Lorenzo Alexander Explains Core Changes in Redskins Front Office

by Kevin Ewoldt on Apr 25, 2011 11:51 AM EDT in Interviews

Lorenzo Alexander sacks my concerns with Redskins ability to land quality free agents.

One of my concerns as a Redskins fan is that with the changing of the guard from Vinny and the owner as the front office decision makers to a stubbornly cheap (in a good way) GM and Head Coach, paired with a team that can't generate wins, that solid free agents are avoiding Redskins Park. I (perceived) saw it with TJ Houshmandzadeh. I asked that exact question to Lorenzo Alexander during our last Pickled Hogs Radio broadcast:

Alexander: Ummmm...I wouldn't say they wouldn't want to come here. We just signed OJ Atogwe, and he's one of the premier safeties in the league. The front office is doing a better job of not just offering the biggest name out there the best contract that's ever been done. And we're doing a better job of screening players, and if not, it's a minimal deal and favorable to the team. They're getting better at taking care of their own. Guys that are grinding and producing and have become the face of the Redskins. I can only credit that to Mr. Allen and Coach Shanahan of really wanting guys here who want to work and they're going to reward you for that.

Especially in my case. Last year they didn't have to offer me a contract when they did. I was very gracious and humbled by that where everybody on our team didn't get that and probably should have gotten it over me. Taking care of guys that have been here working hard and moving in that direction. That's what I like. You have to build within your team. You can't just bring in a Pro-Bowler at every position and put him on the field and think you're going to do something. Dallas had 11 Pro-Bowlers one year and didn't win the Super Bowl, so having Pro Bowlers doesn't make you a great team. I think they understand that and their starting to move that way. They're doing their homework and building a team. A whole team. A couple superstars and some role players. Not everyone can be a super star...you know your role to go to the Big Game.

Amen. This certainly makes me feel better. As desperate as we are for wins, and they will come, it'll take a couple years, but the fact we have a functional system in place to weed out bad players will do wonders for this team in the long run. Rewarding the hard-working players is essential, as Ted Leonsis mentioned was a core part of his 10-point re-building plan.

Tweet Comment 13 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Was Housh avoiding us?

Or did he just want to go to Baltimore more?

by SSBlitz on Apr 25, 2011 11:13 AM EDT reply actions

who knows

The Redskins desp needed a WR and he named 2 potential teams he was deciding on…and Redskins were not 1 of them. Nothing factual…my perception.

"If everyone is thinking alike, somebody isn't thinking." -George S. Patton
Hogs Haven. On Twitter..

by Kevin Ewoldt on Apr 25, 2011 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd love to see us prioritize the hard workers, rewarding them and building loyalty and identity

"By far the worst performers on the team are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins

by smutsboy1 on Apr 25, 2011 11:38 AM EDT reply actions

A couple superstars and some role players. Not everyone can be a super star…

And just think, some fans on HH(actually many), want to go OLB with that 1st round pick………and you want to oust LoAx? Big Mistake. This is one hell of a player, and and even better person. I like him playing opposite Rak.

LoAx says it best in his quote above. We need some guys to fill in around the talent we already have on defense(which already includes some probowlers). Some of those role players could already be on the team(Riley, Henson, Jarmon Jackson).

I got Tiger Blood running through my veins!

by Tiller56 on Apr 25, 2011 4:48 PM EDT reply actions

To think some fans on HH (you) want to go QB or WR with our 1st rd pick.

The OLBs are the pass rushers of the 3-4 D. We have one, we need another. LoA is a great human being but he’s not a starting caliber OLB.

I consider myself a one man wolfpack..@Diesel__44 on twitter.

by Diesel44 on Apr 25, 2011 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I am willing to give him a shot....

hopefully we can get the guys to work sooner rather than later, I think that is very important for us. I seems like a reasonably intelligent kid, he has the athleticism to play the position, a lot of drive and dedication. I believe that he deserves his shot. He is clearly working hard to learn the position, and once he is comfortable with his responsibilities I think he has the potential to be a major player….and if he ever gets a free run off the edge, you know he is going to be QB killer.

by MagicHat on Apr 25, 2011 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions

And again I will ask you why is there a pressing need for a bookend complement to our current pass rusher when teams are gaining five plus yards a pop on simple draw plays and marching all the way down the field?

The fastest way to improve our pass rush is to shore up the defensive line- not bring in another rush backer opposite orakpo.

Im not saying I would not welcome a better complement; I am not saying it is a critical need…and we have critical needs on both lines.

by les boulez bomber on Apr 25, 2011 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions

oops i am saying a second rush linebacker is not a critical need compared to the needs along the defensive and offensive lines. (QB too but we know that is a tricky fill)

by les boulez bomber on Apr 25, 2011 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Positional value. NT, DE, OL are needs but they would be a reach @10

I consider myself a one man wolfpack..@Diesel__44 on twitter.

by Diesel44 on Apr 25, 2011 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions

huh? not at all. i dont need to point out the importance of a tackle or the regularity they are drafted top 10. freeney, wilfork, there are alot of players at all those positions that have gone top ten.

pouncey went 18th last year and was the third most impactful rookie. he played center and would be top ten if that draft were replayed this year. positional value is bunk. a top ten pick needs to be a solid starter for many years. obviously some obscure positions truly dont have positional value- kicker, long snapper, special team stud. but if you hit on your first round pick every year, you will have half your starters identified- save the specialty positions i mentioned. that is 11 out of 22 starters. the problem is no team hits on their first round pick- usually because they draft upside that doesnt pan out.

by les boulez bomber on Apr 26, 2011 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions

whoever we draft in the first round, i just hope he is a solid starter for 10 years or more. i dont care what position it is- but of course i have my preferences

by les boulez bomber on Apr 26, 2011 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions