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Gibbs: Redskins, Holdman Agree


By Gary Fitzgerald
Redskins.com

May 11, 2005



Head coach Joe Gibbs said Wednesday that the Redskins have agreed to terms on a deal with versatile linebacker Warrick Holdman.

Holdman is a 6-1, 235-pounder who played for the Cleveland Browns last season after five years with the Chicago Bears. He started 14 of 16 games last season with the Browns and logged 78 tackles and 0.5 sacks.

With a new coaching staff in place in Cleveland, Holdman's future was in doubt. He was released by the Browns on Feb. 23.

"We tried to sign Warrick last year and he wound up going to Cleveland," Gibbs said. "We've added a veteran guy with a lot of experience. With Warrick and Brian Allen, we've added two veteran guys at the linebacker spot. So we'll announce that [agreement] on Thursday."

Holdman is familiar with Redskins' defensive coordinator/defensive line coach Greg Blache and linebackers coach Dale Lindsey. Holdman, who played for the Bears from 1999-2003, was previously coached by Blache from 1999-2003 and Lindsey from 1999-2001.

"He's somebody who our coaches here know a lot about because they've coached him," Gibbs said.

Holdman has played all three linebacker positions in his career and will bring solid depth to the team's linebacker corps.

"The Brown s released him this year due to the new coaching staff," Gibbs said. "He's somebody we liked last year and we thought he fit in good with us, so we jumped on it. He came in for a quick visit and we reached a quick agreement."

In his career, Holdman has recorded 424 tackles, four sacks and one interception. His best statistical season was 2001, when he logged a career-high 93 tackles, 1.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles and eight passes defended.

Holdman played linebacker at Texas A&M from 1995-98. He started 40 games during that span, recording 249 tackles, 16.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles. He is a native of Alief, Texas.

Damn! We got Holdman? Wow our LB corps is gonna be STACKED this season. Wowzers. I remember Holdman was pro bowl caliber just about two years ago, not sure if he still is though. Regardless, I remember I wanted to sign him over Marcus Washington last season (glad we got Marcus though), so to have him as depth or possibly our starting MLB is nice

I know I'm a homer but I really like some of the moves the Skins are making this year -- in some ways, they remind me a lot of the Pats. Pick up vets, pay them close to minimum amounts and get a year or two out of them... Our depth is so much better than under Steve S.

Holdman
Prelou (sp?)
Allen
Patten
Even Ray Brown fits into this category

Last year it was Walt Harris, Ryan Clark & Tupa.

Nice...I like this guy.

He did good when Roosevelt Colvin was playing w/ the Bears too.

And some guy name Urlacher

fredp45 wrote:Last year it was Walt Harris, Ryan Clark & Tupa.

and Griffin... and Springs..... and Dainels.... and Portis

I forgot Daniels but I didn't include the others as we paid them a lot...I was only including veterans we didn't pay top dollar.

I could add to your list -- Brunnell!!!!!

Of course we paid alot for those guys.

ANy update on our cap situation? Will we be ok?

good for depth.....

he had 110 tackles last year...is he just for depth or can he compete for mlb, what we gona do with all these linebacker

Holdman had 76 tackles last season... he's 29 and still looks like he's got the skills to pay the bills, lol...

Holdman should compete for the starting spot and IMO this seals the deal for Barrow's bus ticket out of town.

WshSkins22 wrote:he had 110 tackles last year...is he just for depth or can he compete for mlb, what we gona do with all these linebacker

Special Teams???

WshSkins22 wrote:what we gona do with all these linebacker?

Well, given that the Pukes are moving to a 3-4 defense this year...

...we are moving to a 1-6 defense!

Redskin in Canada wrote:

WshSkins22 wrote:what we gona do with all these linebacker?

Well, given that the Pukes are moving to a 3-4 defense this year...

...we are moving to a 1-6 defense!

Good one RIC! I like this signing

Redskin in Canada i just said it in another post that weel move to 2-6 lol. Well i think with 110 tackle he would have been second in tackles with our team. And therefoe i think he can compete for MLB, otherwise heel be on ST..
WE have had so many ST additions, our ST is gonna be awesome next year

washington53 wrote:Redskin in Canada i just said it in another post that weel move to 2-6

You can only have seven in the box, unless you have designed a new defensive scheme for GW.

Holdman should be good for us. Would you all not hate to compete for ONE MLB position with ALL the talent available in the roster right now?

I will be travelling and will not not be available to attend training camp but I have my confidence in all of you to keep me posted about this competition.

Redskin in Canada wrote:

washington53 wrote:Redskin in Canada i just said it in another post that weel move to 2-6

You can only have seven in the box, unless you have designed a new defensive scheme for GW.

Holdman should be good for us. Would you all not hate to compete for ONE MLB position with ALL the talent available in the roster right now?

I will be travelling and will not not be available to attend training camp but I have my confidence in all of you to keep me posted about this competition.

Yeah i know i was just kidding about that, but it was ironic.

I will also be on vacation and will not attend mini camp, but with internet ill be on here whenever i can

Good Bye Mr. Barrow. I wish we could have you see youplay for us.

I live in Los Angeles and am getting married

very good signing in my book

I can't believe you guys are chipper about this one. To me it means that Gibbs and Williams are not so happy about having Barrow, Marshall, McCune, Barnes, Smith and a number of others. Or maybe they're worried about Arrington. If they're not worried about something disturbing that I don't know about, it makes me nuts to wonder why they're not worried about TE or a big WR or a three down DE. Frankly, they seem to me either holding out on something or out of their minds. Why would they continue to acquire player after player at a position of their greatest strenght. Can anybody explain that to me?

crazyhorse1 wrote:I can't you guys are chipper about this one. To me it means that Gibbs and Williams are not so happy about having Barrow, Marshall, McCune, Barnes, Smith and a number of others. Or maybe their worried about Arrington. If their not worried about something disturbing that I don't know about, it makes me nuts to wonder why they're not worried about TE or WR or a three down DE. Frankly, they seem to me either holding out on something or out of their minds.

it is a great signing, it does not hurt to admit you are not feeling good about your back ups. holdman was most likely signed for a good dollar amount and will provide leadership and valuable playing time.

I love this signing! We strengthened our linebacking corps and added a talented veteran who can help our young guys a lot.

was he a middle line backer

?

DE SKINS FAN wrote:was he a middle line backer

WLB but he has played inside and both ouside positions