Position review: Linebackers
London Fletcher • 5-10, 245 pounds
Perhaps no player will benefit more from the tackle tandem of Albert Haynesworth and Cornelius Griffin more than Fletcher. They should allow Fletcher to run more freely to the ball than he has since coming to the Redskins.
“It should allow him to make more plays in the run game and in the pass game,” Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Blache said.
And those big plays might finally help get Fletcher in the Pro Bowl (though, in reality, that will still be difficult).
Another possible benefit is that if fewer blockers get to Fletcher, it could help keep him fresher throughout the season.
Darrell Young • 5-11, 245 pounds
With fellow rookies Cody Glenn and Robert Henson not distinguishing themselves, that leaves an opening for someone such as Young.
Though he’s raw — Young played safety for his first three seasons at Villanova — the coaches are intrigued. They liked what they saw of him on special teams.
“He has things to work on,” linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti said, “but he put himself in position that we want to continue taking a look at him. … We haven’t made any decisions [on backups] so they all have their chances.”
H.B. Blades • 5-10, 242 pounds
Blades has worked mostly in the middle as Fletcher’s backup this summer, after making five starts on the strongside last season.
The middle is a better fit for him, where he can use his quickness and instincts to get to the ball. At strongside, too often he had to take on blockers and his size works against him in those situations. Blades made a nice play in practice Wednesday, intercepting a Colt Brennan pass in the end zone.
