the same buzz as other playoff contenders. Players are just fine with that."Nobody's really looking at the Redskins or anything," middle linebacker Zach Brown said. "For us, we're just going to keep trying to stack up the wins and see where we can take it. For us, we just need an invite to the dance because you never know what might happen."Peterson figures it's too early to think playoffs, but said: "You can definitely have it in the back of your mind and understand how important each and every game is."Coming off their bye week, the Texans fully understand the value of every game to their chances of winning a third division title in four seasons."We have to win against the Redskins to even keep conversations like that alive," defensive end J.J. Watt said. "If you start to look that far ahead and you start to think about things like that, that's when you get blindsided."Some things to watch when the Texans visit the Redskins:WHAT A COMEBACKWatt and Peterson are top candidates for the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year award after turning in strong performances in their return from two straight seasons that were cut short by injuries.Watt played just eight games in the previous two seasons because of back surgeries and a broken leg. Peterson missed 19 games in the 2016 and 2017 seasons combined because of knee surgery and a neck injury.Watt is tied for third in the NFL with nine sacks and tied for first by forcing four fumbles. He also has 16 quarterback hits, 11 tackles for losses and has swatted down two passes.Peterson is tied for fifth in the league with 672 yards rushing and has scored four touchdowns.Watt raved about Peterson's comeback."He's obviously one of the great running backs of the game," Watt said. "What he's been able to do in his career, but then to be able to come back the way he has and have the type of season he's having — obviously, I know how difficult it is from firsthand experience to come back from injuries, so I'm extremely impressed by what he's been able to do. I have a ton of respect for his game. It's always a good challenge to play against him and I enjoy the competition."SWEARINGER REVENGE GAMERedskins safety D.J. Swearinger, who was drafted by the Texans in the second round in 2013 and cut after the 2014 season, has not been shy to rip O'Brien. He posted on Instagram this week about "unprofessional actions" by O'Brien that led to his release, which his former coach responded to by saying he didn't know what Swearinger was talking about."D.J. made a lot of plays for us here," O'Brien said. "He's a very instinctive, tough, competitive player. He's obviously gone on to Arizona and now in Washington and I think he's a captain there and he's (second in) the league in interceptions, doing a great job, has got excellent ball skills, good tackler, tough, competitive guy."WATSON DOWNOnly the Giants' Eli Manning and Cowboys' Dak Prescott have been sacked more this season than Watson. as close to the line of scrimmage as possible so as not to lose yardage on his 30 sacks.Brown has noticed on film that defenses can force sacks on Watson when they lock down on coverage because the young QB holds on to the ball so long trying to make something happen."I think he's just trying to make plays," Brown said. "He's still young. Eventually he'll get that clock ticking in his head."