Washington Commanders

Gruden: Scherff going to 'have some lumps' moving over to right tackle

Published May. 19, 2015 1:21 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Washington Redskins have a plan for their first-round pick Brandon Scherff. The No. 5 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft will move from the left tackle position he played in college to right tackle.

By all accounts, Scherff held his own at the rookie minicamp this past weekend, but head coach Jay Gruden believes that it will take some time before he feels comfortable with Scherff at right tackle.

“Obviously, moving over to right tackle is not just a transition that’s going to be immediate and easy for him,” Redskins coach Jay Gruden said to reporters after the Redskins' rookie minicamp. “He’s going to have to take some lumps.”

Remember, Scherff started his last 26 games at Iowa at left tackle. Learning the necessary footwork to compete on the right side is key, and Scherff realizes that he will be learning from some of the best. Redskins offensive line coach Bill Calahan has put together some of the most improved and dominant offensive lines at both the NFL and college levels. His most recent success came with the Cowboys as their offensive line coach in 2014. He turned them into one of the best units in the NFL.

Scherff embraces the challenge.

“They’re kicking my butt,” Scherff said of Callahan and Gruden.

Gruden has no interest allowing Scherff's draft position to carry over with him to the football field where he believes all that can be discarded.

“Out here in rookie minicamp, he’s out here trying his butt off and trying to finish plays and listen and pay attention and translating what he learns to the field,” Gruden said. “Where you draft a guy, who you draft him in front of – none of that matters at this point. All that matters is that they’re on our team and we’ve got to coach them up and they’ve got to do their work to get themselves ready for Week 1.”

Scherff agrees with Gruden and he is more concerned with earning the respect of his teammates through hard work and performance.

“Nobody really mentions it,” Scherff said. “You’ve got to come in and earn the respect of your teammates first and just do your job and what you’re expected to do.”

Although he is not guaranteed a starting spot, Scherff couldn't be inheriting a better opportunity. At right tackle, the Redskins have already moved on from 2014 opening day starter Tyler Polumbus, who signed with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason. He will compete with second year lineman Morgan Moses and former sixth-round pick Tom Compton. Moses only played 131 offensive snaps as a rookie, and he was a major liability as a run blocker. Compton filled in for Polumbus and ended up playing the most total snaps at right tackle. Compton allowed six sacks, eight quarterback hits and 22 additional pressures. He was also a liability as a run blocker. This is Scherff's job to lose, even if Gruden is not ready to admit that.

(h/t CBS DC)

Photo Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki/USA TODAY Sports