Washington Redskins: Bill Callahan revitalizes offensive line

By Andrew Long | May 31, 2015

The Washington Redskins offensive line spent much of the 2014 NFL season being pushed around by opposing defenses. To say that the unit was bad last season would be an understatement, as they were easily one of the worst in the league. On the flip side, the Dallas Cowboys, Washington’s biggest rival, had an outstanding season in terms of offensive line play.

The phenomenal play in the trenches that Dallas enjoyed in 2014, in my opinion, had a lot to do with the coaching that offensive line guru Bill Callahan brought to the table. On top of that, the Cowboys were determined to improve their line, selecting offensive linemen in three out of four drafts – giving them three Pro Bowl caliber players on their offensive front.

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With that being said, top-tier talent often needs to be nudged in the right direction to fully reach their potential, and it’s safe to say that Callahan did that for the Cowboys. During his tenure in Dallas, which lasted from 2012 to 2014, Callahan transformed the way the offensive line practiced, prepared and performed. In doing so, he helped create one of the better offensive lines in recent years.

Callahan’s ability to guide an offensive line to success is something that should have the Redskins coaches, players, and fans giddy. But, at the same time, people have to understand that the line that Washington has in place isn’t on par with that of the one in Dallas. That’s not to say they aren’t capable of reaching that level, though.

The Redskins are lucky to have Trent Williams, a three-time Pro Bowler, anchoring the left side of their offensive line. He’s been a proven asset for a number of years, and his game will likely improve under the tutelage of Callahan. Slotted across from Williams at right tackle will likely be Brandon Scherff, Washington’s first round pick in the 2o14 NFL Draft.

For the Redskins to be successful moving forward, Scherff and Williams will have to set the tone up front. While I’m not sold on Washington’s interior offensive line, I firmly believe that their tackles will be some of the most ferocious and dominant in the NFL in 2015. It will be important for the Redskins interior linemen to feed off of the energy that their tackles emanate.

In an interview with Larry Michael for Redskins Nation, Callahan spoke about the way he does things, and what he expects out of his players in terms of play and intensity on the field. “We work hard, but I’m extremely fair. And I’ve really prided myself on, along the years, is teaching, becoming a technician,” said Callahan. He would go on to say, “And that’s what I think what coaching and teaching is all about.”

The approach that Callahan brings to the table is a proven one, and it will be up to the players that make up the Washington Redskins offensive line to buy into it. If they do, it’s likely that the level of play up front will improve.

Next: Washington Redskins: Defense on the rise

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