Scot McCloughan’s To Do List: Part 1 – Offensive Line
By Chris West
Nov 2, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Washington Redskins guard Shawn Lauvao (77) blocks against the Minnesota Vikings in the first quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 29-26. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Shawn Lauvao, LG
Shawn Lauvao was signed as a FA in the off-season in 2014 to take over for Kory Lichtensteiger at LG. Lauvao had a slow start to the season. He came from the Cleveland Browns who ran a different blocking scheme than the Redskins and it may have taken Lauvao time to adapt.
Lauvao gives good effort and I believe he is the second best offensive lineman on the team after Williams. Lauvao’s size was a big improvement over the smaller Lichtensteiger. Lauvao will return at LG for the Redskins and I expect him to improve in 2015.
It is unknown at this time if the Redskins will continue running a zone blocking system with their offensive line or go to a more power based attack like HC, Jay Gruden ran in Cinncinati. The power based blocking system would allow them to recruit and draft larger lineman like Lauvao & probably improve their pass blocking.
Lauvao earned a 0.83 rating versus the Cowboys and a 0.75 against Philadelphia. These ratings are average but Lauvao has improved a lot for the Redskins. He does need to improve more to justify the contract he signed in 2014.
-next, Kory Lichtenteiger-