When Spencer Long had an arthroscopic knee procedure this week, life came at rookie Chase Roullier fast.
Long’s absence thrust Roullier, the team’s sixth-round pick out of Wyoming, into the starting center job. And although Long is expected to be back for the season opener in two weeks, Roullier will start against the Bengals in the third preseason game, facing Cincinnati’s first-team defenders for at least a half.
Roullier said that he is about as prepared as he can be for the assignment.
“It went pretty well,” he said after practice this week. “Trying to continue to learn the offense as best I can. I’m able to be more comfortable with my calls I’m making out there. It’s definitely something I need to continue to work on. I’ve had some errors in the last couple of games and it’s really something I’ve been focusing on in practice.”
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As Roullier noted, his task learning to play center is more than just figuring how to block NFL defensive linemen after spending four years facing Mountain West Conference competition. It’s making the calls to set up blocking and pass protection for the entire line.
“At center, you’re the start of where everyone’s going,” said Roullier. “I call out the Mike and that allows the rest of the offensive line to know where you’re going. So if I don’t get that our quick enough the whole play can get screwed over. That’s something that I have to continue to work with, make sure I’m loud enough and making the right call, period.”
One of the people who will be counting on Roullier to make “the right call, period” is quarterback Kirk Cousins. He stands to lose to most if Roullier blows a pass protection call. Cousins seems to have faith in the rookie.
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“He’s very intelligent,” said Cousins. “You can tell he’s a pro’s pro. He was a good draft pick. He can pass protect, I think that’s a strength of his, his ability to hold up in pass protection. There’s going to be growing pains. That’s understandable, but it’s exciting to see potential when it’s there, and it’s certainly there with Chase.”
Offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh noted that Cousins can overrule the center if he believes that the call is wrong. He also said that backups have to step up during the regular season all the time.
“It could happen at any position,” he said. “Any of the 11 positions, somebody could go down and somebody else has to go in and we expect guys to come in and perform. I am confident that Chase will do a fine job.”
While an injury to a starter is never good, Long’s issue gives the Redskins a chance to see how Roullier performs against front-line players. If he handles it well, they can have some confidence that Roullier can be the proverbial “next man up” if Long can’t go during the regular season. If not, they might need to look at the waiver wire next week and pick up some veteran help.
Stay up to date on the Redskins. Rich Tandler covers the team 365 days a year. Like his Facebook page Facebook.com/TandlerCSN and follow him on Twitter @Rich_TandlerCSN.