Evaluation of our Linebacking Corps

[RMSkins]

With the season coming to a close and free agency and the draft coming up I would like to evaluate our LB's and make suggestions on what I think we should do with our LB's. Let's start off with........

Marcus Washington: Well Marcus is definitely the lone brightspot of our LB's although his production has dropped off this year I still think that he is a great linebacker and the emotional leader of our defense, we need to keep him around as long as possible.

Lemar Marshall: I had a lot of hope for Marshall after his brilliant season last year filling the void Antonio Pierce left, but this season has been a disaster for him, he can't seem to get off blocks and receivers make him look silly in pass coverage. So after watching Marshall for two seasons, one great, one serviceable at best, I would decide to keep Lemar around but bring in some competiton for him at MLB or move him to WLB and if worse comes to worse with him and he can't find a starting spot on our defense next year he could make contributions on special teams, Lemar is a player definitely worth keeping.

Warrick Holdman: Well what can I say about our old friend Warrick not to much as far as his skills at LB go. Teams flat out just run to his side and 80% of the time he can't stop it. Warrick definitely should not be a starting LB in this league he is a special teams player/ backup at best, he just can't get the job done, and this is going to be a spot we desperately need to adress this offseason.

Rocky McIntosh: I haven't seen him play enough to judge him, but I definitely think he has potential to be a decent LB, I still think he is a project though and i'm not sure how he is going to turn out for us. To me Rocky is a big question mark, but he has to be able to do better than Holdman and hopefully we will be able to see a lot of him these last 3 games.

Khary Campbell: I don't think Khary can start at LB in this league, but I think he is a great special teams player and I also think he adds good depth to our LB corps and could step in and play well if we ever needed him.

Jeff Posey: He is a career journeyman at LB and is a backup/ special teams player for us at best, however I don't think you will see Jeff in a Redskins uniform next year

So what I would do to address our LB situation in the offseason would be to draft a MLB H.B. Blades, Patrick Willis, Buster Davis, to bring in some competition for Marshall, I would also like to see us bring in a FA at LB to push for a starting job or add depth. I would keep Washington, Marshall, McIntosh, and Campbell, and say goodbye to Holdman, and Posey.

[Big C]

Washington: not his best season, but our best linebacker

Marshall: backup MLB or possible starting OLB, but id rather bring in someone new and have him backup

Holdman: just a backup

Macintosh: no clue what he can do for us. his progress will dictate what we do in the offseason, whether he plays MLB or OLB, and if we go after MLB or OLB

i hope we look at a mlb in the draft (willis especially), and adibi if we trade down. a london fletcher should also be looked at for his knowledge of the williams system and his skills still at his age

[Redskin]

Wait, we have line backers on the field, i never noticed them in a play

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by Redskin

Wait, we have line backers on the field, i never noticed them in a play

Great post.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by RMSkins

With the season coming to a close and free agency and the draft coming up I would like to evaluate our LB's and make suggestions on what I think we should do with our LB's. Let's start off with........

Marcus Washington: Well Marcus is definitely the lone brightspot of our LB's although his production has dropped off this year I still think that he is a great linebacker and the emotional leader of our defense, we need to keep him around as long as possible.

Lemar Marshall: I had a lot of hope for Marshall after his brilliant season last year filling the void Antonio Pierce left, but this season has been a disaster for him, he can't seem to get off blocks and receivers make him look silly in pass coverage. So after watching Marshall for two seasons, one great, one serviceable at best, I would decide to keep Lemar around but bring in some competiton for him at MLB or move him to WLB and if worse comes to worse with him and he can't find a starting spot on our defense next year he could make contributions on special teams, Lemar is a player definitely worth keeping.

Warrick Holdman: Well what can I say about our old friend Warrick not to much as far as his skills at LB go. Teams flat out just run to his side and 80% of the time he can't stop it. Warrick definitely should not be a starting LB in this league he is a special teams player/ backup at best, he just can't get the job done, and this is going to be a spot we desperately need to adress this offseason.

Rocky McIntosh: I haven't seen him play enough to judge him, but I definitely think he has potential to be a decent LB, I still think he is a project though and i'm not sure how he is going to turn out for us. To me Rocky is a big question mark, but he has to be able to do better than Holdman and hopefully we will be able to see a lot of him these last 3 games.

Khary Campbell: I don't think Khary can start at LB in this league, but I think he is a great special teams player and I also think he adds good depth to our LB corps and could step in and play well if we ever needed him.

Jeff Posey: He is a career journeyman at LB and is a backup/ special teams player for us at best, however I don't think you will see Jeff in a Redskins uniform next year

So what I would do to address our LB situation in the offseason would be to draft a MLB H.B. Blades, Patrick Willis, Buster Davis, to bring in some competition for Marshall, I would also like to see us bring in a FA at LB to push for a starting job or add depth. I would keep Washington, Marshall, McIntosh, and Campbell, and say goodbye to Holdman, and Posey.

