London Fletcher Plans to Play Next Season...

[Chris Luva Luva]

I'll have to look it up, but I remember reading that the Skins led the league in opposing offenses throwing to tight ends. Part of that was our horrific safety play, but it was also attributable to Fletcher who very often covered TEs running down the middle of the field.

If Fletcher is being left 1-1 against Jimmy Graham and these 6'5 TE's that's on Haslett... Fletch is 5'3 (exaggerating). I personally never saw Fletch get torched but more so give up catches due to his inability to overcome his height restriction. To me, that's not an athleticism issue.

If he's not being left 1-1 in those situations, I tend to put more blame on the safety that should be providing help over the top. But our safeties let everyone down this year.

But many have been blaming Hall, Wilson and everyone else for shoddy CB play when the safeties aren't providing them coverage either.

In addition to horrible ball skills, are safeties took poor angles and NEVER to my recollection separate a receiver from the ball.

[UK Skins Fan]

All true, but I think London's play slipped as well.

But what's slipped more? His play or the play of positions around him? IMO, it's the play of positions around him, ESPECIALLY safety.

While his missed tackles may be up over previous years, the glaring issue he had was in coverage. And most of that had to do with his lack of height, he was typically ALWAYS in the receivers pocket. Improved help from the safeties will help him.

If we could only improve one position on defense this year, who would you pick? I'd assume safety. That ONE position would improve the effectiveness of our LB and CB corps. They were THAT pathetic this year.

Oh, I agree. The safety position totally undermined the whole defence last season. We won't have much of a clue how good or bad the rest of the defence is until we get something approaching NFL quality play from the safety positions.

I also recall London running pretty well with even the most athletic tight ends, but not being able to compete for the ball against people 6 to 8 inches taller than him.

I'm nowhere near ready to throw London under the bus - he's earned my trust in the fact that he won't go anywhere near a football field next year unless HE feels that he can do himself justice.

[Chris Luva Luva]

All true, but I think London's play slipped as well.

But what's slipped more? His play or the play of positions around him? IMO, it's the play of positions around him, ESPECIALLY safety.

While his missed tackles may be up over previous years, the glaring issue he had was in coverage. And most of that had to do with his lack of height, he was typically ALWAYS in the receivers pocket. Improved help from the safeties will help him.

If we could only improve one position on defense this year, who would you pick? I'd assume safety. That ONE position would improve the effectiveness of our LB and CB corps. They were THAT pathetic this year.

Oh, I agree. The safety position totally undermined the whole defence last season. We won't have much of a clue how good or bad the rest of the defence is until we get something approaching NFL quality play from the safety positions.

I also recall London running pretty well with even the most athletic tight ends, but not being able to compete for the ball against people 6 to 8 inches taller than him.

I'm nowhere near ready to throw London under the bus - he's earned my trust in the fact that he won't go anywhere near a football field next year unless HE feels that he can do himself justice.

I totally agree.

[DarthMonk]

Fletch had some undisclosed problems, no?

No. They were disclosed.

The one's you know all about were.

If any were undisclosed we wouldn't know.





What was the nature of the "balance issue" which required all the testing.

Fletcher declined to say whether his current medical issue is connected to an undisclosed ailment that sidelined him for a few days during the preseason. At the time, Shanahan said Fletcher was "not feeling right," but neither he nor Fletcher has ever given any details.

Did this all come to light?

DarthMonk

[HTTRRG3ALMO]

I hope both Alexander and Fletcher are a part of the roster again this season

hopefully both will be paid very well as they are BOTH, VERY important pieces

Fingers crossed for this one...

Fletcher is getting paid, if he decides to stay - Zo is a F/A and hopefully they find a way to keep him

I never understood why they didn't have him at any of the starting LB positions. I mean I understand with other key players NOT injured, but with so many injuries its so hard to believe that he wasn't a better option (at least as a backup). Not talking about Robinson's position fyi.

[HTTRRG3ALMO]

^^ +1

We need a lot better play from our front 7 this season - while we need some help in our secondary - being able to bring pressure will help that area as well

The front D is also our "lowest priority". Hate to say that because I do agree with you guys. They are doing well, but there definitely needs to be a "stepping up" of every man on that front line.

I see us upgrading that in 2014, but then again...who can under stand the mind of Shanny man?

[HEROHAMO]

This guy is not human.

