The chatter doesn’t bother him because he knows he’ll get a shot. So let the Redskins talk about wanting another pass-rushing linebacker — coach Mike Shanahan put it atop his list. Fine, let them even draft one or sign one in free agency. Lorenzo Alexander has a plan that he says can help solve the Redskins’ pass-rushing woes.
It involves himself, of course.
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But it also involves losing weight, doing MMA training and applying lessons learned in his first year at linebacker.
If the Redskins don’t draft a linebacker … and there’s limited free agency … and they can’t find another pass-rusher, then Alexander’s plan could provide him chances at the position.
Alexander, who started 11 games this season, said he’s already lost at least 10 pounds — he’s between 255-260 now — just doing Pilates, P90X, riding his bike and watching his diet. He’ll soon start doing MMA training with ex-Redskin linebacker Eddie Mason.
“Fighters have great stamina,” Alexander said. “I’ll see if I can bring another couple extra gears to my game. That’s what I’m trying to do, working on leverage and pass rush. I wasn’t playing any third downs at the end; I have to prove I’m able to do it.”
Washington’s problem is that the best pass-rushing linebacker in the draft is Von Miller and he’ll likely be gone by the tenth pick. The best pass-rushers in free agency — assuming it occurs this year — will be tough to get because teams don’t let players like that leave.
But Alexander doesn’t want a heavy load again from starting and playing almost all of the special teams. Hamstring issues plagued him late in 2010, too.
“At some point we have to make a decision either you have me play special teams or play outside linebacker,” Alexander said. “I was always fatigued. Whatever I do, I’ll excel at it. But I can’t do everything.”
What he’s not doing is worrying about a possible replacement in the starting lineup.
“If they decide to draft a guy or bring someone in, I can’t worry about that,” Alexander said. “I’ll continue to cut my weight so I’m more explosive and faster. I’ll get opportunities so it’s really up to me.”
