Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

From Pro Football Weekly:

All indications are that the Redskins are looking at a different option at middle linebacker next season. [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5299"][COLOR=#000000]Lemar Marshall[/COLOR][/URL] clearly struggled against blockers and might move to the weak side, where he likely would battle with [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7784"][COLOR=#000000]Rocky McIntosh[/COLOR][/URL] for a starting spot in '07.

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

Good decision. I guess its all contingent on who they can get, but Lemar and Rocky on the weak side would give us a freaky, untested thing called "depth" at the linebacker position.

Marshall was outstanding at WLB in 2004 and although some of his success may have been attributable to Pierce, getting him back to a position where he is comfortable, but this is a great way to begin to maximize the talent on the roster.

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

This is an interesting development if true. Will this change our approach in the draft? What about Posey?

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

What about Posey?

Did he even sniff the field this year?

I don't see him being much of a factor.

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

I think if Posey is in the discussion let's pack up and get ready for another crappy year on D.

When they say 'different option' and 'Redskins' it means FA player and lots of money. Who is out there that is enticing is the question.

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

I'd say London Fletcher is intriguing as long as we draft someone this year or next as his eventual replacement. He fits the mold of what we need and he is straight good. He'd be a leader which is what we are missing since Pierce left I think.

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

The only real MLB that I can think of who is an unrestricted free agent is James Darling from Arizona.

He's decent - but nothing more than that. But he's an upgrade at MLB over Marshall. Is there a better unrestricted free agent MLB out there that I haven't thought of? There are lots of OLBs...

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

Anybody else concerned that Rocky will still have to compete for a starting roster spot with Marshall? Is that what one should expect from a 2nd round draft pick, and one that we traded this year's 2nd for?

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

Anything to make it possible for Warrick Holdman to never ever see the field ever again. Ever. Never.

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

I'm groaning at the thought of another free agent bust

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

Put Campbell in the Middle and keep Rocky and Washington WLB and SLB

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

I'm sticking with my theory of them moving either Marcus or Rocky to the middle with Lemar and the other on the outsides.

It's crazy talk, I know

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

[quote=TAFKAS;275582]I'm sticking with my theory of them moving either Marcus or Rocky to the middle with Lemar and the other on the outsides.

It's crazy talk, I know[/quote]

I think you're right...to be honest, I really don't see the team bringing in ANOTHER linebacker

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

Khary Campbell for MLB

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

I'm not sure Campbell can start

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

[quote=AlvinWalton'sNeckBrace;275590]I'm not sure Campbell can start[/quote]

Neither am I... for those who want to pencil him into the lineup what have you see from him that is so impressive to make you think he can start??

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

I dunno about Marshall, he did it two years ago, does that mean he can still do it......some players just never return to their form....i guess we'll see, I think the combination of rocky and lemar both starting doesnt give us enough LB size, seems like one or ther other.

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

Williams may have also changed his philosophy on running the defense a little bit also. If he decides to go with a big run stuffer in the middle and coverage and speed on the outside, this would be an obvious move. I'm interested to see what Williams thinks he is going to change with Dale Lindsey gone. He decided that something had to change...

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

if you have to make a change...I really feel like macintosh is the obvious in-house choice because of his youth...but that's if we make one at all, which I am not sure about

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

[QUOTE=GoSkins!;275598]Williams may have also changed his philosophy on running the defense a little bit also. If he decides to go with a big run stuffer in the middle and coverage and speed on the outside, this would be an obvious move. I'm interested to see what Williams thinks he is going to change with Dale Lindsey gone. He decided that something had to change...[/QUOTE]

That won't happen. The MLB in a cover two has to be able to cover the slot WR and TEs hence the reason two speedy type players have been used there.

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

i like fletcher as a leader. but as a player i wouldnt take him over marshall. and i think both mcintosh and washington are both to small to play the middle.

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

[quote=Beemnseven;275565]Anybody else concerned that Rocky will still have to compete for a starting roster spot with Marshall? Is that what one should expect from a 2nd round draft pick, and one that we traded this year's 2nd for?[/quote]

I was more concerned that a second rounder who we traded up for couldn't crack the lineup until the 16th week on a 5-11 team.

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

[quote=dmek25;275607]i like fletcher as a leader. but as a player i wouldnt take him over marshall. and i think both mcintosh and washington are both to small to play the middle.[/quote]

Marshall proved that he couldn't get it done. Washington and Rocky are bigger than Lemar.

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

kawika mitchell from the chiefs. young and a good leader and tackles well.

[url=http://www.kcchiefs.com/player/kawika_mitchell/]Kawika Mitchell, #50, Linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs[/url]

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

Washington too small at 250 lbs??

He's better suited for the outside, but still, the guy isn't too small for the middle.

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

I'm not sure its quite time to throw Marshall under the bus yet. He was hurt...and played remarkably well in 05. With a better secondary, and a better line in front of him, he'll probably improve. He's also likely to put on some weight considering how much he got blocked this past year. We shouldn't replace everybody quite yet...and its funny to see fans who say we should not go after big time free agents lobby to demote a guy who was hurt to second string after one sub-par season. What about Taylor?? When do we get his replacement? (this is considering you don't think he really should have made the probowl)

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

[quote=Mattyk72;275625]Washington too small at 250 lbs??

He's better suited for the outside, but still, the guy isn't too small for the middle.[/quote]
he might be listed at 250lbs, but no way. probably more like 235lbs

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

No way he's only 235... the guy is 6'3 and solid as hell. I'm 6'3 230 and I don't look like that believe me.

[IMG]http://www.redskins.com/uploads/photos/perm/main/ODJLNJNDBLOA/WashingtonM22.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2006/01/07/PH2006010701216.jpg[/IMG]

He's basically the same size as LaVar who goes about 250 too.

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

I think moving Washington out of a position he seems to flourish in would be a mistake. I think if anything try Rocky there, if I remember correctly he played MLB in college. While it's a whole different game now, he should still be large enough. Regardless, I think Marshall is still a good player. I'm also all for letting Khary Campbell get a crack at it. Sometimes these guys will really surprise you. I really like Campbells motor, seems like a real action guy!

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

i think khary is slow and not strong enough. in limited action (due to other player's injuries) he was pretty bad and got embarrassed in red zone and goal line defense. he knows where to go, but the play just doesn't seem to work out for him.

we need to bring someone in if rocky's a no show... if he can play though, why di he spend so much time on the bench with holdman on the field? that guy was REALLY worthless, for the second year in a row.

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

Marshall need's to be replaced with someone in the draft, I am tired of seeing us try to short cut the system with free agent retreads, moving Wash or Rocky into the middle is ridiculous, how about drafting a MLB? Oh that's right we have no draft picks, so in desperation we will over pay for another guy who can't play and recieve the big speech from Gibbs on all the things he thinks he can bring to the team. This regime reminds me so much of the George Allen day's when all you heard is we have no picks for years because of Allens appetite for veteran players on thier way out, we may not be signing old players but we are getting the same results, a team that lacks serious talent and no way to fix it, not that anyone in the organization could actually draft talent if we actually had draft picks, thanks to GM Joe and the gang.

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

i think my point is why keep putting players out of position? either draft( which i would prefer) or sign a middle linebacker from free agency

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

This would fit into my strategy of getting Branch in the draft giving up next years 1st and 3rd to get back into the first to get Paul Posluszny and shift him to the middle.

knowing us we will swat a fly with a bazooka and sign Adalius Thomas also. Marshal should compete in both spots to push the younger players to step up in my scenario.

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

I honestly don't know what the hell to think about the LBs.

First, I think Marshall didn't have a great year. But he also didn't have much in the way of DT play in front of him. So I don't know what to make of Lemar.

If you bring in a new middle LB, or even if you shift someone on the roster to the middle, they're going to have to learn to be GW's QB of the defense, and make all those calls. That's a big adjustment.

I have no idea what they should do. Totally at a loss. I just wish Pierce were still here.

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

Of all the moves everyone bitches about the one that actually bothers me is losing Pierce. We f*cked that one up big time. Actually makes me mad. The rest I can understand the thought behind. That one I just don't get. Ugh.

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

We all know that GW is an egotistical douchebag at times.

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

[quote=FRPLG;275712]Of all the moves everyone bitches about the one that actually bothers me is losing Pierce. We f*cked that one up big time. Actually makes me mad. The rest I can understand the thought behind. That one I just don't get. Ugh.[/quote]

Of the things Joe2 regularly side steps in his interviews, he soes step to the plate on that one. I have heard him several times say (regarding Pierce) "that's one we let get away" "like to have another shot at that one". UNfortunate, but I have no problem with that. lesson learned.

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

[quote=Schneed10;275707]I honestly don't know what the hell to think about the LBs.

First, I think Marshall didn't have a great year. But he also didn't have much in the way of DT play in front of him. So I don't know what to make of Lemar.

If you bring in a new middle LB, or even if you shift someone on the roster to the middle, they're going to have to learn to be GW's QB of the defense, and make all those calls. That's a big adjustment.

I have no idea what they should do. Totally at a loss. I just wish Pierce were still here.[/quote]

well put. GW's MLB has to take charge of the D & get people in line, that's why Pierce was so good & the D was so good w/him. He always was making adjustments on the line & in the secondary. YOu don't see that as much w/Marshall.
It would be tough for a new guy to fill in, especially a rookie. It's not that it can't be learned in one season, Pierce only had 1 season in GW's D, but he's a smart and assertive leader as well as a good linebacker. Tough to match that combination, yeah we screwed up letting him sign w/the g-men.

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

[quote=Mattyk72;275638]No way he's only 235... the guy is 6'3 and solid as hell. I'm 6'3 230 and I don't look like that believe me.

[IMG]http://www.redskins.com/uploads/photos/perm/main/ODJLNJNDBLOA/WashingtonM22.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2006/01/07/PH2006010701216.jpg[/IMG]

He's basically the same size as LaVar who goes about 250 too.[/quote]

I don't think Marcus Washington's "playing" weight is 250lb. He's about a 230 - 235 speed type of guy with power. That pic was from training camp and he looked a little out of shape to be honest. He's smaller than the old # 56 by alot.

Re: Skins looking for new MLB; Marshall back to the outside?
 

[QUOTE=FRPLG;275712]Of all the moves everyone bitches about the one that actually bothers me is losing Pierce. We f*cked that one up big time. Actually makes me mad. The rest I can understand the thought behind. That one I just don't get. Ugh.[/QUOTE]

Losing a 3rd rounder for T.J. Duckett doesn't really bother you?

How about not having this year's 2nd for the chance to get Rocky McIntosh?