ASHBURN — Even after starting 13 regular-season games last season at left guard, Spencer Long approached the offseason with the desire to become a better center.
Long, entering his third year, was pressed into action in 2015 after left guard Shawn Lauvao needed season-ending surgery to repair a lateral sprain in his left ankle. He was also the third-string center behind veteran Kory Lichtensteiger and guard Josh LeRibeus, who transitioned to center and started 11 games while Lichtensteiger was out with a pinched nerve in his neck and shoulder.
Once the Redskins completed phase one and two of their offseason workouts, offensive line coach Bill Callahan informed Long he’d be taking reps as the backup center during organized team activities.