Roster Battles: Inside Linebacker
by Parks Smith on Aug 16, 2011 9:56 PM EDT
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Much has changed since our original Inside Linebacker ranking at the beginning of training camp, players have been added to the roster and some have been booted out of Ashburn. With our first look at the defensive unit last Friday night it's still not sure who will start alongside veteran London Fletcher. Here our our original rankings:
1. London Fletcher
2. Lorenzo Alexander
3. Perry Riley
4. HB Blades5. Robert Henson
6. Eric McBride7. Kyle McDonnell
Previous Rankings Article can be found HERE
London Fletcher (NC/10): London was London Friday night, a complete animal and all over the place in his brief time with the first unit.
Lorenzo Alexander (DOWN/9): This has nothing to do with LoAx's performance, but is there a small chance a younger guy can take his place? He's the ultimate swiss army knife for Mike Shanahan, but you never know...
Perry Riley (DOWN/8): Once again, nothing to do with his performance rather the addition of several other linebackers to the competition. Riley didn't wow anyone, but he did look solid and could be our starter opening day.
Keyaron Fox (UP/5): Fox looked the most comfortable with his position out of the reserve ILB. I've said this before this week, but he reminded me of Albert Fincher who was a preseason stud for the Skins a couple of years back. Nevertheless, Fox has quite an uphill battle to crack this roster.
BELOW THE CUT-LINE
Rocky McIntosh (DOWN/5): Rocky looked out of place Friday night, frankly I'm still shocked we resigned him and he agreed to it. He just doesn't seem to fit the system, but could be a dark horse for opening day starter.
H.B. Horatio Blades (DOWN/4): Blades' story echos that of Rocky's, why is he back? He looked out of place and was very underwhelming Friday.
Obi Ezeh (NC/2) and Eric McBride (DOWN/2): Don't remember seeing either Friday night (maybe a little of Ezeh?). But I'd like to see what both could do. McBride is officially listed as a OLB, but I really think this kid could crack a NFL roster as a ILB somewhere.
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Lorenzo Alexander
Bill Walsh’ coaching gurus pay a lot of value to the multi-use players. LoAx’s versatility should cement his spot on the team.
I agree..
Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions
by Parks Smith on Aug 16, 2011 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Here's my 4+..
LFB
Riley
Fox
Blades
LoAx- will give flexibility at ILB and OLB
Rocky shouldn’t have been resigned and not only was he terrible last year, he was terrible Friday night. What seals his fate is that he doesn’t play teams.
@Callahan_9 on the twitter machine.
We gave Rocky a $1.5m bonus. I’d be shocked if he was cut.
"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made." -Groucho Marx
Hogs Haven. On Twitter..
by Kevin Ewoldt on Aug 16, 2011 10:24 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Friendly wager?
He’s a guy that never makes plays and has taken a paycut since his days at the U. He’s a terrible fit for the 3-4 and IMO will be among a few surprising cuts. Put him in the same clown car out of town with Golston, Moore, Horton, and Torain.
@Callahan_9 on the twitter machine.
I agree with you he is a bad fit
But no one else is getting reps with 1st team that I’m hearing. How does he not make the team?
"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made." -Groucho Marx
Hogs Haven. On Twitter..
by Kevin Ewoldt on Aug 17, 2011 8:04 AM EDT up reply actions
agreed
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
by Steve Shoup on Aug 16, 2011 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Fox was pure hustle vs Pittsburg.
West Springfield Spartans OUTSIDE LB #47
HTTR
by SpartanFS47 on Aug 16, 2011 10:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
i just caught a bit of the 3rd quarter again while going to bed last night
I loved the effore Fox gave out there when he hit their RB at the line the RB shrugged him off and went left then Fox hurdled a Lineman to make the stop at about a 3 yard gain.
Kid has caught everything the last 2 days...
Not sure if you’ve ever seen Kingpin but you just pulled a Munson.
@Callahan_9 on the twitter machine.
by Diesel44 on Aug 16, 2011 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
haha
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
by Steve Shoup on Aug 16, 2011 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions
haha +1
Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions
by Parks Smith on Aug 16, 2011 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions
thats where i got my name from:P loved that movie!
but still wish we didnt draft a wr in the 3rd round
by munson21502 on Aug 17, 2011 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions
apparently he changed gloves and since hasn't been dropping anything
hopefully it was just butterflys in his first big game.
Too early to get down on Hank
His drops could be a bit of a mental block, and could just go away.
Personally
I like to call him LoRax, which was my favorite book as a young tyke. At least until I read ‘Christine’.
by CJHutch on Aug 17, 2011 3:16 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Im with ya on the LorAx
Loved Dr Suess as a kid. Now i love reading him to my daughter.
Of course the lorax disappeared thru the clouds. I would hate to see Lorenzo Alexander disappear to another team.
And then there is Henson..
