Coach Lindsey's thoughts on OLB
Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 6:31 am
Clemons, Holdman, or Draft? Right now, I like Clemons.
http://www.examiner.com/Sports-a56945~W ... lling.html
Weakside hole needs filling
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John Keim, The Examiner
Mar 24, 2006 7:00 AM (1 hr 34 mins ago)
WASHINGTON - They could opt for the veteran who failed last year, or at least played to less-than-rave reviews. There’s also the draft, which is deep at this position of need. Or free agency, which contains mostly castoff veterans at this point.
The other option is already on the Redskins’ roster.
When voluntary offseason workouts begin Monday, the Redskins will have one starting position unfilled: weakside linebacker, the spot vacated by since-departed LaVar Arrington.
Among the options: re-sign Warrick Holdman, who started seven games at this spot last year and appears to be the No. 1 option; sign a veteran free agent such as Nate Wayne or Keith Adams, neither of whom were too impressive in Philadelphia; or promote Chris Clemons.
They’re trying to avoid moving middle linebacker Lemar Marshall back outside.
“If we don’t get a guy that can get it done,” Redskins linebackers coach Dale Lindsey said, “we’d be crazy to take a guy who’s pretty damn good and move him.”
But Lindsey sounded as if Holdman would be among his top choices.
“If he does come back, he has to be better than last year,” said Lindsey, who recently spoke to Holdman about returning. “I was disappointed because I know he’s better than that. ... I’m hoping he hasn’t lost his confidence. He has a couple good years in him if he wants to get after it.”
Holdman remains an option because he already knows, and understands, the defense. If the Redskins opt to draft someone, there’s no guarantee they’d play immediately.
Or Clemons, whose NFL experience has been as a rush end, could get the nod.
“Chris is intriguing because he’s tall,” Lindsey said. “He’s extremely fast and has really good quickness. This past spring and last offseason he picked up how to think as a linebacker, which he didn’t do initially. You still have to know how to play the position; sometimes that’s more important than having great talent.”
“I’ve got a lot of faith that I can do it,” Clemons said. “He’s trying to get Warrick back, but [Lindsey] has me listed as the starter. But it’s only March so I can’t get too happy right now. I have to prove myself.”
He has one fan in the departed Arrington.
“I groomed him,” Arrington said of Clemons the day he was released. “He’s great athletically and he figured out he could play physical, too. He was just finesse early on. With his body type and speed, he could almost steal the show if he gets that opportunity.”
Who’s the next Lavar?
- Chris Clemons played weakside linebacker for two years in college, but has not played it in the NFL. At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, he has good size for the position and is athletic.
- Clemons joined the Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2003.
- Warrick Holdman had his best season in 2001 under linebackers coach Dale Lindsey when both were in Chicago. He had a career-high 145 tackles. He has four career sacks and nine forced fumbles.
Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/Sports-a56945~W ... lling.html
Weakside hole needs filling
PDF | Email
John Keim, The Examiner
Mar 24, 2006 7:00 AM (1 hr 34 mins ago)
WASHINGTON - They could opt for the veteran who failed last year, or at least played to less-than-rave reviews. There’s also the draft, which is deep at this position of need. Or free agency, which contains mostly castoff veterans at this point.
The other option is already on the Redskins’ roster.
When voluntary offseason workouts begin Monday, the Redskins will have one starting position unfilled: weakside linebacker, the spot vacated by since-departed LaVar Arrington.
Among the options: re-sign Warrick Holdman, who started seven games at this spot last year and appears to be the No. 1 option; sign a veteran free agent such as Nate Wayne or Keith Adams, neither of whom were too impressive in Philadelphia; or promote Chris Clemons.
They’re trying to avoid moving middle linebacker Lemar Marshall back outside.
“If we don’t get a guy that can get it done,” Redskins linebackers coach Dale Lindsey said, “we’d be crazy to take a guy who’s pretty damn good and move him.”
But Lindsey sounded as if Holdman would be among his top choices.
“If he does come back, he has to be better than last year,” said Lindsey, who recently spoke to Holdman about returning. “I was disappointed because I know he’s better than that. ... I’m hoping he hasn’t lost his confidence. He has a couple good years in him if he wants to get after it.”
Holdman remains an option because he already knows, and understands, the defense. If the Redskins opt to draft someone, there’s no guarantee they’d play immediately.
Or Clemons, whose NFL experience has been as a rush end, could get the nod.
“Chris is intriguing because he’s tall,” Lindsey said. “He’s extremely fast and has really good quickness. This past spring and last offseason he picked up how to think as a linebacker, which he didn’t do initially. You still have to know how to play the position; sometimes that’s more important than having great talent.”
“I’ve got a lot of faith that I can do it,” Clemons said. “He’s trying to get Warrick back, but [Lindsey] has me listed as the starter. But it’s only March so I can’t get too happy right now. I have to prove myself.”
He has one fan in the departed Arrington.
“I groomed him,” Arrington said of Clemons the day he was released. “He’s great athletically and he figured out he could play physical, too. He was just finesse early on. With his body type and speed, he could almost steal the show if he gets that opportunity.”
Who’s the next Lavar?
- Chris Clemons played weakside linebacker for two years in college, but has not played it in the NFL. At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, he has good size for the position and is athletic.
- Clemons joined the Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2003.
- Warrick Holdman had his best season in 2001 under linebackers coach Dale Lindsey when both were in Chicago. He had a career-high 145 tackles. He has four career sacks and nine forced fumbles.
Examiner
