Andre Carter to Make Move to Outside Linebacker in 2010

[Jake]

To go along with the Redskins new defense, Andre will be making the switch back to outside linebacker next season., a position he played in his last season in San Francisco.

The link to the article can be foundhere.

Andre also answered questions about who he's rooting for in the Super Bowl, how he's coming along after bicep surgery, if he tried to help prank Brian Orakpo while he's down in South Florida and what he expects from Jim Haslett's new defense.

That link can be found here.

[jeremyroyce]

Thank you for the information. Hopefully this works out for Carter

[PulpExposure]

Great article.

However, are you sure he's going to OLB? I mean, it doesn't sound as if he's even sure we're going to a 3-4.

THN: Will Coach Haslett implement a mixture of 3-4 and 4-3 or just the 3-4?

AC: I really don’t know what he will do. I have heard he has coached the 4-3 defense before but prefers the 3-4.

The title makes it seem as if the move to the 3-4 is a done thing.

[Jake]

Thanks Jeremy.

Great article.

However, are you sure he's going to OLB? I mean, it doesn't sound as if he's even sure we're going to a 3-4.

THN: Will Coach Haslett implement a mixture of 3-4 and 4-3 or just the 3-4?

AC: I really don’t know what he will do. I have heard he has coached the 4-3 defense before but prefers the 3-4.

The title makes it seem as if the move to the 3-4 is a done thing.

Yes, I am sure he's moving to outside linebacker. I wouldn't have written the article if I wasn't.

[fresh1120]

so does that mean that rocky will be a mlb in a 3-4? I am not sure that i like that to much. I would rather see albert and andre at ends and then brian and rocky as the outside linebackers what do u guys thing

[brad7686]

so does that mean that rocky will be a mlb in a 3-4? I am not sure that i like that to much. I would rather see albert and andre at ends and then brian and rocky as the outside linebackers what do u guys thing

carter is way too small to be a 3-4 end

[crazyhorse1]

so does that mean that rocky will be a mlb in a 3-4? I am not sure that i like that to much. I would rather see albert and andre at ends and then brian and rocky as the outside linebackers what do u guys thing

carter is way too small to be a 3-4 end

If this is the way it's going to be, I don't see much help at defensive end.

Daniels? Fat Al DE?

Carter Rocky Fletch Rak

Problem 1-- Daniels will still be on field
Problem 2-- We will have a relatively weak DE opposite Daniels
Problem 3-- Rak is not a good linebacker and will be misused again

I see this as a big mistake. It destroys the sack capacity of Carter, Fat A, and Rak, which is the core strength of our defensive line, and does little or nothing to help in pass coverage. It also hurts Wilson and Grif. I don't get it. Somebody explain.

[brad7686]

so does that mean that rocky will be a mlb in a 3-4? I am not sure that i like that to much. I would rather see albert and andre at ends and then brian and rocky as the outside linebackers what do u guys thing

carter is way too small to be a 3-4 end

If this is the way it's going to be, I don't see much help at defensive end.

Daniels? Fat Al DE?

Carter Rocky Fletch Rak

Problem 1-- Daniels will still be on field
Problem 2-- We will have a relatively weak DE opposite Daniels
Problem 3-- Rak is not a good linebacker and will be misused again

I see this as a big mistake. It destroys the sack capacity of Carter, Fat A, and Rak, which is the core strength of our defensive line, and does little or nothing to help in pass coverage. It also hurts Wilson and Grif. I don't get it. Somebody explain.

DE's could be Haynesworth, Daniels, Golston, maybe Grif. They don't necessarily need to get after the passer, they just need to be quick off the ball and take up space. Golston could be a really good 3-4 end. There is no guarantee Carter won't get sacks standing up, even though he did have a rough time his other go round in a 3-4. He seems to be much better now than in his younger days. Orakpo will rake in a 3-4.

[USAFSkinFan]

Orakpo is sooo not a linebacker... I looked back at tapes of him this year (had some time to kill yesterday), and just concentrated on watching him and how he reacted to the run and getting off blocks and covering guys... wow what a gifference the speed he plays at with his hand on the ground compared to linebacker... like 2 different guys, he made almost no plays as a linebacker...

[tribeofjudah]

Whateve....and thanks for the info. I mean, all I know is we're GONNA BE TOPS in the NFC......hehehe.

[brad7686]

Orakpo is sooo not a linebacker... I looked back at tapes of him this year (had some time to kill yesterday), and just concentrated on watching him and how he reacted to the run and getting off blocks and covering guys... wow what a gifference the speed he plays at with his hand on the ground compared to linebacker... like 2 different guys, he made almost no plays as a linebacker...

3-4 Lb is basically a DE. Most people who play it were DE's in college. They tend to get a lot of sacks.

[HEROHAMO]

Do not pay attention to what Carter did in San Francisco. In 2005 that Frisco team went 4-12 that whole team was terrible. That San Francisco defense had Julian Peterson and Andre Carter as the outside linebackers. Julian registered 3 sacks and Carter produced 4.5. Bryant Young was the only standout on that defense. Both the Offense and defense were terrible that year.

