Rocky McIntosh Would Start If the Season Started Today

Over the past few seasons, the Redskins have bolstered their defense with signings and high draft picks, including the free agent acquisition of middle linebacker London Fletcher and the selection of Miami product Rocky McIntosh, both of whom enter this season slated as starters.

Entering this season, the linebacker corps could be a major strength, but also somewhat of a question mark, with injuries and inexperience placing the group in a "worth keeping an eye on" category...especially the strong side linebacker position.

LINEBACKER If the season opened today the starters would be: Rocky McIntosh, London Fletcher and Brian Orakpo, a unit that could be explosive and one of the strengths of a defense that finished ranked fourth in the NFL last season, but also has its concerns.

Since his arrival in Washington, London Fletcher has lived up to the expectations of being both a leader for the defense and a standout on the field. Fletcher finished with 128 and 133 tackles, respectively, in his first two seasons with the Redskins, leading the team and finishing sixth in the league both years. Many consider Fletcher to be among the best middle linebackers in the league, though he has been snubbed for the Pro Bowl, and his willingness to play through injury last season exemplifies his dedication.

Still, the 34-year old was slowed by injury late last season. His ability to stay healthy in his 12th season will be as critical as any other factor to the success of the defense.

Health is also the issue on the weak side, where Rocky McIntosh has had several procedures on his knees since being drafted. McIntosh, who was rehabbing a knee injury last offseason, wore down toward the end of the season, though he said it was more fatigue than anything related to his knees.

Despite that, he played in all 16 games and started 15, finishing second on the team with 88 tackles, and the fourth-year veteran switched agents this offseason, hiring Drew Rosenhaus in hopes of negotiating a contract extension.
McIntosh is in a contract year and is now more than a year and a half removed from major reconstructive knee surgery. Linebacker coach Kirk Olivadotti told Redskins blogger Matt Terl earlier this month that he has been pleased with McIntosh this offseason, saying, "Traditionally, everybody says, two years out of a major knee injury, you're always a little bit better. Rocky looks good right now, I'm pleased with where he's at."

This unit's question marks are on the strong side. For now, first-round draft pick Brian Orakpo looks to be the starter. He'll likely play linebacker on first and second downs, then move to his natural position, defensive end, on obvious passing downs. Orakpo is still learning, and Olivadotti said during training camp that it is a process for the talented pass rusher. Still, with few other candidates, Orakpo should line up here when the season starts.

Other options: Linebacker depth has been an area of need for the Redskins for the past few years, and they selected Cody Glenn and Robert Henson in the fifth and sixth rounds, respectively, of this past April's draft.

Glenn has little experience at linebacker, moving to the defensive side of the ball during his senior season at Nebraska. He suffered foot and ankle injuries during his college career, and was suspended late in his final season. After being drafted, Glenn told reporters the suspension was related to ticket scalping. Later, he admitted to the Associated Press that tickets had nothing to do with his suspension.

Despite all that, Glenn's athleticism makes him valuable for special teams, where he must contribute while he continues to grow on defense.

Henson, meanwhile, was a successful inside linebacker at TCU and, like Glenn, is expected to contribute on special teams immediately as he develops.

The Redskins also have some veteran depth, having signed Robert Thomas this offseason. A former first-round draft pick, Thomas has started 50 of 84 career games, though he played in just two games last season before suffering an injury and eventually being placed on injured reserve.

Having spent most of his career at weak side linebacker, Thomas is expected to compete immediately for playing time at the strong side, where he could step in when Orakpo moves to the defensive line on pass rushing downs. He also provides valuable depth across all three positions should anyone go down, and is familiarizing himself with all three linebacker positions.

H.B. Blades has proven to be a reliable backup, stepping in for injured starters at both strong side and inside linebacker during his time in Washington. Blades, too, is competing for playing time on the strong side. Drafted out of Pitt with the expectation that he could learn behind the similarly undersized Fletcher and perhaps develop into a starter, Blades likely will continue to serve as a dependable role player.

Alfred Fincher proved to be a strong special teams player last season for the Redskins and was re-signed this summer. Was eighth on the team with nine special teams tackles and will compete for a job in the same capacity this season, though he also is in the mix at the strong side spot.

One of the most interesting storylines involves another defensive end-turned-linebacker in Chris Wilson. Wilson has been a situational pass rusher during his time in Washington and was moved to linebacker this offseason.

Like Orakpo, there will be a transition period for Wilson as he learns the different responsibilities in coverage, but I spoke with one NFC talent evaluator familiar with the Redskins who said he could "definitely" see Wilson being a prime candidate for making such a move. Here's what I wrote about Wilson earlier this offseason.

The Redskins carried six linebackers on last season's roster, but let's say they keep seven this time. Do the draft picks get the nod over Wilson? Does Orakpo count as a DE in the final breakdown? Any guesses? How about Fletcher, McIntosh, Orakpo, Blades, Thomas, Henson, Glenn?



(washigtonpost.com)