Today, DC Pro Sports Report continues its analysis of each position on the Redskins in preparation for the start of training camp later this month. We’ll analyze each position and predict who will be on the roster at the end of preseason and who will not. We’ll also figure out who will be starting and what everyone’s roles will be. Previous training camp position analyses have included quarterbacks andtailbacks and fullback and tight end and wide receivers and offensive tackles and guards and centers. Earlier today, we covered the defensive line. Now, we turn to the linebackers.
On the roster now: H.B. Blades, Alfred Fincher, London Fletcher, Cody Glenn, Robert Henson, Rocky McIntosh, Robert Thomas, Darrell Young, Brian Orakpo, Chris Wilson
Who will stay: H.B. Blades, London Fletcher, Robert Henson, Rocky McIntosh, Robert Thomas, Brian Orakpo, Chris Wilson
Linebacker has been a major problem at times for the Redskins over the last two years. MLB London Fletcher has been a rock, a sure tackler and a virtual extension of Defensive Coordinator Greg Blache’s brain on the field. Fletcher isn’t getting any younger, but he should be solid for yet another year and he almost never misses a snap. Blades played pretty well in place of an injured Marcus Washington last year, but he should return to the bench this season, serving as a top backup and a special teams terror. Robert Henson, a 6th round 2009 draft pick from Texas Christian University, looks like a keeper to me and should easily find a backup spot. Robert Thomas, an oft-injured former 1st round pick who has played for the Rams and Raiders, will provide even more experience coming off the bench.
Brian Orakpo will start at strong side linebacker and his ability to not hurt the team in pass coverage — something he rarely had to do in college — will be critical to the success of the defense. Offenses will target Orakpo, hoping to get him out of his comfort zone near the line of scrimmage and in the offensive backfield. Orakpo will become a defensive end in obvious passing situations, something he is more comfortable doing. Rocky McIntosh, who didn’t look fully healed from a disastrous 2007 knee injury, should be in good shape and I expect him to have, easily, his best season as a pro so far. If McIntosh can stay healthy at the weakside linebacker spot, the defense should be formidable indeed.
Albert Fincher is a veteran like Robert Thomas, but several years younger, and if they seem roughly equal in training
camp and preseason, Fincher could get the nod instead of Thomas.
camp and preseason, Fincher could get the nod instead of Thomas.
53 -3 = 50 [Quarterbacks]
50 -3 = 47 [Tailbacks]
47 -1 = 46 [Fullback]
46 -3 = 43 [Tight Ends]
43 -5 = 38 [Wide Receivers]
38 -5 = 33 [Tackles]
33 -4 = 29 [Guards, Centers]
29 -9 = 20 [Defensive Line]
20 -7 = 13 [Linebackers]
Possibly Related Posts:
- The Calder Cup
- Belanger inks one year deal with Caps
- Redskins Link Dump (8/9)
- Nats trade Christian Guzman to Rangers
- El-Bashir leaving Post Caps beat
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