This is quite a different defense. We have many pieces in place to have a successful defense next year. It is not like this is a total rebuild.

A huge reason for the success of our Dline this year is Haynesworth. Do not forget that. The whole defense benefited from Haynesworth especially Rak and Carter.

Most of the time in a pass rush situation it will be a five man rush now in a 3-4.Meaning a one on one with the left tackle for Carter and one on one for Rak on the strong side. Haynesworth at LDE or RDE ensures a double team wherever Big Al lines up meaning open lanes for blitzes and one on one matchups for our OLBs.

Embrace it people. The top defenses run a 3-4. Get with the program and fall in line. This is a good thing. Andre Carter will benefit from this. He will be mainly pass rushing anyhow.

[chiefhog44]

Do not pay attention to what Carter did in San Francisco. In 2005 that Frisco team went 4-12 that whole team was terrible. That San Francisco defense had Julian Peterson and Andre Carter as the outside linebackers. Julian registered 3 sacks and Carter produced 4.5. Bryant Young was the only standout on that defense. Both the Offense and defense were terrible that year.

This is quite a different defense. We have many pieces in place to have a successful defense next year. It is not like this is a total rebuild.

A huge reason for the success of our Dline this year is Haynesworth. Do not forget that. The whole defense benefited from Haynesworth especially Rak and Carter.

Most of the time in a pass rush situation it will be a five man rush now in a 3-4.Meaning a one on one with the left tackle for Carter and one on one for Rak on the strong side. Haynesworth at LDE or RDE ensures a double team wherever Big Al lines up meaning open lanes for blitzes and one on one matchups for our OLBs.

Embrace it people. The top defenses run a 3-4. Get with the program and fall in line. This is a good thing. Andre Carter will benefit from this. He will be mainly pass rushing anyhow.

Seems as though we have one too many starting outside LB's. Carter, Rak, and Tosh. One will not be here next year. We need another MLB

[brad7686]

Do not pay attention to what Carter did in San Francisco. In 2005 that Frisco team went 4-12 that whole team was terrible. That San Francisco defense had Julian Peterson and Andre Carter as the outside linebackers. Julian registered 3 sacks and Carter produced 4.5. Bryant Young was the only standout on that defense. Both the Offense and defense were terrible that year.

This is quite a different defense. We have many pieces in place to have a successful defense next year. It is not like this is a total rebuild.

A huge reason for the success of our Dline this year is Haynesworth. Do not forget that. The whole defense benefited from Haynesworth especially Rak and Carter.

Most of the time in a pass rush situation it will be a five man rush now in a 3-4.Meaning a one on one with the left tackle for Carter and one on one for Rak on the strong side. Haynesworth at LDE or RDE ensures a double team wherever Big Al lines up meaning open lanes for blitzes and one on one matchups for our OLBs.

Embrace it people. The top defenses run a 3-4. Get with the program and fall in line. This is a good thing. Andre Carter will benefit from this. He will be mainly pass rushing anyhow.

Seems as though we have one too many starting outside LB's. Carter, Rak, and Tosh. One will not be here next year. We need another MLB

I would imagine they'll try rocky in the middle. That may or may not work.

[CanesSkins26]

All of us were so excited when we heard Shanahan talk about fitting schemes to the personnel. Switching to a 3-4 with the guys that we have is the exact opposite of that. Square peg, round hole.

[Chris Luva Luva]

All of us were so excited when we heard Shanahan talk about fitting schemes to the personnel. Switching to a 3-4 with the guys that we have is the exact opposite of that. Square peg, round hole.

It's called rebuilding. You have to start somewhere. Were we superbowl bound next year? No. The following year? Most likely not.

It typically takes 2-3 years to get a NFL offense up and running on all cylinders. So that also gives us 2-3 years to make the transition to the 3-4.

[crazyhorse1]

It seems we're trying to fix what isn't broken. Rak and Carter (who have already proven themselves ineffective at OLB) are projects at OLB and Tosh (a project at MLB) isn't big enough to be a MLB. The 3-4 also gives us two DE's who don't have the necessary speed. I see five weaknesses. On the other hand, in the 4-3, I see only one-- the lack of a 2nd OLB to go with Tosh.

According to me, all we need to do upfront of major import at present is find an OLB so Rak can put his hand down. I think Rak could be a major force at DE as soon as someone begins to deploy him correctly. Another sure loser in the 3-4 will be Carter, who has seemingly found himself in the 4-3. And yet another will be Haynesworth, who doesn't want to play in the 3-4 and has said so, loudly.

I agree with the poster who has suggested that putting in the 3-4 will be like trying to put a square peg in a round hole. We are built for the 4-3. Our work on defense at present should begin with re-training our DB's and coming up with a superior DT and OLB, not mucking about with the 3-4.

[SkinsJock]

Hey Jake! - good article and I also like the Q&A part with Carter as well.