I know he was a fan and HH favorite and I’m not trying to rub anyone’s nose in it…but. He has 2 more career tackles than me and you, was a bitch his rookie year and even more so now, and would have been cut last yeat if not for his year ending injury. I’m not surprised at all that he hasn’t been picked up. He can go kick rocks as far as I’m concerned.
@Callahan_9 on the twitter machine.
I'm right there with you with Henson. Dude ran his mouth a lot too.
Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions
what about Maybin
getting a shot
What type of def did the bills run poorly?
I'll be nice here...
The bils ran a 3-4 last YR and he’s not a fit for my son’s 6 YR old team. Maybin is 6’4 and weighed in at 228 lbs this TC. He has as many sacks as you do in his 3 YR career and is a colossal bust.
@Callahan_9 on the twitter machine.
Maybin was a combine freak and a bust
leave that loser alone.
"By far the worst performers on the (Redskins) are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
Apparently he's signing with the Jets anyways. (via Jason Cole)
Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions
hahahaha really? So they want the two biggest draft busts of the last few years?
Is Gholston still there?
"By far the worst performers on the (Redskins) are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
Gholston is in Chicago now
The Bears reportedly kicked the tires on Maybin as well. Plus they picked up Amobi Okoye. First round sloppy seconds all over the place.
Luke Scott Luke Scott Luke Scott you still my boy-Adam Jones
by KellRawLive on Aug 17, 2011 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Rockys the reason redman ran all over us
Honestly I think he would be alot better if he took that gigantic neckroll off but I like riley to start next to fletch. Rocky should play on the outside splitting reps with kerrigan
by mr.snyderhireme on Aug 17, 2011 3:18 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Rocky is a bad fit outside in the 3-4
he can’t hold the edge, or rush the passer
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
I think he is disruptive enough to play outside
He’s better when attacking than protecting his whole
by mr.snyderhireme on Aug 17, 2011 11:47 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
yes but he isn't a blitzer
and against the run, part of what the OLB needs to do is hold the edge and not attack, McIntosh will get blown up if he has to face offensive tackles
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
by Steve Shoup on Aug 17, 2011 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
what does that mean?
disruptive enough
"By far the worst performers on the (Redskins) are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
Meaning I think he is smart enough and just athletic enough to throw off an offense rythm from the outside
by mr.snyderhireme on Aug 17, 2011 2:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
No way in hell
Steveo hit the nail on the head. Half of playing OLB in a 3-4 is setting the edge. Rocky can’t do this
I got Tiger Blood running through my veins!
Well your assumption is respected
But he cant hold down the middle either…he over pursues often thats why cutbacks kills us up the middle…put him on the outside and all he would have to do is keep the ball on his inside shoulder. He is a vet and he’s smart enough to do that
by mr.snyderhireme on Aug 17, 2011 5:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I guess I am hoping
That Alexander wins the job, as he has Quixote become one of my favorite players. He’s basically the ANTI-Haynesworth. He hustled more than anyone on the team save for maybe Fletcher, and you know it when he hits you. That, coupled with his build, seem to make him a perfect fit, in my opinion, for ILB. That said, I wouldn’t be upset if Riley wins it. After that, I don’t like any of the remaining candidates. McIntosh I have never been a big fan of, even less so in this defense. And Blades turned me off with his whiney attitude.
by CJHutch on Aug 17, 2011 3:23 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
ha ha
goddam spell correct. I meant QUICKLY. Don has no place in this conversation.
by CJHutch on Aug 17, 2011 3:24 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Thats too funny it came up with Quixote rather than quickly
at least with spell check it keeps things from getting too Dulcinea. : )
Speaking of Quixote..
Who steps up to be the hero in the secondary?
by 28DGreen on Aug 17, 2011 9:00 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Like it or not Rocky was brought back to start
He’s prob a better WILL in a 4-3, but Spanos has been coaching LB’s for a while and obviously had some say in this move. Who are we to argue with his views on who fits the system better.
I got Tiger Blood running through my veins!
Umm... welcome to Hogs Haven
Who are we to argue with his views on who fits the system better.
Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions
Just throwing it out there and trying to generate some discussion.
Why was he brought back? Because he didn’t run his mouth and practiced w/ the team w/o a contract. He signed a 1yr deal and if he’s not the starter then he’ll be cut because he doesn’t play teams.
@Callahan_9 on the twitter machine.
I think the coaches may have thought Riley wasn't ready yet
and weren’t keen on Blades or Henson (before the Fox signing). They may have just wanted to get a guy who knew the D as a last resort! Heard Crowder wants to return to football (not surprising)!
It sounds like desperation, a last resort, since they didn't know Fox was available
But I think they took Rocky over Tatupu and Crowder for some reason. It could be they thought he was getting an offer from somewhere else. I’d like to see them go for Tatupu now, too.
I'm still hoping for...
LOFA TATUPU!!!! He and LF would be incredible, with Riles and Fox as special teams/backups.
Sorry Rock, you’re not going to find any Miami handouts here…
I would like to see
Fletcher and Riley starting with Blades and LoAx being reserves and i guess McIntosh too since we gave him money.
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