Scot McCloughan’s To Do List: Part 4 – Linebackers
By Chris West
Jul 25, 2014; Richmond, VA, USA; Washington Redskins outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan (91) and Redskins outside linebacker Brian Orakpo (98) line up during practice on day three of training camp at Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Anybody paying close attention to the 2014 Washington Redskins could see that Ryan Kerrigan is the heart of their defense. With 14 sacks and 22 QB hurries, Kerrigan made his case for a new long-term contract. Kerrigan will play the 2015 season under his fifth year tender of $7,038,000.
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With Kerrigan set at LOLB, new GM Scot McCloughan needs to see what he has at the other linebacker spots. Brian Orakpo was supposed to team with Kerrigan at ROLB to provide the Redskins with a devastating outside pass rush. Unfortunately, Orakpo played in only 7 games and managed only a half sack in his short season.
Rookie second round draft choice, Trent Murphy replaced Orakpo in the starting lineup. He started 8 games until being injured himself in week 16 and missed the final week of the season. Jackson Jeffcoat replaced him in the lineup.
Keenan Robinson replaced team leader London Fletcher at ILB and was able to improve greatly on Fletcher’s performance over the past few seasons. Perry Riley returned as the other starting ILB after signing a 3 year contract. Will Compton filled in for Robinson for the 3 games that he missed due to injury and 2 that Riley missed in the middle of the season.
With Orakpo due to be a free agent, McCloughan needs to determine whether to re-sign him
With Orakpo due to be a free agent, McCloughan needs to determine whether to re-sign him or not and what other changes need to be made. I re-watched the coaches tape from weeks 1, 2, 15, 16, and 17 to form a good opinion on what McCloughan may be seeing when he analyzes what the Redskins have at OLB and ILB. These games included a loss to the Texans, a victory over the Jaguars, a loss to the Giants, a victory over the Eagles and a loss to the Cowboys.
Next: Ryan Kerrigan