Just like last year, we really need to bring in a guy who can play the middle. Lemar is simply out of position there. He's good enough to be serviceable, but we need someone better. If we get that, Lemar can start the season in the middle or outside depending on how ready Rocky is.

Marcus Washington needs to rebound next year or we simply stand no chance to make a run.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by RMSkins

With the season coming to a close and free agency and the draft coming up I would like to evaluate our LB's and make suggestions on what I think we should do with our LB's. Let's start off with........

Marcus Washington: Well Marcus is definitely the lone brightspot of our LB's although his production has dropped off this year I still think that he is a great linebacker and the emotional leader of our defense, we need to keep him around as long as possible.

Lemar Marshall: I had a lot of hope for Marshall after his brilliant season last year filling the void Antonio Pierce left, but this season has been a disaster for him, he can't seem to get off blocks and receivers make him look silly in pass coverage. So after watching Marshall for two seasons, one great, one serviceable at best, I would decide to keep Lemar around but bring in some competiton for him at MLB or move him to WLB and if worse comes to worse with him and he can't find a starting spot on our defense next year he could make contributions on special teams, Lemar is a player definitely worth keeping.

Warrick Holdman: Well what can I say about our old friend Warrick not to much as far as his skills at LB go. Teams flat out just run to his side and 80% of the time he can't stop it. Warrick definitely should not be a starting LB in this league he is a special teams player/ backup at best, he just can't get the job done, and this is going to be a spot we desperately need to adress this offseason.

Rocky McIntosh: I haven't seen him play enough to judge him, but I definitely think he has potential to be a decent LB, I still think he is a project though and i'm not sure how he is going to turn out for us. To me Rocky is a big question mark, but he has to be able to do better than Holdman and hopefully we will be able to see a lot of him these last 3 games.

Khary Campbell: I don't think Khary can start at LB in this league, but I think he is a great special teams player and I also think he adds good depth to our LB corps and could step in and play well if we ever needed him.

Jeff Posey: He is a career journeyman at LB and is a backup/ special teams player for us at best, however I don't think you will see Jeff in a Redskins uniform next year

So what I would do to address our LB situation in the offseason would be to draft a MLB H.B. Blades, Patrick Willis, Buster Davis, to bring in some competition for Marshall, I would also like to see us bring in a FA at LB to push for a starting job or add depth. I would keep Washington, Marshall, McIntosh, and Campbell, and say goodbye to Holdman, and Posey.

Pretty good summation. Good post.

[freddyg12]

All good points. I would add that Marshall was coming off shoulder surgery & many game announcers said that was a factor in his play. It certainly looked like he couldn't shed blockers as well. At 225 lbs. he's already seriously undersized at his position. In 05 he made a no. of big plays, but they've been few & far between this year. I like his athleticism, but if he can't regain his form he's definitely not the guy to play MLB.
Let's HOPE that Mcune comes out of nowhere & wins the job.

[MTK]

We really need to add a playmaker at LB, someone like Lance Briggs would be great.

[Big C]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

All good points. I would add that Marshall was coming off shoulder surgery & many game announcers said that was a factor in his play. It certainly looked like he couldn't shed blockers as well. At 225 lbs. he's already seriously undersized at his position. In 05 he made a no. of big plays, but they've been few & far between this year. I like his athleticism, but if he can't regain his form he's definitely not the guy to play MLB.
Let's HOPE that Mcune comes out of nowhere & wins the job.

i really dont think thats happening, i think hes a special teamer at most

[Bill B]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

We really need to add a playmaker at LB, someone like Lance Briggs would be great.

I'd like this too - but how much is he going to cost being one of the top LB on the market? If we have to throw a lot of money at a free agent I'd like to see a DL or cover corner be brought in first.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

We really need to add a playmaker at LB, someone like Lance Briggs would be great.

There are some good LB's out there-Briggs, June, and Thomas for starters

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Bill B

I'd like this too - but how much is he going to cost being one of the top LB on the market? If we have to throw a lot of money at a free agent I'd like to see a DL or cover corner be brought in first.

He's going to be top dollar of course, but we desperately need playmakers on D. CB and LB have to be top priorities, with DL being the next priority after that.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

He's going to be top dollar of course, but we desperately need playmakers on D. CB and LB have to be top priorities, with DL being the next priority after that.

This is maybe the fist time I can say I disagree w/you Matty, but only w/a caveat. We just drafted a LB at a steep price. If Rocky can start, that gives us he, Marshall & Washington, not bad. The only way I see it as a top priority is if the coaches feel they have to replace Marshalll at MLB, which is a key position in GW's D. I could see getting a MLB in the draft to groom as a replacement to LM, or in FA. Olb is less I think cause we just drafted one (If Rocky can't crack the lineup in 07 we're in trouble).
I'll agree w/CB as top priority, followed by D-line.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Someone said in another thread that Rocky played MLB in college. Why not move him into the middle, move Marshall back to WLB where he excellend?

[The Zimmermans]

two words for you, Paul Posluzny