08 Lookback (Linebackers edition)

We've got a little less than six months to go until any NFL football. Since I can't wait that long, and because I'm interested in evaluating the team (as best as I'm able), I'm going to take a look at each unit and see how the Redskins stand, depth wise and talent-wise.

I'm going to start with the defense, and I'll take a look at the linebackers firstly.

LINEBACKERS
If there was one player on last year's team which really stood out, London Fletcher was that player.

Remember that goal-line stand against Cleveland?

Fletcher was, perhaps, the biggest contributor on the 2008 Redskins team. The heart of the defense, no doubt.

He was all over the field in the first half of the season. Towards the end, admittedly, he seemed to wear down, but he still made big plays.

The other two linebackers, Marcus Washington and Rocky McIntosh, I'm not too sure about. There was a time when I'd have said that Washington was the best linebacker in Washington, but now, truthfully, I feel like he's a shell of his former self. His injuries have taken their toll. He's been slowed.

Likewise, McIntosh has seen his fair share of knee injuries. He didn't play quite a bit in the last few games. It's especially sad about McIntosh because Rocky was just drafted a few years ago, and he had a great future ahead of him, if not for his knees.

To have one linebacker with chronic injuries is one thing. A team might be able to plug some depth in there and be okay. But when two starting linebackers are missing significant time, it'll hurt.

That's why I see the Redskins making at least one change with the linebacking corps. this offseason, whether it's to draft someone like this guy:



Rey Maualuga hits hard. It's a shame he's an inside linebacker. Though sad to say, Fletcher won't be around forever.

Brian Cushing (also at USC) is a possibility. Obligitory highlights package:



Or to sign a free-agent linebacker. A guy like Darryl Blackstock might be interesting. He's semi-local (went to U.Va.). Karlos Dansby will be a FA (if the Cards don't re-sign him soon). Bart Scott of the Ravens might be available.

The guy who looks like the eventual successor to Fletcher is H.B. Blades. Blades is the son of former Pro Bowler Bennie Blades.

To be honest, H.B. (short for Horatio Benedict) hasn't impressed me too much. He started a few games last season and got burned pretty much every time I saw him. But he started in an outside linebacking spot, and he was horribly out of place. He looks like a good MLB (5-foot-10, 250 lbs.), but is definitely lacking in speed. Troubling.

In their search for a replacement at OLB, the Redskins could turn to a backup. Perhaps Alfred Fincher (who's also an upcoming FA). Fincher impressed me in the preseason. He looked solid. Though I'd like to see a lot more of him in the future. Hopefully the Redskins re-sign the guy.

Khary Campbell (another FA-to-be) has been decent on special teams. He's survived on the team because of his usefulness there. It doesn't seem like the team has Campbell in their long-term plans, especially as a full-time linebacker.

Either way, I think it's a pretty safe bet that Marcus Washington, London Fletcher and Rocky McIntosh will not be your three starting linebackers next season.