Current Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2009

They're on the short side, sure. But both guys are built like bowling balls and hardly fit the category of small. Fletcher has proven that height is overrated.

True, but the SLB in particular has to match up against TEs in receiving situations. Blades against Witten, for example, is a mismatch in the Cowboys' favor. The ball just goes up top.

True, but the SLB in particular has to match up against TEs in receiving situations. Blades against Witten, for example, is a mismatch in the Cowboys' favor. The ball just goes up top.

Exactly. Now MLB is another matter entirely. Hopefully, we can keep Blades here long enough that he can replace Fletcher when he retires.I love the intensity Blades brings to the game and, as you guys have mentioned, he's a heavy hitter.

Exactly. Now MLB is another matter entirely. Hopefully, we can keep Blades here long enough that he can replace Fletcher when he retires.I love the intensity Blades brings to the game and, as you guys have mentioned, he's a heavy hitter.I've admitted that having two shorter linebackers can create a weakness against the run that becomes relatively easy to scheme against, but the flip side of the coin is the simple one: if they're good, play 'em.

Our best two LBs are Blades and Fletcher, and even though neither is really a "Blache" linebacker, they are our best players there and should lead our team in PT for LBs this season.

BTW, there's one name on the FA market that I totally missed who could make a nice OLB: Kalimba Edwards. A bit of a bust at DE, but he's a pass rusher who isn't dissimilar to what we lost with Jason Taylor.

...make a nice OLB: Kalimba Edwards. A bit of a bust at DE, but he's a pass rusher who isn't dissimilar to what we lost with Jason Taylor.

He played for KC as a DE. Isn't he old (+30yrs) or something? I like his game, good outside speed and is worth a look IMO. I don't know if he can play OLB though?

I've admitted that having two shorter linebackers can create a weakness against the run that becomes relatively easy to scheme against, but the flip side of the coin is the simple one: if they're good, play 'em.

Our best two LBs are Blades and Fletcher, and even though neither is really a "Blache" linebacker, they are our best players there and should lead our team in PT for LBs this season.

BTW, there's one name on the FA market that I totally missed who could make a nice OLB: Kalimba Edwards. A bit of a bust at DE, but he's a pass rusher who isn't dissimilar to what we lost with Jason Taylor.

GT per Blades doesn't switching him to WLB (for the time being) help minimize his shortness since he'll probably get caught in coverage less often? I know we talked about Marcus switching prior to his departure to hide his coverage issues, and because Rocky is probably our best coverage LB anyway, so why not make the same switch if Blades is set to start?

I've admitted that having two shorter linebackers can create a weakness against the run that becomes relatively easy to scheme against, but the flip side of the coin is the simple one: if they're good, play 'em.

Our best two LBs are Blades and Fletcher, and even though neither is really a "Blache" linebacker, they are our best players there and should lead our team in PT for LBs this season.

BTW, there's one name on the FA market that I totally missed who could make a nice OLB: Kalimba Edwards. A bit of a bust at DE, but he's a pass rusher who isn't dissimilar to what we lost with Jason Taylor.


i agree with your philosophy of playing our best 2 guys, but, from my perspective, we need to get better linebackers instead of just playing fletch and blades because theyre all we got... not familiar with edwards. if hes cheap, why not give him a shot to compete for a spot - sign me up.

GT per Blades doesn't switching him to WLB (for the time being) help minimize his shortness since he'll probably get caught in coverage less often? I know we talked about Marcus switching prior to his departure to hide his coverage issues, and because Rocky is probably our best coverage LB anyway, so why not make the same switch if Blades is set to start?The reason the Will is a more difficult position than either the Mike or the Sam, at least as I understand NFL defenses, is that the Will is many times more likely to find himself caught in space against a receiver.

Since the Sam always goes to the tight end side, the Will is always responsible for the slant to the isolated receiver, as well as slow developing plays out of the backfield. Rocky was a disaster in this role, for when he was able to diagnose the plays, he tended to not be fast enough to make a difference.

His shortness won't necessarily play better at any position (although you are right about the TE matchup, but remember that in pretty much any scheme except cover two, the strong safety tends to line up to the TE side as well [hense: 'strong'], mitigating the role of the SLB even further).

Grilliams and Blache both are big fans of simplifing the roles of the OLBs against the run. They share the same philosophy: they'd rather see the OLBs take out the lead blocker and open up a clean lane for the MLB to make the play than have the OLB take the blocker head on and try to beat him one on one. It's one of the biggest reasons for Fletcher's success here, I think.

I hope that answered your question. It probably didn't, but maybe there was something valuable in there anyway.

He played for KC as a DE. Isn't he old (+30yrs) or something? I like his game, good outside speed and is worth a look IMO. I don't know if he can play OLB though?He's 29 on opening day.

I should really diagram this defensive crap, because they say a picture is worth 1,000 words. And 1,000 words is worth an hour and a half.

I should really diagram this defensive crap, because they say a picture is worth 1,000 words. And 1,000 words is worth an hour and a half.

I actually think you gave a very clear explaination of the point. You did pique my curiosity though: Do you think McIntosh is a starting-caliber LB?