Commanders Post at The Warpath

Commanders Post at The Warpath (http://www.thewarpath.net/forum.php)

- Locker Room Main Forum (http://www.thewarpath.net/forumdisplay.php?f=2)

- - Outside LB (http://www.thewarpath.net/showthread.php?t=11801)

With most of the free agents that have starting capability gone already are we really looking more and more of drafting a starting outside LB. Any insights on this. I hope that isn't the route we go. We need experience.

I think they pretty much backed themselves into a corner. It's the one weakness on the roster, but they can go OLB or ILB because of Marshall's versatility.

Q&A With Dale Lindsey Premium Story
Lindsey talks with Marcus Washington
Lindsey talks with Marcus Washington

By: Scout.com

Date: Mar 25, 2006

The Redskins’ linebacker coach talks about Chris Clemons, Warrick Holdman and being honest.

Q: Could Chris Clemons be a top consideration at weakside linebacker?
A: He could be. Nothing’s been settled so he has a chance. He made some really good strides last year at developing linebacker skills and the mentality it takes to play the position and to do the job. It just depends on what we do. He may get a chance to take over that position.

Q: Would you consider moving Lemar to the outside?
A: It only matters on getting the best player. I would be reluctant to move him initially, yes, because if we don’t get someone capable of playing that position right away, then I don’t think we would move Lemar. He grew into that position just like AP did the year before. When you start at that position, you make calls for everyone else and you still have to remember what you have to do. That’s a hell of a load. Lemar mastered it. So if we don’t get a guy that can get that done, we’d be crazy to take a guy who’s pretty damn good and the leading tackler and move him.

Q: Could the answer come from within?
A: It’s a possibility. There are some guys you never know about until you get a chance. We’ll experiment in the spring with all those guys who have been here to see if any can fit in that role.

Q: Is (Chris) Clemons intriguing?
A: Chris is intriguing because he is tall. He has reasonably good size and weight, which can help him. He’s extremely fast and has really good quickness. What he doesn’t have is a great deal of experience. The guy came out as a junior and probably shouldn’t have and he didn’t get anything out of his first year and nothing out of his second until we brought him back and even then he was used as a defensive end. This past spring and offseason in camp and during the year Chris, at least to me, picked up how to think as a linebacker, which I don’t think he did initially. We saw great talent in him, but you still have to know how to play the position. Sometimes that’s more important than having great talent. Great talent isn’t worth a damn if you don’t use it. Chris came and worked at it to become a better linebacker. Considering how things go in the free agent market or the draft, he would be one of the first people we’ll consider for that job, providing Warrick doesn’t come back or we don’t find someone we’re happy with.

Q: So Warrick (Holdman) is still in the plans? He didn’t seem to play the way you’d hoped he would last year.
A: Warrick did part of the time play like he was capable. He was disappointed in his play; I was disappointed because I know he’s better than that. If he does come back, he has to be better than last year. I’m hoping he hasn’t lost his confidence. I still think he has a couple good years left in him if he wants to get after it.

Q: What didn’t you see?
A: I thought some of the movements and reactions were not necessarily what I had remembered and had seen. Some of that had to with probably an uncertainty in his mind that he had not been there very long and it was a new system. We asked him to do things a different way and that throws everyone off.

Q: You could always wait for the draft; it’s deep at linebacker this year. Is that an option?
A: It’s that way every year, but that doesn’t mean you draft someone. They may be gone when you get there and there might be a better player at another position that you need. The draft doesn’t mean a damn thing until you draft a guy for me. The draft does look good; there are a few good prospects who probably bolster a team at that position. But they’re still rookies. That doesn’t mean they know how to play in the NFL. Carlos Rogers didn’t know how to play in the NFL, but he did by the end.

Q: You’re a very honest person.
A: If you’re not, you’re not doing a person justice. Honesty isn’t something you like to hear; I don’t want to hear it sometimes. But at least you know where you stand. The worst thing in the world is just not knowing. It’s not fair to a player to mislead him in any direction. I can be accused of not being tactful, but what the hell honesty is honesty. It doesn’t make a difference what I said. Bad news is bad news. Even if you sugarcoat it, it’s still f-in bad.

Maybe we should give Warrick another chance.

They have two linebackers playing safety and and the line is improved. All they need is a guy who makes a tackle when the ball is in his area.

Cato June is still out there. He had 5 picks with 2 TDs last season as well as 100+ tackles. He used to be a safety, so he's fast and has great ball reaction skills. Given, that makes him a bit small for a LB, but he had great numbers last year.

At the right price, I think he'd make a great prospect and could even prove to be a steal.

...or, we could just bring back Lavar.

I still feel we need to find a free agent for this spot along with one more free agent OL. Then we could draft a CB or a LB with the 2nd pick. At this point we should beable to get another OL and the LB spot at a price that we can aford!

