Washington Redskins linebacker Rocky McIntosh brought up a good point this week when discussing how he and fellow linebacker London Fletcher play in relative anonymity despite garnering 100-plus tackles apiece for the NFL's fourth-ranked defense in 2008.
"Our defense was one of the best in the league and most people don't know that either," he said. "I can assure you this, the guys who we play against know who (him and Fletcher) are. That's for sure."
London Fletcher, Washington -- Arguably the most overlooked linebacker in the league for years. The 5-foot-9, 245-pound, 11-year veteran middle linebacker has started 135 straight games and accrued more than 100 tackles for 10 consecutive seasons. He tied Pittsburgh's James Farrior as the NFL's sixth-leading tackler with 133 stops last season. Each year he expresses his dismay of not making it to the Pro Bowl, but he gets bypassed annually. With Albert Haynesworth now playing in front of him, the steady, but unflashy, Fletcher should rack up big-time numbers again. If Washington gets to the playoffs, he might finally get the recognition he seeks.
Rocky McIntosh, Washington -- The Redskins starting weak side linebacker is a rising talent, who is steadily making a name for himself. The two-year starter registered 87 tackles last season (the Redskins had him down for 104 tackles) and he could benefit not only from the attention Haynesworth will receive, but also by the focus that will be put on rookie OLB/DE Brian Orakpo. McIntosh will likely find himself in a lot of one-on-one matchups this season and should be able to make the plays that no longer will have him living off his rep from the University of Miami.
Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Rocky wasn't quite as good last year as I had hoped, but I think that mostly had to do with the recovery from his surgery. My guess is that he will come out even stronger this year—maybe picking up on the surprise star track he was on during his rookie season. (For the record, I don't think he's been "living off of his Miami rep", whatever that is supposed to mean.)
I thought last year was going to be Fletcher's last, or that he would get injured, etc., but I've learned not to underestimate him. The guy is a machine. I think the author is right in pointing out that having Haynesworth in front of him might be the best thing we could have hoped for. (I just hope Haynesworth stays healthy enough to have that kind of impact.)
Oh, yeah, and this: ". . .the guys who we play against know who (him and Fletcher) are." Ugh. . .dont' they have editors at NFL.com?
We are going to have a weak spot somewhere. I think it is going to be strong side LB. Remember the Pearl Harbor crew? We had a line then so we made up for it. Now we have almost everything. We are going to be rated at least number 3 or better. I expect number 2.
I don't get the sense Rocky "loves" football. Just like I don't think Devin Thomas "loves" football and Brandon Lloyd never "loved" it while he was here; having great talent and physical ability is one part of the equation but when you need a player to make a difference you need a player with those things AND a passion for the game.
I think Reed Doughty has a passion for the game but his lack of physical ability makes him a liability; in other words put Reed's heart in Devin Thomas' body and we've got a football player.
Chris Luva Luva wrote:To be honest, I've always been more than satisfied with our LB corps but... Im scared about having Orakpo at LB. I mean, that's a huge gamble....
Exactly Chris. Orakpo might be all that at LB but I doubt it. This is why I think strong side is going to be our weak link. No big deal. We can plug someone there to be at least average.
Chris Luva Luva wrote:To be honest, I've always been more than satisfied with our LB corps but... Im scared about having Orakpo at LB. I mean, that's a huge gamble....
Exactly Chris. Orakpo might be all that at LB but I doubt it. This is why I think strong side is going to be our weak link. No big deal. We can plug someone there to be at least average.
Well, please remember that it's not as if Marcus Washington was any good there last year...it was shocking to see how Washington was.
Chris Luva Luva wrote:To be honest, I've always been more than satisfied with our LB corps but... Im scared about having Orakpo at LB. I mean, that's a huge gamble....
Exactly Chris. Orakpo might be all that at LB but I doubt it. This is why I think strong side is going to be our weak link. No big deal. We can plug someone there to be at least average.
Well, please remember that it's not as if Marcus Washington was any good there last year...it was shocking to see how Washington was.
Marcus not being any good doesn't have anything to do with how Orakpo is going to be. I guess you're saying it can't get worse but I'd like to say that yes it can.
The Question marks for Orakpo playing linebacker will be his reading the plays and pass coverage abilities. But, he will be rushing the QB on most passing downs.
What we really have to worry about is this. The first and second down playaction plays. When facing a good tight end like Jason Witten. Will Orakpo be able to stay with the good tight ends on a first and second down pass play? If not we could have a wide open Jason Witten headed to the house.
This should be the year we find out whether Rocky is the real deal or just another guy. We'll see.
London is a guy I really admire. He has made his share of mistakes but he has been nothing but consistent on the field his entire career and has been a classy and effective leader while with the Skins. He could definitely be in for a big year and I hope it does pay off with a Pro Bowl appearance.
Let's not forget H.B. Blades in all this. He's a football player. You can see his passion for the game and his instincts serve him well. Don't be surprised to see his role expand a great deal this year.
Orakpo might not be needed at LB but if he does play there his coverage skills seem to be there. Much more so than you would normally expect for a defensive lineman. My concerns in this experiment lie with his ability to read and react from this new position. Physically, I think he has the skills but its hard to make up for experience he lacks at that position.
If Orakpo cant cover ey in practice, he cant cover a TE like Witten on gameday. Thats a pretty good litmus test and should be discovered in training camp. It'll give the coaching staff a chance to correct it or go a different direction altogether.
I figure if he can cover ey, he can handle most any TE in the game, run blocking TE's however concern me a bit. Of corse play action is going to burn any rookie, I expect that. Im not overly concerned.
jmooney wrote:If Orakpo cant cover ey in practice, he cant cover a TE like Witten on gameday. Thats a pretty good litmus test and should be discovered in training camp. It'll give the coaching staff a chance to correct it or go a different direction altogether.
I figure if he can cover ey, he can handle most any TE in the game, run blocking TE's however concern me a bit. Of corse play action is going to burn any rookie, I expect that. Im not overly concerned.
Why does a blocking TE worry you? He handled OT's in college. I know this is the NFL, but OT's are usually better blockers than even the best blocking TE's.
Skins fan since '55
"The constitution is not a suicide pact"- Abraham Lincoln
I just have a feeling he will be so much quicker than most OT. TE's like Heath Miller, Kevin Boss who arent exactly run blockers but do it well. The combination of size speed and athletic ability vs a rookie linebacker IMO is a mismatch to exploit. I suppose those are the types of TE's I was referring to moreso than exclusive run blockers. You can roll a corner or safety to help with the fleet footed ones.
Orakpo is a pass rusher, plain and simple. I have no problem with that if he were at end. OLB in the NFC east means youre a run stopper first. Play off your block, contain, turn it back inside or make the tackle, but no matter what you must get off that block. This above all else is what I want to see, but still not a huge concern for now. get back to me in 3 months
jmooney wrote:Orakpo is a pass rusher, plain and simple. I have no problem with that if he were at end. OLB in the NFC east means youre a run stopper first. Play off your block, contain, turn it back inside or make the tackle, but no matter what you must get off that block. This above all else is what I want to see, but still not a huge concern for now. get back to me in 3 months
I don't think he will be at LB on passing downs. Since he is so atheletic, though, they want him on the field at all times. Besides, you can still blitz from the LB spot. Once the offensive linemen are engaged, it's a straight shot to the QB.
Andre Carter wrote:Damn man, you know your football.
ey in practice, he cant cover a TE like Witten on gameday. Thats a pretty good litmus test and should be discovered in training camp. It'll give the coaching staff a chance to correct it or go a different direction altogether.