I think he's the most human of all.

Come on Tre he made some huge plays this season. In fact saved a touchdown against the Cowboys which could have easily turned the tide in that game. Furthermore its not as if Fletcher is a weakness of the team.
We know the secondary is the weakness. z

Just look at Ray Lewis. We all know Ray was not the physical specimen he used to be. However he willed his team to a SuperBowl victory. I see Fletcher in the same light. Except Fletcher still has some gas in the tank.

[SkinsJock]

The front D is also our "lowest priority". ....
They are doing well, but there definitely needs to be a "stepping up" of every man on that front line.
I see us upgrading that in 2014, but then again...who can under stand the mind of Shanny man?

The "front D" might be our lowest priority in your opinion ...

The ineffective pass defense IS the #1 priority in my opinion - accomplishing THAT ... STARTS with getting pressure on the QB from the guys up front
AFTER we have that resolved, we take a look at the secondary

I have faith that with the players we have and with a few additions we can improve our pass defense a lot
this will happen through better game planning and better utilization of the players' abilities

what I'm also saying is - Jim Haslett needs to 'upgrade' his part in the defense - BIG TIME

[Countertrey]

This guy is not human.

I think he's the most human of all.

Come on Tre he made some huge plays this season. In fact saved a touchdown against the Cowboys which could have easily turned the tide in that game. Furthermore its not as if Fletcher is a weakness of the team.
We know the secondary is the weakness. z

Just look at Ray Lewis. We all know Ray was not the physical specimen he used to be. However he willed his team to a SuperBowl victory. I see Fletcher in the same light. Except Fletcher still has some gas in the tank.

You have completely misread what was said.

Fletcher is anything but superhuman. He is too small, too slow, too weak to be an effective middle linebacker... he has never been the physical freak that was Ray Lewis. He has no business anchoring any NFL defense... yet, he has made a career of exceeding his abilities, simply because he wills it. He made it happen. He could not fall back on speed, nor strength, nor size, nor an incredible athletic talent.

That, I think, makes him more human than you or I... or Ray Lewis. I don't think he can be paid a higher complement. I admire him more than any player on the Redskins since Pat Fischer... because he is great DESPITE a relative lack of physical gifts that others can thank for their NFL careers.

Players such as them are the proof that anyone who want's it badly enough can do whatever he or she wants.

[Irn-Bru]

Agreed, Trey. And I'm pretty happy he'll be proving that concept again for at least one more year.

[HEROHAMO]

I think he's the most human of all.

Come on Tre he made some huge plays this season. In fact saved a touchdown against the Cowboys which could have easily turned the tide in that game. Furthermore its not as if Fletcher is a weakness of the team.
We know the secondary is the weakness. z

Just look at Ray Lewis. We all know Ray was not the physical specimen he used to be. However he willed his team to a SuperBowl victory. I see Fletcher in the same light. Except Fletcher still has some gas in the tank.

You have completely misread what was said.

Fletcher is anything but superhuman. He is too small, too slow, too weak to be an effective middle linebacker... he has never been the physical freak that was Ray Lewis. He has no business anchoring any NFL defense... yet, he has made a career of exceeding his abilities, simply because he wills it. He made it happen. He could not fall back on speed, nor strength, nor size, nor an incredible athletic talent.

That, I think, makes him more human than you or I... or Ray Lewis. I don't think he can be paid a higher complement. I admire him more than any player on the Redskins since Pat Fischer... because he is great DESPITE a relative lack of physical gifts that others can thank for their NFL careers.

Players such as them are the proof that anyone who want's it badly enough can do whatever he or she wants.

I stand corrected and fully agree.
Those are the same qualites I admire him for.

[DarthMonk]

London Fletcher - LB - Redskins

Redskins ILB London Fletcher says he dealt with "balance issues" early last season after suffering a concussion in the preseason.

The Redskins never announced Fletcher's injury, and he missed just one preseason game. Fletcher says his balance issues continued through late October, but claims they were "something with (his) neck." The fact that Fletcher was still having "balance issues" during the regular season is alarming, and further proof of how far the league still has to go with regards to head injuries. Declining, 2013 is likely to be Fletcher's final season.

Source: CSN Washington Aug 23 - 9:19 AM

I wonder if that preseason game is the only game he's missed as a pro.

How many months have 28 days? Is infinity more than 1,500?