If Cato June has any interest in being a Redskin, I hope we take a long look, assuming we could afford it. I love the way he plays the game and I think he'd be a huge addition to this team.

[quote=Sociofan]Cato June is still out there. He had 5 picks with 2 TDs last season as well as 100+ tackles. He used to be a safety, so he's fast and has great ball reaction skills. Given, that makes him a bit small for a LB, but he had great numbers last year.

At the right price, I think he'd make a great prospect and could even prove to be a steal.

...or, we could just bring back Lavar.[/quote]

The right price is a first round pick. He's an RFA.

holdman isnt bad. he had a bad year last year. he would be cheap to re-sign, thats for sure. and our defense wasnt bad either when he started the first 5 games or so...

i don't think we go after june cause of the whole nothing to trade thing.

keith adams, brandon short, holdman, promote from within, or draft a guy. that's about it on options.

[quote=GTripp0012]The right price is a first round pick. He's an RFA.[/quote]

Doesn't seem he's getting many offers. Deals can be worked at less than "standard price". No one wants a disgruntled player. I don't know what the story behind him is, but obviously he has not yet signed his tender.

If I were GW I would bring back Holdman hoping last year was just a fluke, and also hope that Clemons can earn more playing time. Some sort of platoon at the weak side wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

The draft is pretty deep at LB, but can a rookie LB come in and earn a starting job in this defense? Right off the bat I doubt it.

At least we have some options because of Marshall's versatility.

[quote=SKINFANFOLIFE]Maybe we should give Warrick another chance.[/quote]

Im sorry, but I will never forget the scout.com article that was entitled (I believe) "What is more effective, Warrick Holdman or a Trash Can?" It was pretty hysterical and I think put me off of him for good!

Haha, here is the article fellas...man this cracks me up...

[url]http://redskins.scout.com/2/460499.html[/url]

[quote=Mattyk72]If I were GW I would bring back Holdman hoping last year was just a fluke, and also hope that Clemons can earn more playing time. Some sort of platoon at the weak side wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

The draft is pretty deep at LB, but can a rookie LB come in and earn a starting job in this defense? Right off the bat I doubt it.

At least we have some options because of Marshall's versatility.[/quote]

Even if we took a LB in the 2nd round, he wouldn't play right away. But you could get away with Clemons or Jayshon Sykes or McCune for a month, and then go to the Rookie. We'd likely be looking at 4-1 at that point regardless of who is playing the 3rd LB spot.

Holdman really hasn't ever been much. He could be OK in GW's system, but you can draft a guy cheaper.

[quote=Sociofan]Cato June is still out there. He had 5 picks with 2 TDs last season as well as 100+ tackles. He used to be a safety, so he's fast and has great ball reaction skills. Given, that makes him a bit small for a LB, but he had great numbers last year.

At the right price, I think he'd make a great prospect and could even prove to be a steal.

...or, we could just bring back Lavar.[/quote]

June is good in that system, not sure how well he would do w/ Williams. Plus, he may want some cash based on his stats from last year. Cash we dont really have or want to spend.

Not Holdman again! I think Portis would make more tackles playing OLB thatn him. I would rather put Clemons inexperience on the field rather than Holdmans lack of skills on the field. He is old, slow and just not effective anymore. Clemons gives us the quickness, plus the ability to rush the passer.

maybe adam archuleta is our ROLB and we'll have pearson play SS ;)

[QUOTE=Mattyk72]If I were GW I would bring back Holdman hoping last year was just a fluke, and also hope that Clemons can earn more playing time. Some sort of platoon at the weak side wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

The draft is pretty deep at LB, but can a rookie LB come in and earn a starting job in this defense? Right off the bat I doubt it.

At least we have some options because of Marshall's versatility.[/QUOTE]

I agree. It's not likely any rookie LB will start on D to start the season or anytime during the season. It is however, probable we will kook at what we have early to see if there's a fit at OLB if not I'm sure we'll bring in some look see's. I'm hoping we can promote from within if it's there. We drafted three LB's last year, none of them saw the field. It's still very early yet so no need to panic on the OLB.

I think there are a handful of guys who can come in and start early in the year. If you don't get your guy at linebacker, you look somewhere else. But I think if you are the front office, you go in expecting to get your guy at number 53 overall and hope for the best.

[QUOTE=GTripp0012]I think there are a handful of guys who can come in and start early in the year. If you don't get your guy at linebacker, you look somewhere else. But I think if you are the front office, you go in expecting to get your guy at number 53 overall and hope for the best.[/QUOTE]

Even if we draft a LB at 53 he will not be a starter on this defense. We will have some experience at the WSLB whether that player is on the team now, or we have to get one from someplace else.

