Skins give Heyer RT job

ASHBURN -- Right tackle was supposed to be the must-watch position battle for the Washington Redskins through training camp and preseason. Which of the three candidates would replace longtime favorite Jon Jansen? Would the winner be a sufficient anchor on a line that didn't perform well in the second half of last season?

The battle turned into a no-contest. Partly by default, partly through performance, Stephon Heyer will start Sept. 13 when the Redskins open the regular season at the New York Giants. The third-year player who wasn't drafted out of Maryland has shown more than the veterans brought in to compete against him.

"Stephon Heyer's way ahead of everybody, man," offensive line coach Joe Bugel said yesterday. "He's a legit tackle. He's improved tremendously. This is his third year. . . . He deserves this opportunity."

Right tackle looked to be a four-way contest until late May, when the Redskins decided that age and injuries had caught up with Jansen and released him. Having failed to address the position in the draft or with a significant free agency signing, the front office put its faith into a trio of contenders: Heyer, Mike Williams and Jeremy Bridges.

Williams is an inspirational story that has yet to pay dividends on a practice field. The former first-round pick with the Buffalo Bills has lost more than 100 pounds in his bid to return to the NFL after three years away. But dehydration, a groin injury and a sprained ankle could lead to a disappointing end to the comeback bid.

Bridges has started 39 games at tackle and guard in six seasons with Philadelphia, Arizona and Carolina, but he's looked much more at home at guard with the Redskins. He'll make the roster as a utility backup.