Game of Inches: The Washington Redskins' Major Issues Coming Into 2009

(Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

Left Side…Strong Side?

In training camp, Washington will look to sort out the situation at strong side linebacker.

Marcus Washington was released in wake of several injury-plagued seasons. His departure leaves the position up for grabs.

The initial replacement was thought to be third year man HB Blades, however the addition of Brian Orakpo through the draft might shake things up.

Blades is football smart, but lacks size and the speed to cover ground from an outside linebacker position. He has experience at OLB from last season and yet is better suited to the middle linebacker position.

Orakpo is a freak athlete who can apply pressure and make plays. He ran a 4.63 forty time, proving he has the speed to play linebacker if needed. Whether he will possess the instincts at a position he is unused to is another question.

Washington has been trying him out at strongside LB on first and second downs, and then moving him to his natural DE position on third downs. The change may be risky as it could leave Orakpo overwhelmed at his transition to the NFL.

So the ‘Skins have to gamble either way. Orakpo has the upside, although switching him would take away from the front four’s pass rush and could hamper his ability to make the biggest impact possible.

With some refinement, Orakpo would have the skills in coverage to play strong side and he would provide an edge rusher from a two-point stance.

The Skins haven’t had this in years. It would add a unique element to the defense, throwing in a wrinkle for opposing offenses.

Blades won’t be lights out at OLB and he will struggle to matchup against certain targets in the passing game. Still, he knows the game and will hold his own against the run. 

If he wins the position, strong side linebacker will be a weakness, but one the defense will hope to overcome due to the star power of the remaining ten players.

Failure on the strong side isn’t what the coaching staff would like to see and neither is a repeat of last year’s horrific special teams play. This year the ‘Skins may have some answers.

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