Skins looking for complete backer on weak side

By David Murray  |   Wednesday, June 21, 2006  |  Comments( 3 )

Washington Redskins
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The competition is on for the Washington Redskins weak side linebacker spot, and the Skins are hopeful that one of the three candidates for the job will emerge as a productive, three-down performer.

A year ago, Warrick Holdman, a six-year veteran out of Texas A&M and an offseason free agent acquisition was the Skins starter for the first seven games. Three-time Pro Bowler LaVar Arrington was recovering from a troublesome knee injury, and there were whispers that he was no longer the fearsome linebacker he'd once been. Still, with their fortunes sagging, the Skins found themselves with no choice but to turn to the former star for a spark.

Arrington showed flashes of his old brilliance when he returned, but the Skins replaced him with pass rushing specialist Chris Clemons, a three year veteran out of Georgia, on third downs. Clemons appeared in 14 games, starting in one, and he recorded two sacks. The combination was effective as the Skins jelled and made their playoff run, but Arrington left for greener pastures in the offseason.

Holdman, a run stopper who spent five seasons with the Bears and played under defensive coordinator Greg Blache, returns, as does speed-rusher Clemons. And both would love to be the complete linebacker the Skins so desperately want to complement Lemar Marshall in the middle and Marcus Washington on the strong side.

But the Skins went looking for their man in April when they traded to move up in the second round of the draft. Washington selected former Miami Hurricane linebacker Rocky McIntosh, an intriguing prospect with plenty of size, speed and intelligence. McIntosh was the sixth linebacker selected, and he scored the highest of any linebacker in the draft on the Wonderlic intelligence test. At 6-2 and 237 lbs., he can also run a 4.63 40. He was a teammate of Sean Taylor's at The "U", and he joins fellow alumni Santana Moss, Clinton Portis and undrafted free agent tight end Buck Ortega with the Redskins.

McIntosh recently underwent knee surgery and is sitting out minicamp. He'll be ready when training camp begins in August. Certainly his lack of experience works against him to some degree, but the Redskins will look for every opportunity to work him into the action. All three linebackers will probably play, especially in the beginning of the season.

Holdman's experience is a plus, and Gregg Williams loves to play a blitzing, aggressive style, so Clemons should see some action on passing downs. Both have looked exceptional at minicamp, especially Holdman. Holdman has worked hard in the offseason and come in tremendous shape. Still, there is a long way to go before the season opener. And when all is said and done, McIntosh should be the man on the weak side. He has all of the tools. Once he gets some game experience under his belt and becomes comfortable with the Redskins defensive schemes, he should have no trouble becoming the complete linebacker the Skins were looking for when they moved up to grab him in the draft.

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