Redskins' tackle job may be left to Jones

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By David Elfin THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Another week could bring another player into the mix at left tackle for the Washington Redskins.

Signed Oct. 20 as an insurance policy after six-time Pro Bowl player Chris Samuels suffered a career-threatening neck injury, Levi Jones might make his first start at the position for the Redskins on Sunday at Atlanta.

Stephon Heyer has handled the job the past two games, losses to Kansas City and Philadelphia. But he injured his right knee against the Eagles, possibly opening the door for Jones.

"It's just about [Heyer's] pain tolerance," coach Jim Zorn said Wednesday. "He continues to improve."

Heyer fully participated in practice Wednesday, but with knee injuries, the day after the first workout is usually the key. Jones, 6-foot-5 and 307 pounds, has played just one snap since Nov. 16, 2008; that came when Heyer limped off in the fourth quarter against the Eagles on Oct. 26.

A starter at left tackle for most of his seven seasons with Cincinnati, Jones was let go in May shortly after the Bengals used their first-round draft choice on Andre Smith. Because Jones didn't go through training camp and has had just six practices with the Redskins, Zorn said he's still behind.

Jones, however, believes he's ready to start Sunday.

"I can go in there and do what I have done in my career, which is pass-block exceptionally well and run-block a lot better than most," he said. "I've always felt that I can help any team that I've been a part of. That's just coming from my work ethic, how hard I go and how I leave it out there for my teammates. That's not going to change."

Heyer is far from healthy, but linemen rarely are. In 2003, Jones played just six days after having a knee scoped.

"I've played through pretty much every injury I've had," he said. "I had surgery on my hamstring in February. I had scar tissue that had pretty much shut down my right leg, but I played 10 games last year. I really couldn't get down in my stance. I really couldn't come out of my stance. But I made it through 10 games."

Although they cut him, Jones doesn't begrudge the Bengals, who had given him $16.3 million guaranteed as part of a contract extension in 2006. He said he is eager to show he's not injury-prone or over the hill at age 30.

"I have missed [18 games in seven seasons], but they label me injury-prone?" he said. "I've never been on injured reserve. To have that knock, I definitely want to get that off and show people that I'm back... and try to return to the elite status I once had."

The Redskins, who gave up six sacks to the Eagles, certainly could use another elite lineman. Other than Jones, center Casey Rabach and left guard Derrick Dockery are the only current regulars who have started eight games or more in any of the past five seasons.

Jones said his transition from Cincinnati's blocking system to Washington's hasn't been that difficult, especially with the benefit of last week's bye to study.

"The main difference is the techniques," he said. "The zone [blocking] schemes are a bit different, [but] you gotta be able to adjust in this league."

The Redskins, who were spoiled by having Samuels at left tackle for almost a decade, know all about that.