Washington Commanders

Spencer Long will approach 2015 the same way, but now he is a starter

Published Jun. 4, 2015 3:00 p.m. ET

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When the Washington Redskins released starting right guard Chris Chester last week, a new chapter was born for second year lineman Spencer Long. The third-round pick from the 2014 NFL Draft has been handed the keys and he will get the first shot at replacing Chester at right guard. Redskins head coach Jay Gruden believes that after a full season of learning behind Chester and the other linemen, Long is ready to contribute now.

“He’s a big man. He’s tough and he’s smart,” Coach Jay Gruden said of Long on Wednesday, per The Washington Post. “I think he missed a lot of the season at the University of Nebraska his senior year. Coming back last year it was important for him to slowly get into it. I think having a year under his belt, knowing the system, I think the confidence coming into Year 2, we feel good about his progress.”

Being promoted to the starter out of the blue can be overwhelming for any young player at any position. Long is humbled and focused on not letting his task ahead get too big for him.

“I’m taking it day by day. I’m just trying to better my game and take the coaching and become the most consistent offensive lineman that I can,” Long said, per The Washington Post. “I’m not concerned with the future – well, obviously, everyone is a little bit – but I’m just saying, like, you’ve got to be on my stuff now. Not, ‘Oh, I’m here now! Now I can just –.’ No. You’ve got to constantly be fighting for your job.”

Long will look to hold down the starting right guard spot next to center Kory Lichtensteiger on one side and a to be determined player on the other side. The right tackle job is still up for grabs and the two likeliest candidates are 2015 first-rounder Brandon Scherff and second year lineman Morgan Moses. The Redskins are shifting to a bigger line in an effort to utilize more power blocking concepts and schemes under new offensive line coach Bill Callahan.

(h/t Washington Post)

Photo Credit: Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports