Why The Saints Should Sign Marcus Washington

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Outside linebacker Marcus Washington is currently still a free agent after the Redskins cut him in the 2009 off-season.

Marcus Washington is a solid veteran outside linebacker who fits great into Gregg Williams’ defense. This would bring some knowledge to the other outside linebackers who are figuring out Gregg Williams’ system in New Orleans.

Gregg Williams is an aggressive defensive coordinator who likes to blitz and give opposing offenses different looks in an attempt to confuse them. Seeing that he does love to blitz why not bring a linebacker who can get after the quarterback?

In his career Washington has recorded 37.5 sacks in eight seasons with only one season that he did not record a sack and that was in 2008 when Gregg Williams left Washington and joined Jacksonville. Washington also recorded 378 tackles and 18 pass deflections in his time with Gregg Williams.

There are many concerns with Washington when it comes to his health, which is an issue since he has not completed a full season since 2005. Washington has found himself on the sidelines due to injuries, but when he is healthy he is a force at the linebacker position and could very well upgrade the linebacker position for the Saints.


Marcus Washington would be a great addition to the Saints roster and would bring the sack totals for the Saints as a team a lot higher than the 28 that the Saints managed to record in 2008. Marcus Washington is a hard hitter and solid pass rusher, but he lacks coverage skills, which could be trouble in the NFC South with the additions of Tony Gonzalez and Kellen Winslow Jr.

The Saints could let Washington compete for the weak side linebacker position, which would mean he would not have to cover tight ends as much and could be used to stop to rush the quarterback.

Although many fans seem content with the depth that the Saints have brought into the locker room to compete for linebacker position, I do not feel many of the players are well accomplished and we won't know if they fit into Gregg Williams’ system. The Saints need an upgrade at the outside linebacker position and I feel that Marcus Washington could be the upgrade we need not forever, but for now. He could help us get after the quarterback and stop the run. Marcus Washington could be the upgrade the Saints were looking for in Dan Morgan before he retired.

Saints fans I would like for you to consider what Marcus Washington could bring to the table for the New Orleans Saints, and it wouldn't take him long to get back into the system seeing that he already knows it very well

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