HR Positional Review: Linebackers

Linebackers are the heart and soul of the Greg Williams defense. While the defensive tackles occupy blockers the linebackers are asked to fill the gaps to stop the run, blitz to bring down the passer, and drop back in coverage to support the blitzing of the safeties and corners. The attention to detail and total adherence to the system as well as being physically gifted are the hallmarks of the Greg Williams linebacker.

It is that last reason that led to the off season departure of Lavar Arrington. For the last 5 seasons the Redskin faithful have been used to #56 roaming from sideline to sideline and his absence will be fleet. However Lavar was barely there during the last two years due to injury and often sparred with his coaches over his free lancing. Eventually, for both sides, the differences became irreconcilable and Lavar bought out his contract returning 4 million of his signing bonus and giving the Redskins needed cap room to maneuver in this year’s free agency market.

With Lavar’s departure the defense will have a new face to many of the fans but not to the Redskin defenders. That face will be Marcus Washington. For the last two year’s he has captained this defense since his arrival from Indianapolis. He was 2nd on the team in tackles and 1st in sacks in each of the last two years and was the unquestioned leader of a defense that ranked 3rd in 2004 and 9th in 2005. He is the new face of the Redskin defense and quite possibly the best free agent acquisition of the Daniel Snyder era.

Last year the middle spot opened up with the departure of Antonio Pierce but the Redskin defense did not miss a beat. Like he did with Pierce, GW turned to a little known outside linebacker and converted him to the Mike position. This time it was Lemar Marshall who played solidly in Lavar’s absence in 2004 at the WLB position. Lemar showed his intelligence and knowledge of the GW system and grew into the position over the course of the season and led the team in tackles. Being a former safety in college he often is dropped back into pass coverage and he led the team in interceptions as well. An additional off-season in the same system could produce huge results for Lemar.

The hole left at WLB though is not filled as easily. The Redskins moved up in the draft to acquire Rocky McIntosh from Miami as their top draft choice this fall. He is a natural Will type linebacker and the future at the Will position, but is the future now? The Redskins re-signed Warrick Holdman to a one year deal in the off season. He started at the Will position at the beginning of last year and was sub par to put it mildly. However Linebacker coach Dale Lindsey believes another year in the system along with a healthy off season will return Warrick Holdman to his old form when he starred with the Chicago Bears. Warrick will open the pre-season as the starter and Rocky will be nipping at his heels to take the job from him.

The backup spots will have heavy competition and most likely be the focus of the pre-season for Dale Lindsey and Gregg Williams when it comes to the linebacker position. At will either Holdman or McIntosh will be the backup depending on who wins the starting spot. At MLB Khary Campbell, last year’s backup, resigned in the off season, and a special teams standout will battle with Kevin Simon a 2006 7th round draft choice with raw talent but injury plagued career. Chris Clemons is moved to the Strong side and will battle with UFA Spencer Havner for the right to backup Marcus Washington. The loser of those battles will likely fight it out on special teams for 1 or 2 roster spots with Robert McCune, last year 5th round draft choice.