I initially wondered how you were so sure but I figured, like you said, that this must be a consideration - you would not have written the article if you did not think it warranted some attention

Unlike some here, I could care less what we do defensively or offensively, as long as we begin to head in a positive direction as a franchise and start to see better play as a team than we have been used to here.
Some wonder why we need to make, what looks like to them as, drastic changes? - EXCUSE ME we are a 4-12 franchise and we have begun the process of making changes here by making major changes to the way we manage this franchise and we are also going to see similar changes in how the players and coaches approach things as well


hopefully things will begin to look a lot brighter a year or two down the road but I personally am only interested in seeing a consistently competitive product on the field and unlike many here am pretty sure that is going to take a few years - the players that were on the field for this franchise did not play well as a team at all - horribly in fact - and may not have been well coached as well - all of this should mean that we should see a lot of changes - bring it on

[NewRegime]

I have been on the fence about Carter entering 2010. On one hand, we are transitioning to a 3-4. By all accounts, it sounds like it will be a slow transition. So whle Carter is effective as a 4-3 end, he has shown to be ineffective as a 3-4 OLB.

Its been reported that he has a no trade clause. While that maybe true, he may want out if the team goes to a 3-4 defense full time in the coming years.

At 31, Carter has some market value as a 4-3 end. Perhaps he would garner a 3rd round pick at best. If thats the case, i would argue they should trade him. They could sign guys like Adalius Thomas to help the transition. Chris Wilson would flourish as an rush LB in a 3-4. But anything less than a third may not be worth it.

The team still needs to field a quality roster.

[CanesSkins26]

All of us were so excited when we heard Shanahan talk about fitting schemes to the personnel. Switching to a 3-4 with the guys that we have is the exact opposite of that. Square peg, round hole.

It's called rebuilding. You have to start somewhere. Were we superbowl bound next year? No. The following year? Most likely not.

It typically takes 2-3 years to get a NFL offense up and running on all cylinders. So that also gives us 2-3 years to make the transition to the 3-4.

There's no need to rebuild the defense though. Sure, we could use another linebacker and we could probably use another corner. However, the dline, especially the defensive ends, played very well last year. If you look at our front 7 every starter is better suited to play in a 4-3 than a 3-4. To me it's extremely stupid to mess with the best unit on the team when there are so many other problems on the team that need fixing.

[crazyhorse1]

Hey Jake! - good article and I also like the Q&A part with Carter as well.

I initially wondered how you were so sure but I figured, like you said, that this must be a consideration - you would not have written the article if you did not think it warranted some attention

Unlike some here, I could care less what we do defensively or offensively, as long as we begin to head in a positive direction as a franchise and start to see better play as a team than we have been used to here.
Some wonder why we need to make, what looks like to them as, drastic changes? - EXCUSE ME we are a 4-12 franchise and we have begun the process of making changes here by making major changes to the way we manage this franchise and we are also going to see similar changes in how the players and coaches approach things as well


hopefully things will begin to look a lot brighter a year or two down the road but I personally am only interested in seeing a consistently competitive product on the field and unlike many here am pretty sure that is going to take a few years - the players that were on the field for this franchise did not play well as a team at all - horribly in fact - and may not have been well coached as well - all of this should mean that we should see a lot of changes - bring it on

Excuse me, but we were not 4-12 because of our front four and linebackers on D. In fact, that unit was by far the strongest element of our team. What bothers some of us is that our personnel obviously fits a 4-3 and not a 3-4, which means we might have a defensive coordinator who values his x's and o's to the point he'll try to put a square peg in a round hole. That is a valid concern. It is also possible that the Skins will use resources to accomplish the switch that should be used to rebuild the Offense. We have a long history of concentrating on D to the exclusion of rebuilding the OL. Old habits die hard. If the first Skin pick is Bradford and the second is a middle linebacker to help the switch to a 3-4, I am going to totally lose it. It will mean that the new management team is no better than the old.

[VetSkinsFan]

The sky has not fallen yet. It's not even officially the off-season. Let's wait at least until free agency before chicken little shows his face.

[PulpExposure]

The sky has not fallen yet. It's not even officially the off-season. Let's wait at least until free agency before chicken little shows his face.

How very un-Redskins fan of you.

[VetSkinsFan]

The sky has not fallen yet. It's not even officially the off-season. Let's wait at least until free agency before chicken little shows his face.

How very un-Redskins fan of you.

I know, right? The logic and patience is so abnormal. Shall I turn in my Redskins license plates?

[langleyparkjoe]

All of us were so excited when we heard Shanahan talk about fitting schemes to the personnel. Switching to a 3-4 with the guys that we have is the exact opposite of that. Square peg, round hole.

It's called rebuilding. You have to start somewhere. Were we superbowl bound next year? No. The following year? Most likely not.

It typically takes 2-3 years to get a NFL offense up and running on all cylinders. So that also gives us 2-3 years to make the transition to the 3-4.

CLL... We're superbowl bound EVERY YEAR!.. HAIL!