ASHBURN, Va. – The Redskins liked how Tyler Polumbus improved a year ago, giving them hope for this season. But Polumbus struggled and now the Redskins have made a change.
Coach Jay Gruden said they will start Tom Compton at right tackle for Monday’s game at Dallas. Compton and Polumbus alternated in the second half of Sunday’s game against Tennessee. Polumbus has been dealing with an injured knee, but the benching is centered more on his performance than his health.
Gruden also said Compton has earned the start. For most of the first six games, Compton served as a third tight end in run situations. The third-year pro has worked at both tackle spots. When he first entered the league, the book on him was good athlete, but he needed more strength. Compton has focused hard on the latter area, though at times he has issues with getting driven back. But the quickness serves him well in the zone run game.
“He’s done a good job,” Gruden said. “All throughout camp he’s been a very good swing guy for us. He played well against Tennessee in the reps he got so we’re going to give him an opportunity.”
But Gruden said they’re not sure who the other active tackle will be, Polumbus or rookie Morgan Moses. The Redskins had hoped to let Moses sit and develop this season, then perhaps become a starter in 2015.
He improved during training camp, though he had a long ways to go. Moses had a tendency to bend too much at the waist, which left him with bad footwork and struggles in one-on-one situations. He was better by the end of camp -- the coaches liked how he would fix mistakes quickly. But he has been limited to seven snaps this season. He allowed one bad pressure against Seattle when he appeared uncertain of what he should do on a play. Moses, though, clearly remains a player they want to develop into a starter at some point in the future.
Polumbus is a free agent after the season.