SmootSmack
05-14-2005, 11:57 AM
From Lenny P's column:
"Nice, modestly priced pickup by the Washington Redskins this week, when they signed former Chicago and Cleveland linebacker Warrick Holdman to what is believed to be a one-year contract. Over the last couple of seasons, the six-year veteran hasn't been the same player he was for the Bears early in his career. But Holdman is still just 29 and knows how to play the game, and Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will figure out a way to make good use of him. The acquisition of Holdman, who has played all three linebacker spots at various junctures of his career, almost certainly will make Mike Barrow expendable. The veteran middle linebacker missed the entire 2004, season and Washington probably will jettison him after June 1, when it needs salary cap space to sign its draft choices. Holdman might join the group of linebackers vying for the starting job in the middle, where the free-agent defection of Antonio Pierce to the New York Giants has created a big hole. But don't discount the possibility that the Redskins will move strong-side linebacker and 2004 Pro Bowler Marcus Washington into the middle, and use Holdman to fill his slot. When they were recruiting Washington last spring as a free agent, Redskins coaches floated the idea of playing him in the middle, and it could happen. Regardless who lines up where, the addition of Holdman gives Williams a lot of flexibility, assuming LaVar Arrington returns whole from the injuries that limited him to just four games a year ago."
"Nice, modestly priced pickup by the Washington Redskins this week, when they signed former Chicago and Cleveland linebacker Warrick Holdman to what is believed to be a one-year contract. Over the last couple of seasons, the six-year veteran hasn't been the same player he was for the Bears early in his career. But Holdman is still just 29 and knows how to play the game, and Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will figure out a way to make good use of him. The acquisition of Holdman, who has played all three linebacker spots at various junctures of his career, almost certainly will make Mike Barrow expendable. The veteran middle linebacker missed the entire 2004, season and Washington probably will jettison him after June 1, when it needs salary cap space to sign its draft choices. Holdman might join the group of linebackers vying for the starting job in the middle, where the free-agent defection of Antonio Pierce to the New York Giants has created a big hole. But don't discount the possibility that the Redskins will move strong-side linebacker and 2004 Pro Bowler Marcus Washington into the middle, and use Holdman to fill his slot. When they were recruiting Washington last spring as a free agent, Redskins coaches floated the idea of playing him in the middle, and it could happen. Regardless who lines up where, the addition of Holdman gives Williams a lot of flexibility, assuming LaVar Arrington returns whole from the injuries that limited him to just four games a year ago."