Redskins: Ereck Flowers to start at left guard, but Wes Martin not far behind

Ereck Flowers is expected to start at left guard for the Washington Redskins heading into the regular season.  He may get the start, but how long will be able to hold off rookie Wes Martin for the job?

When the Redskins signed Ereck Flowers as a free agent in the offseason, he was expected to compete at left guard considering the team’s lack of depth at the position.  He had previously started 55 career games at the tackle position for the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars, but has had to transition to guard due to poor play on the outside.

While Flowers hasn’t had the best preseason in terms of overall effectiveness, he has seemingly held off rookie offensive lineman Wes Martin to this point.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Redskins head coach Jay Gruden was asked about who might start at the left guard position, considering that Donald Penn was recently named the team’s starting left tackle.

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Per The Athletic DC’s Rhiannon Walker, Gruden stated that Ereck Flowers is “at the top of the depth chart.”  Gruden complimented Martin on his play in the preseason thus far, but it seems as if the rookie may just be a step behind his veteran competition in Flowers in the eyes of the coaching staff.

Flowers has had mixed reviews in the Redskins first three preseason games to date against the Browns, Bengals, and Falcons.  However, the issues that have faced Flowers at the tackle position in the past have also given him problems to an extent at left guard in the present.  This may be why Gruden didn’t necessarily seem thrilled when announcing Flowers as the starter.

The former University of Miami product tends to struggle with poor technique and lacks overall consistency with footwork and balance.

Specifically, against the Falcons, Flowers was called for holding a Falcons defensive lineman with 1:35 to go in the second quarter.  The defender beat Flowers directly off the snap as the big offensive lineman was not able to position himself for the block.  The hold would end up nullifying a touchdown from running back Derrius Guice, who was playing in his first preseason game since last year’s torn ACL.  The drive would eventually stall, leading to a 29-yard field goal from kicker Dustin Hopkins.

Going into the 2019 regular season, the Redskins cannot afford those types of negative plays in their offense.  While the team does have a veteran starting quarterback in Case Keenum, inexperience may plague the offense as a whole.  Too many mental lapses by Flowers early could pave the way for Martin to hear is name eventually called into the starting lineup.  Flowers must use his size and athleticism to avoid such mistakes if he plans on keeping the job for the long-haul.

Martin, the team’s fourth-round pick in the 2019 draft out of Indiana University, has arguably shown that he may not be too far away from taking over the starting position from Flowers.

Known for his superb strength and mental fortitude, Martin has made many effective blocks playing with the second offensive unit in the preseason.  He has also displayed short-area quickness when asked to pull on running plays.  Martin is not currently up to the level of current teammate Brandon Scherff, but with experience, he may be more than just a solid contributor.  He must clean up some issues with consistency like any rookie player.

With preseason Week 4 against the Baltimore Ravens only days away, Wes Martin will get another chance to show that he is the man for the starting job ahead of Ereck Flowers.  As with the quarterback situation, the team seems to prefer the veteran over the younger player.

However, if and when he does get to play, the young guard must be able to show he is ready to take on the likes of Eagles DL Fletcher Cox, Jets DL Leonard Williams, and Bears DL Akiem Hicks in the trenches.  The team faces a daunting schedule with the likes of these star players included.

With final roster cuts looming, and other key decisions still needing to be made, stay with us here at Riggo’s Rag for all Redskins news as it breaks.