The attack of the mini-linebackers in Washington

By Darrell Laurant  |   Sunday, August 19, 2007  |  Comments( 0 )

Washington Redskins
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Linebacker is one position that doesn't seem to have an NFL prototype.

If you look at the starters at that position around the league, they range from 220 pounds to 270. Some are long and relatively lean, others built more like dumpsters.

Much of this, of course, has to do with whether a team runs a 3-4 or a 4-3. With the former, at least some of the linebackers need to be hefty enough to help the three down linemen with the basic pass rush. In a 4-3, which is more about shooting through gaps that the big guys create, size doesn't matter quite as much.

The Washington Redskins have apparently figured that out.

Last season, Washington ranked 31st in total defense, with only 19 sacks, six interceptions and 12 turnovers. The defensive backs didn't defend and the pass rushers didn't rush. Very early in the season, opposing quarterbacks no doubt began circling their Redskin dates on the calendar, perhaps with a smiley face added.

Finally, in Week 16, the Redskins told rookie linebacker Rocky McIntosh, "Why don't you see what you can do?"

In his first starting assignment, the 6-foot-2, 230-pound University of Miami product notched 10 tackles against St. Louis. In the season finale, he stung the Giants for 10 more.

This season, however, promises to be even better for McIntosh, because he has London Fletcher to play alongside.

Acquired from Buffalo during free agency, Fletcher had 157 tackles, two sacks and four interceptions for Buffalo in 2006. He was so active on the field that at times he seemed like twins.

"London is extremely quick in there," said Redskins coach Joe Gibbs after Fletcher --- who came out of Division III John Carroll University -- had six tackles against Tennessee.

Fletcher has been plugged into the middle of the Redskins' 4-3, with McIntosh on the weak side and 6-3, 248-pound Marcus Washington completing the trio.

Did we mention that Fletcher is 5-10 and 258 pounds?

Doesn't matter. He's already become the vocal leader of the Redskins' defense, an element that was sorely lacking last year. A game-film junkie, Fletcher has the football intelligence to help the players around him adjust to quick changes in the flow of a game. And if someone doesn't adjust, he'll tell them.

"I'll say it," Fletcher has remarked. "I'm a vocal guy."

McIntosh, meanwhile, had 89 tackles, five sacks and 14 tackles for loss in his last season in Miami. He also averaged 9 yards per sack, which meant he was getting deep penetration.

Backing up Fletcher in the middle for the Redskins at this point in the preseason is rookie H.B. Blades, out of Pittsburgh, who is listed as 5-10, 230.

You can't tell much from a single preseason game, but the tackle numbers for the Redskins' opening 14-6 victory over Tennessee were revealing. Fletcher had six tackles, McIntosh five, no doubt a portend of things to come.

And H.B. Blades? Nine.

Short linebackers? No problem.

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