[quote=Longtimefan]I agree. It's not likely any rookie LB will start on D to start the season or anytime during the season. It is however, probable we will kook at what we have early to see if there's a fit at OLB if not I'm sure we'll bring in some look see's. I'm hoping we can promote from within if it's there. We drafted three LB's last year, none of them saw the field. It's still very early yet so no need to panic on the OLB.[/quote]

mccune in the 5th and newberry in th 6th, but i don't think we drafted a 3rd LB... newberry didn't even make it to the practice squad, he just got totally bounced.

as for drafting a LB, its possibly they could come in and immediately be better than holdman (really quite possible actually)... by week 8 rookies that have had extensive playing time tend to catch up and be alright for the 2nd half of the year.

if the LB coaches think clemons or khary or sykes or mccune have a shot, i'll be all for that, but drafting guys can't hurt. they either make the team (and provide some usefulness) or they don't. [url=http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/421986]Lofa Tatupu[/url] was drafted in the 4th round, made all the defensive calls (like AP or lemar did) and started every game. If you can find a guy like that in the 4th, I imagine it'd be even easier to find one in the 2nd. I realize that #1 overall picks can bust and nothing is for sure, but its possible.

[quote=That Guy][URL="http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/421986"]Lofa Tatupu[/URL] was drafted in the 4th round, made all the defensive calls (like AP or lemar did) and started every game. If you can find a guy like that in the 4th, I imagine it'd be even easier to find one in the 2nd. I realize that #1 overall picks can bust and nothing is for sure, but its possible.[/quote]

Lofa was actually a 2nd round pick. I believe he went off the board right about where the Skins are picking this year. He's proof that you CAN find people there who can play right away, but it doesn't mean that you will.

44 Arizona J.J. Arrington RB California
45 Seattle Lofa Tatupu MLB Southern California
46 Miami Matt Roth DE Iowa

[url]http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/years/2005[/url]

Gotta love that Arizona scouting department!

[quote=GTripp0012]Lofa was actually a 2nd round pick. I believe he went off the board right about where the Skins are picking this year. He's proof that you CAN find people there who can play right away, but it doesn't mean that you will.[/quote]

wonder why i had that screwed up... oh well. still, it proves there's talent in the 2nd round. And i agree, its a crapshoot, but in the 2nd round its much easier than in the 6th.

and yeah, a running back that's afraid of any form of physical contact is something i like to term "a bust".

ah,your referring to the arizona game,arent you.the skins are not going to get a starting linebacker in the draft.i can see holdman coming back.he isnt as bad as he played last season

does anyone know if there are any possible lb's that may be a victim of the june 1st cuts?

[quote=SKINFANFOLIFE]does anyone know if there are any possible lb's that may be a victim of the june 1st cuts?[/quote]

Possible, but with the new CBA, I wouldn't expect many June 1st cuts.

[quote=SKINFANFOLIFE]does anyone know if there are any possible lb's that may be a victim of the june 1st cuts?[/quote]

don't know, but that's a good time to look. Obviously, LB wasn't a position they thought they had to address immediately in free agency, so signing a cheap vet might be ideal & draft 1 or 2. see who can make the team.
I don't think we're necessarily lookin for a lb w/the 53rd pick. I think we'll pick up the best player available from a few select positions; TE, LB, OL, DL, DB.
I'm really looking forward to this draft, I have good feelings about it. I actually like the fact that we don't have a 1st rnd. all the guys we get will be competing for the roster, except for the 53 pick, no one will expect to make the team automatically.

[quote=freddyg12]
I don't think we're necessarily lookin for a lb w/the 53rd pick. I think we'll pick up the best player available from a few select positions; TE, LB, OL, DL, DB.
[/quote]

Agree. I think 'best player available' could be infulenced by need in this case. I mean if you have a linebacker and a defensive end sitting there and they are next to each other on the big board, you take the linebacker.

[quote=SKINFANFOLIFE]With most of the free agents that have starting capability gone already are we really looking more and more of drafting a starting outside LB. Any insights on this. I hope that isn't the route we go. We need experience.[/quote]

another name that surfaced was
keith adams he played with the
eagles last year

thatguy,is brandon short a free agent.i would take him for the right price.

How about a platoon at LB??

*ducks out of the way*

[quote=SKINFANFOLIFE]does anyone know if there are any possible lb's that may be a victim of the june 1st cuts?[/quote]

under the new cba, june 1st cuts exist in name only. Any team is allowed to cut 2 players per year at any time in the offseason (like March 1st) and get the cap relief of the old june 1st cut rules.

This was changed so taht players get out ontot the FA market quickly while the teams still get cap relief.

[quote=dmek25]thatguy,is brandon short a free agent.i would take him for the right price.[/quote]

yeah, i don't thinkk he's resigned yet. not amazing, but could be solid like adams.

Brandon Short came to D.C. back in 2004 free agency for a visit before he signed with Carolina. Maybe he wanted too much cash or the coaches saw something they didn't like. I don't know!