Could Trent Williams be the next Chris Samuels?

It's a little unfair for the Redskins to ask Trent Williams to step in and immediately solidify the team's left tackle position. Nevertheless, he's looked pretty good in training camp so far and has impressed several people, including John Keim of the Washington Examiner:

I really, really like how strong his base is and how well he uses his arms. I remember when Chris Samuels first came to camp and you could just tell the kid would be good because his fundamentals and skills were just different. Williams is the same way. We don’t know how well he’ll prepare, but that’s the only question I have at this point. In terms of talent, he’s legit.

Keim obviously isn't saying that Williams is a carbon copy of Samuels, but that's definitely a strong example of a lineman for Williams to emulate. Samuels, drafted third overall by the Redskins in 2000, played nine seasons in Washington and missed only eight games in that span. He was a second-team All-Pro selection in 2001 and made the Pro Bowl six times.

At 6-5, 315 pounds, Williams is almost the exact same size as Samuels (6-5, 325 pounds), and hopefully he can have similar success on the Redskins' line for years to come.

(HT: SB Nation DC)

Samuels says he's out for the season, mulls retirement

Chris Samuels released a statement yesterday saying that he's going to miss the rest of the season after suffering a neck injury two weeks ago against the Carolina Panthers. He also admitted that his football career may be over:

"I will continue to seek medical advice. I hope to see where I am physically over the next couple months," Samuels said in a statement released by the Redskins Friday. "At this time, I have not made a decision, but I love playing for the Redskins and hope to be back."

Obviously the loss of Samuels is a huge blow to the Redskins, but Samuels needs to make the most informed decision while dealing with such a serious injury.

Oddly enough, the Washington Post article linked above states that Samuels "plans to retire," while this ESPN article, with the same quote from Samuels, merely says that the star left tackle is "evaluating his future." Does that really matter? Not really. Samuels certainly seems like he's going to retire; it's just a bit odd considering that Samuels, in his quote, says that he hasn't made an official decision yet.

Then again, the ESPN story did have to rub salt in the wound for Redskins fans with this two-sentence paragraph:

Even if he does decide to resume playing, Samuels would have good reasons to take his time and not return this year. The Redskins (2-4) are in last place in the NFC East and are just getting to the tough part of their schedule.

Thanks guys! But where's the mention of playing all winless teams?

Samuels's knee 'likely to be an issue all season'

With there already being at least some concern that the Redskins' offense may not be significantly better even with a healthy offensive line, left tackle Chris Samuels, the line's most important cog, is having problems with his right knee. The injury isn't considered to be serious right now, but it could hamper Samuels throughout the season.

The Washington Post's Barry Svrluga elaborates:

Samuels's right knee, though, is likely to be an issue all season, Coach Jim Zorn said. It bothered the 10-year veteran regularly last year, and he underwent minor surgery this offseason.

"He did great," Zorn said Sunday. "His knee was sore coming into the game. There was some questions as far as whether he felt like he could go, and he and our trainers worked together to put it all together and he had a good 20 plays."

Zorn acknowledged, though, that the athletic training staff, as well as the coaches, will have to monitor Samuels regularly if he is to make it through the season healthy.

"I think the training camp takes its toll," Zorn said. "And then once we get into the season, where you're playing on it once a week and the practices are not as physical -- they're more technical -- I think that will really help him."

Samuels should be fine; he's tough and has played through pain plenty of times before, I'm sure. But if his knee doesn't improve and he's forced to miss time, the Redskins could be in for a long season.