By Eric Edholm
Sept. 5, 2008

The Redskins made a tough decision moving Jon Jansen from starting right tackle to backup left guard, but the coaching staff believes that Stephon Heyer gives them the best chance to succeed, especially in pass protection. Jansen struggled to pass-block in the preseason, and his injury history had something to do with the decision. Heyer was not spectacular this preseason either, and he struggled early in the season-opening loss to the Giants, allowing a sack to Giants DE Justin Tuck on the Redskins’ first offensive play, in which Heyer appeared overmatched.

However, head coach Jim Zorn absolved Heyer from blame on the play when he said, “That was due to the quarterback not throwing the ball, 100 percent,” and Heyer’s play did appear to improve as the game went on.

Team sources say his play has been more steady to this point and that his upside certainly is greater. In the West Coast offense, having a tackle with long arms is a big plus, and the team saw enough positives in Heyer’s development to think he can control defensive ends and prevent them from batting down the short timing passes that make up a big chunk of the offense. He needs to play well early this season. The Redskins face a series of good pass rushers in the first quarter of the season, and the opponents will want to see how Heyer stands up, perhaps overloading his side with blitzes.

Jansen’s future now appears to be at guard. He could end up replacing OLG Pete Kendall down the line or at some point this season, but for now Jansen will be a high-priced backup with no clear role. …

The Redskins’ first three drives of the game against the Giants netted only 16 offensive yards, with one of the drives extended by a roughing-the-kicker penalty. To say that the first scripted plays of Zorn’s coaching career were disappointing would be an understatement.

Those plays included a sack and two false starts, and eight of the first 13 plays they ran (including penalties) either gained zero yards or lost yardage. They gained some momentum in the final drive of the half, scoring their only touchdown of the night, but it was set up by a 50-yard kickoff return that got them into scoring position and a 15-yard facemask penalty by Giants DT Jay Alford that put the ball in the red zone, where it took three plays to score.