All your Redskins linebacker questions answered

We have been discussing in our Redskins forum Andre Carter’s rehabilitation and whether or not he can hold off the challenge to his starting OLB job from Lorenzo Alexander, another converted defensive lineman, who has drawn early rave reviews from Defensive Coordinator Jim Haslett.

Wanting an answer to this question and several others, I went to one of the best beat writers around, John Keim of The Examiner. I asked him if Carter was in danger of losing his starting job to Alexander, if Carter could stick on the team as a backup at his salary and if Lorenzo Alexander’s size wouldn’t make him more suitable playing inside linebacker, where London Fletcher is considered by many to be very small to play in a 3-4 defense. John’s response was extremely informative, as always, and might surprise you. Read on:

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as far as andre is concerned, i would not rule him out as a starter. he’s been hurt so he hasn’t had a lot of reps. And you can only base so much on what happens in the spring, without the pads on…I’ve seen many guys listed as starters in the spring only to go MIA once camp opens.

that said, let’s say Lorenzo Alexander beats him out. it would be hard to see them getting rid of Andre if only because he could help when they use a 4-3 in nickel situations, as they will do quite often. So he would still have a rather good role; could be just a pass-rush specialist. with no cap, they can afford that. i think if Jeremy Jarmon were not coming off an injury, they might groom him for that sort of role. but they don’t know what they have in him. they know Carter can at least pressure the passer…I could also see them trying to trade him this summer if it’s clear he’s not a good fit for a 3-4 and that others can offer what he does as a rusher. that’s just a guess, not based on anything anyone has told me…

Alexander is a bit big for an inside LB in this defense. my guess is he’d have to lose about 15-20 pounds to be fully effective…But athletically he’d be fine. The hard part, too, is how much he’d have to learn and read to diagnose plays. Even as an OLB, what he has to read is much different, and more detailed, than what he has to do at end or tackle. But he does look comfortable, so far, with his drops.

I also wonder about fletcher in a 3-4. that’s why I think H.B. Blades will have a difficult time making this roster. Just not a lot of small guys inside; fletch is sturdier, and faster, than Blades. I like HB a lot, but wonder about his future here. Of course, i always wondered about rock’s future every time there was a coaching change and he survived 8 years here…

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Read more at

http://dcprosportsreport.com/2010/06/03/all-your-redskins-linebacker-questions-answered/