Gibbs: Redskins, Holdman Agree

[BigSKINBauer]

http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=7057
Head coach Joe Gibbs said Wednesday that the Redskins have agreed to terms on a deal with versatile linebacker Warrick Holdman.


Holdman is a 6-1, 235-pounder who played for the Cleveland Browns last season after five years with the Chicago Bears. He started 14 of 16 games last season with the Browns and logged 78 tackles and 0.5 sacks.

With a new coaching staff in place in Cleveland, Holdman's future was in doubt. He was released by the Browns on Feb. 23.

"We tried to sign Warrick last year and he wound up going to Cleveland," Gibbs said. "We've added a veteran guy with a lot of experience. With Warrick and Brian Allen, we've added two veteran guys at the linebacker spot. So we'll announce that [signing] on Thursday."

Holdman is familiar with Redskins' defensive coordinator/defensive line coach Greg Blache and linebackers coach Dale Lindsey. Holdman, who played for the Bears from 1999-2003, was previously coached by Blache from 1999-2003 and Lindsey from 1999-2001.

"He's somebody who our coaches here know a lot about because they've coached him," Gibbs said.

Holdman has played all three linebacker positions in his career and will bring solid depth to the team's linebacker corps.

"The Brown s released him this year due to the new coaching staff," Gibbs said. "He's somebody we liked last year and we thought he fit in good with us, so we jumped on it. He came in for a quick visit and we reached a quick agreement."

In his career, Holdman has recorded 424 tackles, four sacks and one interception. His best statistical season was 2001, when he logged a career-high 93 tackles, 1.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles and eight passes defended. Holdman played linebacker at Texas A&M from 1995-98. He started 40 games during that span, recording 249 tackles, 16.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles. He is a native of Alief, Texas.
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